STAHI Provides a minimum of (2) hours of NYS Approved Continuing Education at each monthly meeting.

STAHI September 2021 Meeting Agenda/in /by

9/21/2021

Call to Order: 6:00 PM (All are Muted on Zoom – Use space bar to speak up)

Roll Call Introductions.  Members and Guests. 

Determine Quorum (by Secretary based on current membership) minimum required plus presence of President or Vice President)

Requests from Members for Modifications to this Meeting Agenda?

Approval of June 2021 Meeting Minutes as posted on STAHI website (July was Reunion Picnic and no business meeting held in August (Inspect-Out CE).   

  • Any requests for revisions?
  • Approval

Secretary’s Report (Frank Macak)

  • Report
  • Other?

Treasurer’s (Nathan Mann) Report and Approval

  • Monthly Treasurer’s Report
  • 2021 Dues/Member Roll status
  • Other?

Education Coordinator Report (Charlie Reiman Education Coordinator)

  • Report of Inspect-Out 3 credit NYS CE 8/17/21
    • Certificates
  • Projected CE Training
    • Aaron Menlove on Insurance?
    • Proposal for a series of Show-n-Tell for various categories?
    • Others?
  • Status of NYSDOS relating to Remote CE training
    • Assistance of Assemblywoman Lupardo
  • Tonight’s Education Event:  At end of business meeting: Show-N-Tell, by Dennis Cole (pics), Dave Jones (host) & Larry Ames (pics) (Non-NYS approved CE)
  • Other?

NYSAHI Report (Tom Ott & Larry Ames 2021 STAHI Representatives)

  • Albany reorganizing
  • Annie-Laurie resigning after years as President, Ross Relyea nominated.
  • Treasury under $1000
  • Lobbyist Contract – Terminated for lack of funding.
  • Looking for ways to increase membership.  Newer inspectors are not “joiners”
  • Exploring updating website to be more valuable/visible to members & others.
  • Exploring website advertisement, sponsorship (ethical constraints), etc to raise funds
  • Looking for member input for what would add value to their membership.

Website Committee Report (Jamie Arnold, Chairman & Frank Macak, Ex-Officio)

  • Website Status
  • Website Update Work
  • (Continuing) Referrals by STAHI website
  • Other?

Old Business

  • In-Person STAHI Meetings considered by Officers this month.  Unanimous no.  Will review for October.
  • Dave Clark’s Niagara Conference – 10/15 & 16/2021 – 12 NYS CE
  • Continuing Call for new CE Opportunities from Members
    • NYS Approved Courses – looking for new courses
    • Mini Subjects
    • Allied Trades & Professions
    • Show N Tell Submissions
  • By-Laws Revision Proposal – Dues.  Proposal revised per John Vagliardo suggestion (updated By-Laws revision proposal posted with this agenda).  6 Months to pay dues (deadline 6/30).  No State CE credit to be given to any delinquent member.  If not paid after 6/30, Dropped from membership roll.  $25 fee for reinstatement when dues paid.  (Motion,Discussion,Vote).

New Business

  • Thanks Again to David Jones, Upstate Training, for hosting this Zoom meeting.
  • NYS COVID requirements for Home Inspections unchanged since March 2020.  Larry Ames requested update from NYSDOH on behalf of NYSAHI.
  • Dave Jones requested information on cost per credit hour to attend our CE as non-member: $25/hr.
  • Larry Ames will not stand for election as President next term.  Better start thinking about succession.  Poll other current officers.
  • Other?

Education Segment (Non – NYS CE)

  • “Show-N-Tell” – An assortment of home inspection pictures to analyze, rate, and offer write-up suggestions.

Adjournment  (Next Meeting on Zoom 6 PM May 19th)

Remote CE re-authorization request from DOS/in /by

By Larry Ames, president

Dear Assemblywoman Lupardo,

I am President of the Southern Tier Association of Home Inspectors, which serves licensed home inspectors in 10 counties of New York.  NYSDOS had granted authorization for remote continuing education training to be conducted during the pandemic emergency and we effectively were able to have our meetings and provide high-quality CE programs by Zoom.  As things appeared to be easing up a bit this summer DOS withdrew authorization for remote CE training.  Instead of getting better, conditions in our area relative to the pandemic have been getting worse, especially with the rise of variants, resistance to vaccination and masking, etc.  I also serve as a director on the board of the state professional association, NYSAHI.  We requested from DOS that remote CE be reauthorized in light of what has been described for our area by the government as substantial risk, high transmissibility and emergency conditions.  That was denied.

