Page 8 - REA Intro

CONNECTING TO THE LOCAL REAL ESTATE COMMUNITY – ASSOCIATION PROFILES REAM Association
Association Profile
The Minnesota Association of REALTORS® is the largest trade association in the state, headquartered in Edina. MNAR represents and provides services to more than 17,000 members statewide, made up of practicing real estate sales agents, brokers, appraisers, inspectors, bankers and other professionals who touch real estate. The association is under the direction of a statewide board of directors, comprised of members representing six different regions of the state.
The goal of MNAR is to be the voice of real estate in Minnesota. They help REALTORS® enjoy successful careers and stay competitive in their local markets by offering a variety of products and services.
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LEGISLATIVE & PUBLIC ADVOCACY Legislative interests are protected by the MNAR’s full-time lobbyists and political experts in St. Paul. Legislation affecting the rights of REALTORS® and the real estate interests of the public is closely scrutinized. Their team reviews
more than 800 bills a year.
Based on the governmental affairs committee’s
decisions and MNAR’s policies, their lobbyists work for the passage of beneficial bills and the defeat of detrimental ones. At the political end, candidates receptive to issues of concern to REALTORS® are identified and supported through many political programs.
Issues Mobilization - One of the best ways to gain influence and affect policymaking is to generate public support. Issues Mobilization is a public advocacy program designed to rally support and raise funds for or against a particular issue. Each board or association in the state has access to funds to help mount local campaigns relating to issues that will affect the real estate transaction.
Real estate agents should ask their board or association executive about activities or actions being taken, or give them an idea about something to pursue that will benefit the real estate community.
CapCon - This is the event formerly known
as Legislative Impact Day. Seize the opportunity to voice your opinions on legislative issues during CapCon. MNAR hosts this annual event in St. Paul in February or March depending on the time of the session. Members are briefed on the status of pending real estate legislation and have an opportunity to hear from several of the key leaders in the legislature.
MN-RPAC - The Minnesota REALTORS® PAC uses voluntary contributions from association members to help support the election campaigns of qualified political candidates who understand their issues and support homeownership across the state. MNAR also provides on-site fundraising training to local boards and associations. In addition, they host an election school for REALTORS® thinking about running for a local or state level elected seat.
REALTOR® Action Center - The REALTOR®Action Center is an online message system where members can instantly send an email to legislators. REALTORS® can also find a link to “Find Your Legislator.”
Capitol Hill Visits - MNAR prides itself on the work it does for its members nationally as well. This federal equivalent of CapCon is held in Washington D.C., in conjunction with the NAR REALTOR® Party Convention & Trade Expo in May. Congressional briefing sessions are followed by visits with Minnesota’s congressmen.
LEGAL SERVICES
Legal Hotline - If you had to hire an attorney every time you had a legal question, it would cost you a lot of money out of your pocket. But for the price of a phone call, the office broker can speak to one of the attorneys on the Legal Hotline. Just call between the hours of 9-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
REALTORS® may speak with an attorney on various real estate topics including licensing, contracts and landlord or tenant matters.
Although the Legal Hotline service is not a substitute for personal legal counsel, it does offer prompt answers to specific questions to help avoid potential problems.
Standardized Real Estate Business Forms – Imagine doing business if there were different variations of real estate forms? MNAR uses years of expertise and experience – and the help of the forms committee – to develop time-tested, researched and documented business forms for your business.
REALTORS® can access the forms 24 hours a day through their MLS service or through the MNAR website.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Earn your professional designation as a graduate of the REALTOR® Institute (GRI) and get the edge in business. The GRI designation requires the successful completion of 15 required courses, plus an additional five elective courses. GRI coursework can fulfill some of your continuing education credit on your license renewal.
Required Modules - MNAR works closely with their instructors to bring the yearly DOC required module(s) in a consistent manner. Instructors train together and review the information before stepping foot into the classroom to teach. By attending these courses, MNAR is positive that you will receive the most accurate and up-to-date information in the marketplace.
Broker Management Conference
- Each year in the fall we focus on our broker members by offering a conference directed toward the daily operation of your office and managing your agents. The topics are all current issues that are taking place in the marketplace.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
REALTORS® are governed by the National Association’s Code of Ethics. These ethical obligations demonstrate the professionalism in the REALTOR® organization.
At the Minnesota Association of REALTORS®, they play a critical role in the enforcement activities of the code of ethics through their professional standards committee’s statewide enforcement system. Hearings are conducted by specially trained and experienced members from across the state. Consumers and members benefit from having a hearing panel comprised of regional REALTORS® from both within and outside of the respondent’s local association’s jurisdiction.
Written decisions are rendered quickly, and include the hearing panel’s findings of fact. When violations occur, the hearing panel’s decisions also include disciplinary actions. REALTORS® who are found in violation of the code of ethics can be fined, required to take a specific continuing education course, suspended or membership may be terminated. The matter may also be forwarded to the Department of Commerce for a separate investigation of possible real estate rules or law violations.
