Page 7 - 2016 SAR Annual Report
P. 7

COMMITTEE OVERVIEW AND REPORTS



        AFFILIATE COMMITTEE   Chair:  Michael Borgos, Esq., Borgos & Del Signore P.C.   Responsible for promoting membership to the professional
        community. They host periodic networking events and informational roundtables.  This year the committee hosted a Spring Fling Mixer to benefit the Double
        H Ranch and the association’s first time ever, REALTOR Trade Show to spotlight our Affiliate Members.  In 2017 they will be working on broadening the
        Affiliate Member Directory among other projects.  There are a tremendous amount of businesses that could benefit from membership in SAR.

        BUILDING & GROUNDS  Chair:  Bill Jones, Accurate Home Inspections  Responsible for evaluating and recommending necessary maintenance and
        improvements to the building and grounds owned and operated by the Association.

        BYLAWS & GOVERNANCE:   Chair:  Willie Bea McDonald, McDonald Real Estate Professionals. Responsible for reviewing, updating and coordinating
        all Association governing documents, including but not limited to its Bylaws.

        COMMUNITY RELATIONS  Co-Chairs:  Kathie Spangler & Andrew Genovese, Equitas Realty-GF. Responsible for developing programs for SAR
        participation in community, charitable, civic and education programs that enhance the image of the Association and the image of REALTORS® within our
        community.  These programs include but are not limited to: Bi-Annual Red Cross Blood Drives, Food Drives for Area Food Banks, Adopt-a-Family Programs,
        Hole in the Woods Camp Clean Up Day, School BackPack Drive Programs and weekly Meals on Wheels Delivery Program.  Volunteers are always
        welcomed especially as the committee takes on new programs for increasing community awareness of Why Use a REALTOR!?

        EDUCATION SERVICES  Chair:  Marla Willette, Realty USA.  Providing member educational needs, offering continuing education courses as well as as-
        sisting with encouraging awareness of member benefit programs and events.

        GRIEVANCE   Co-Chair: Howard Denison, VanAernem Realty & Associates &  Michael Greenwood, Coldwell Banker Prime Properties. Reviews
        requests for arbitration and ethics complaints to determine if a hearing is appropriate.

        MEMBER SERVICES:  Chair:  Eden Whitaker, DeMarsh Real Estate  To provide and promote services to benefit members, welcome new members and
        member orientation, and to solicit input from membership to facilitate the association's Strategic Planning activities.  Specifically, in 2016 the committee has
        been working on a new, modern, mobile-friendly association website developed for its members use to enable them to quickly connect with the Association’s
        member benefits and services.  The site will include direct links to register for educational programs, Calls to Action, highlight community relations/outreach
        efforts,  Host an interactive events calendar for members and directory to our Affiliate Members.  In 2017 the committee looks forward to the following:
        Launch and promotion of the new SAR website; Continuing to improve upon the already positive steps made towards enhancing the New Member Orienta-
        tion experience; Increased involvement in full membership in surveys and communications using the latest interactive technology; attracting new members
        and increasing member engagement on committees, leadership and at state and national events and finally to continue to improve the value of membership
        and member awareness of the benefits of membership in Southern Adirondack REALTORS, Inc.

        PERSONNEL  Chair:  Angela Mead, Gallo Realty  Responsible for overseeing the operation of the Association office, personnel reviews, performance,
        benefits, etc.  This committee is comprised of members of the MLS and Association Board of Directors.

        PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS  Co-Chairs:  Linda Gatewood, Coldwell Banker King George Realty & Tina Denison, Van Aernem Realty & Assoc.
        Provides trained members to serve on ethics, arbitration or MLS violation hearing panels. Oversees Mediation & Ombudsman Services. This year, the Pro-
        fessional Standards and Grievance committees jointly created the SAR Ombudsman Program which utilizes two longstanding REALTOR members who have
        been very involved on both committees.  These volunteers serve as front-line support for members and consumers who may have questions about protocols,
        professional ethics, transactions, etc.   The results have been excellent with 8 cases handed so far in 2016 which have been resolved through phone support
        rather than taking the route of a lodged complaint.  This program has been mandated by NAR and is working beautifully.

        PUBLIC RELATIONS  Chair:  Christine McKee, Davies-Davies & Associates Real Estate.  Responsible for keeping the public informed of timely Real
        Estate issues, reports and trends as well as Association community involvement and support activities and ensures that members of the Association are kept
        engaged and involved in member activities and programs.

        REALTORS POLITICAL ACTION  (RPAC)/HOLIDAY GALA Co- Chairs:  Allen Van Hoff, Realty USA & Tina Foglietta, Coldwell Banker Prime Proper-
        ties.  To educate the members on the benefits of a strong REALTORS Political Action Fund (RPAC), and to create fundraising events and techniques to
        support RPAC.

        LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS  Chair:  Interim-Angie Mead, Gallo Realty.   Monitors local, county and regional issues that affect the real estate industry and
        educates the membership and communicates the needs and importance of government issues to members including but not limited to "Calls to Action" by
        NYSAR and NAR. 2017 will signal increased community advocacy for homeownership rights, legislative actions and overall consumer engagement.

        SCHOLARSHIP  Co-Chairs:  Sean Rogge, Realty USA & Marlene Connolly, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Blake REALTORS.  Develops and
        implements fundraising efforts to support the SAR graduating Senior's scholarship programs.  This committee designs and distributes scholarship applica-
        tions and oversees the distribution of awards on an annual basis.  They also spearhead the  coordination and hosting of our annual Golf Tournament.

        SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

        YOUNG REALTORS NETWORK (YRN) Co- Chairs: Ben Didio, Realty USA & Sean Rogge, Realty USA.  Develops and  implements networking events,
        and community outreach programs, etc. while providing camaraderie among "Young at Heart, Young in Business or Young in Age" member REAL-
        TORS®.  While most members of the YRN/YPN are under 40, there is no age restriction whatsoever.   Thanks to the support of many Affiliate Member Spon-
        sors, in 2016 the YRN held several mixers to benefit area non profits including;  The Glens Falls Youth Center,  Adirondack Save-A-Stray and The Southern
        Adirondack Big Brothers & Big Sisters Program.  In May they held a Pirate-themed Sunset Cruise on the Adirondac on beautiful Lake George.   Any REAL-
        TOR® member who thinks he or she would benefit from networking is always welcomed.  Look for some exciting projects in ‘17.
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