December 2007 News & Notes from the CEO
I can’t believe how fast this year went by. It seems like yesterday when I told the Board of Directors I would be retiring the end of 2007 and now it’s December (already). This is a very difficult column to write . . . there are so many memories of the years I’ve been Citrus Valley’s CEO and had the privilege as serving as the first Citrus Valley CEO since the merger in 1996. More importantly, the absolutely great Presidents, Directors, Members, Affiliates – most especially – staff, I have come to know over the last eleven years and the 21 years before Citrus Valley was formed. You can’t begin to imagine how much I’m going to miss everyone.
Emily Schwartz, CVAR’s next CEO, is going to do a terrific job and I leave knowing Citrus Valley is in great hands. She is bringing new ideas, talents and is excited about working with CVAR’s leadership and members. I hope you all had the opportunity to meet and welcome her at the Meet and Greet, November 30th but, if you weren’t able to get by the office, it’s not too late to make your reservation NOW for the 12th Annual CVAR Holiday Breakfast at the Pomona Valley Mining Company, Wednesday, December 5th.
Okay, now it’s time for good-byes and, first, to say “thank you” to all the past CVAR Presidents I’ve had the pleasure of working with . . . Sherry Scott, Ray Brunie, Jim Martindale, Carol Facciponti-Malcolm, Jay Baltzer, Mark Peterson, Roger Wade, Carl Burnett, and all the Directors I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to get to know throughout the years. Every day of every year was indeed a learning experience and always made being the CEO an interesting and never a dull moment kind of job!
I also want to thank the Presidents I had the pleasure of working with when I was the Association Executive at the old Azusa Glendora Board. Some are gone now but I haven’t forgotten anyone of them: Stan Baird, Harrison Smalley, Anne Chase, Marilyn Ralston, Sherry Scott, Charlie Garcia, Phyllis Fritz, Pat Carrigan, Dale Long, Wes Purkiss and Jim Martindale. Thank you one and all.
To this year’s Officers and Directors, President Linda Moulder (didn’t we have fun), Steve Yeager, President-elect, Marilyn Ralston, Vice President, Thomas Baldwin, Treasurer, Carl Burnett, Immediate Past President, Directors Sharon Bowler, David Brighton, Dale Colby, Bruce Engles, Mark Peterson, Roger Wade and Lidia Yun, thank you, thank you and another thank you for making my last year so memorable. I’m always overwhelmed by the time these dedicated volunteers give of themselves to make this the very best, in my opinion, Association in the state. Each year brings challenges and changes and this year was especially challenging – purchase of a new home for CVAR, the media and its “doom and gloom” reporting and the market itself. Your leadership meets the challenges head on and always keeps the CVAR member at the forefront when decisions are made.
Lastly, I have to say “good-bye” to the CVAR staff and this is the hardest good-bye of all. We spend eight hours a day, five days a week with each other and you have to know that this is my support group, my family, my friends! Without this truly dedicated group of people, CVAR couldn’t possibly have the fine reputation it enjoys. Your staff, Linda Smith, Operations Manager and my right hand these past eleven years, Chrissi Paul, Marketing Director, Penny Wieder, Patti Finlay and Rose Pinto, Bookkeeping, Doris Mott, Real Estate Store Manager/Education, Lisa Herrera and Cheryl McKerlie, Membership, Hilda Sanchez, MLS, Nancy Gordon, Professional Standards and MLS Violations Administrator, Amanda Duff, Receptionist, Judy Burright, Production, Bill Ruh, Government Affairs Director, Ed Smith, Tech Administrator, really are the heart of CVAR and have made my job so much easier. Thanks to all and it’s been an absolute pleasure knowing each of you. I’m really, really going to miss you.
One last huge, tremendous “thank you” . . . to everyone who attended my retirement luncheon and made it such a very special day from Joel Singer, C.A.R.’s Executive Vice President, all my fellow AE’s, all my very dear friends and traveling buds, all the past presidents who were there, friends from MRMLS and neighboring associations, to my brother, John, and Rick, my son, who flew in from Oklahoma to surprise me on this very special day.
Your 2008 leadership team, Steve Yeager, President, Lidia Yun, President-Elect, Bruce Engles, Vice President, Thomas Baldwin, Treasurer, Linda Moulder, Immediate Past President and Directors Sharon Bowler, Dale Colby, Carol Facciponti-Malcolm, Gary Ingham, Barbara McClelland, Marilyn Ralston and Roger Wade, committee chairs and new CEO Emily will be off and running with the start of the new year. In fact, they are already addressing some of the challenges facing organized real estate, outlining trends that will affect CVAR and the REALTOR® community and looking at solutions to assist members in doing business in this very difficult and different climate in 2008.
Now I need to be your CEO for a while longer . . . 2008 Annual Dues Statements are on the way. C.A.R. dues remain at the same level; however, N.A.R. dues have been increased from $64.00 to $80.00 plus a $30.00 assessment for N.A.R.’s public awareness campaign. The last N.A.R. dues increase was in 1994 when dues were set at $64.00. Citrus Valley’s local dues are not included on the dues statement but will be billed separately to each REALTOR® member in June.
Private property rights as well as organized real estate are always under attack and for those two reasons alone, it’s important for REALTORS® to participate in the political process by contributing to the REALTORS® Action Fund. Include your $197 voluntary contribution – “The True Cost of Doing Business” - with your annual dues. Remember, contributions to the REALTORS® Political Action Fund can be made anytime during the year and if $197 is not possible now, at least contribute $49, that’s less than a dollar a week. It’s a smart investment for your future in organized real estate.
Congratulations to CVAR’s newest REALTOR® Emeritus’ designees, recognized at the recently held N.A.R. meeting in Las Vegas. . . Robert Woolsey, Century 21 Prestige Properties; Tom Peterson, Mr. Real Estate; Gary Mitchell, Century 21 Citrus; and Carolyn Stewart, Stewart & Company REALTORS®. CVAR’s previously named REALTOR® Emeritus’s are James Watts, Ruth Valentine, Martin Meyerfeld and Jim Jackson. To receive N.A.R.’s REALTOR® Emeritus designation, a member must hold membership in the National of Association of REALTORS® for forty years!
Good-bye and thanks to everyone affiliated with Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS® one last time for allowing me to spend the last eleven years with you! It’s been a part of my life I will always remember with great joy. A joyous Holiday season to you and your families . . . . Thanks and Good-bye, Eleanor
Date Posted: 12/5/2007
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