Chapter Corner

Ely Chapter:

Each year the Ely chapter's events include six luncheons with a presentation by a single speaker, two evening Chautauquas that include a panel of speakers and an in-depth discussion with the audience as well as four social events. Last year we added different types of events which are designed for smaller audiences. We held two Sunday afternoon salons in a member's home. One salon was a discussion of the book The New Chicago: A Social and Cultural Analysis with two of the authors, Joe Schwieterman and John Koval. Another salon was a dialogue about water quality and water supply issues with Scott Goldstein (then with the Metropolitan Planning Council). About fifteen members attended each salon and enjoyed the opportunity to interact with other members in an informal small group setting. In addition to the salons we have a Technical Working Group (TWG) which meets periodically to discuss a research topic in depth. The meetings, which typically are attended by about twelve people, are organized by Kim Barnes and Rachel Weber. The topics have included: a regression method for ascertaining the price level in a condominium market, methodologies for delineating real estate sub-markets within metropolitan regions and the job counts from the Illinois Department of Employment Security's Where Workers Work publication. The chapter has been pleased with the response to the two formats which offer an opportunity to participate for members who may be unable to attend our downtown luncheons. We plan to continue both formats and would be interested to hear from other chapters about different event formats which they provide. The Technical Working Group notes are available online at http://www.lai.org/go/chapters/templates/elydocs.html. If you would like more information about the salons, please contact our Chapter Administrator Barbara Morris at ely-chicago@lai.org.

Laurie Marston, Ely Chapter Scribe

Orange County Chapter:

The Chapter is looking forward to hearing the thoughts of a County Supervisor who has such a wide jurisdiction that his views will represent a broad cross section of Southern California.  

The Speaker for the April Orange County Chapter meeting will be Mr. John Moorlach. Mr. Moorlach is Supervisor of Orange County's Second District which includes Costa Mesa, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, and Stanton. Mr. Moorlach has been on the Board of Supervisors since December 2006.  Prior to his work with the Board of Supervisors, Mr. Moorlach served as Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector for nearly 12 years.  Mr. Moorlach's topic is "Orange County Government."
 
The Chapter has submitted a draft proposal for funding to award an outstanding student in real estate and land economics at Cal State Fullerton.  Dr. Michael Lacour-Little is a professor at Cal State Fullerton and is spearheading this effort, with hopes that it will be funded by the Lambda Alpha Foundation.
 
Our ranks continue to grow. We will be swearing in three new members to the chapter at the April 21st meeting.
 
Steve Figgins- Orange County Chapter President

San Diego Chapter:

The chapter had a very successful celebration welcoming  16 new  wonderfully talented members.  We look forward to their participating in  our  fine membership of LAI professionals.

LAI San Diego Installation of 16 new members of Class of 2008

LAI San Diego 30th Anniversary Installation of Officers and New Members

LAI San Diego Officers, David Lachoff (LAI Intl Treasurer)
and SD Crystal Globe recipient Sanford Goodkin

Vancouver Chapter:

LAI Dinner, March 19th, Our guest speaker was the United States Consul General, Lewis Lukens talk was titled, 'US/Canada - Reflections from a departing Consul General'.

The focus of the evening was on Homeland Security and Border Issues. We were reminded of the enhanced driver's license that could be used in place of passports, but when asked if he saw a future the with a more open border like found in Europe, he did not. He believed that some of our differences in such things a healthcare would make that unlikely and he saw the US going in the direction of a stronger, but smarter border.
 
Our next LAI Dinner is scheduled for May 21, 2008 and will be a panel discussion on Transportation with Michael Goldberg chairing the discussion.
The speakers will be;
Pat Jacobsen, CEO Translink.
At TransLink, she has lead the development and funding of the 10-Year Plan, which includes eight major road projects, the Golden Ears Bridge, significant bus fleet expansion and Canada Line construction. Transit ridership has increased by 30 per cent and regional sources have leveraged over $2 billion in senior government funding and $1 billion in private investment under the 10-Year Plan.
Tom Corsie, Vice President, Infrastructure Development, Port of Vancouver.
Captain Corsie is responsible for all matters pertaining to VFPA real estate and property development.
Other speakers will be invited from the Transportation Sectors.
 
