Greater Milwaukee Association of REALTORS®



GMAR Board Of Directors

Thursday, November 20, 2014 • 12:00 PM

GMAR Headquarters

Meeting Agenda

|11:30 AM GMAR Youth Foundation Annual Meeting |

|Call to Order – Bob Larson, Chairman |

| | | | |

|Consent Agenda |P 2 |Approval | |

| | | | |

|Reports | | | |

|Chairman | |Information |5 Min |

| | | | |

|Treasurer | | | |

|October 2014 Financials |P 10 |Approval |10 Min |

|2015 GMAR Budget |P 13 |Approval |20 Min |

| | | | |

|President |P 16 |Approval |20 Min |

| | | | |

|Departments | | | |

|Government Affairs | |Information |10 Min |

|Promotions | |Information |5 Min |

|Professional Standards | |Information |10 Min |

| | | | |

|MLS | |Information |10 Min |

|Old Business | | | |

|None | | | |

|New Business | | | |

|2015 Executive Committee Election | | |5 Min |

|Chair-Elect | | | |

|Treasurer | | | |

|Corporate Secretary | | | |

| | | | |

|Youth Foundation Officer Election | | |5 Min |

|Adjourn | | |1:40 PM |

|Important Upcoming Dates: |

|GMAR Holiday Party – Thursday, December 4th, Potawatomi Casino & Hotel |

|GMAR BOD Meeting – Thursday, January 15th – Location to be Determined |

* Indicates information will be available at the Directors meeting. Updated: 11/17/2014 2:56 PM

GMAR Board Of Directors

Consent Agenda

1. It is moved, seconded and carried to approve the minutes of the Board of Directors meeting from September 18, 2014. p. 3

2. It is moved, seconded and carried to approve of the 84 new members who have applied to become members of the GMAR and paid the appropriate fees. p. 8

GREATER MILWAUKEE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES

Thursday, September 18, 2014 • 12:00 PM

GMAR Headquarters, Wauwatosa, WI

1. Call to Order

Chairman Bob Larson called the meeting to order at 12:00 PM with a quorum present for the transaction of business.

Present: Bob Larson, Chairman; Betsy Head, Chair-Elect; Mike Kollmansberger, Corporate Secretary; Tina Balaka, Past-Chair; Jeff Joseph, Dale Marciniak, Linda Schulteis, Jennifer Burns, Cindy Fleming, Tom Sykora, Vickie Kelsall, Kathy Martello

Staff Present: Mike Ruzicka, President; Scott Bush, VP Operations; Marne Stuck, GAD, Caitlin McCrory, Communications Director

Excused: Roxanne Platz, Treasurer; Mike Fonz, Kel Svoboda, Joan Read

Guests: Cori Lamont, WRA; Scott Allen, Rita Jackson, Gary Gerhardt, James Thomas, Roy Scholtka

2. Consent Agenda

A. Minutes of July 17, 2014 Board of Directors Meeting

B. New Member Report (99 new members)

M/S/C to approve Consent Agenda.

3. Reports

A. Chairman’s Report

Bob Larson introduced and welcomed four Emeritus members, Rita Jackson, Gary Gerhardt, James Thomas, and Roy Scholtka, and thanked them for being members of the GMAR and congratulated them on their long careers in real estate.

Mr. Larson then introduced WRA attorney, Cori Lamont, who provided an update on recent legal developments. Mrs. Lamont said the DNR was imposing a rule on October 1st that would impact well tests in transactions and would require an update to the GMAR Addendum A. She also discussed recent changes to state license law as well as the upcoming legislative session.

Roy Scholtka asked the directors if the GMAR could investigate requiring that all brokers have errors and omissions (E&O) insurance and workers compensation insurance. He said he believes too many real estate practitioners do not have E&O insurance, placing themselves in legal jeopardy. He also said he has had a handful of instances over the years when an agent or broker has injured themselves at one of his properties and sued his insurance company.

Mike Ruzicka said he would ask the WRA about requiring E&O and workers compensation insurance, and report back to the directors.

B. Treasurer’s Report

1) Finances – Mike Ruzicka reviewed the GMAR’s August 2014 finances.

Statement of Financial Position – As of August 31, 2014, GMAR had $1,114,426 in Cash & Investment Balances, up $20,993 from last year. Accounts receivable were up $55,143 and prepaid expenses were down $40,741 compared to 2013. Total Assets were up $46,591 compared to 2013.

On the Liability side, accounts payable were up $4,616 this year mainly due to inventory accruals and dues payable to NAR. Unearned revenue was at $46,566 because of the 2015 Kettle Moraine dues. Accrued expenses were up $739 compared to last year. The long-term mortgage liability was down $30,268 which was the amount of principal to be paid on the mortgage in 2014. Overall, Total Liabilities were up $21,653 compared to 2013.

For the month ending August 31, 2014, GMAR had Net Income of $294,527, up $57,547 from last year. Overall, Total Net Assets were $2,183,385; $24,938 higher than the same point in 2013.

