Chapter News and Awards

End of Year Chapter President Message - Andrew Totzke

North Star Chapter Appraisal Institute End-of-Year Chapter President's Message

Hello North Star Chapter Members,

As the year comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to share my appreciation for our membership and all the support throughout 2025. At the onset of my presidency, I created an initiative for the 4 C’s: Collaboration, College Outreach, Cool Events, and Cardboard. We can successfully check three of the four off the list. “Cardboard” is a task that we are not giving up on… Look to check your mailbox for a physical mailer from our Chapter in 2026! Also, a personal goal I set during my term was to offer at least one educational opportunity per month. I believe we can successfully check this goal off the list as well. (Dang, I am starting to feel like Santa with all this list checking, and probably starting to look like him too with all the food this holiday season.)

To save us all some time and fluff, see the following link for my LinkedIn post for a recap of the year: 2025 in Rewind.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7397717978550583296/

Or, is that creating more time, and probably more fluff…? SMH. For those of you, SMH is a text acronym meaning, Shaking My Head (SMH) for disapproving reactions, and it is an attempt at sarcasm in writing this letter. Or, as my kid says, “let me cook”, meaning, let me do my thing… I just can’t help myself and I need to be a little authentic.

Looking forward to 2026, Kelsey Hornig will be taking the reins as your Chapter President. While Kelsey will lead our organization in a more professional manner, I believe she will continue to carry the torch on creating a fun and exciting chapter organization that professionals want to be a part of, and instill a bit of #FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). She has already planned a Chapter meeting on January 28th for an economic update and a tour of the STEAM building at UST. We are also planning a collaboration with the WYDAK Chapter for a series of tours in Fargo on June 11, and of course, the Trends Seminar on May 7.

I highly encourage everyone to attend our Chapter events. These events are great opportunities to learn and socialize. It is non-tangible, tangible, and part of our organization that keeps us active and successful. “Sign up early, sign up often.” ~Kurt Ophus

A couple last reminders, the Chapter Service Fee for 2026 was sent a couple of months back. For JUST three easy payments of $50…. earn yourself an opportunity for four, 2.0-hour CE offerings, and the non-tangible, tangible, that come along with it. Actually, three payments is not an option, but you get it, the bang is worth the buck. Also, a friendly reminder, our chapter leadership (including phishing emails from Kelsey Hornig) will NOT ask for gift cards. Please ignore these requests. Again, do not send payment or any information to anyone attempting to represent our organization.

Lastly, I would be remiss to mention a certain individual who has helped me along the way and has been a priceless resource, colleague, and friend (in that order). Thank you.

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the members of our Chapter this past year, and I look forward to an impactful 2026 under the leadership of your incoming executive team and the board.

Thank you all for allowing me to serve.

Andrew Totzke, MAI

2025 North Star Chapter President