Howard County Association of REALTORS^®
October President's Report
by Ilene S. Kessler
October 1999

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As the leaves start to fall and the season is changing, I have to start my last newsletter with sad news. All of us mourn the loss of three REALTORS® who passed away last month. Bea Watson had retired, but had been a REALTOR® with O'Connor, Piper and Flynn. Her career spanned more than twenty years. Kent Lawrence was a former director of our association with long time service, but in the last several years his career had taken another path. Cindy Arnold of Re/Max inspired us all. The last two years of her life were a model of how to embrace life while facing death. We will miss all three.

Some wonderful things happened to us last month—most importantly with RPAC. Thanks to the Life Membership of the Master's Club, HCAR made RPAC goal again. We are very proud of that accomplishment thanks to the wonderful work of our RPAC chair, Barb Seely. A large portion (70%) of your donations goes to the state legislative process. This year I will be Vice Chairing the MAR State Legislative Committee—so be assured that I will be watching to see that our RPAC dollars go to very good use. We have a full legislative agenda ahead which Barb will tell you about as it happens.

Thank you to the many members who have called us and have told us they want to come back to our association. Please tell everyone in your office who is thinking of doing this that there is no fee for reentry into the association. We welcome all members.

Congratulations to the Education Committee for a very successful Fair Housing Seminar. This Committee has been very energetic this year and had wonderful success. Please make sure that you sign up for R.E.N.O. day on Thursday, November 4. Remember that the "N" in R.E.N.O. stands for networking.

Tickets are selling for the Millennium Ball on Saturday, November 6. This dinner/dance is an event that many members have been asking the association to bring back. We are looking forward to the event and I am personally looking for lots of you to join me on the dance floor that night.

Please remember that the NAR Convention in Orlando, FL, is scheduled for November 12-15. It is not too late to sign up for this event. If you have not been to a National Convention, I think that you will be surprised at the caliber of speakers and the quality and quantity of continuing education available at one time. This year's keynote speaker is Colin Powell.

October 22 is Barb Seely's installation as HCAR President. All of you know Barb and the outstanding agent she is. She has worked tirelessly for our association, MAR, and NAR (as Maryland's representative to the Housing Needs Committee). A flyer for this event is included for your use. Please come to support Barb and all of the directors. The event starts at 8:00 a.m. and we promise to have you out of there early enough to have a full day to sell real estate.

Best wishes to Bea Gratton of Century 21/ H.T. Brown on her retirement. She was a REALTOR® for many years and was always well liked. We hope she visits us often.