Our June 18, 2008 LAI Event will be the Boat Cruise in the Vancouver Harbour, with members bring spouses and friends.

Don Vaughan
Vancouver Chapter Scribe
 

Announcements

Administration Matters!

Dear Chapter Presidents and Administrators:

According to the LAI Chapter Manual, Section 8 Chapters are required to file 990's (see below). Since this was published there has been a change in the law for 2009 that has to do with the gross income of $25,000. I have attached the information from the Law Offices of Howe & Hutton about the requirements for 2009. If you are a chapter outside of the US, please make sure you are following the applicable tax laws.
I have attached a list of our current US Chapters, I need you to use this form and either email or fax it back to me answering these two questions: Is your Chapter is incorporated? (Yes or No); and if you need/ or would like to be covered for Directors and Officers Insurance under the LAI policy. I am working on the Directors and Officers Insurance renewal. Please complete this ASAP. Many of you have asked me for a copy of the D&O Insurance, and I am working on getting copies of the Declaration Page for Chapters that would like to be covered. Thank you for your assistance in these matters. Reminder that Chapter Reports are due on Monday April 7th, 2008.

Tax Status / Financial Reporting Requirements
Lambda Alpha International was recognized by the Internal Revenue Service in 1968 as an exempt organization under section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code (copy enclosed). LAI is exempt from federal income taxes and is required to file an annual informational return form 990 each year. LAI also maintains a group exemption with the IRS for chapters of LAI. Chapters must request to be included under the LAI group exemption. LAI headquarters will work with new chapters that wish to be included in the group exemption to obtain the necessary information required for inclusion. A listing of chapters included in the LAI group exemption as of July 2006 is enclosed. While the group exemption does take the place of the chapter preparing it's own application for exemption with the IRS, it does not absolve the chapter of filing an annual from 990 return with the IRS. Form 990 is due five and a half months after the close of the fiscal year (May 15 for calendar year end). Chapters with gross income not normally in excess of $25,000 annually are not required to file form 990. Please note that any income not related to the exempt purpose of LAI is considered Unrelated Business Income and is subject to tax — filing of form 990T would then be required. Please consult with LAI headquarters and/or your chapters tax professional for questions on unrelated income.

In order to continue to be included in the LAI group exemption, chapters must annually provide headquarters with chapter financial information. Chapters must provide to headquarters by March 31st of each year a copy of the chapter's annual financial statements (balance sheet and income statement) and a copy of tax returns filed, if applicable.

Please contact headquarters with any questions regarding tax status or financial reporting requirements.

Terry Stevenson
Executive Director LAI

Dear LAI Chapter Presidents and Administrators,

I am pleased to announce that the Chapter Manual is now available on the LAI website! Our goal is to keep everyone informed of changes to the manual by email. Watch for more changes coming soon to the LAI website.

Terry Stevenson
Executive Director LAI

Save the Date ! ! !

Phoenix, AZ, Spring Land Economics Weekend
April 30 - May 4, 2008
Hotel Valley Ho
6850 East Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
www.HotelValleyHo.com
Reservations
Rates: *$199.00 + taxes Single/Double
480-248-2000
Registration Form and Agenda coming soon!
 
Toronto, Canada, Fall Land Economics Weekend
October 24 - 26, 2008
Park Hyatt Toronto
4 Avenus Road
Toronto, Ontario M5R 2E6 CANADA
http://www.parkhyatttoronto.com/
Reservations
Rates: $259.00 CAN Net, + taxes Single/Double
1-416-925-1234 or 1-800-233-1234
Registration Form and Agenda coming soon!

New Members

Memphis Chapter
Danny Buring, Shopping Center Group
Rusty Linkous, Linkous Construction
Hamk Martin, NAI Saig
G. Dan Poag, Jr., Poag & McEwen
Dr. Ron Spahr, University of Memphis
Michael Turley, Turley Properties

Orange County
David R. Blum, NorthMarq Capital
Frank Cardinale, Law Office of Frank Cardinale

Ottawa Chapter
Janet E. Bradley, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Ursula K. Melinz, Soloway Wright LLP
Ann M. Tremblay, Ottawa MacDonald – Cartier, International Airport Authority