Note From Our President

Hello everyone!

The WCR State Chapter meeting was held in Sacramento. This meeting is about two important issues to Realtors, Education and Politics. The first education session that was available at this meeting included a unique Speaker (Aleen Bayard), who has developed a dynamic and interactive workshop, which allowed WCR members the opportunity to assess their own level of resiliency and to learn how to strengthen their inner will. “Building Personal and Professional Fortitude” – the ability to ‘bounce back' – was about beyond positive thinking and a ‘can do’ attitude- it was about those individuals who can find their own inner fortitude to navigate through challenging times and BOUNCE BACK – a trait which can be developed. It was inspiring.

Another education session was about connecting with any audience to develop “Essential Presentation Skills”. While a soft speaking gentleman, Edward Segal, kept his audience riveted with his very funny video clips, and like being on the Oprah Show, he gave away his books at the end to an interested audience. We had several sessions involving past State Presidents discussing the “recycling of Leadership” as well as the Protocol of Business Resource Meetings. (such as always using an inspiration and not an invocation to start your Professional Meetings.

Breakout sessions, which are mostly Chapter Issues led and taught by Chapter Leadership were on such topics as; Building Affiliate Relationships, Are you a Sitting Duck to a Lawsuit?, Getting to Know Our National Website and Phoenixing A Chapter – How to Rise From the Ashes and renew Chapter Strength. They were excellent for Chapter Leaders to gain from the insight of other WCR members. These fabulous sessions were not the end of the information we learned, however, as Alexander Creel, the Senior Vice President, Governmental Affairs who is the Chief Lobbyist for the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, spent time updating us on the Legislative Issues, which we as REALTORS® need so much to be informed and involved with.

This really brings me to the second issue that the WCR State Chapter Meeting is all about, and that is POLITICS. Mr. Creel did not need to remind us about how difficult the issue of home ownership has become for California. Along with higher unemployment than the Nation, we also suffer markets that are so diverse that one set of rules does not fit all. He encouraged us to write to our Congress men and women, and tell them about the difficulties that will attend the elimination of Mortgage Interest Deduction for homeowners; the threat of Point of Sale Mandates; Transfer Taxes, Sales Tax on Services; Independent Contractor Withholding and GSE Reform/Financing Availability.

I attended Legislative Day while I was up there and listened to Rep. Bill Monning and Senator Sam Blakeslee being as concerned as we are about Retaining the American Dream. Every American’s Right to Home Ownership. As Beth Peerce CAR President said, REALTORS® are the voice of home ownership, and we need to speak with one powerful voice, meet with your representatives and help make it happen. I did just that and am grateful I can help make a difference by being involved with our Government Affairs Team. They gave us buttons which read; REALTOR PARTY CALIFORNIA and I urge everyone of you to sign up. You can do so by going to the California Association of Realtor’s® website. It is not about political partisanship – it is about HOME OWNERSHIP.

With my highest Regards,
Judi Hartwell

President Elect

Gold Award Winners!

With great excitement our current President, Judi Hartwell, accepted the Gold Award for our Chapter at the National WCR meeting in Washington, D.C. 

Monterey Peninsula Chapter is the recipient of the Gold Award for 2010. This award is the direct result of the hard work that our past President Gloria Reese, her Board and Committee Members contributed throughout 2010 . Gloria led by example with her kind, quiet and generous spirit. She exemplifies what a leader is all about. Women's Council of REALTORS® is about developing leaders! Bravo to Gloria for rising to the challenge and accomplishing a job well done. 

A special thanks to Liz Williams who behind the scenes compliles all the data for our annual report that is submitted each year making this award possible

Washington, DC Visit  

Washington DC is a fantastic city to visit. You can feel the pulse of our Nation's Capitol. Women's Council of REALTORS® held their Mid-Year Meeting there. These educational events were packed with Strategic Forums and Learning Labs.

Here are some of the events I attended:

-- "Effective Chapter Operations"- This program provided tools for us to run our local chapters more effectively. It provided us the opportunity to network with WCR members all over the nation; sharing ideas about fund-raising, planning, and providing programs that will provide value to our local members.

-- "Smart-phones ~ What's in your Pocket" - Great "apps" were shared. They provided us with ideas on how to use our Smart-phones in both our real estate and personal lives. A great app for me personally is "Find my phone" and "GPS my phone" for Droid phones. I am always losing my phone...and now --hallelujah-- there is an app for people like me.