Statement of Activities – Membership: The GMAR budgeted for a 90% renewal which was 3,220 members, the GMAR actually had 3,202 members renew which equates to an 89% renewal. Through August, new members are way ahead of last year’s numbers.

Promotions: Through August, $874,594 of income and $615,445 of expenses have been recorded. The budgeted net income for the Home and Garden Show is $260,854. Public Policy: expenses comprised of a contribution to the NAR Political Advocacy Fund, WisPolitics subscription, event sponsorships, and Metro Go! membership, with the remaining expenses primarily being personnel costs. Professional Standard : basically all personnel costs, incurring expenditures primarily in Labor and Overhead.

Products (Wisconsin Real Estate Supply): Product sales through August 2014 were higher than the sales through August 2013.

Leadership: includes expenditures for meetings, committees, officer expenses, strategic planning, NAR Home Buyer and Seller survey and NAR meetings. The main expenses recorded through August were expenses for the NAR Home Buyer and Seller survey, officer stipends, NAR May meetings, registration fees and expenses for the Chairman and President to attend 2 conferences.

Administrative: includes investment and rental income and expenses for professional fees, salaries, fringe benefits, building, insurance, occupancy, property taxes, general office expenses and depreciation.

The bottom line shows Excess Receipts Over Expenditures of $304,875, which will be used up in the coming months. Last year net income was $236,981 for the same time period. The budgeted net income (loss) is ($3,386).

M/S/C to approve the unaudited Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet) and Statement of Activities as of August 31, 2014, and recommend placing on file for audit.

C. President’s Report

Mike Ruzicka reported the following in addition to his written memorandum to the Board of Directors:

1) FEC Dismisses Complaint of REALTOR® – The Federal Election Commission (FEC) dismissed a complaint that a REALTOR® filed against NAR who objected to paying dues because part of her dues were being used for political purposes. The complainant opposed the $40 dues increase NAR assessed as part of the Political Survival Initiative, the predecessor of “My REALTOR® Party.”

The FEC chairman said that, “… a voluntary membership organization’s use of its treasury funds, derived from membership dues, for independent expenditures does not amount to the coercion of individual members under federal law.”

This decision is important in determining that NAR, WRA and the GMAR can, without a doubt legally, use our general dues revenue and CRPAC funds for political purposes.

2) Ozaukee REALTORS® Association Name Change – The GMAR was notified by NAR that the Ozaukee REALTORS® Association (ORA) has petitioned to change its name to the “North Suburban REALTORS® Association.”

After discussing the impact of the name change, the GMAR Executive Committee voted to oppose the name change because it could cause confusion among members within the Greater Milwaukee real estate market; as well as interfere with discussion of a merger between the GMAR and ORA.

The ORA is certainly north of the GMAR geographically, but “north suburban” describes a geographical area that is not unique to the ORA and overlaps all of the suburban communities on the North Shore and north side of Milwaukee County. Furthermore, no name encompasses the geography of the market area served by the OAR better than, Ozaukee REALTORS® Association.

M/S/C to communicate with NAR that the GMAR opposes the proposed name change due to the confusion it would cause members within the region and consumers.

3) Ozaukee REALTORS® Association – Mr. Ruzicka provided the Directors with an update of the current status of discussions between major brokers in Ozaukee County and their agents.

He also said that when the GMAR and Kettle Moraine Association merged a major incentive to the merger was the creation of the Kettle Moraine Council, and he asked the directors to create an Ozaukee Council that would operate as a GMAR committee.

M/S/C to create an Ozaukee Council as a regular committee of the GMAR.

4) GMAR Dues – The GMAR receive a few requests for creating different dues levels or an installment plan for members each year. In addition, in 2014 the Association received a request from member, Shelley Morgan, asking that the GMAR create a tiered dues system for more experienced agents who are in the business, but not doing a great deal of business.

The Directors stated that past policy – not to create an installment plan, or a tiered plan based on business activity – should stand and that members should treat association dues as a regular business expense and plan for their payment.

5) Nominating Committee & Future Directors –At the August 20th GMAR Nominating Committee meeting discussion ensued about the future of the Nominating Committee and the GMAR Directors election process.

Several committee members were curious if the GMAR could find a different model for Director selection, such as the WRA process. Mr. Ruzicka stated that there are several difference models, and that the members are fairly familiar with the WRA structure, which might be a good place to start. He said that he would look into different options (the WRA model and national examples) for alternatives for the Nominating Committee, and Board of Directors, to consider.

6) 2015 Public Awareness Campaign – The MLS and GMAR are exploring creating a public awareness campaign in 2015 that would make consumers aware of the inaccuracies that many real estate portals (i.e. Zillow & Trulia). Chris Carrillo and Mr. Ruzicka have met to discuss the size and scope of the campaign with Eichenbaum & Assoc, which the GMAR used for its past campaigns. Mr. Ruzicka will plan on funding part of the campaign in the 2015 budget.

