9/03/19
Welcome to the new layout of SPAAR's eNews publication!
SPAAR announces Board of Director nominees
The 2019 Nominating Committee has completed the selection process to fill open positions for the 2020 Board of Directors. The new directors, as named, are Robbie Grossman, Brianne Lawrence and Enrique Ramos.

Per the Association bylaws, on or before September 1, the final report of the Nominating Committee shall be delivered either electronically or by mail to each REALTOR® member. Additional candidates may be nominated by petition signed by at least 75 REALTOR® members and directed to Tracey Douglas at SPAAR at  tdouglas@spaar.com  no later than September 15, 2019. Any nominations so made shall be added to the list of nominees selected by the Nominating Committee and all such nominees shall appear on a ballot to be voted on by REALTOR® members.
 
Installation of the elected Officers and Directors shall take place during the annual meeting in January 2020. This notice serves as the delivery of the Nominating Committee report.
Last day for early bird pricing for REALTORS® Unite
Now is the time to register for the REALTORS® UNITE Convention taking place September 25-26 to receive early bird pricing. REALTORS® Unite 2019 will take place in Prior Lake and will feature nationally-renowned speakers, career-boosting sessions, and world-class dining and entertainment. This is the place for you to learn, connect and grow this September 2019.  Click here to register .
And the bench winners are...
Thanks to everyone who posted pictures of themselves with the new SPAAR bench at the Minnesota State Fair. The two members whose names were drawn at random are members Mary Ettl and John Lindsey. Mary and John will each receive a $50 gift card to Cub Foods. Congratulations and thanks for sharing your pictures on social media!
2020 Membership Renewals due November 30
SPAAR 2020 membership renewals are due on or before November 30, 2019. Please review your invoice and log into your portal account no later than September 25 to take advantage of the flexible dues billing payment option, which is available only to primary REALTOR® members and does not apply to MLS-only members, affiliates, secondary members, unlicensed REALTOR® assistants and new REALTOR® members.
Click here for additional information regarding 2020 membership dues. Questions? Contact SPAAR at 651-776-6000. 
Fourth quarter MLS notices coming soon
Watch your email inbox for your fourth quarter MLS notice later this week.
Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
SPAARky says:

Look 'em in the eye
Would-be attackers are always looking for the easiest target and seldom have a back-up plan. Carry your head up, be on alert and make eye contact with those around you. This exudes confidence and often deters someone who might otherwise see you as a target.

We like hearing what tips SPAAR members have to share, too, such as:

I don't allow myself to get boxed in. I always invite my clients to go upstairs or downstairs before me, and I try to know of at least two exits should the need arise.
What is your #1 safety tip to share?
Please share your safety tip and provide your name and email by sending an email to Jennifer at jkovacich@spaar.com. Members who submit safety tips have their names entered into a monthly drawing for a prize. Furthermore, safety tips will be shared in future issues of eNews. Thank you to all who have submitted one or more safety tips already. Keep them coming!
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:

Last week to apply for the Hillcrest Community Advisory Committee; deadline is September 6
The City of Saint Paul is accepting applications to join a 10-member committee that will provide public input to city staff throughout the master planning as it redevelops the 112-acre Hillcrest Golf Course site on Saint Paul's East Side. SPAAR is working to have REALTOR® interests represented throughout the planning process, and asking for Association members who live in Saint Paul and Maplewood to consider applying for this committee.
 
Committee work starts in October, and meetings will take place one Tuesday a month from 5 to 6:30pm, though scheduling may change as needed. Applications to join the Hillcrest Community Advisory Committee will be accepted through Sept. 6 at  stpaul.gov/hillcrest . Questions regarding the Advisory Committee or the Hillcrest development can be sent to Bobby Goldman, Government Affairs Director, at bgoldman@spaar.com or (651) 772-6350.
Wanted: Your ideas!
SPAAR’s Community Engagement Committee needs your ideas! The committee has funds remaining in its 2019 budget for Community Partnerships. These are strategic opportunities for SPAAR and its members to align with community-based organizations, creating media and publicity opportunities. 

For example, in 2019, the Committee sponsored the River Rally, a community service project that puts volunteers to work to clean up the St. Croix River. River Rally is a project of nonprofit Community Thread, based in Stillwater. Community Partnerships are suggested by SPAAR’s members, by the committee or by SPAAR staff.

Is there a nonprofit in your community you would like the committee to consider partnering with? 

Please contact  SPAAR@spaar.com or call 651-776-6000. Questions? Contact Joe McKinley at SPAAR at (651) 772-6344 or jmckinley@spaar.com.
SPAAR's Toastmasters group looking to charter as an official chapter by October
Interested in improving your public speaking? Interested in personal and professional growth development? Come check out SPAAR's Toastmasters chapter, which kicked off in January and has continued to grow with members meeting the first and third Tuesday of each month from 1-2pm.

Joining Toastmasters now will allow members to be a part of the inaugural group with a goal to have 20-plus members by October 1, 2019. Currently, SPAAR's Toastmasters chapter is two-thirds of the way there! Once a chartered chapter, SPAAR's Toastmasters chapter will begin following the Pathways learning experience where members will develop skills in a flexible and interactive way by choosing from the 11 specialized learning paths and mastering the competencies that go along with it. This program is used worldwide as part of Toastmasters International.

SPAAR's Toastmasters chapter is one more way that members can come together to learn, participate and excel in speaking that will benefit them in their jobs as well as their personal lives. According to member Cindy Koebele, "it's a great benefit to be in a specialized group with like-minded industry members who have the same goals of fine-tuning our speaking skills."

SPAAR's Toastmasters' next meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 17, from 1-2pm at SPAAR's 325 Roselawn Avenue East location. Interested in attending or learning more? Contact Jennifer at (651) 287-3922 or jkovacich@spaar.com.
Welcome new members!
Andrew Beck, Keller Williams Integrity RE
Scott Black, Edina Realty, Inc.
Cuas Chuyangheu, Five Star Realty LLC
Patrick Hinks, Keller Williams Classic Realty
Chelsea Holmes, Keller Williams Premier Realty
Sarah Jutz, Coldwell Banker Burnet
Ryan Kempenich, Coldwell Banker Burnet
Melissa LaChance, Keller Williams Classic Realty
Fred Lehnert, Mr. Radon
Bib Lo, Five Star Realty LLC
Miranda Lockner, Results Support Services, Inc
Dylan Mason, Coldwell Banker Burnet
Justin Melby, Coldwell Banker Burnet
Benjamin Prescott, Timber Ghost Realty, LLC
Adam Schmidt, Anchor Real Estate Trust, LLC
Phil Soby, Archer Realty Inc.
Amanda Stienkeoway, TAT Appraisals
Bjorn Strommen, RC Enterprises, LLC
Marque Washington, Keller Williams Classic Realty
Barbara Wickstrand, Bridge Realty, LLC
Anthony Wilson, Keller Williams Premier Realty
SPAAR in the News
See SPAAR in the news? We'd love to know about it! If you see articles in your local paper about SPAAR members, events or other news, please send an email to  jkovacich@spaar.com  or mail to Jennifer Kovacich at SPAAR (325 Roselawn Ave E, St. Paul, MN 55117) or simply call (651) 287-3922 with the station or publication information. Thank you!
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