January 21, 2020
Spotlight on SPAAR: Join the Government Affairs Committee
SPAAR's weekly videos highlight timely news, events and key information to help benefit members in their business. As such, these videos complement content also shared in SPAAR's newsletters, on its website and on social media.


Have an idea for a video? Email spaar@spaar.com with the subject: SPAAR video idea.
Check it out: REALTORS® Charitable Foundation has a new website
SPAAR's REALTORS ® Charitable Foundation has a new website filled with a lot of news and information.

Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
SPAARky says:

Install caller ID

Do you have caller ID on your phone? If not, it's a good way to automatically reject calls from numbers that have been blocked. This will provide you with immediate information about the source of a call.

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

I make sure there's only one entrance into a property open at a time. Then, I always check that all entry points are locked before I vacate a property in case someone unlocked a door without my taking notice.
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. Member safety tips will be shared in future issues of eNews. Thank you to all who have submitted one or more safety tips. 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:

Follow SPAAR's Government Affairs news and updates on Twitter
Beginning this week the SPAAR Twitter account will be transitioning towards providing SPAAR Advocacy and Government Affairs updates, events and materials.

This change will allow Association members to receive timely and easily accessible content while reaching audiences who may not have previously interacted with Government Affairs.

The Twitter account can be followed at https://twitter.com/spaar_ga or @spaar_ga 
SPAAR's Member Communications Survey concludes with many member voices heard
Every two years SPAAR invites participation in its Member Communications Survey, an opportunity for members to share their voices, thoughts and ideas in a number of areas. The most recent survey has wrapped up with more than 400 SPAAR members providing feedback about what works well at SPAAR, and what could be improved.

Over the next few weeks results will be tabulated in preparation for the Focus Groups to follow, allowing a deeper dive into the survey results and recommendations to bring forward to SPAAR leadership. A summary of the results will be shared with SPAAR members in the coming weeks.

A sincere thank you to all who took the time to share your insights and ideas!

The upcoming Focus Groups in late February will be another opportunity to share feedback should you be interested. Stay tuned to dates and times to be announced soon!

Congratulations to Heather Stumbo whose name was drawn for completing the Member Communications Survey. Again, thank you to all who took the survey!
Fifth annual Blue Star Mothers Collection Drive
Now through April 3, SPAAR’s Community Engagement Committee is partnering with Blue Star Mothers of America to collect donations for We Care Packages. These are care packages sent to men and women from SPAAR’s area serving active duty. Drop off donations at SPAAR (Coon Rapids or Saint Paul) or consider hosting a collection box in your office. 

Items to donate:
Snacks: granola bars, oatmeal, drink mix, single servings of coffee or tea, jerky and more!
Toiletries: deodorant, baby powder, unscented wipes and more!
Activities: note cards, colored pencils, adult color, puzzle books and more!
Donations: to defray shipping costs are also welcome.

Congrats to SPAAR's newest C2EX endorsee
Congratulations to Teresa Boardman, SPAAR's newest member to earn the National Association of REALTORS ® ' Commitment to Excellence (C2EX) program honor.

Teresa is SPAAR's most recent member to complete C2EX since it launched in November 2018. The C2EX program is a self-guided assessment that generates customized learning paths in 10 competencies including the areas of data security, technology, client service and professional reputation, among others, that lead to an endorsement from NAR that members use to show peers and clients they maintain the highest professional standard in the business.

Teresa is among the 4,800 members who have earned the endorsement nationwide. Congratulations, Teresa! Click here to learn more about C2EX .
Welcome new members!
SPAAR's New Member Orientation (NMO) in 2020 has changed to a two-day format so new members will be announced the last eNews of each month. Stay tuned!
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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