7) Addendum A Revisions – Mr. Ruzicka sent an email out to brokers involved in drafting the Addendum A to address the house address issue discussed at the July Directors meeting. The consensus of the group was to hold off on making changes to the document until after the new year arrives and see what additional changes may be necessary, but the address issue will be on the agenda.

D. Departments

1) Government Affairs

Marne Stuck reported:

a. Code Compliance/Time-of-Sale Requirements (TOS) – TOS requirements are becoming more common in Wisconsin and are causing headaches for both sellers and Realtors. There is a cluster of municipalities, particularly on Milwaukee’s north shore (Bayside, Brown Deer, Fox Point, Glendale, Shorewood, Whitefish Bay, etc.) who are imposing the TOS requirements and are sending a few red flags up with some of the requirements. Ms. Stuck has been accumulating the many incidents from several members over the past weeks/months. GMAR is working with WRA to find possible solutions and possible legislation for the upcoming 2015-16 legislative session. Ms. Stuck will have an update at the November meeting.

b. Expand REALTOR Foreclosure Sales Program with City of MKE - Due to the success of the pilot program in which the City of Milwaukee contracted with brokers to help sell tax-foreclosed city-owned properties which began in 2013, Milwaukee’s Department of City Development (DCD) will be asking the Common Council to extend, expand (with 5 additional brokers) and make permanent this program, which ended officially in August. On Tuesday of this week, the Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee did approve the extension/expansion language and the full Common Council will vote on the measure next week. (it is expected this will pass unanimously)

c. Campaign Events – There will be many events between now and the November 4 election for the various candidates running for office. Ms. Stuck will continue to send these opportunities for all candidates to all members as she gets them. She will encourage members who have not contributed to the Direct Giver Program yet this year, to consider doing so.

2) Promotions

Mike Ruzicka reported:

a. Beth Smith will be leaving the HGS/GMAR staff later this year. Mr. Ruzicka is looking to split the position in two, one person to work on the HGS and another to work on the Association’s store and handle basic administrative tasks.

3) Professional Standards

Scott Bush submitted ethics hearing panel decisions E14-11 and E14-12 for approval.

M/S/C to approve the disciplinary recommendations for cases E14-11 and E14-12.

E. MLS

No Report was given.

4. Old Business

No Old Business was discussed.

5. New Business

No New Business was discussed.

6. Adjourn

The meeting adjourned at 1:43 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Ruzicka

