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Tag: <span>California</span>

11 Dec 2019

Specific Requirements for the California Consumer Privacy Act

CaliforniaThe CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) now includes a specific requirement for anybody doing business with California residents. This applies to all NICA members who are located in California or have clients located in the state of California.

Privacy Policy 999.308 states that privacy notices be accessible and have alternative format access clearly called out. This takes effect January 1, 2020, with fines ranging from $2500 to $7500 per instance.

The privacy policy shall be designed and presented in a way that is easy to read and understandable to an average consumer. The notice shall:

  • Use plain, straightforward language and avoid technical or legal jargon.
  • Use a format that makes the policy readable, including on smaller screens, if applicable.
  • Be available in the languages in which the business in its ordinary course provides contracts, disclaimers, sale announcements, and other information to consumers.
  • Be accessible to consumers with disabilities. At a minimum, provide information on how a consumer with a disability may access the policy in an alternative format.
  • Be available in an additional format that allows a consumer to print it out as a separate document.

This information was provided by Mary Gillen, who has 24 years of Web development experience to build responsive, accessible websites for tech companies, associations, non-profits and small businesses, blending professional design with measurable business results. She is also an experienced Website Accessibility Compliance Auditor, providing website testing & remediation for compliance with Section 508 and WCAG 2.1 A, AA & AAA Guidelines. Her experience also includes testing and fully remediating Adobe PDFs, Microsoft Office documents and pre-recorded videos.

29 Mar 2017

Bay Area Member Earns Certified Appraisal Examiner Designation

The National Inventory Certification Association announces that member Tricia Hoekwater of  Uniquely Yours Digital Solutions achieved her second NICA certification.

PRESS RELEASE – The National Inventory Certification Association™ (NICA) is pleased to announce that Tricia Hoekwater, owner of Uniquely Yours Digital Solutions, has recently earned the designation of Certified Appraisal Examiner (CAE).

To help ensure that the personal property inventory service provider is prepared to serve the appraisal industry, the NICA Education Committee determined the requirements to achieve an Appraiser Examiner Certification. Only those who have earned their Certified Inventory Expert (CIE) or Certified Inventory Specialist (CIS) designation can apply for this additional level. They are also required to successfully complete the Customer Service and Appraisal Examiner courses, plus an elective that is chosen from the NICA curriculum.

The growth of the personal property inventory industry has created an opportunity for contents inventory professionals to serve as Appraisal Examiners. This certification provides the credentials to assist appraisers by collecting the required information they need to create an accurate Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) compliant certified report. The purpose of a CAE designation is to establish recognition for this specialized service, providing the opportunity for appraisal firms to locate certified, qualified examiners, and for Certified NICA members to grow their businesses through additional revenue opportunities.

When completing an inventory service for residential and commercial clients, the inventory professional is often asked if they know the value of items, or if they can refer an appraiser. Having the knowledge and expertise to collect the information required by appraisers to properly assign value enables the Appraisal Examiner to serve their clients’ needs. This allows for a two-way referral opportunity between the two industries.

“When an appraiser doesn’t have the resources due to increased workload, or chooses to utilize my company to document the information for their appraisal assignment, my certification as an Appraisal Examiner gives them confidence in my expertise,” Tricia explained.

Based in Pittsburg, California, Uniquely Yours Digital Solutions offers appraisal examiner services as well as residential and business asset inventory services in in the San Francisco Bay Area.

16 Mar 2016

California Inventory Professional Achieves Certification

The National Inventory Certification Association congratulates member Pam Simpson for achieving designation as a Certified Inventory Specialist.

TakeStockPRESS RELEASE – The National Inventory Certification Association™ (NICA) is pleased to announce that Pam Simpson, co-owner of Take Stock, has recently earned the designation of Certified Inventory Specialist (CIS). Achieving this designation confirms her knowledge to provide quality residential and small business contents inventory services.

Take Stock launched in early 2016, established due to the losses Ms. Simpson observed over the past two years. “The South Napa Earthquake in 2014 and the Lake County ‘Valley Fire’ in 2015 encourage me to think about providing this service. The Lake County fire burned 77,000 acres and destroyed over 300 homes, leaving personal friends to rebuild their lives, Pam stated.

Bringing the knowledge and need for a home inventory even more personal, Simpson’s brother dealt with the insurance company, displacement, and rebuilding after a fire destroyed his home in April 2015.  She stated, “The home was a total loss and the entire process was overwhelming the family. We watched helplessly as they struggled to recall their entire house only to get pennies on the dollar from the insurance company.”

There is an increasing awareness of the necessity and benefits of having a prepared photographic and written record of one’s personal property. This knowledge creates a greater demand for a professional inventory service for both residential and commercial clients.

Simpson choose to achieve certification because the designation will help build trust and earn credibility. One of the key requirements for certification is to agree to conduct business according to the established industry Code of Ethics.

Based in Saint Helena, California, Take Stock provides residential and commercial asset inventory services in Napa Valley, Silicon Valley, and the San Francisco Bay area. For more information, visit their website at  http://www.takestockinventory.com or contact her at 707-758-8433 or info@takestockinventory.com.