Note From Our President

Dear Members and Sponsors

As I reflect back on this year, that has been an incredible one for our chapter and for me personally, I rejoice and give thanks to all of you for the part you played in making it an incredible journey. Thank you for a great 2010!

In October Judi Hartwell, Antone Duncan and I attended the State Orientation meeting in Anaheim where there was much excitement surrounding our 2011 State Leadership Team with Sherri Souza as President. Sherri has so much energy and enthusiasm that will help her put new programs and ideas in place. I highly encourage you to attend one or all of the State meetings. In November we had the opportunity to attend the Women’s Council of REALTORS® National Conference/2010 NAR Conference & Expo in New Orleans. The educational presentations and networking sessions were indeed valuable to each of us and we came back with ideas we plan to put in place next year.

The last quarter of the year has been filled with much activity. In October we presented “Business Planning Workshop” by Chris Alston, CEO of Keller Williams, in Cupertino. In November the installation of our 2011 Leadership Team was held at the lovely LaPlaya Inn. In December we held yet another fabulous holiday party and were delighted to present significant checks to YWCA “Safe” House and Shelter Outreach Plus. We also collected and presented 22 gift cards, blankets and jackets for the shelters. In addition, our 2011 Programs Committee has finalized a great line up of educational opportunities for next year and we have several Sponsorship commitments.

I am proud to introduce the 2011 leadership team: President, Judi Hartwell; President-elect, Lori Jackubowski; VP of Membership, Antone Duncan; Secretary, Ann McPherson and Treasurer Christina Fernandez. Let’s all join in to welcome Judi and her Board and Committee Chairs! I look forward to working with Judi and her team for a successful 2011 and I invite you to do the same.

The Elected Board members, Committee Chairs, volunteers and sponsors work very hard to give our chapter members the most out of their membership. This dedication and commitment is what enables Monterey Peninsula Chapter to continue to be successful.

President Elect

Becoming president Elect this year, sounded like an easy task - after all - we all know the Vice President does nothing - right??!! Hah! This has been a year of learning, of meetings, of  gettiing educated about WCR - the biggest task of all - was keeping up with Gloria!

My job as President elect was to learn about being President. And I certainly did that. This year I have traveled to two State of California Meetings, went to the National Association of REALTORS® Mid Year Meeting in Washionton, DC, attended the Leadership Academy for President Elect officers all over the nation and also went to New Orleans for the NAR "BIG" meeting of the year. 

I have learned so much from every meeting I have attended. It seems that WCR starts at the grass roots and our local Chapter is part of the backbone of the entire organization. The programs we put on, the people in our community whose lives we touch through our generosity - this is what WCR, CAR and NAR are all about!

The scale just gets bigger as you go up the chain. It is nice to know that NAR has the ear of the Politicians and the President in  Washington, DC and has a great impact on Realtor Issues and never lets an issue go undiscussed with the full intent to protect not just Realtors, but our home buyers, our clients, the banks and mortgage lenders  - to keep everything fair.CAR impacts our lives at the local level even more because  they work to impact legislation, laws and regulations in California, that are often not in the best interests of either Realtors or their clients! We have a voice in Sacramento and I have learned how to use it. 

We attend Legislative Day in concurrence with a WCRCA meeting, and meet the peopele ourselves, and tell them our concerns. So many issues are part of our daily lives here, from water , to building, to lack of a budget, to raiding the coffers  of County governments. What WCR has taught me this year, is how important it is to be involved in every facet of this great organization, which impacts our lives in so many ways. 

I hope this next yer, when there will be State and even the National Meetings so close to us (San Jose in November for NAR) that many of you will join us in attending and learning how we DO make a positive impact, how important it is to know what is happening at the State and National levels - since our lives are influenced by every decision made. 

Kudos

Kim Di Benedetto - Our own Kim DiBenedetto, Women's Council of REALTORS® Local Chapter President of 2006, was the recipient of MCAR's prestigious 2010 Distinguished Service Award in appreciation for her contribution to the Board of Realtors. We salute her for this wonderful acknowledgment. 

Sam McLeod - .Sam McLeod has been selected to receive the Women's Council of REALTORS® Local Chapter Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This award is given to a chapter member who has exhibited business leadership in their work and community. Sam has been a business owner for many years and has served as a volunteer for a multitude of community organizations. Congratulations to Sam!

Membership Corner

The Board and Committee Chairs welcomed new members at the New Member Orientation that was held on December 1st at the lovely home of Lori Jakubowski.

New members are: Kelley Ann Foy, Alain Pinel; John Martin, Certified Disaster Cleaning; John Saar, John Saar Properties; and Mary Lew McCord, Sotheby's International Realty.

We currently have 68 National Members and 38 Affiliate Members.

2011 Women's Council of REALTOR® Board And Committees

Standard Committees
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
Reservation Chair - Kim Di Benedetto
Sponsorship Chair - Gloria Reese
Annual Report - Elizabeth Williams

Strategic Partners

2010 Holiday Party

New Member Orientation

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