GMAR Weekly Email Digest: 10/15/2018
GMAR ELECTION IS NOW THROUGH SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20

 



 You should have received an email on Sunday with a link to the biographies for each candidate, as well as a ballot. If you have not yet voted, click here and then enter your email address and your GMAR/WRA ID number.

We have eight (11) candidates running for four (4) open seats on the Board.

Amanda Baake, Kathleen Hansen & Associates
Kim Curtis, Shorewest Realtors
Ted Dentice, Shorewest Realtors
Judy Hearst, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Angela Kallay, Benefit Realty
Mark Kivley, RE/MAX Lakeside
Kelly Leitner, Leitner Properties
Sonya Mays, Midwest Executive Realty
Kelly Sly, Exit Realty Horizons
Will Stalle, Keller Williams
Angela Walters, Realty Executives Integrity
 
If you have any problems or questions, please contact the GMAR office between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm at (414) 778-4929.
 
Thank you for participating in this year's election! 
THE DIRECT GIVER PROGRAM
In this election year, it has never been more important 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 this year.  Click here for a list of 2018 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 .  


REALTORS: SEPTEMBER HOME SALES DOWN 6%, DOWN 0.2% THROUGH 3RD QUARTER
GMAR PODCAST 2-2
The GMAR is beginning a bi-monthly podcast to offer another format to deliver important industry news, GMAR programs and other real estate updates to keep you informed about the business of being a REALTOR®.
 
In this 12 minute podcast , In this podcast, GMAR President, Mike Ruzicka, and VP of Operations, Scott Bush, address SentriLock call before showing (CBS) settings.
Then, Scott Bush, gives an Ethics Update, specifically agents allowing access to property and hefty fines that are being assessed. Finally, GMAR Government Affairs Directors, Marne Stück, discusses member dues contributions to RPAC.
 
If you have questions or topic ideas, please feel free to email [email protected] .
HAVE YOU PAID YOUR DUES YET?
Just a reminder that you can save $25.00 if you renew your membership with the GMAR/WRA/NAR by October 31, 2018. Simply deduct $25 from the total shown on your invoice.
 
You may pay your dues online . You will need your NAR ID# which is located on the top half of your statement, just above your name. Or you can mail your check payable to GMAR to:
 
GMAR
4801 Forest Run Rd., Ste. 201
Madison, WI 53704-7337
 
The Association is adding a significant member benefit by implementing a SentriLock lockbox system. The Association is increasing dues of all members to provide this service.
BUY REAL ESTATE SUPPLIES AT MINUTEMAN PRESS IN BROOKFIELD
We still receive calls asking where the store is. The GMAR Realtor store is closed and Minuteman Press in Brookfield is now selling Real Estate Supplies! Visit them at 13680 W. Capitol Drive, M-F 8am-5pm. If you have any questions, feel free to contact them at 262-781-9622.
WAUWATOSA SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENDUM
As someone who lives in or does business in the City of Wauwatosa, we want you to know the GMAR Board of Directors took a position in favor of the Wauwatosa School District referendum.  Click here to view the press release.
GMAR BYLAW CHANGES
The GMAR Board of Directors is notifying the members of the Association, by way of this membership newsletter, of a pending change to the Association’s bylaws.
 
The Directors moved to change three (3) articles of the Associations bylaws affecting the size of the GMAR’s Executive Committee, the selection of Nominating Committee appointees, and the amount of real estate business experience a candidate for the Board of Directors must have to qualify for the ballot. Here are the proposed bylaws changes:
 
 
Article XI - Officers and Directors.
 
Section 1. Officers . The elected officers of the Association shall be:  a Chairwoman o r a Chairman of the Association (hereinafter referred to as Chair man ), a Chairwoman or a Chairman of the Association-Elect (hereinafter referred to as Chair man -Elect), a Corporate Secretary Treasurer, and a Past Chairwoman or Past-Chairman of the Association (hereinafter referred to as Past-Chair man ) , and a Treasurer . They shall be elected for terms of one (1) year.
 
