Bravo Wanda!  You stated that very well.  I don't know why Mr. Ahern isn't complaining that ALTA hasn't yet chartered a bank so they could sell mortgages and refer work to their title company members. He simply misses the point of a "professional association."  No matter how well, and how simply, you explain it to him - he just isn't capable of understanding.

No matter how many times we tell people that we have spent many hours working on group discounts on E&O and health care premiums, people like Mr. Ahern just won't understand that those insurance companies aren't interested in offering such benefits until we have enough members to make it worth their while.  That seems to be a problem, as those like Mr. Ahern won't support NALTEA until those benefits are obtained - that is the "catch-22" that perplexes him so much.

Why he thinks that NALTEA has, or ever will have, the ability to "force" VMC's to send more work to particular individuals, or pay them more money when the competition is cheaper, is something that nobody but he will ever understand.  All a professional association can do, and what NALTEA does, is promote the importance of the role of the abstractor.  It's all about educating the clients, and the abstractors, so that they have a reason to "want to change" the status quo.  Unless someone forgot to tell me about it, there is no magic wand that NALTEA can waive to instantly produce huge profits for abstractors.

You are right that Mr. Ahern likes to argue, but he will never be a great litigator.  Litigation isn't about arguing - its about persuasion.  Pointing to a few unrealistic expectations and saying, "why haven't you don't this for me," doesn't rise to the level of litigation.  I don't think it's even an argument - its quite simply whining.

Perhaps he has not seen NALTEA's mission statement:

“To foster better understanding between the membership and others involved in the title profession, to provide information and education to the membership and others, and to assist the members in providing quality service to their clients.”

(No where in there is "obtain more work for the abstractors that they can charge higher fees for completing.)

Or NALTEA's stated objectives:

• To establish and maintain uniform standards and practices for the profession of land records abstracting by setting forth guidelines for training, experience and ethical conduct.
• To foster better relationships among title examiners/abstractors and those whom they serve, i.e., title insurers, lending institutions, attorneys and other land title professionals.
• To provide information and education to the membership of the Association; to members of local, state and federal legislatures having jurisdiction over the land title industry; to consumers; and to businesses engaging in the transfer of ownership interests in real estate.
• To promote understanding and awareness of the importance of the proper examination, abstracting and reporting of land title records.

(Again, no mention of "making sure that abstractors can make a bigger profit.")

I don't know where he got the idea that NALTEA was going to deliver more work to our members' fax machines.  The purpose isn't to run our members' businesses, I trust they are quite capable of doing that themselves.  Rather, the purpose is to educate, inform, and promote.  Generally to improve the industry - not Mr. Ahern's bank account.  Which NALTEA member promised him that? 

I don't know what professional associations Mr. Ahern belongs to, or which ones would have him, but if one of them is just mailing him money every month, I'd like to join too. 

Thanks again, Wanda.  You are quite right.

Best,
Robert A. Franco
SOURCE OF TITLE