  I called DOS and requested the same authorization for remote CE for only the nonprofit professional associations, as the ability to offer CE is a cornerstone of those organizations and in person CE is not a safe option at our regular monthly dinner meetings which generally may last up to four hours in a meeting room.  The response I got was that there was no enabling Executive Order.  I told them that my reading of the law enabled state agencies to act under emergency authority and that since this pandemic is an emergency it would seem reasonable that they could take the simple act of giving the authorization.  I was told that the decision was made by others.  I asked for the names and contact information for the decision-makers and was told that that could not be disclosed!

The lack of authorization to continue to conduct remote CE is beginning to weaken our important professional organization.  Home inspectors are all about safety and our leadership believes that meeting in person is unsafe and an unnecessary risk.  I can see no reason why DOS would withhold such authorization from us at this time.  I request your assistance in getting temporary authorization to conduct remote continuing education for our nonprofit professional association very soon.

Thank you for your consideration of this matter and for your assistance in the past.

Sincerely,

Larry Ames

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Follow up from Larry:

All,

I had an essentially immediate response from Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo’s office to my email today looking for progress on this matter.

I was told a number of things:

DOS is apparently looking favorably on granting authorization for remote CE.

They are in the process of reviewing with their legal counsel to determine if they can undertake authorization on their own or if it requires an Executive Order or legislative approval.

If legislative approval is required, it most likely would not come up until January when the legislature reconvenes.

I re-emphasized the need for the regional organizations to have the ability to conduct state approved remote CE and how that is linked to their survival during this time of pandemic with substantial risk and high transmissibility status.

I am hoping for some good news.

Stay Safe Out There!
Larry

August’s meeting and picnic/in /by

Lady and Gentlemen,

There will NOT be a regularly scheduled August’s STAHI meeting on 8/20/2019 at the Spot Restaurant. Instead, a short meeting will be conducted during the yearly picnic on August 24th at Keith’s lake house with the attendees of the picnic, likely without a quorum.

This year’s picnic will be held at Keith’s lake house in on 8/24/19 at 1:00 PM, which Keith has graciously offered for us to use this year. The date of the picnic has been determined by the Poll on STAHI site, based on the date that most members are being able to attend.

The Keith’s lake house address is 1964 Quinn Rd., Brackney, PA 18812.
Directions: From Binghamton – 8.5 miles down Pennsylvania Ave to a left on Rt 167, 4.5 miles to a right onto Quinn Rd. .5 miles to Keith’s driveway on the left.

Picnic starts at 1:00 PM, but punctuality isn’t exactly critical. Keith will provide all the usual picnic stuff, burgers, dogs, sausage, potato salad, baked beans, soda, etc.  Members and their significant others can bring their own favorite alcoholic beverages.

Since it is a yearly organization event, the cost of the food and soda will be covered by STAHI of up to $250.00 [ we will further discuss this decision by leadership at the future meeting ]. So there will be no charge per individual attendees.

To roughly know the amount of food we will need, we need to know the exact number of the attendees.

Please email me directly at Frank@prime-inspect.com if you are coming, and how many guests you are bringing with you. We need to have the info by the end of the day on 8/21/19.

Note – the Event Calendar on STAHI site is having “update issues” and is currently not functional.

Thank you all,

Hopefully, we will have a great weather and many members attending there this year.

Frank Macak, Secretary
Frank@prime-inspect.com

STAHI July 2019 Meeting Agenda/in /by

 

7/16/2019

STAHI July 2019 Meeting Agenda by Larry Ames, president

Call to Order: 6:00 PM 

 

Round Table Introductions and Members Introduce Their Guests

 

New Inspector Member: Gordon Barron, Cohocton

 

Determine Quorum (14 Members minimum required plus President or Vice President)

 

Requests from Members for Modifications to this Meeting Agenda?

