Originally Posted By: apfaff
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Why I joined NACHI
Since November of 2004 I have been reading thousands of posts on this forum. I decided to go ahead and start my inspection business because of the resources offered by the regular forum posters. This forum is a wealth of knowledge and gives so many broad opinions as well as definitive facts, and technical knowledge. It was because of this valuable resource and the entrance requirements that I joined NACHI.
My reason for posting this letter is to remind everyone that debate is healthy, and it is understandable that emotions are elevated when someone feels passionate about their position, but I am turned off at the personal attacks. I haven?t posted a lot in the past, despite spending hours a day reading posts, because the threads can get nasty. I often wondered ?why all the animosity toward each other? and ?where did this argument come from?? If the threads are kept to technical questions it appears that everyone behaves. When the threads begin to question NACHI or its policies (among other things) then people begin to attack and or defend at will. I don?t feel it is acceptable for anyone to make personal attacks on someone?s character because they have a different opinion. I am offended by some of the slanderous attacks on people?s race, gender, or origins etc.
Healthy debate consists of opinions supported by fact or theory not by name calling. If one wants to champion their cause and show their intelligence they should stick to debate of the topic at hand. Attacking ones character only shows your lack of knowledge of the topic and inability to make a valid argument. This is true for both sides of the argument.
NACHI is rapidly becoming the leader in home inspector affiliations. I believe it is due firstly to the requirement for membership. This is of course a double edged sword. If it too easy it lacks credibility it deserves. If it is too difficult then membership decreases and support is lost. The NACHI strength in numbers has many advantages. ASHI and others give the impression of exclusivity and spend more time supporting media than their members. NACHI has the distinct advantage by giving support to its members and this forum and other member benefits allow newbie?s, like myself, access to a wealth of knowledge and resources. I think that NACHI should promote itself as an affiliation of educators. If new members and the public are pointed to our support structure and how NACHI members strive to float all boats and promote professionalism, and education, it would bolster NACHI?s reputation. Proctoring NACHI?s entrance exam would be an inconvenience but would give the membership the credibility it lacks. I agree that setting a number of paid inspections is not the benchmark of a good inspector. If I wanted to work in sheer volumes I could lower my professional standards to and do drive-by inspections and become a member of any group. NACHI members are better than this, let?s work together to promote NACHI by making sure that every member who uses the NACHI logo is worthy of it. Educate all, and bring members closer by helping regardless of any differences of opinion.
If a member or non-member decides to criticize our organization or its policies or leaders they are entitled. Let?s reply with professionalism in mind. I think that this is a valid way of refining NACHI. Let?s brainstorm on how we can make this a better organization for all and keep the debate to improving our organization not dividing it. Even though some of us don?t post replies doesn?t mean we weren?t offended or turned off by some of the threads.
Let?s all work together to make this a public and welcoming forum. It is a valuable resource and if kept friendly and inviting it would become an asset for all. There are a lot of helpful and passionate people here lets not overshadow this with negativism and slander.
Thank you all for helping me become a professional home inspector.
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Aaron Pfaff
http://www.dedicatedhomeservices.com/
http://www.independentinspectors.org/wisconsin.html