President

New Member Report

84 REALTOR® and Affiliate members for approval (DR - 5; R - 69; A - 10)

|Kyle |Adamczyk |Century 21 Affiliated~Oak Creek |

|Alex |Anderson |Suzanne Powers Realty Group |

|Jay |Armbruster |Century 21 Affiliated~Wauwatosa |

|Dani |Bucholtz |Homestead Realty Inc~Milwaukee |

|Kristen |Bujol |Shorewest, REALTORS~Southridge |

|Scott |Byers |SJ Property Services LLC |

|Lisa |Byrski |Realty Executives Elite~Hales Corners |

|Rebecca |Carriere |Keller Williams Realty~Milw |

|Stephanie |Casperson |RE/MAX Lakeside~Capitol |

|Pam |Conlin |Benefit Realty |

|Ronald |Dahl |Premier Point Realty LLC |

|Roger |Davison |Knight-Barry Title Inc |

|James |Dixon |RE/MAX Realty 100~M Falls |

|Leanne |Dow-Weimer |Bank of England |

|Maggie |Ellingson |Realty Executives Integrity~Hartland |

|Rena |Enea |Homestead Realty Inc~Milwaukee |

|Cheryl |Eskridge |WI Land LLC |

|Daniel |Figurski |Century 21 Affiliated~Wauwatosa |

|Robyn |Fitzpatrick |Coldwell Banker HomeSale Realty~ |

|Molly |Gallagher |Suzanne Powers Realty Group |

|Kelly |Garcia |First Weber Group, Realtors~West Bend |

|Tabitha |German |Benefit Realty |

|Michael |Gest |Elements Realty LLC |

|Michelle |Glen |HSA Home Warranty |

|Cathy |Golden |Map Realty Group LLC |

|Scott |Haag |Shorewest, REALTORS~W North |

|Mark |Haddix |Shorewest, REALTORS~OC |

|Marcia |Harrig |First Weber Group, Realtors~WK |

|Aleena |Heldt |HSA Home Warranty |

|Todd |Herrenbruck |Keller Williams Realty~Milw |

|David |Hornick |Shorewest, REALTORS~New Berlin |

|Katie |Jacobs |Shorewest, REALTORS~New Berlin |

|Elizabeth |Jankowski |First Weber Group, Realtors~West Bend |

|Michelle |Janssen |United Realtors LLC |

|Jacob |Jashinski |Shorewest, REALTORS~Southridge |

|Randy |Jones |Premier Point Realty LLC |

|Joann |Jordan |Shorewest, REALTORS~Moreland |

|Tanner |Kattre |Marine Credit Union |

|Alexandra |Konieczny |The Real Estate Co, Lake & Country Inc |

|Ralph |Kraehnke |Kraehnke Realty |

|Alex |Kropp |Keller Williams Realty~Milw |

|Andrew |Kuehl |Keller Williams Realty~Wauwatosa |

|Lisa |Lagerman |Irongate Property Management |

|Justin |Lakritz |RE/MAX Lakeside~Capitol |

|Vincent |Lang |Century 21 Affiliated~Oak Creek |

|Tyler |Layne |1st Advantage Real Estate |

|Andrew |Lesko |Shorewest, REALTORS~Moreland |

|Karan |LeWary |Ogden, The Real Estate Company |

|Julie |Littman |Shorewest, REALTORS~N Oakland |

|Nicole |Lustig |Shorewest, REALTORS~MNM Falls |

|Gerald |Mavis |Century 21 Affiliated~Wauwatosa |

|Richard |Menger |Century 21 Affiliated~Wauwatosa |

|Bonita |Mennenga |Shorewest, REALTORS~Moreland |

|Arianne |Moreland |First Weber Group, Realtors~Greenfield |

|Audrey |Morgan |Handle Real Estate |

|John |Munoz |Shorewest, REALTORS~Racine |

|Sarah |Murphy |Keller Williams Realty~Milw |

|Marcos |Natal |United Realtors LLC |

|Guy |Nicolet |Shorewest, REALTORS~N Oakland |

|John |Noesen |WIHBN Realty LLC |

|Daniel |Ogens |Kapital Real Estate LLC |

|Betsy |Olson |Merit Title LLC |

|Amondo |Perry |Coldwell Banker HomeSale Realty~ |

|Amy |Prill |Korndoerfer Homes |

|Dan |Puckett |HSA Home Warranty |

|Anna |Rivera |Emmer Real Estate Group |

|Jean |Runte |Coldwell Banker Res Brokerage~West Bend |

|Francisco |Sandoval |Jason Scott Realty & Management LLC |

|Aaron |Schneider |Homestead Realty Inc~Milwaukee |

|Jacob |Schoemann |Bank of England |

|Valerie |Sell |The Cream City Real Estate Company |

|Scott |Simon |Scott Simon Realty, Inc. |

|Willie |Smith |NW Impact LLC |

|James |Thomas |Exit Realty XL |

|Stephanie |Ton |First Weber Group, Realtors~Mequon |

|F |Treis |First Weber Group, Realtors~NPW |

|Jodi |Ulrich |Bank of England |

|Shelly |Van Skyhawk |Knight-Barry Title Inc |

|Kelly |Vick |Premier Point Realty LLC |

|Terry |Voelske |Hamilton & Associates, REALTORS |

|Trevor |Wolf |Shorewest, REALTORS~MNM Falls |

|Jessica |Wolfe |Shorewest, REALTORS~Moreland |

|Natalie |Zavada |RE/MAX Realty 100~M Falls |

|Karen |Zorn |Shorewest, REALTORS~New Berlin |

October 2014 Financial Statements

Statement of Financial Position

As of October 31, 2014, GMAR had $1,555,150 in Cash & Investment Balances, up $128,686 from last year. This increase was due primarily to exhibitor deposits for next year’s Home & Garden Show being collected a month earlier than last year.

Accounts receivable were up $90,584 compared to 2013, again primarily because of next year’s Home & Garden Show exhibitors. Prepaid expenses were up $60,162 compared to last year due to a higher facility deposit for the 2015 Home and Garden Show.

Total Assets were $3,286,003 which was up $266,891 compared to 2013.

On the Liability side, accounts payable were up $16,253 mainly due to dues payable to NAR. Unearned revenue was up $261,740 because of the 2015 Kettle Moraine dues payment and 2015 GMAR dues received and 2015 Home & Garden Show income. Accrued expenses were down $33 compared to last year. The long-term mortgage liability was down $30,268 which is the amount of principal to be paid on the mortgage in 2014. Overall, Total Liabilities were up $247,692 compared to 2013.

For the month ending October 31, 2014, GMAR had Net Income of $168,073, up $51,337 from last year. Overall, Total Net Assets were $2,060,517; $19,200 higher than the same point in 2013.

Statement of Activities

Membership: We budgeted for a 90% renewal which was 3,220 members and we actually had 3,202 members renew which equates to an 89% renewal. Through October, R/DR new members are way ahead of last year’s numbers. There have been 535 new R/DR members through October, 2014 and last year there was a total of 466 new R/DR members.

Promotions: Home & Garden Show: Through October, $874,594 of income and $615,857 of expenses have been recorded for a net income of $258,737. The budgeted net income for the Home and Garden Show was $260,854.

Public Policy and Professional Standards expenses were mostly all personnel costs, incurring expenditures primarily in Labor and Overhead.

Products (Wisconsin Real Estate Supply): Product sales through October, 2014 were around $8,000 higher than the sales through October, 2013.

The Leadership section includes expenditures for meetings, committees, officer expenses, strategic planning, NAR Home Buyer and Seller survey and NAR meetings.

