Spring 2016 CR Magazine - Sales Awards

FROM THE CEO
Congratulations to all of our Top Producers! We love
this celebration of your hard work and dedication
to our industry. Let’s keep the momentum going
throughout 2016!
I am continually awed by the leadership REALTORS ® demonstrate
every day in our communities. Since we announced our partnership
with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, we have been so impressed
by the outpouring of support and calls to volunteer.
Our award-winning YPN is an excellent example, having dedicated
their Give Back Day to volunteering at the Union League Boys and
Girls Club. One of last year’s Hall of Fame inductees, Larry Klairmont,
donated 50,000 dollars at a charity auction. And these are just a few
examples of the many ways that REALTORS ® have rolled up their
sleeves to help.
We believe that this partnership with the BGCA is particularly relevant
for REALTORS ® , as for many Chicago children, the BGCA is a second
home — a safe and enriching place for our children after school and on
the weekends. The children there need our support — both monetary
and personal. So whether you write a check, or dedicate time to
volunteering, mentoring, tutoring or coaching, you can be assured that
you are making an impact.
We’ll be organizing volunteer days for staff and members in the
coming months. I hope you’ll join us.
I also want to take a moment to draw your attention to an important
issue: the cloud tax. We announced in late January that we attained
a positive Private Letter Ruling from the City of Chicago that exempts
REALTOR ® data from assessments. This is thanks in large part to
coordinated efforts between C.A.R., IAR, MRED and our fellow local
REALTOR ® associations. We identified our exposure early on, and
as a result of these coalition efforts, were able to prove that the
business model utilized to provide MLS data to REALTORS ® fit within
existing exemptions.
This victory will result in net savings of over 250,000 dollars for our
members, as well as hundreds of hours of staff time in messaging
and billing, and it sets a benchmark for other Associations nationwide
who may find themselves in similar situations. This is a major win
for our industry, for REALTORS ® and for their proprietary data, and
it is indicative of the importance of coordination and collaboration
between MRED and REALTOR ® Associations.
What a start to 2016! Let’s make it a great year!
GINGER DOWNS, rce, cae, cips, iom
Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Association of REALTORS ®
30 Chicago REALTOR ® Magazine