Where Do We Go From Here? - LIRealtor.com

MLS Nominates 2009 LeadershipBoard of Directors Approve DuringNovember MeetingFrank Urso2009MLS PresidentFloyd EarlNassauVice PresidentBy Tricia ChircoMarketing & Communication DirectorThe Multiple Listing Service of LongIsland, Inc. (MLSLI) is pleased toannounce the following slate has beenapproved for 2009 MLS Officers. MLSPast President Donald Scanlon, served asthis year’s Nominating CommitteeChairperson and presented the committee’srecommendation for the 2009 slate duringThe Long Island Board of REALTORS®2008 Public Relations Committee is proud toannounce the third annual REALTOR®Spirit Awards recipients. This year there werea total of nine recipients that received awardsranging from $250 to $1,000, to be presentedto their charity of choice. The REALTOR®Spirit Award program recognizes REAL-TORS®, either individually, as an office, oras a Chapter, who have made a difference intheir community and have demonstrated thatthey are MORE THAN REALTORS®. Thisyear’s recipients were chosen based upontheir volunteer work, charitable efforts, youthrelated activities or any endeavor big or smallthat shows an extraordinary commitment tocommunity service.The three Realtor® recipients of thisaward chosen from Suffolk County are:Carol Bromm of Prudential DouglasElliman for her work with Boatsies Boxes,a charitable organization dedicated to supportingour troops when they are far fromhome. Carol received a check for $250.At the $500 level is Jose Sola ofRE/MAX Integrity Leaders, for his workwith the Rolling Thunder Special NeedsProgram, a non-profit organization set upspecifically for physically and mentallychallenged athletes.At the $1,000 level is Matthew Arnold ofWeichert Realtors Dutch Door, who earnedIn accordance with the NationalAssociation of Realtors, all Realtors mustsuccessfully complete a min. of 2.5 hoursof approved ethics training every 4 years.The deadline for this 4 year cycle is12/31/08.the November Board of Directors meeting.The committee’s recommendation was metwith unanimous approval.Frank Urso will serve as MLS Presidentin 2009, following Barbara Ford whoserved this year. Frank is theOwner/Broker of Long Island VillageRealty, Inc since 1994 and a licensedRealtor® since 1992. Frank has served asa LIBOR Director for Nassau from 2000-2003 and an MLS Director since 1999.2008 Realtor® Spirit AwardsPresented to DeservingIndividuals at AppreciationLuncheonNAR ETHICS DEADLINEAPPROACHING —RESERVE NOW!Frank Dell’AccioSuffolkVice PresidentDorothy AschkarQueensVice Presidentthis honor for his work with the Hospice CareNetwork – Children’s Bereavement Program.The Hospice Care network provides a caringand safe environment staffed by compassionateprofessionals and volunteers to help childrenthrough their period of bereavement.The three Realtor® recipients for NassauCounty are:At the $250 level is Svetlana Levitin ofJune Shapiro Realty/Laffey Associates forher work with World of WomenImmigrants, a not-for-profit educationalwomen’s organization established to assistwomen immigrants to integrate into allaspects of the civic, legal, economic, socialand communal life of America.At the $500 level is Mary Stanco of ExitRealty Gold Coast for her work with “TheGift of Life” a non-profit agency responsiblefor recovering and distributing organsand tissues used in life-saving and lifeenhancingtransplants.At the $1,000 level is Philip Laffey ofCentury 21 Laffey Associates, who earnedthis honor for his work with Easter Seals.Easter Seals has been helping individualswith disabilities and special needs, andtheir families, live better lives for more than85 years.Last but not least, the three Realtor®recipients for Queens County are:At the $250 level is Ahmed Shamim ofCourses available online for free,or for a fee with 3 NYS CE credits.Classes scheduled in Queens,Nassau and Suffolk are filling up.Reserve your seat now before thedeadline.For a complete list of courses offeredand to register, go to:http://www.mlsli.com/ethics_online.cfm or call LIBOR’s Education Dept. at(631) 661-4800 ext. 21Kevin LeathermanTreasurerMary AdamsSecretaryFrank is currently serving as Vice Presidentfor Nassau for MLS and has previouslyserved as Treasurer. Frank has served onthe Bylaws, Grievance, Education,Member Services, Professional StandardsPublic Relations, Commission Escrow Act,Legal Assistance, Risk Reduction andCommon Interest Ownership Committeesfor LIBOR. Frank has served on the MLSProcedures, Advertising, Budget and(Continued on page 10)Dreamworks Properties Corp for his workwith “The Optimistics.” The primaryobjective of “The Optimistics” is to salvagethe children whose hopes, possibilities andfuture have been snatched by poverty, brokenfamilies, lost parents and numerousunusual social conditions.At the $500 level is Moses Seuram of CN C Equity Ltd for his work with the ATSMemorial Fund. The ATS Memorial Fundis a NY not-for — profit charitable organizationfounded in memory of the late AjaySingh; they strive to lend a hand to anyrelief program in dire need.At the $1000 level is Willie Mae Wyattof Du Chris Realty for her hard work withthe Prison Fellowship Ministries whosemission is to seek the transformation ofprisoners and their reconciliation to God,family, and community.The “We’re More Than Realtors...”(WMTR) public relations campaign beganin 2006 and was created by the Long IslandBoard of REALTORS®, Inc. (LIBOR)Public Relations committee. Through theefforts of all our Realtor® volunteers, greatwork is being done in many communitiesacross Long Island and Realtors are trulymaking a difference in the lives of many.www.mlsli.comIN THE NEWSIT’S THAT TIME OF YEARAGAIN2009 MLS and LIBOR LeadershipInstalled at Annual DinnerDance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P12008 WAS A BANNER YEARFOR LEGISLATIONWith so many legislative achievementsin 2008, what can the realestate industry look forward to in2009? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P1QUEENS REALTORS DONATE$10,000 TO ST. MARY’SCHILDREN HOSPITAL…We’re More Than Realtors®…We’reRealtors® helping charities such asSt. Mary’s Children Hospital. . . . P1MEET THE 2009 MLSLEADERSHIP TEAMFrank Urso will serve as 2009 MLSPresident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P3REALTORS GOT SPIRIT...The 3rd annual Realtor® SpiritAward was presented last week tonine Realtors® who have been recognizedfor outstanding communityservice work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P3REMINDER –December 31, 2008 – Deadlinefor NAR Ethics Training . . . . . . P3President’s Message . . . . . . . . P4From Where I Sit. . . . . . . . . . . P6WCR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P7Chapter & Division Report . . . . P8OUTREACH Projects...Realtors® Against HungerCampaign Update . . . . . . . . . . P8LIBOR News. . . . . . . . . . . . . P10Pay Your 2009 LIBORDues Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . P11Scenes from November Appreciationand Recognition Events. . . . . P12MLS News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P14Technobits...Best Pick for aDigital Camera Under $250. . P15This & That. . . . . . . . . . . . . . P16RPAC...A Year To LookBack On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P17Counselor’s Comments . . . . . P18Ethics This Month . . . . . . . . . P19Education Calendars...Computer Classes andReal Estate Education . . P20-21Services Directory . . . . . . . . P223 ● November/December 2008 ● THE REALTOR ®