Well, my year as president of the Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS® is almost at a close and what a ride it has been. It’s been an honor and privilege to represent the Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS® as your President. I’ve had the opportunity to meet people from all over the United States from the President to many elected officials and other REALTORS®. I listened and learned how other associations dealt with issues of a similar nature to ours. One does not realize how fast this year has gone.

As we REALTORS®, try to compete in this new world of electronics and the internet, our responsibilities and how we do business is forever changing. The main source of information and support is your local association. One very important thing I have learned through my travels is that the Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS® and its staff are highly recognized in California.

When I began my presidency, one of my main goals was to make a difference and I think most of us all in one way or another want to do the same. I wanted to make sure that our association was mindful that the membership is the association. For that reason, we sent out a questionnaire to the entire membership and asked some very specific questions. The main reason for the questionnaire was to determine if the association was supplying the information and assistance for you to better perform in this market. The response was approximately 15% of the membership. I looked forward to a greater response, but we now have 15% more information about the membership and what you want from your association then ever before. Thank you

As you probably know, each year there is over 3,000 bills introduced in Sacramento each and every year it appears that more and more are directed at the REALTOR®. There is also a massive amount introduced at the federal level. To that end, we formed a new committee called the REALTOR® Advisory Committee. The intent was that we would have at least one REALTOR® from each office as a member. The representative would advise the other REALTORS® in their office of pending legislation and what action needed to be directed to our local officials. With a united front, we can defeat the bills that attack private property rights and how we REALTORS® do our business.

There are a number of other priorities that were accomplished this year such as, we strengthened the Local Government Relations Committee by including the Key Contacts and Federal Political Coordinator’s as formal committee members, continued to conduct our REALTOR® breakfast, reorganized the Grievance Committee to ensure manageable size and adequate experience in the profession. We strongly promoted continuing education regarding CVAR MLS compliance to the citation policy, offered free technology classes such as the computer class, conducted regular lunch and learn programs, conducted an international food fair for networking, created a more friendly web site and e-mail blasts, and encouraged committee chairs to identify committee members that can be future leaders.

And last but not least, we have continued to investigate and research available properties for a new permanent home for the Citrus Valley Association of REALTORS®. As we preach, ownership creates identity and CVAR deserves the right to have ownership.

The following is a draft site plan of what could be developed on the property at 1010 Route 66 in Glendora. A development as illustrated could provide retail opportunities that might well offset the mortgage and create an investment in the future. An appraisal on the property has been authorized.

Any final considerations will be brought before the entire membership for approval. If membership elected to proceed, an architect would determine the economics of whether we should retain the existing building and add on, or build an entirely new energy efficient structure or green building as it is referred to.

In closing, I want to thank the 2006 Board Directors for all their support this year and I can’t thank you, the membership, enough for the honor and privilege of being your 2006 President.