Message from the President
by Eric Winklhofer
Where has the summer gone?
It seems as though it just started and now it’s gone. Hopefully you enjoyed your summer. I can’t believe I am starting my ninth month as President and I just want to recap some of the things we have done and what else is coming up.
It seems like yesterday I was sworn into office at the Hotel Henry in January. Thank you all who joined me. Also in January we conducted our Officer and Director Orientation as well as our Committee Leadership Workshop to get our committees formed early. Most importantly this year we updated our Strategic Plan in March to guide BNAR’s future and along with our committees, help fulfill those goals. Once again, we offered our members free tickets to the Buffalo Home and Garden show. A partnership that we do not want to jeopardize. The tickets also are a great PR piece for our Realtor members.
Learning is priceless. Our Economic Forecast and Legal Update were very well attended and we were able to offer free continuing education at each of the sessions.
I hope you all enjoyed our Summer Social in August -- it was an outdoor event and I think many complained it was too hot! And yes it was, but the ambience and networking was cool.
Coming up we have our Meatball Competition that you don’t want to miss. This is our second annual competition with BNAR members cooking meatballs as well as judging them. Plus proceeds go to RPAC, the lifeblood of our industry. Hurry and register!
Mark your calendars for our Annual Meeting & Election Event that will take place on October 16 at Salvatores Italian Gardens and our 30th Annual Agents’ Day & Trade Show on October 30 at the Buffalo Grand Hotel – we promise this one to be a “Boo-tacular” event.
I also want to thank everyone for donating to my charity thus far – Lucky Fin and WNY Stem, please continue to do so. We participated in their events and will continue to sell men’s and women’s bracelets to raise funds and help my friends whose daughter was born with a limb difference. You will hear our story at Agent’s Day.
Of course travelling to NYSAR and NAR meetings has also kept me busy. Being in this position has elevated my career in many ways. We are also in the process of forming a Shadow Board, targeting millennials, to look at our structure and possibly create a modern organization. Interested? Give us a shout.
As your president, I am available, 24/7/365 so please feel free to email me.
Get Ready for a “Boo-Tacular” Event
Check out our Agents Day Committee Promo Video
Join us for our 30th Annual Agents’ Day & Trade show on Wednesday, October 30 from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. Costumes recommended! The cost this year is $10.00. Keynote Speaker is the legendary Terry Watson. Also we are offering one-hour continuing education sessions … but you must register for the event and the classes separately! Thanks to all of our Sponsors!
Diamond:Empower Federal Credit Union and RealEstateSigns.com
Platinum: 2FindYourHome, M P Caroll Hardwood and Barclay Damon
Gold: CoreLogic, Lonewolf Technologies and Supra
Registration is easy, just go to your MLS Portal and click on BNAR Member Services. Sorry no walk-ins due to limited seating. Lunch this year is Hearts of Palm Salad, Chicken Roulade with White Sauce, Sauteed Mixed Vegetables, Mashed Potatoes and Angel Food Cake with Raspberry Sauce. Currently we have 50 Exhibitors and the list keeps growing. Here’s a link to the Exhibitors to date.
If you want to be an Exhibitor Click Here.
Here is the Agents Day Officer Flyer, please post in your Office!
REALTOR and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE of the Year
Is it you or is there an outstanding REALTOR or Sales Agent in your office who has contributed to the real estate industry, the community and the BNAR? If so, submit a nomination form to the BNAR by December 2, 2019. The committee meets shortly after that date. Here is the link to the REALTOR of the Year and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE of the Year criteria and nomination form.
Get Involved – Committees Forming
It’s that time again when committees, projects and task forces will be forming for 2020. Working with other members of the Association on specific projects are fun, educational and rewarding; and you don’t have to meet monthly in order to get things done. Here is a Committee Sign Up sheet. There is also a place where you can add what your interest is should it not be on the form. Submit your form by December 4, 2019.
Is it time to Renew your License?
Not sure how or where to go? The Education Committee created this 3 minute tutorial to help you through the process. The DOS has asked us to remind our members about the proper way to answer the continuing education question on the online license renewal form. The question asks if the licensee has completed the required CE credit or if the licensee is exempt. If the licensee has properly completed their CE requirements OR is exempt from completing CE, the licensee should answer “YES.” Many of those who are exempt, mistakenly answer “NO” and therefore an audit is immediately triggered. Unfortunately, licensees are often found to have gaps in licensure or are unable to prove continuous licensure, and thus lose their exemption from required CE.
A New Message from your our Education Chairperson Rose DeGeorge
Here is a short message from your BNAR Education Chairperson, Rose DeGeorge! Come home for your Education!
