LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN
Hello Members,

Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed your holiday season and are off to a great 2020.

I want to thank everyone who attended last year’s Holiday Gala. We had a fantastic turnout and support for all the award winners. As I said at the Gala, I am humbled and very appreciative to be elected to serve as this year’s Chairman this year. Amy Curler was an amazing Chairwoman and the work she has done for our organization will continue to be a priority.

The Board of Directors will meet in January and begin to dive into our strategic plan and prioritize what is most important to our members. One item that is very important is making sure our members continue to be the choice for consumer housing needs. A strong outward facing message from the Association showcasing REALTORS® will compliment NAR’s “That’s Who We R” campaign. 

I ask all members to help enhance our image among consumers by upholding the ethical standards in the REALTOR® Code of Ethics. The new  NAR Clear Cooperation Polic y will help our cause, but it’s up to each of us, as REALTORS®, to ensure we are moving in the right direction. I encourage you take a few minutes to review the Code of Ethics   and reach out to the GMAR’s VP of Operations, and ethics guru, Scott Bush, should you have questions. 

If you are aware of any unethical practices by other members, please don’t hesitate to contact the GMAR. Members sometimes become upset with unethical behavior yet decide not to report the incident. Sometimes a member’s ethical lapse is a simple mistake that can be addressed with additional training. As members of the organization, it’s our responsibility to hold each other accountable. Ultimately, this will strengthen our brand among consumers.

Next month, I will begin including a paragraph in the newsletter about the history of our organization. I believe it is important to understand where we came from in order to move forward in the future. I’m excited to share the history of members who have lived some of it. If you, or someone you know, would like to be interviewed please e-mail Emily Simonelli at the GMAR ( emily@gmar.ws ). The more input we receive from our members, the more history we can share! 

Thank you and let’s have a very productive 2020! 
 
Kel Svoboda, Chairman
2020 GMAR Board of Directors
HOME & GARDEN SHOW VIP TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
Order your personalized VIP tickets for the REALTORS® Home & Garden Show March 20 - 29.

Providing your client base with a free ticket will allow you a valuable opportunity to maintain that important personal connection. It has proven to be an effective and inexpensive marketing tool for many GMAR members who order every year and view it as one approach to their growth. They report that sending VIP tickets has proven to be an invaluable return on a nominal investment.
 
Thank you to Allrite Home & Remodeling and S&E Insulation for sponsoring the VIP ticket program.

JOIN THE GMAR'S HOUSING STATISTICS TASK FORCE
The GMAR is asking for members who may be interested in joining a special Housing Statistics Task Force.
 
The Association has a huge reserve of statistics on the housing market, buyers’ and sellers’ attitudes, market trends, etc. and we would like to identify new ways to use that information to promote homeownership, REALTORS®, and the greater housing industry.
 
The GMAR currently distributes a monthly housing market press release that is widely published by the local media. We also purchase an over-sample of NAR’s annual consumer Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers that we generate story ideas from. We would like to have members of the task force think about new ways the GMAR can leverage the releases we currently generate, as well as create new reports, press releases and media opportunities to promote the industry.
 
If you are interested in participating in the Housing Statistics Task Force, please email  mike@gmar.ws . 
GMAR YEAR IN REVIEW 2019
It's been another outstanding year at the GMAR!
CLICK TO SEE THE ASSOCIATION'S
THE DIRECT GIVER PROGRAM
We’re all in for a wild ride this election year and 2020 will be more important than ever to support elected officials who support the real estate industry. The  Direct Giver Program  is a unique tool you have as a REALTOR ®  in Wisconsin, and you can use it to support PRO-REALTOR ®  elected officials and candidates at all levels of government.
 
Thank you to these GMAR members who have given to the Direct Giver Program in 2019.  Click here  for a list of 2019 Direct Givers.
 
Please contact  Marne Stuck , your Government Affairs Director at the GMAR if you are interested in becoming a Direct Giver and would like to support a candidate. 
REALTOR ® & GOVERNMENT DAY REGISTRATION NOW OPEN *BUS SEATING ALMOST FULL
Sign up today for REALTOR & Government Day, scheduled for February 5, 2020 in Madison. 
 
What is REALTOR® & Government Day? It is your opportunity to help shape laws that affect you and your business. Through lobbying efforts at the Capitol, you'll meet state lawmakers and have a unique opportunity to advocate for issues like property taxes, land use, property rights, regulations, and more.

Registration is free again this year for the first 300 members. You may register by contacting Marne Stuck by email  marne@gmar.ws  or phone at 414/778-4929.
Don't want to drive? Ride the bus and enjoy lunch for FREE thanks for our sponsors: Chicago Title, HMS Home Warranty, House To Home Inspections, Landmark Credit Union, Metro MLS, and RE/MAX Realty 100. If you are interested in reserving a seat on the bus, please let Marne know when you call to register. Space is limited to 50 passengers.
ADVERTISE IN THE JOURNAL SENTINEL HOME & GARDEN SHOW GUIDE - LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
Take advantage of this once-a-year advertising opportunity organized in conjunction with the Home & Garden Show Guide scheduled to mail with the Sunday, March 15th issue of the Journal Sentinel . Limited ad spaces are available. All space will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ads Seen by Nearly 155,000 Journal Sentinel Subscribers
Digital Impressions for Additional Exposure
Special Advertising Rates

THURSDAY TAKEAWAY VIDEO SERIES
Check out the most recent edition of WRA's Thursday Takeaway Video Series!

Saving on Winter Energy Costs
With Steve Pipson

HELP MEMBERS BECOME LEADERS - 2021 NAR LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
The Leadership Academy identifies, inspires and mentors emerging leaders from the local and state level.

The Leadership Academy for the National Association of REALTORS® is now accepting applications for the 2021 year. The deadline to submit your application is March 3, 2020.

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ALL YOUR MEMBER BENEFITS?
Designed with you in mind, the REALTOR Benefits® Program is your official member benefits resource, bringing you savings and unique offers on products and services just for REALTORS®.
MILWAUKEE HOMELESS VETERANS INITIATIVE DONATIONS
Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative is in need of our donations. In addition to the list of items included on the attachment below, please consider a donation of the following important items in preparation for the winter season. Donations can be made at the GMAR office (12300 W. Center Street in Wauwatosa).

Children's Winter Hats, Scarves and Gloves

REAL ESTATE SUPPLY STORE NOW AT MINUTEMAN PRESS - BROOKFIELD
The real estate supply store is now located ONLY at Minuteman Press - Brookfield location (13680 W. Capitol Drive). Store hours are M-F from 8am to 5pm. Contact Minuteman Press-Brookfield for more info, (262) 781-9622!
HOW-TO VIDEO SERIES
SentriLock has a great set of “How To” videos which are good refreshers if
you need them. Click below to
access the full library of videos.
FAQs
SentriLock has compiled a list of frequently asked questions which can be viewed by clicking on the button below.
ASSISTANT ACCESS THROUGH SentriKey REAL ESTATE APP
Licensed and unlicensed assistants now have the ability to access their team’s lockboxes by using the SentriKey app. This allows them to release the shackle, open the key compartment among other functions for their team’s lockboxes.

Comments, Suggestions or Questions?...
Let us know how the GMAR can improve what we offer to you as members of our organization. Your feedback helps us to make quality improvements to our programs and benefits, so we appreciate it! Click here to e-mail your feedback to the GMAR .