 

Approval of June 2019 Meeting Minutes as posted on STAHI website

  • Any requests for revisions?
  • Approval

Secretary’s Report (Frank Macak)

  • Status of Website
  • Other

Treasurer’s (Dale Lozier) June Report and Approval

  • Membership Summary by Category
  • Dues
  • Accounts
  • Scholarship, Sponsorship and other obligations

Education Coordinator Report (Dennis Cole for Keith Oberg Education Coordinator (vacation))

  • Projected CE Training
  • Tonight’s NYS CE Training (2 credits) “Manufactured Homes”
  • Fall Hyde Hall Inspector’s Outing (near Cooperstown) with CE training

Sunday September 22nd

  • Also open to members of CNYASHI. Families welcome.
  • Afternoon 3 CE Hyde Hall Mansion Tour – approved by NYS per Dennis

“Hyde Hall is a stunning reminder of a bygone American era, when powerful English families established vast estates in their former colonies. The house itself is considered the finest example of neoclassic country mansions anywhere in the United States…. Explore the house with its nearly 50 rooms and stunning architectural details, under the guidance of a skilled interpreter. See firsthand the ongoing restoration process”

  • Optional following Self-Pay Dinner at Local Restaurant – (Brooks BBQ?)
  • Pre-Registration – Fee for CE/Tour – $15 Adult, Children under 13 – FREE (Children must be supervised at all times by their responsible adult) – Payment due to Treasurer by August 1st.

 

NYSAHI Report (John Vagliardo, 2019 STAHI Representative)

 

  • Legislation – Exam bill

 

Draft Letter for STAHI

 

  • NYSAHI Request for New Issues

 

  • Other?

 

Old Business

  • Summer Association Party? Invite CNYASHI?
  • Update: by Rebecca Jones, Upstate Appraisals, Johnson City, NY, regarding amendment of Appraisal Management Law that effects the Home Inspection profession, allowing home inspectors to be hired to perform property inspections or property evaluations through an Appraisal Management Company.

 

 

 New Business

 

  • NYS AARST Fall Training & Stakeholder’s Meeting

October 7 – Day 1: Multi-Family Measurement – 8 CEs

 

October 8 – Day 2:  Multi-Family Mitigation – 8 CEs

 

October 9 – Day 3: Morning session: Personal Protection for Radon Mitigators – 4 CEs  Afternoon Session:  Mechanics of Radon: How it affects the body.

October 10 – Stakeholders Meeting – Value packed day plus networking.  The keynote address:  Past, Present, Future by Lane Mathis Price, MD.

Courses held at Traditions at the Glen

Special NYS AARST Room Rate: $95+tax    Reservations call: 607-797-2381

·      Business Community Introduction: Jim Rollo, Jim Rollo Insurance and Financial Services Inc, Endwell, NY (State Farm Insurance Agent)

 

Adjournment    

STAHI June 2019 Meeting Agenda/in , /by

STAHI June 2019 Meeting Agenda 

6/18/2019

 

Call to Order: 6:00 PM 

 

Round Table Introductions and Members Introduce Their Guests

 

Determine Quorum (13 Members minimum required plus President or Vice President)

 

Requests from Members for Modifications to this Meeting Agenda?

 

Approval of May 2019 Meeting Minutes as posted on STAHI website

  • Any requests for revisions?
  • Approval

Secretary’s Report (Frank Macak)

  • Status of Website
  • Other

Treasurer’s (Dale Lozier) June Report and Approval

  • Membership Summary by Category
  • Dues
  • Accounts
  • Scholarship, Sponsorship and other obligations

Education Coordinator Report (Keith Oberg, Education Coordinator)

  • Projected CE Training
  • Fall Hyde Hall Inspector’s Conclave (near Cooperstown) with CE training – Fixed Date – Sunday September 22nd  – Larry Ames – Developing to right-size
    • Invitation to CNYASHI – Initial contact via Tom Sherman who relayed to President – will advise interest.
    • Additional Morning CE Course? – None so far per Dennis Cole and Tom Sherman
    • Picnic Lunch at the Hall or State Park – Considering if morning CE available.
    • Afternoon 3 CE Hyde Hall Mansion Tour – approved by NYS per Dennis
    • Optional Omegang Brewery Tour??
    • Optional following Self-Pay Dinner at Local Restaurant – (Brooks BBQ?)
    • Pre-Registration – Proposed fee for CE/Tour and Picnic Lunch – $30 Adult, Children under 13 – $10 (Children must be supervised at all times by their responsible adult) – Payment due to Treasurer by August 1st.
    • Overnight B&B accommodations are available – advise if interested and we can get pricing
    • Straw Poll Update – Interested in Attending?
  • Tracy Urbassik will be doing a water treatment program for about 45 minutes, Keith O. will have a photo presentation on wells.

NYSAHI Report (Keith Oberg and John Vagliardo, 2019 STAHI Representatives)

 

  • Legislation
  • Other

 

Old Business

  • Summer Association Party? Invite CNYASHI?