  Article XI - Officers and Directors. Section 5. Election of Directors.
 
(a)   At least two (2) months before the annual election, a Chairwoman or Chairman of the Nominating Committee ( hereinafter referred to as Chair ) of ten (10) REALTOR® Members shall be appointed by the Chair of the Association with the approval of the Board of Directors . The Committee Chair shall nominate ten (10) REALTOR® Members to serve on the Nominating Committee for the purpose of selecting candidates for the current year’s Board of Directors election. The Chair of the Nominating Committee and the members of the Nominating Committee must be approved by the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee shall select at least one candidate for each place to be filled on the Board of Directors. The report of the Nominating Committee shall be mailed or where permitted by state law, electronically transmitted to each Member eligible to vote at least three (3) weeks preceding the election. Additional candidates for the offices to be filled may be placed in nomination by petition signed by at least 5% of the REALTOR® Members eligible to vote. The petition shall be filed with the Chief Staff Executive at least two (2) weeks before the election. The Chief Staff Executive shall send notice of such additional nominations to all Members eligible to vote before the election.
  
Article XI - Officers and Directors. Section 5. Election of Directors.
 
(b)  To be considered as a candidate for the Board of Directors, a candidate must have been a REALTOR® for five (5) consecutive years. An exception may be made if the potential candidate appeals to the Executive Committee in writing to waive the five (5) year requirement.
  
If any member has questions or concerns about the proposed changes, please submit them in writing by sending an email to [email protected] or letter to Bylaws Changes, GMAR, 12300 W. Center Street, Wauwatosa, WI 53222 , before Wednesday, November 14, 2018. GMAR President, Mike Ruzicka, will attempt to answer all queries regarding the bylaws changes, and forward them to the Board of Directors.
 
The GMAR Board of Directors will cast a final vote on these matters at the regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting at 12:00 PM on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at the GMAR office, 12300 W. Center Street, Wauwatosa WI, 53222. Any REALTOR® member of the Association is invited to attend the meeting to ask questions regarding the bylaws proposals.

If you were not able to attend the Sentrilock training, you can click here to sign up for a time to pick up your credentials and any lockboxes that you are eligible for. We will also go over how to use the system at this time. Sentrilock went live on October 1st.

If you need additional lockboxes, you can come to the GMAR office: 12300 W. Center St., Wauwatosa, M-F 8:30am-5:00pm. We will need to verify that you have an active listing so please either bring your signed listing contract or make sure it is showing in the MLS. Lockboxes are only provided for active listings that we can verify (we will not be giving lockboxes for vacant land or commercial properties).

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions on electronic lockboxes.
GMAR HOLIDAY PARTY!
The GMAR Holiday Party will be held on Thursday, November 29th at the Hyatt Regency Downtown.
BRIAN BUFFINI'S SUCCESS TOUR
Join us for a live broadcast of real estate's top training event and get ready for a business and life changing experience, hosted by master trainer J'aime Nowak. Real estate expert and master motivator, Brian Buffini, will share proven strategies to help you build a rock solid business. Born without limbs for no medical reason, Nick Vujicic, President and Founder of Life without Limbs, will share his core message - that no mater your circumstance, you can overcome! Don't miss the Success Tour!
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is proud to sponsor Brian Buffini's Success Tour.

When: Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Time: 10:00am - 2:30pm
Location: Wells Fargo Funds Management Group: 100 Heritage Reserve, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
*light lunch provided. Park in East team member parking lot.


Contact Helene Parker for more information.  
 
SOLUTIONS FOR CLIENTS WITH HOME GOODS THEY NO LONGER NEED  

Habitat ReStore Offers Free Pickup & Salvage Services
 
Habitat for Humanity ReStore picks up donations of gently used furniture, appliances and more for free! Donations are tax deductible and help local families in need of safe, affordable housing. 

  
ReStore's experienced  Deconstruction Services  will even remove kitchen cabinetry and more! 
 
FIND OUT MORE  or call: 414-316-5651