CESKA KOMORA ODHADCU MAJETKU (CKOM)

The Czech Chamber of Appraisers was established in March 1992. It is a non-profit association of entrepreneurs (individuals and legal entities) running businesses in the field of the property appraisal.

The Chamber has approximately 300 individual full members and approximately 40 legal entity members as well as 45 membership candidates.

Members' services. Uniting appraisers of the Czech Republic within the scope of the property market, international cooperation in all areas of property trade, cooperation with the state authorities dealing with the problems of property appraisal, use of new knowledge from related branches for the needs of CCA members and organization of educational activity in order to enhance the qualifications of the members and improve the quality of their services. The members of the Chamber are occupied in the real estate appraisal business, movable property and intangible property.

CCA has developed methodical instructions for these types of the properties, used for a unified approach to property valuation. The instructions fully respect the European valuation standards (EVS). The methodical instructions are updated continuously and the members of the Chamber are informed about the new changes to these documents by the means of specialised seminars and conferences.

Lobbying. The Chamber plays an important role in the provision of education to members as well as in professional discussions with the relevant ministries (Finance, Justice, Industry and Trade etc.) about legislative proposals in the area of property valuation, including cooperation in solving of particular problems related to the activity of the Securities Commission.

Leading experts of CCA cooperate within the frame of the legislative process also with some committees of the House of Deputies of the Czech Parliament.

CCA is also involved in the solution of important problems relating to the interest of its subsidiaries: The Institute of Property Valuation CCA, a. s. and Society for Certification of Appraisers, o.p.s.

Education. The Chamber pays exceptional attention to the education of its members. 'Continual professional education of CCA members' has been introduced by CCA in 2004 in succession to the education system MER-Minimum Educational Requirements (TEGoVA).

The professional seminars and conferences are focussed on current problems in the area of the market valuation of the property. There is intensive cooperation with The Institute of Property Valuation- Economic University of Prague in the majority of the education projects.

Within the scope of the educational activity the Chamber arranges lectures of exceptional experts, focusing on current problems of the real estate market including of updating guidelines for the market valuation of property, for its members.

Principal functions and activities of the Chamber are as follows:

* to unite entrepreneurs - appraisers within the framework of the Czech Republic,
* to further the qualifications and skills of CCA members,
* international cooperation in the area of property trade,
* cooperation with the governmental authorities in the solution of problems related to the valuation of the property,
* preparation and implementation of national and international conferences, seminars, symposiums and other events related to the problems of property and its appraisal,
* preparation of methodical instructions for the market appraisal of different types of property,
* publishing activity in national as well as international newspapers, magazines, etc., and
* promotion of the Chamber and its objectives, publishing of its own magazine.

The Chamber, as a professional association of citizens, is managed by the Presidium headed by the President. The General assembly summoned once a year is the highest authority of the Chamber.

Professional Court and Supervisory Board are other authorities. The Regional Head is elected by the Region members Assembly and also makes decisions about regional matters. All authorities are elected on a four yearly cycle.

The Secretariat is the executive body of the Presidium . Tthe Secretary General heads the Secretariat and ensures the administration of the Association.

CCA is the founder and exclusive owner of two subsidiaries:

The Institute of Property Valuation CCA a.s. (UOM CKOM)

On the basis of its organization scheme, the Institute is able to provide the market valuation of the property anywhere on whole area of the Czech Republic in a very short time. The Institute was established in 1999.

Society for Certification of Appraisers, o.p.s. (SCOM)

Society for appraiser certification was registered in June 1999. The Society has received the accreditation on basis of CSN EN 45013 for certification of persons in the profession of 'property appraiser'. The Society passed the re-accreditation successfully in July 2004 in accordance with CSN EN ISO/ICE 17024.

The Society took part in the certification project 'Approved by TEGoVA' within the scope of the international cooperation of the Czech Chamber of Appraisers. The Society has received this mark on basis of fulfilling of all criteria in November 2001.

150 members of CCA have completed successfully the certification process till now. Further 80 foreign appraisers passed the demanding certification process after the acquisition of the mark 'Approved by TEGoVA'.

The following CCA membership categories are registered according to the Directive:

* Full membership: individuals and legal entities
* Registered membership: legal entities
* Associated membership: individuals and legal entities

The admission process for the CCA membership applicants is carried out by the Secretariat from the organisational standpoint. The applicant is examined by the Interview Commission in the competent region from the standpoint of his / her professional qualification.

CCA produces number of methodical guidelines, reports, information etc. for members needs. CCA also publishes information about updates to EVS (European Valuation Standards). The published translation of selected terminology from EVS was judged very useful.

Publishing of the Chamber magazine Appraiser and the Property Valuation is also a very important activity. The quarterly magazine especially presents articles of CCA members and authors of The Institute of Property Valuation - Economic University of Prague. This magazine is distributed not only to all CCA members but also to other subscribers interested in the market valuation of property.

Reports, information and organization instructions presented on the Chamber website: www.ckom.cz are also part of the publishing activity.