About the Victoria Chapter
HISTORY OF THE VICTORIA CHAPTER REIC
Until 1990, “The FRI’s” met in Victoria for luncheon meetings four to six times a year. Our membership was about 40, and we all attended almost every meeting. This was partly because our Chapter dues included the cost of the lunch, but mainly because we enjoyed the company and looked forward to an opportunity to hear a speaker who discussed matters of local interest. Our main event of the year was the Guinea Pig House meeting, which was also attended by members of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers, the Appraisal Institute of Canada and the Real Estate Institute of British Columbia. At this meeting, three or four local builders would share information on building costs for single family homes. All our meeting announcements were prepared and distributed by the staff of the Victoria Real Estate Board.
In the early 1990’s, I became the local Chapter president and attended my first National REIC meeting, which was held in Calgary. To my surprise, I learned that we were not “The FRI’s”, but rather members of the Real Estate Institute of Canada, along with CPM’s, CLP’s and CLO’s.
Over the next few years, our Chapter changed subtly but surely. Our older members would probably concur that these changes have eroded the spirit of the old FRI days. The only way we could get members interested in joining the Management Board was to find a member who would perform the administration for the Chapter. Through death and attrition our membership dwindled, until the introduction of the CRES designation which revitalized our Chapter bringing our membership to over 120. Much of this was due to the enthusiasm of Barrie Hewstan who encouraged and sponsored 35 of his sales force at Pacific Coast Savings Real Estate to become CRES members. Unfortunately, the following National AGM brought the special assessment. Most of our new members resigned; their criticism of REIC spread to the rest of the Chapter and indeed to the real estate industry in Victoria. It has been difficult to generate interest in our courses since that time.
The opportunity which allowed REIBC members to acquire their REIC designations proved very successful and brought our membership back up to 70 members. However, privatization of BC Buildings Corporation has provided a set back and our membership has sunk to fewer that 60 members. To finish on a positive note, the opportunity to host the National AGM in 2004 was a great privilege and brought us excellent local recognition.
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CHAPTER GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
to reaffirm the benefits of REIC membership to our Chapter Members
to encourage growth of our Chapter throughout Vancouver Island
to develop a plan that will embrace the diversity of interests of our members thus increasing active participation
to increase communication within the Chapter and to other professional organizations
to create a vibrant Chapter that will draw people to it