The Administrative section includes investment and rental income and expenses for professional fees, salaries, fringe benefits, building, insurance, occupancy, property taxes, general office expenses and depreciation.

The bottom line shows Excess Receipts Over Expenditures of $168,073, which will be used up in the coming months. Last year our net income was $116,737 for the same time period. The budgeted net income (loss) is ($5,385) which includes $2,000 for capital outlay.

October 2014 Balance Sheet

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October 2014 Statement of Activities

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2015 GMAR Budget Notes

Membership

Dues. The largest source of net revenue for the Association will be up $69,000 compared to 2013. 3,595 members were billed for dues for FY 2014. 3,991 were sent dues bills for FY 2015 (including 234 KMRA members). We are projecting a 90% renewal rate, which would result in 3,592 members on January 1st.

We are expecting new member totals of 464 REALTORS®, 50 Designated REALTORS®, and 20 Affiliates during the year. We are budgeting conservatively, although the numbers are above the 2013 budget, but not quite as high the 2014 actual numbers were.

Events. We’re discontinuing the Tech Forum and replacing it with a REBarCamp this spring. That and the Brewers Tailgate Party are designed to be break-even events, Golf Outing revenue should be positive to the tune of $7,000, and the Holiday Party is usually a little in the negative. The new Tiki Party finished negative $900.

Communications. We are reviving a component of the Association we discontinued during the recession by spending $50,000 on a public awareness campaign designed to educate consumers that REALTORS® have access to the best, most accurate information.

Additionally, we created a new budget item for the Kettle Moraine Council. We calculated $25 for each GMAR member in Washington County (250) for a total of $6,250 for the KMC to spend as it sees fit. We will adjust the number as members join the Association.

Promotions

The 2014 REALTORS® Home & Garden Show (HGS) came back strong from the setback we saw in 2013. After a positive 2014 and some staff changes, we expect 2015 to be about even or slightly ahead. [Note: about 78% of HGS revenue is from booth sales.] For the 2015 HGS we are expecting net revenue to be just over $250,000.

Other Shows consists of the Downtown Diggs (formerly Open House). Again this year, we relied on social media and BID #21 Milwaukee Downtown to successfully spread word of the event. The only significant expenditures were in staff time. We plan to utilize the same strategy for 2015. Similar to past years, we would like to expand the number of events in the region when the economy warrants.

WRA Educational Partnership we are expecting income to be flat for 2015.

Youth Foundation income and expenditures are flat.

Public Policy

Income in Public Policy is exclusively sponsorships for the bus for REALTOR® & Government Day. On the expenditure side, the section has a line item for the bus, lobbying licenses, subscriptions to Gov’t Affairs-related publications and .

We are planning to sponsor the MMAC’s Milwaukee Nights (MKE & DC). And are planning to sponsor a few WisPolitics and Public Policy Forum events to keep the GMAR’s brand and image before regional policymakers and elected officials.

Products

Sales in the Wisconsin Real Estate Supply store have been down significantly since 2007. The 2014 budget was flat from 2013, but actual sales in 2014 were better. Now that the market bottom appears to be behind us, we should see a sustained increase in business. Hopefully that trend will continue as we bring a staff person on board to help with store marketing.

Professional Standards

2015 PS revenue is flat from 2014. 2014 was budgeted to increase, because we expected arbitration filings to increase as the business climate improved. The rest of the department is all personnel expense.

Leadership

Expenses were flat National Meetings and GMAR Officer (and President) Expenses. An expenditure was maintained for Directors to attend the WRA Convention. Expenses related to Meetings for the Directors and Committees are flat. Leadership Department has an expense for the Directors to attend the WRA Management Conference and Bucks tickets.

Administrative

The largest number of budget items is in the Administrative category.

Revenue in this section consists of Interest Income, Rental Income, contributions toward Salaries and Miscellaneous Income. Interest income is budgeted to be flat.

Rental Income. Over the last few years, the GMAR has taken a huge hit in rental income. For 2015 we are looking at rental income to increase by $2,262, which is a welcome outcome compared to the 2014, when we reduced in by $24,000 from 2013.

Salary income is stable at $32,200 ($30,000 from WRA for our GAD and $2,200 from the Youth Foundation). Salary expense is up $25,279, up 4.3%.

On the expenditure side, Professional Fees for our audit, bank service charges, attorney’s fees, and WRA’s accounting/bookkeeping fee, Postage, Insurance, Miscellaneous Expenses and Telephone expenses are flat.

Office Supplies, Staff Education, Computer Services and Duplicating Services down a little.

Internet Communications are down $20,000 after our website upgrade in 2014.

Personal Property Taxes, Property Taxes, Occupancy (i.e. gas, electric) and Maintenance & Repairs, Depreciation are flat.

Interest-Building is flat at $18,000 again in 2014, after renegotiating our rate down in 2012.

General Reserves is an account the GMAR created to set aside 3% of our dues revenue. That contribution was eliminated in the 2012 budget, but reinstated for 2013. The 2015 contribution is set at $23,000, up from 2014’s $21,517.

