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Are you getting the most out of your association membership?
Explore the possibilities of leadership within your association
Do you ever wonder what leadership path you want to be on as a REALTOR® or working in the real estate industry? Here's your chance to gain insight into the growth and development opportunities at the local, state and national levels by hearing firsthand from members who have served in varying capacities.
Come for the Leadership Panel discussion on Monday, April 8, from 3-4pm, and stay for the networking reception from 4-4:30pm. RSVP here (registration requested but not required). Questions? Contact Jennifer at jkovacich@spaar.com.
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Second quarter MLS invoices are due on or before March 31
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Second quarter MLS billing was sent by email on February 28 from billing@spaar.com. If you do not see the notice in your Inbox, please check your spam or junk folders.
As a reminder, payment must be received on or before March 31 to avoid suspension of MLS access. If not paid on or before March 31, you will incur a $25 reinstatement fee.
To access your portal account, please click here. If you have questions regarding your second quarter MLS fees, please contact SPAAR at (651) 776-6000.
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This is the final week to collect for Blue Star Mothers
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There are less than two weeks left to contribute to the Blue Star Mothers Collection Drive, which collects and distributes items to those currently serving in active duty.
Below are suggested donation ideas should you be interested in taking part:
- Toiletries (especially deodorant, baby powder, unscented wipes)
- Granola bars
- Drink mix single serving packets
- Oatmeal single serving packets
- Single serving coffee and tea packets
- Jerky single servings
- Assorted Halloween/fun size candy (used for filling holes in packing)
- Note cards, colored pencils, adult color books, small games
The Blue Star Mothers Collection
Drive runs through March 29. Visit
spaar.com for more information about where to donate or to host a donation box at your office. Items may also be dropped off at the SPAAR offices.
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Get techy at the Smarty Pants session next week!
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Questions? Contact Madeline at mvanert@spaar.com.
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SPAAR's outreach to REACH Together and Meals from the Heart serves local communities
SPAAR's Community Engagement Committee has kicked off a new program of food shelf grants in 2019. In February, the committee approved the first $250 grant to REACH Together, a Saint Paul nonprofit that serves refugee families in its Eastside neighborhood. REACH Together founder Sheryl Fried used the grant to purchase rice and paper products in bulk, which were then broken down for distribution to individuals and families.
Food insecurity was brought to the committee's attention through SPAAR's partnership with Stillwater-based Meals from the Heart, a nonprofit that packages meal kits for distribution to area food shelves. In 2017 and 2018, SPAAR coordinated meal packing service opportunities with Meals from the Heart and in 2018 SPAAR was lead sponsor for Side-by-Side Saint Paul, a two-day, community-wide meal-packing event that brought together more than 700 volunteers who packed more than 125,000 meals for local food shelf distribution.
This year, on April 17, Meals from the Heart will host a community meal-packing event and your office or business is invited to bring a team of 8-10 volunteers for an hour of meal packing, and some friendly competition. The sponsorship cost for your team is $500. For information, visit
mealsfromtheheart.org/Stillwater-b2b or call (
651) 829-3232.
Like to nominate a food shelf or emergency pantry for a grant from the Community Engagement Committee? Call (651) 772-6344 or email
spaar@spaar.com.
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SPAAR is now accepting scholarship applications
The REALTORS® Charitable Foundation, affiliated with the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS (SPAAR), 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.
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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.
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Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
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SPAARky says:
Safety first -- watch your back!
Arrive to your destination 15 minutes in advance to open the property, tour it and turn on lights before anyone arrives. Be sure to lock the door behind you so nobody can enter until you are ready. Should a client be at the property, try to give yourself space or always be behind them. Watch your back so you don't get trapped unexpectedly.
Members have great ideas to share, too, such as:
If you smell natural gas in a house you are showing or have listed, notify the agent or owner immediately with a call made outside the house. Detection equipment varies in reliability. Gas companies often have the most sensitive equipment and will come out very quickly to run a test!
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Learn how to bring a safety class to your office!
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Did you know SPAAR offers the class Safety Matters? This one-hour class is approved for one Continuing Education credit, and can be presented at your office sales meeting. Inquire for more details by emailing spaar@spaar.com. Let's work together to make safety a top priority!
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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.
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!
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Toastmasters provides members a platform to practice speaking and meeting management on a regular basis
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| 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, April 2. |
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SPAAR's Diversity Committee needs YOU!
SPAAR's Diversity Committee has two goals:
- Promote homeownership to diverse audiences
- Recognize (and celebrate!) the diversity of SPAAR's members.
In 2019, the committee plans to march as a group in parades around the Twin Cities to meet these goals. REALTORS® want to make some noise! YOU CAN HELP!
The committee is looking for volunteers to march in parades. Marchers will help promote Fair Housing and Equal Housing Opportunities. You can march in one or as many parades as you like. T-shirt provided. Funny hat? OK! Play a drum? Sure! Join the team today!
March by yourself, with friends & family or with a team from your office!
Questions? To register, please call 651-772-6344 or email spaar@spaar.com
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Registration is open and sponsorship opportunities are available for the golf tournament!
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Ready to dust off your clubs as the weather gets nice? Well, be sure to mark your calendar to extend your golf into September for the the REALTORS® Charitable Golf Tournament on September 11, 2019, at Highland National Golf Course in St. Paul.
Read SPAAR's Education & Events newsletter this Thursday to learn the theme of this year's golf tournament. The first TWO people to email the correct answer to Luke at lfleck@spaar.com will receive a $5 coffee gift card. Good luck!
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Registration is now open and sponsors are being accepted for the 2019 SPAAR Charitable Foundation Golf Tournament taking place on September 11, 2019. Sponsorship is available at many levels: hole sponsors, cart sponsors and beanbag sponsors, to name a few.
Interested to learn how you can be a part of the action? Contact Kristin at
kparker@spaar.com.
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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!
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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
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SPAAR welcomes its newest members
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Welcome, new members! We look forward to working with you.
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Aaron Adkins
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Norton Realty, Inc.
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Michael Bendix
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JobPro Management
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Nichol Bjork
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Cedardale Realty, Inc.
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Mercedies Gilson
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RE/MAX Results
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Donald Hannay
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Pillar to Post
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Patrick Kloos
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Fish MLS Realty
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Jimilyn Meyer
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SC REALTY
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Eric Micek
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Coeur Real Estate Group
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Shelby Miller
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Realty Group, Inc.
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Derwayne Moore
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Keller Williams Preferred Realty
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Bradley Szmiot
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Results Support Services
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Pamela Trachsel
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Edina Realty, Inc. - Faribault
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