 

 New Business

  •  Presentation during dinner by Trade Member Tracy Urbassik, Owner, New York Water Girl, Conklin, NY “Water Testing in Home Inspections”.

 

Adjournment    

STAHI May 2019 Meeting Agenda/in , /by

STAHI May 2019 Meeting Agenda 

5/21/2019

 

Call to Order: 6:00 PM 

 

Round Table Introductions and Members Introduce Their Guests

 

Determine Quorum (14 Members minimum required plus President or Vice President)

 

Requests from Members for Modifications to this Meeting Agenda?

 

Approval (?) of February/March 2019 Meeting Minutes as posted – by STAHI poll –Frank Macak

 

Approval of April 2019 Meeting Minutes as posted on STAHI website

  • Any requests for revisions?
  • Approval

Secretary’s Report (Frank Macak)

  • Status of Website
  • Other

Treasurer’s Report (Dale Lozier) – Report for February, March, April

Approval(?) as posted on STAHI poll

  • May Treasurer’s Report and Approval
  • Membership Summary by Category
  • Dues
  • Accounts
  • Continuation of NYSAHI Affiliation
  • Scholarship, Sponsorship and other obligations (projected against budget)

Education Coordinator Report (Keith Oberg, Education Coordinator)

  • Projected CE Training
  • Fall Hyde Hall Inspector’s Conclave (near Cooperstown) with CE training – Fixed Date – Sunday, September 22nd  – Larry Ames
    • Invitation to CYNASHI (initial contact via Tom Sherman – official to follow when firmed up)
    • Approval of Additional Morning CE Course? (Dennis Cole)
    • Catered Lunch at the Hall or State Park (Brooks BBQ?)
    • Afternoon 3 CE Hyde Hall Mansion Tour
    • Optional Ommegang Brewery Tour
    • Optional following Self-Pay Dinner at Local Restaurant?
    • Pre-Registration – Fee for CE and Lunch to be proposed in June Meeting
    • Overnight B&B accommodations are available – advise if interested and we can get pricing
    • Straw Poll – Interested in Attending?
  • 2 hour State Credit Training after this business meeting: “Garage Safety” by Keith Oberg
  • Spring Field Trip to Holy Smoke in Dryden, NY –Saturday, May 4th – John Vagliardo

 

NYSAHI Report (Keith Oberg and John Vagliardo, 2019 STAHI Representatives)

 

  • Legislation
  • Other

 

Old Business

  • Suggestions for Tech-Talk Subjects?
  • By-Laws Revision Proposal – Larry Ames (As posted on STAHI website) – Motion and Vote for Approval
  • CE Charges for Guest Inspectors – Set Policy: $25 per credit paid in advance (paid before or at the meeting) – Motion and Vote for Approval
  • Proposal for Geographically Distributed CE – Update by Rick Bates
  • Summer Association Party??? Invite CNYASHI???

 

 New Business

 

  • Tech-Talk: Member Discussion – Addressing Minimum Requirements for VA and HUD/FHA Loans with Clients – Larry Ames

·       Presentation during dinner by Mike Minichiello, Owner, Rainbow International of Elmira “Rainbow International® of Elmira, is your locally owned and operated, emergency-service and mitigation company. … along with our certified, professional team, we are dedicated to minimizing any home or commercial emergency you may have. We are currently serving NY in Chemung, Steuben, Schuyler, and Tompkins counties as well as Northern Pennsylvania in Bradford and Tioga counties.”

Adjournment    

Proposed Bylaws Changes:

Bylaws of the Southern Tier Association of Home Inspectors, 4/18/06 amended 9/18/18

 

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

  1. The officers of the Chapter shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

 

ARTICLE VII: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. . The Association shall have a Board of Directors consisting of its Members not including Associate and Trade Members).

PROPOSED REVISION: 1. The Association shall have a Board of Directors consisting of its Members (“Directors”) not including Associate and Trade Members.

.

ARTICLE XI: ELECTIONS

  1. A President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Director shall be elected to serve for a two-year term.

PROPOSED REVISION: 1. A President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected to serve for a two-year term.

 

 

Radon Measurement / Mitigation Courses/in /by
Hi All,

New courses for radon mitigation, radon measurement and certifications are available by AARST in April, 2019

Courses are held at Traditions at the Glen , 4101 Watson Blvd, Johnson City, NY 13790

Please visit the link below for more info:

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eg5vnkf3192e6aa9&llr=qdo7jz7ab&showPage=true

Frank M