Currently we are looking at a bottom line of $740 in the black. A year ago we were looking at a $73,000 deficit.

As we do each year, we will revisit the budget next July and make any necessary adjustments are that time.

2015 GMAR Budget

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MEMORANDUM

To: GMAR Board of Directors

From: Mike Ruzicka, President

Re: November President’s Report

Ozaukee REALTORS® Association Name Change P 19

You may recall at the September Directors meeting, the Board voted to oppose the ORA’s name change to the “North Suburban REALTORS® Association.”

We have been notified by NAR that the Ozaukee REALTORS® Association (ORA) is requesting mediation as an alternative to a hearing on their name change. Assuming that mediation is a form of negotiation, I don’t know how we would “give” anything relative to their requested name.

I would suggest the Association maintain its opposition to the OAR’s name change and testify as such at the May NAR meeting, when a hearing would be held.

Recruiting Members

I have been working on a plan to recruit members, which I would like to discuss in more depth.

Essentially, the plan calls for communicating with potential members on a monthly basis about the benefits of being a GMAR members. We would send a monthly email detailing the context of all the events, emails, etc. that the GMAR had sent to members the previous month, with the message, “You could get all of these benefits at the GMAR too,” or something like that, and include a transfer form.

Scott, Bush, Marne Stuck and I also plan to go to office meetings to explain what is going on at the NAR, and GMAR levels (perhaps WRA), regarding professional standards, government affairs, Code of Ethics/Code of Excellence standards, and other topical issues.

The goal is to inaudibly contrast what the GMAR offers and provides to other associations.

2015 Board of Directors Election P 21

The GMAR Election for new directors ran from October 12th – 18th. There were 6 members on the ballot, competing for 4 positions. The top 4 finishers were:

• Roxanne Platz

• Amy Curler

• Vickie Kelsall

• Arthur Mays

I will meet with those who are new to the Board in the coming weeks to give them a brief orientation and what to expect as a Director, as well as Kaye Erdman, who will be the KMRA representative for 2015

GMAR Nominating Committee & Future Directors P 22

At the last Directors meeting I addressed that Nominating Committee’s discussion about changing the GMAR Directors election process.

There are about as many ways to elect Directors as there are associations in the country. The popular election-style the GMAR has traditionally used to elect new directors is probably the most common. For new models, we are most familiar with the WRA version, which was adopted in the late 1990s. It involves:

• Dividing the state into seven regions

• One representative from the three largest statewide companies

• One representative from each of the largest companies in each of the 7 regions

• Regional representatives from each of the 7 regions, depending on the member population of each region

• 7 executive committee members

• 3 past-chairs

• 3 outside directors

I have a Real Trends AE Council meeting in December, and I plan to poll the group for more options.

One aspect of the Director selection process that I think we should explore is setting some qualifications beyond what we require now. For example, should we require that Directors have a broker’s license, or management experience, or have sold at least $X of real estate.

I will have more on this at our next Directors meeting in January.

Educational Programs

I spoke with one broker this month who was relating that many agents today aren’t aware of the tax benefits of homeownership. She attributed this circumstance to the fact that during the boom years, no one needed to explain the benefits of ownership, and during the recession, prices and interest rates were so low, buying on the cheap had its own benefits. But, now buyers are questioning the value of homeownership and the tax advantages are a huge part of that value.

Given that 37% of our members are new since 2010, and 70% joined after 2000, I think hosting a few educational programs on the benefits of the MID, 1031 exchanges, etc. is probably a good idea.

Additionally, with the next registration period for the Affordable Care Act soon upon us, the GMAR will host some educational programs to help members evaluate their health care options.

Code of Excellence

As part of a wide-ranging set of recommendations to raise the bar on REALTOR® professionalism, the NAR Board of Directors approved the drafting of an aspirational Code of Excellence to be brought to the board at a future meeting for approval.

The goal is to raise the practice of real estate measurably through increased training in the competencies that consumers value:

• stewardship of property listing data

• privacy and security of consumer information

• advocacy of property rights

• community involvement

• technology

After extensive debate some related provisions were also passed:

• Change the frequency of NAR’s Code of Ethics educational requirement from every four years to every two years, starting in 2016

• Add a biennial Code of Excellence education requirement and mandate continual updating of the training

• Help members strive to be proficient in data content and have efficient access to the broadest range of data available

• Develop an industry standard that would allow consumers to evaluate REALTORS® fairly and accurately (rating program).

NAR Resources & Grants

We recently met with a professional grant writer to have her submit grant proposals to NAR for:

• Diversity Initiative Grants – fund programs that increase diversity and build and expand relationships with multicultural real estate organizations, and address fair housing issues.

• Housing Opportunity Grants – up to $5,000 to support programs and activities that create housing opportunities.

• Smart Growth Grant - up to $15,000 to support efforts that position REALTORS® as leaders in improving their communities by advancing smart growth through projects.

• Placemaking Micro-Grant – Up to $2,500, to help plan and implement smaller and inexpensive Placemaking activities in your community.

