eNews
February 11, 2019
SPAAR offices will be closed on Monday, February 18, for President's Day.
Mary Knudsen is February 2019 SPAAR Hero

Congratulations to Mary Knudsen who has been named SPAAR Hero for February. 
 
In addition to raising funds for cancer research, Mary's efforts helped to bring the community together and increased awareness for blood cancers.  
 
According to Teri Canon, executive director of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, "Mary is an amazing volunteer! In 2017, Mary and her husband
raised more than $45,000 for cancer research through her Person of the Year Campaign. Mary has been supportive of the Society's programs and a mentor to new volunteers." Learn more about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
 
In addition, Mary has volunteered at her sons' schools, served as a refugee mentor through the International Institute of Minnesota in St. Paul, and has served on committees and the Board of Directors at SPAAR. Mary is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Burnet. 
SPAAR Hero is open for nominations
 
Each month, a member of SPAAR is recognized for their community involvement by being named SPAAR Hero. SPAAR Hero is coordinated by the Community Engagement Committee. Each month's SPAAR Hero is recognized in a press release, on social media and on SPAAR's website, and receives $250 for the nonprofit or cause they support. 
 
Know someone who should be recognized as a SPAAR Hero? To nominate a SPAAR Hero, please provide details of the nominee's community service and the name of the cause or organization they support to Joe McKinley at (651) 772-6344 or jmckinley@spaar.com.
SPAAR is now accepting scholarship applications

The Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS® (SPAAR) Charitable Foundation will grant up to five $2,000 scholarships to children or grandchildren of current, active SPAAR members this year; at least one scholarship may be designated for the child or grandchild of a SPAAR Affiliate Member. 

Scholarship recipients will be selected based on academic achievement, school activities, community service and a written essay.

Learn about the rules and eligibility or fill out an scholarship application. Completed applications are due Friday, April 26, 2019. F or questions, contact Joe McKinley at SPAAR,(651) 772-6344.
New to SPAAR or have you been involved for years? Either way, consider serving on a SPAAR committee this year.
SPAAR provides numerous opportunities for members to become involved and one of those ways is to join one of SPAAR's many committees. SPAAR is currently seeking applicants for its committees in 2019. There are eight SPAAR committees you can choose from, and each committee typically meets once a month. Apply here to join! Want to check out a committee before making the year-long commitment? Email spaar@spaar.com to learn dates and times.
Interested in a future leadership position at SPAAR?
Learn more about how your association advocates for REALTOR ® members as part of SPAAR's Emerging Leadership program by attending the National Association of REALTORS® Midyear Legislative meetings held in Washington DC from May 13-15, 2019.

SPAAR's Professionalism Committee is once again offering a $2,000 scholarship to attend the meetings.While SPAAR membership is the only prerequisite for applicants, we are seeking emerging leaders who are relatively new to their real estate career and have either not yet served or only recently begun serving on a SPAAR committee.

Completed applications are due by Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. Learn more here.
Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
SPAARky says:
 

One person's trash is another person's treasure. 

Be vigilant of the items set at the curb. Suggest to clients to cut up boxes from visual purchases such as a TV or other potentially valuable items. It keeps their home safer, but also keeps you safe should someone be watching a home for it to become unoccupied. 

 
SPAAR members have shared some great tips, too, including:

"Always leave your home or office with your phone fully charged, and have a cell phone charger in your car."
What is your #1 safety tip to share?

In keeping with the safety theme introduced in this newsletter, what is your #1 safety tip?

Share your safety tip and provide your name and email by sending an email to Jennifer at jkovacich@spaar.com.

A winner will be drawn for a $25 gift card for anyone who submits a tip during the month of February. We've had so many GREAT safety tips shared since SPAAR began its weekly focus on safety. Please share one of your tips if you haven't already (or send another)!

It's great to learn from each other. THANK YOU to all who have submitted one or more safety tips. Please keep them coming!
Toastmasters provides members a platform to practice speaking and meeting management on a regular basis
SPAAR Toastmasters meetings will take place the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 1-2pm at SPAAR's 325 Roselawn Avenue East (Maplewood) location. Interested to learn more or join? Contact Jennifer at jkovacich@spaar.com. The next meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 19.
Blue Star Mothers annual collection drive is underway. Learn how you can be a part of it!
The Blue Star Mothers Collection Drive is a SPAAR tradition orchestrated by the Community Engagement Committee. SPAAR members collect small items (snacks, magazines, toiletries, playing cards, colored pencils, sketch pads, etc.) for "We Care" packages sent to troops serving in active duty. The nonprofit, Blue Star Mothers, assembles the items in "We Care" packages and ships them. SPAAR's Community Engagement Committee has partnered with Blue Star Mothers for five years.
 
Consider a decorated box to be placed in your office waiting area, meeting room or staff lounge. This is a great way to show office visitors your team is involved in the community and remembering those serving in the military. SPAAR will be collecting items for "We Care" baskets now through March 29, 2019. Learn more here.
Tickets available to the St. Paul Home & Landscape Show
SPAAR has free tickets available for the St. Paul Home & Landscape Show taking place February 15-17 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. If you go, be sure to check out the many features and speakers, including John Gidding with TLC's Trading Spaces.

Tickets can be picked up at either of SPAAR's offices in Maplewood or Coon Rapids. Tickets will be provided on a first come, first served basis until they are gone.
 
Check out the link  https://stpaulhomeandlandscapeshow.com/ to learn more about the event.
SPAAR in the news
See SPAAR in the news? We'd love to know about it. Please let us know if you see articles in your local paper about SPAAR members, events or other news. You can send an email to jkovacich@spaar.com or mail to Jennifer Kovacich at SPAAR (325 Roselawn Ave E, St. Paul, MN  55117) or simply let us know the station or publication. Thank you!
Housing Market Statistics

Get up-to-date housing market information here. SPAAR provides four different types of reports so you can offer your clients the most accurate housing data available. Click below to see how the market is doing:
Local Market Updates
Welcome, new members!
Welcome to SPAAR! There are many ways to get involved and grow your business. We look forward to meeting you!
New Member
Organization
Henry Aung
Partners Realty Inc.
Steven Baker
Turpen Realty, Inc.
John Bendele
Acer Home Inspections
Jodi Cochran
DR Horton, Inc.
Nick Dreher
Counselor Realty, Inc.
Alexandra Enggren
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices North Properties
Robert Flom
Weichert, Realtors-Advantage
Robin Fortney
Realty Group, Inc.
Patrick Frosch
Michael Lee, Inc.
Rahel Gebrehiwot
Coldwell Banker Burnet
Ronald Hendrickson
Edina Realty, Inc. - Faribault
Samuel Jakshtis
Coldwell Banker Burnet
James Johnson
Midwest Realty Network
Lydia Mink
Keller Williams Premier Realty
Nicholas Mondragon
Elite Realty Minnesota, LLC
Sara Peters
Keller Williams Premier Realty
Jessica Schaffer
Keller Williams Integrity NW
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