But it is surprising that the RICS executive is not more embarrassed by its inability to cater for an important minority interest.
Better things were promised. Eleven years ago when the Incorporated Society of Valuers and Auctioneers (a smaller organisation but with a larger number of art and antique specialists) merged with the RICS, the then president of ISVA Ian Loncaster thought it was particularly good news for the fine arts and chattels specialists.
"The new structure will provide professionals with a natural home and make it easier for the public to identify the source of their professional qualification," he said. It was hoped that they would be better resourced by the larger organisation, but this has not happened.
The cost of putting on CPD events has increased, while the quality and numbers attending have fallen. The number of new members in this speciality has slowed to a trickle.
Such things are of real concern to the 12 professional members on the representative board, all of whom are proud of their RICS qualification and wish to see new generations qualify and practise to the highest possible standards.
When these, their most enthusiastic and supportive members, feel compelled to preface their list of concerns with a reference to "a long period of frustrating obfuscation and bureaucratic obstruction to the declared and minuted aims of the current board and its previous incarnations" there is a problem, and the RICS should recognise it.