• RPAC Fundraising Grant for Local Associations – Up to $5,000 annually to help fund special RPAC fundraising events and activities.

• RPAC Professional Phone Grants – contact non-investors and increase RPAC Participation.

• Issue Polling & Research – Use these polling and research services to help you determine if an issue campaign is viable and what approach you want to take in a campaign.

GMAR Contribution to Milwaukee County Historical Society P 23

The GMAR has contributed its past historical document to the Milwaukee County Historical Society for safe keeping and posterity, rather than house the documents in the Association’s building. The MCHS recently provided the GMAR with an inventory of the items they hold.

Recurring Status Reports

GMAR Member Communications

GMAR Member Involvement P 27

MLS Membership Stats P 28

2014 GMAR Directors Roster P 29

2014 GMAR Calendar P 30

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GMAR Member Involvement

| |

|OFFICES |Aug-14 |Sep-14 |Oct-14 |Oct-13 | |USERS |

|Madison Realty Group (9miet) | | | |Thomas | |Other |

| | | | |Mietzel | | |

|William Fine (fine) | |May-07 |

|Mike Fons |Kathy Martello |Joan Read |

|First Weber Group |RE/MAX Realty 100 |Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage |

|12665 W North Ave |N96W18221 County Line Rd # 201 |626 E Ogden Ave |

|Brookfield, WI 53005-4629 |Menomonee Falls, WI  53051-1361 |Milwaukee, WI 53202 |

|O 262.784.9360 |P  262.255.9200 M 414.550.3617 |P 414.277.9500 M 414.305.1756 |

|mfons@ |kmartello@ |joan.read@ |

|NRDS: 90022188 |NRDS: 90031322 |NRDS: 90006480 |

|(3yr term from Exec Roundtable) |(3yr term from Exec Roundtable) |(3yr term from Exec Roundtable) |

|Tina Balaka, Past Chairwoman |Bob Larson, Chairman |Betsy Head, Chair-Elect |

|Shorewest, Realtors (2nd Term) |First Weber Group, Realtors |Realty Executives Integrity (2nd Term) |

|5111 S. 76th St. |1507 E Sunset Drive (2nd Term) |412 E Silver Spring Drive |

|Greendale, WI 53129-1115 |Waukesha, WI  53189-8203 |Whitefish Bay, WI 53217 |

|O 414.423.1500 M 414.840.9728 |O  262.522.7773 M 262.370.8018 |O 414.906.4500 M 414.967.7700 |

|tbalaka@ |blarson@ |betsyhead@ |

|NRDS: 90071016 |NRDS: 90029647 |NRDS: 90050499 |

|Jeff Joseph |Dale Marciniak (1st Term) |Cindy Fleming |

|Shorewest REALTORS® (2nd Term) |RE/MAX Realty 100 |First Weber Group, Realtors (2nd Term) |

|4559 N Oakland Ave |10303 W Oklahoma Ave |17345 W. Bluemound Road |

|Shorewood, WI 53211-1216 |Milwaukee, WI 53227-4135 |Brookfield, WI 53045 |

|O 414.962.4413 M 262.719.8901 |O 414.327.7020 M 414.429.2344 |O 262.782.3110 M 262.424.5711 |

|NRDS: 90046491 |dale@ |cindyfleming@wi. |

|jeffjoseph@ |NRDS: 90024500 |NRDS: 90017596 |

|Roxanne Platz, Treasurer |Mike Kollmansberger, Corporate Secretary |Kel Svoboda |

|First Weber Group, Realtors (1st Term) |Shorewest Realtors (1st Term) |Century 21 Affiliated (1st Term) |

|2750 Golf Rd, Suite A |921 Meadowbrook Rd |1033 N Mayfair Rd, Suite 321 |

|Delafield, WI 53018-2063 |Waukesha, WI 53188-7315 |Wauwatosa, WI 53226-3442 |

|O 262.646.6800 M 262.370.7767 |O 262.548.9393 M 262.271.5702 |O 414.543.5403 M 414.213.9014 |

|rplatz@ |mikek@ |kel@ |

|NRDS: 90028348 |NRDS: 90076658 |NRDS: 90098433 |

|Vickie Kelsall |Jennifer Burns (1st Term) |Tom Sykora (1st Term) |

|Century 21 Affiliated (1st Term) |Realty Executives Integrity |Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage |

|1033 N Mayfair Rd, Suite 321 |810 Cardinal Ln, Suite 110 |11303 N Port Washington Rd |