AADC Magazine – Association Profile Board of Directors
AADC
Past Presidents
1965-66 Rex Moore 1966-67 Roger Perry 1967-68 Jack Killingsworth 1968-69 Philip Robbins 1969-70 D.W. Grainger 1970-71 John Bouma 1971-72 Michael Flood 1972-73 Robert Guyer 19734-745 RoalbpehrtMMaihlloswald 1975-76 Michael Beale 1976-77 Merton Marks 1977-78 Michael Jessen 1978-79 Michael Gallagher 1979-80 Jolyon Grant 1980-81 James Hill 1981-82 James Teilborg 1982-83 Harold Swenson 1983-84 Barry MacBan 1984-85 Warren Platt 1985-86 Micheal Kennedy 1986-87 Greg Fairbourn 1987-88 Charles Thomson 19889-8990 LWairlrliyamWiSnathnrdowpeg 1990-91 Richard Oplinger 1991-92 James Evans 1992-93 Michael Carnahan 1993-94 Craig Blakey 1994-95 Kaye McCarthy 1995-96 Barry Fish 1996-97 Doug Christian 1997-98 Cal Fuchs 1998-99 Tom Burke 1999-00 Frank Balint 2000-01 Beth Fitch 2001-02 Marty Humphrey 2002-03 Michael Perry 2003-04 Don Wilson, Jr. 2004-05 Don Myles, Jr. 2005-06 Bill Anger 2006-07 Patrick Paul 2007-08 Milt Hathaway 2008-2009 Peter Kelly, Jr. 2009-2010 Andrew Petersen
Lloyd Benner
Arizona Attorney General
Lee Blake
Lee, Hernandez, Brooks, Garofalo & Blake, P.C.
Charles Callahan
Holloway, Odegard, Forrest and Kelly, P.C.
Dustin Christner
Bowman and Brooke
Kay M. Cooper
Scottsdale City Attorney’s Office
Holly P. Davies
Lorber, Greenfield & Polito
Valerie R. Edwards
Koeller, Nebeker, Carlson & Haluck
Scott D. Freeman
Fennemore Craig
Christopher M. Hanlon, President Elect
Carnahan, Perry, Hanlon & Hudson PLC Mandi J. Karvis
Sanders & Parks, P.C.
Peter C. Kelly, II, DRI State Rep. Holloway, Odegard, Forrest and Kelly, P.C. Hope n. Kirsch Kirsch-Goodwin & Kirsch, PLLC Kara Klima
Law office of Robert Stanewich, Geico Staff Counsel
David Krupski
Lewis and Roca
Michael A. Ludwig, Treasurer Jones, Skelton & Hochuli, P.L.C. Barry M. Markson, Secretary Thomas, Thomas & Markson Craig McCarthy
Gust Rosenfeld
Mike P. Obert, Jr.
Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith Andrew J. Petersen, Immed. Past President Humphrey & Petersen
Wm. Rinaudo Phillips Broening, Oberg, Woods & Wilson Richard Righi
President
Righi Hernandez Law Firm Johnny J. Sorenson
The Sorenson Law Firm, LLC Jonathan S. Wallack Bonnett, Fairbourn, Friedman & Balint, P.C. Elliot H. Wernick
Kunz Plitt Hyland & Demlong Matt Cates
Jennings Strouss & Salmon
Arizona Association of Defense Counsel
The Arizona Association of Defense Counsel (AADC) is a non-profit organization that was established in April of 1965. AADC is composed of attorneys who practice primarily in the area of civil defense litigation. AADC is dedicated to the education of its members and the judiciary and increasing community awareness of positive aspects of the legal profession. To accomplish these objectives, AADC files amicus briefs on legal issues of significance to its members, sponsors more than 20 hours of continuing education seminars, offers a Pro Bono program for all attorneys facing a disciplinary charge, hosts several community events including its signature Barry Fish Memorial Golf Tournament, organizes and hosts law school mock trial competitions, circulates and considers information on pending legislative action which impacts the members’ representation of their clients, and holds social meetings for the members including Judicial Receptions in both Phoenix and Tucson.
Pro Bono program:
Many attorneys are unaware that the AADC offers a program to provide a free initial consultation for any and all attorneys contacted by the State Bar of Arizona to respond to a disciplinary charge. For those attorneys who are facing discipline, AADC’s Pro Bono Program has been – and continues to remain – a valuable resource. The AADC has compiled a panel of volunteers who are experienced in the field of attorney discipline matters. When an attorney is first notified by the State Bar that a disciplinary charge has been filed and a response is needed, the State Bar also advises that attorney of the free consultation offered by the AADC. The attorney can then contact one of the listed AADC’s Pro Bono Program coordinators to request that a panel volunteer be assigned. The attorney is then put in contact with the panel volunteer to address the specific issues relating to the disciplinary charge. While the AADC provides this service to any attorney who inquires, the fact remains that the number of disciplinary charges far outnumbers the requests for consultation. If you are interested in volunteering to join the panel of consulting attorneys, we are always looking for willing participants. For more information, please contact Elliot Wernick, Esq at (602) 331-4600, or by email at [email protected], or Dustin A. Christner, Esq. at (602) 643-2373, or by email at [email protected].
The AADC flagship community event, the Barry Fish Memorial Golf Tournament, is being held Saturday, April 30th at McCormick Ranch Golf Course in Scottsdale. The tournament, affectionately known as “The Fish,” is in its 16th installment and benefits the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALS) (commonly known as Lou Gerhig’s Disease). In the previous 15 years, The Fish has raised over 100,000.00 for this worthwhile charity. Each year, a patient suffering from ALS attends the event and recognizes all of the golfers with an inspirational speech. The event is open to the public, so please contact the AADC to register your foursome, volunteer, donate an auction item or to make a charitable donation.
Officers:
President: Vice President: Treasurer: Secretary:
Barry Fish Memorial Golf Tournament:
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Attorney at Law
Richard Righi, Righi Hernandez Law Firm Christopher Hanlon,
Carnahan, Perry, Hanlon & Hudson, PLC Michael Ludwig, Jones Skelton & Hochuli, PLC
Barry Markson, Thomas, Thomas & Markson PC