-- "It's a Price War at the Door" - This was another presentation about the dangers of overpricing your listings. One tool is to get your sellers to think like buyers when they are pricing their homes. The presenter said, "you may receive a haircut when you sell, but when you re-buy you will be giving the haircut."It all balances out.

There were many events. I'll do my best to get more information out to you. Know that I am committed to doing whatever it takes to make the Monterey Peninsula Chapter one of the best Chapters in California. Our board provides us with the opportunity to travel to these wonderful events, and I'll try to reciprocate by being responsive, creative, and focused on excellence.

Lori Jakubowski

Kudos

We are finally getting on the map…that is the media map, thanks to Kathleen Randazzo, our communications chair.  This tenacious woman keeps on top of the local publications and radio stations to ensure our WCR programs are visible and promoted.  Wonder why attendance has improved? Thanks to good content and Kathleen, that’s why!

Congratulations to Sarah Fontecchio, who has been made an honorary member of Womens Council of REALTORS®. Thank you Sarah for all you have done and are doing to make the Fashion Show a continued success. We all appreciate it.

Karen Calley

Fashion Show Update

We are all hard at work planning for our annual Fashion Show, which will be held September 29th at The Inn at Spanish Bay. As always, it promises to be just as exciting and rewarding as in past years.

If you would like to help, we would welcome you with open arms. As of this writing here is where we need help;

Check in and Check out the night of the event
Decorating
Set-up
Take down/clean up

Membership Corner

The WCR Monterey Chapter is happy to welcome the following new members:

National Members

Janey Givens, Coldwell Banker Del Monte Realty
Deanna Garcia, Coast and County Real Estate Group
Debbie Burness, Keller Williams

Local Affiliates

Carrie Dalton, Bank of America
Ken Hunter, Wells Fargo Bank
Cammie Jones, Cammie Jones Organizing
Doug Toby, 1st American Title Co.
Stephanie Allbritton, Keller Williams
Reham Asaad, Bank of America
Mary Perdomo, Bank of America
Steve Tingley, Bank of America
Keith Brecker, Monterey County Weekly

Currently we have 58 National Members and 40 Affiliate Members.

There will be a New Member Orientation on Wednesday, June 15th from 5-7PM. All are welcome and invitations will be sent out soon, be looking for yours.

Katie Linares

2011 Women's Council of REALTOR® Board And Committees

The 2011 WCR Board and Committee Chairs look forward to serving you in the coming year.
Executive Board
President - Judi Hartwell
President Elect - Lori Jakubowski
VP of Membershiip - Katie Linares
Secretary - Ann Love McPherson
Treasurer - Christina Fernandez

Standard Committees
Parliamentarian - Danette Roberts
Bylaws Chair - Gloria Reese 
Education & Programs Chair - Karen Calley
Finance & Budget Chair - Katie Linares
Nominating Chair - Gloria Reese
Ways & Means Chair - Lori Jakubowski

Special Committees
Communications Chair - Kathleen Randazzo
Fashion Show Chair - Sarah Fontecchio
Historian & Phtographer - Doree Hyland
Hospitality Chair - Tina Adams
Technology Chair - Noni McVey
Liaison to Charities - Arleen Hardenstein
Newsletter Chair - Noni McVey
Sponsorship Chair - Gloria Reese
Annual Report - Elizabeth Williams

Nominating

As your Nominating Chair, I'd like you to know that it's time to consider nominees for 2012 Officers and Standing Committee Chairpersons. Hard to believe, I know. However, we hope to present our nominees by the end of August. If you are interested in becoming more involved next year or would like to nominate someone, please let me know.
Gloria Reese
601-3230

Strategic Partners

National Property Inspections - John Lewis
The Glass Guru - John Lewis
Property ID - Jen Nobles
American Home Shield  - Melody Maddox
Pacific Home Reverse Mortgage - Doug Lazaro
WIN Home Inspection  - Robert Vierra
Strategic Loan Soluntions - Philip Daunt

For a complete list of our Strategic Sponsors, please visit our website at wcrmonterey.org

New Members

Forum V Presents 2012 Project.
"Don't get Mad, Get Equal!"