|Wauwatosa, WI 53226-3442 |Hartland, WI 53029-2390 |Mequon, WI 53092-3411 |

|O 414.543.5403 M 262.332.2233 |O 262.369.8900 M 262.617.9333 |O 262.241.4700 M 262.573.7323 |

|vkelsall@ |jennifer@ |tom.sykora@ |

|NRDS: 90010989 |NRDS: 90076496 |NRDS: 90023055 |

|Linda Schulteis | | |

|Allied Realty Group LLC | | |

|2932 State Road 83 | | |

|Hartford, WI 53027-9099 | | |

|O 262.670.9880 M 262.305.2060 | | |

|alliedrealty@ | | |

|NRDS: 90017746 | | |

| | | |

|At Large |At Large | |

|To Be Appointed By Chair |To Be Appointed By Chair-Elect | |

| | | |

|(Term Exp 12/31/2014) |(Term Exp 12/31/2015) | |

2014 GMAR Meetings & Events Calendar

Update: November 17, 2014

January

1 GMAR Fiscal Year begins

2 GMAR Executive Committee Meeting/Conference Call

7 GMAR Orientation

9 GMAR Board of Directors Meeting – 11:00 AM, GMAR Headquarters

15-17 Inman Connect – New York, NY

TBA GMAR Youth Foundation Board Meeting – GMAR

20 GMAR Economic Summit – Marquette University Alumni Memorial Union

23-24 WRA Board of Directors Meeting – Madison Club, Madison, WI

27 February Newsletter Deadline

29-31 COVE MLS Meeting – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

February

2 Super Bowl

4 GMAR Orientation

6 MLS Board of Directors Meeting

10 GMAR Audit – Wegner & Assoc.

24 March Newsletter Deadline

26 REALTOR® & Government Day – Monona Terrace, Madison, WI

March

4 GMAR Orientation

13 GMAR Executive Committee Meeting/Conference Call

16 Youth Foundation’s St. Patrick’s Day 5K – Hart Park, Wauwatosa, WI

20 GMAR Board of Directors Meeting – 12:00 Noon, GMAR Headquarters

20-30 90th REALTORS® Home & Garden Show – Wisconsin Expo Ctr, West Allis, WI

24 April Newsletter Deadline

April

1 GMAR Orientation

TBA GMAR Youth Foundation Board Meeting – GMAR

21 May Newsletter Deadline

29 GMAR Executive Committee Meeting/Conf. Call

30 RealTrends Gathering of Eagles – Dallas, TX

May

2 WRA Board of Directors Meeting – WRA Headquarters

TBA MLS Board of Directors Meeting

6 GMAR Orientation

8 GMAR Board of Directors Meeting – 12:00 Noon, GMAR Headquarters

13-17 NAR Mid-Year Meetings – Washington, D.C.

23 Deadline for NAR Committee Applications

26 June Newsletter Deadline

June

2 Brewers Bash – Miller Park, Milwaukee, WI

3 GMAR Orientation

19-20 WRA AE Conference – Arbor Vitae, WI

TBA Strategic Planning & Finance Committee, Budget Review Meeting

23 July Newsletter Deadline (announce GMAR BOD Applications)

July

1 GMAR BOD Candidate Applications available to members

1 GMAR Orientation

10 GMAR Executive Committee Meeting/Conference Call

TBA GMAR Youth Foundation Board Meeting – GMAR

17 GMAR Board of Directors Mtg – Ironwood Golf Course

17 GMAR Summer Golf Outing – Ironwood Golf Course

21 August Newsletter Deadline

August

1 WRA BOD Meeting – TBA

2 Downtown Diggs & Wrap-Up Party

5 GMAR Orientation

14 Kettle Moraine Council Golf Outing – Scenic View CC, 4415 Club Dr, Slinger, WI

18-19 NAR Leadership Summit – Chicago, IL

25 September Newsletter Deadline

25 GMAR Tiki Party – Boomers, Pewaukee, WI

29 GMAR Nominating Committee Meeting – GMAR Headquarters

31 Last day for GMAR BOD Candidates to submit Applications

September

1 Nominating Committee notification of BOD Candidates to membership

9 GMAR Orientation

10 GMAR Tech Conference – Radisson Hotel, Wauwatosa, WI

11 GMAR Executive Committee Meeting/Conference Call

11 MLS Board of Directors Meeting

18 GMAR Board of Directors Meeting – 12:00 Noon, GMAR Headquarters

21-22 WRA Convention – Wisconsin Dells, WI

22 October Newsletter Deadline

TBA Strategic Planning Meeting – Location, TBA

30 GMAR Board of Directors Write-In Candidate Deadline

October

1 GMAR Orientation

TBA GMAR Youth Foundation Board Meeting

12-18 GMAR Board of Directors e-Election

27 November Newsletter Deadline

TBA Strategic Planning & Finance Committee, Budget Review Meeting

November

4 GMAR Orientation

5-10 NAR Convention – New Orleans, LA

13 GMAR Executive Committee Meeting/Conference Call

20 GMAR Board of Directors Meeting – 12:00 Noon, GMAR Headquarters

20 GMAR Youth Foundation Annual Meeting – 11:30 AM, GMAR Headquarters

24 December Newsletter Deadline

December

2 GMAR Orientation

4 Chairwoman’s Holiday Party & GMAR Annual Mtg – Potowatomi Casino

11 WRA Management Conference – Country Springs Hotel, Waukesha, WI

22 January Newsletter Deadline

31 GMAR Fiscal Year ends

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