2009 Board of Directors Election Results
Thank you to all who participated in the 2009 C.V.A.R. Election. The Citrus Valley Association is proud to announce your 2009 C.V.A.R. LEADERSHIP TEAM as follows:
Lidia Yun, President
Dale Colby, President-Elect
Steve Yeager, Immediate Past President
Sharon Bowler
Carl Burnett
Bruce Engles
Carol Facciponti
Gary Ingham
Barbara McClelland
Mark Peterson
Marilyn Ralston
Dolores Watson
According to the C.V.A.R. Bylaws, Article X, Section 1(a): “Within 30 days after the annual election, the new Board of Directors will elect a Vice President and Treasurer from the Directors. The Vice President and Treasurer will be elected to serve for one (1) year.” The association will notify the membership once the 2009 Treasurer and Vice President have been determined.
Discontinuation of the C.V.A.R. Monthly Newspaper
Please be aware that this will be the last publication of the CVAR monthly newspaper. But not to worry! The same great information that is provided here will still be disseminated – and in a more efficient, timely, less-costly and eco-friendly way – electronically! Be on the lookout for the CVAR E-news publications that are sent directly to your email inbox every two weeks. This publication includes up-to-date information on such topics as legal updates, legislative issues effecting REALTORS®, educational events, C.A.R. news, REALTOR® products, the C.V.A.R. new building project and much more! For questions about the E-news, please contact our Marketing and Communications Manager Chrissi Paul at cpaul@cvar.net.
Building Project Update
As you are probably aware, your Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS® is in the process of building a new home! By this time next year, we plan to be moved into our new office at 504 E. Route 66 in Glendora. If you attended the Open Forum Membership Meeting on June 19th, then you got a first-hand look at the beautiful design of the new building. This meeting was intended to provide information to the membership about the progress of the project and to allow members to voice any concerns and to provide input on the new building.
Building Task Force Chair Mark Peterson and his team delivered a great presentation, explaining the progression, the purpose and the importance of the project. Originally, C.V.A.R. purchased the property on Route 66 with the intent of renovating the existing building, but after further investigation it became obvious that simply renovating the existing structure was not going to produce a building that fit the association’s needs. Therefore the Task Force, in conjunction with the Budget and Finance Committee and the Board of Directors, determined that it would be in the association’s best interest to demolition the existing structure and build from the ground up.
The total square footage of the building is estimated to be approximately 13,000 square feet. About 3,000 square feet will be rented out to a tenant (or multiple tenants). Among many great new features, the building will have a 1,800 square foot community room that will hold more than 160 people. This room will be available to community groups to rent out for large meetings and gatherings. The leadership sees this new home as a great investment in the association’s future.
Association Treasurer Thomas Baldwin provided estimates on the anticipated expenses of the building project as well as a report on the financial viability of the association. The construction of the new building is expected to cost approximately $3 million. Thomas reported that after many meetings with the Association’s Certified Public Accountant, the Budget and Finance Committee and Board of Directors are confident that the association is in a financially secure position to be able to manage the expenses of this new project. Local association dues will not be increased this year nor does the association anticipate increasing local dues in 2009. A detailed financial report of the building project will be posted on the association website in the upcoming months.
If you didn’t get a chance to attend this Open Forum Membership Meeting, not to worry! The Citrus Valley Association will continue to provide its members with updated information on this exciting project on an ongoing basis at www.cvar.net/buildingproject. For any questions, concerns or input, please email buildinginput@cvar.net.
MLS Update
The MRMLS Board of Directors has voted to implement Security Token Strong Authentication. SAFEMLS tokens, used in conjunction with your username and password, are the premier solution for protecting MLS access. Unauthorized access to vital MLS data has reached epidemic proportions, resulting in increased liability and compromised consumer privacy. WE MUST PROTECT OUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET - OUR DATA.
In September, CVAR will begin distribution of the tokens. By the end of 2008, all MLS users will be required to have a token to gain access. People will no longer be able to share passwords. Third-party authentication is the same security technology used by aerospace and Department of Defense companies. Everyone will pay their fair share - “Freeloaders” will finally be forced to sign up or lose access to the MLS. Tokens will be provided at no extra charge to MLS members. More detailed information will be distributed on the security tokens next month.
N.A.R. Update
NAR Advances Plan for Property Database - Last month the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Board of Directors took a major strategic leap, authorizing the association to work with a technology company to create a broker-controlled national repository, or “library,” of property data that would provide members-only access to detailed information on all properties in the United States. The repository, which NAR is calling a "digital library/archive," would be revenue neutral but could eventually be fee-based to cover operating costs.
In a report preceding the vote, NAR CEO Dale Stinton emphasized that the repository will not be a national MLS. There will be no offers of cooperation or compensation, nor any attempt to create a national online marketplace for property listings. The database also will be accessible to REALTORS® only, with no consumer-facing components.
Now, the association and its technology partner are charged with delivering a “proof of concept” working model of the property library/archive as soon as possible, using one or more pilot locations around the country.
Approval of a Statement of Principles on Immigration - NAR will be involved in immigration issues as needed to support stable, prosperous, thriving, and secure communities and to enhance the United States as a destination of choice for those seeking to own, transact, lease, and use real property. Among the principles, the association supports the right of foreign citizens to acquire and own real estate, supports the free flow of international capital for real estate, and opposes laws that would impede that flow. The directors voted to support a federal resolution on securing borders to prevent illegal immigration while allowing for the flow of legal immigrants to accommodate the labor needs of the economy.
Policy on Association Jurisdiction – NAR policy does not prohibit REALTOR® associations from establishing service centers in other association jurisdictions, nor does it prohibit associations from offering member recruitment dues incentives.
FHA Insurance Program – NAR supports this effort to help homeowners refinance out of unaffordable mortgage products, provided safeguards are in place to protect FHA goals and minimize taxpayer risk.