A series of monthly guides for new GRAR members about the tools and services provided by the association. We are here to support your success in real estate.
Issue #6
Featured Tool: RPR
As a member of the National Association of REALTORS®(NAR), you have access to RPR, the REALTORS® Property Resource system. RPR has comprehensive listing data, powerful analytics, and client-friendly reports. There are a number of Getting Started and Training videos available RPR's blog. Live and pre-recorded webinars are also available.
A Brief Video for New Members

RPR has excellent training videos and webinars on their blog page. Go here to learn at any time that is convenient for you.
Access the RPR System from your GRAR Portal

Find an upcoming class on RPR at GRAR
Go to Upcoming Classes on the GRAR Portal. Type "RPR" in the search box.
GRAR COMMITTEES & TASK FORCES
Your participation on a Committee or Task Force gives you insight into the most recent industry trends. It connects you with other REALTORS® in our community. Committee members help maintain the standard of excellence for the profession and are a part of guiding the future of real estate in our region.
Requests for committee and task force volunteers are sent out each year in early November. Watch for an email and a message on the GRAR Portal.
Technology Committee
2020 Chair: Marc Levandowski
Vice Chair: Andrea Noto-Siderakis
Committee members act as "Technology Ambassadors" to GRAR members by using new technologies, helping to promote adoption of existing products/tools, and helping new members acquire the skills needed to use technology for their business. The Committee tests new features of existing products/tools that the association is making available to members. (Meets monthly for approx. 1‐2 hours) 
TechKNOWPalooza Task Force
Tech-KNOW-Palooza is an annual technology conference. Task Force volunteers will actively identify topics and/or presenters for the many technology-related breakout sessions. In addition, volunteers will contact and obtain event sponsors, help promote event and/or work the day of event to make sure everything runs smoothly. (Meets as needed for approx. 1.5 hours to plan the event)
2020 Chair: Joel Goldberg
Vice Chair: Amber Imburgia
Professional Development Committee
2020 Chair: Louis Alaimo
Vice Chair: Cindy B. Rosato
Develops content for educational courses, seminars and workshops offered by GRAR; Reviews new courses proposed by instructors; Reviews instructor performance; Coordinates remote educational program; Ensures that the Association is meeting members' educational and developmental needs.  (Meets monthly for approx. 1.5 hours) 
Professional Standards Committee
2020 Chair: Carolyn Stiffler
Members of this committee are the pool from which hearing panels are constituted for both ethics and arbitration hearings. Committee members are devoted to upholding the Code of Ethics and are required to attend annual NYSAR Professional Standards training which takes place typically in late January or early February in Batavia. (Time commitment varies depending on the volume of cases. Members may be asked to serve on 2-3 panels per year at 3-5 hours each.) 
Fair Housing Committee
2020 Chair: Sylvia Ryndock
Supports and promotes equal opportunity for home ownership in our community; Works with local government and non-profits to educate potential homeowners on the opportunities available to them; Educates GRAR members on the principles of Fair Housing & Diversity. (Meets monthly for approx. 1.5 hours) 
REALTOR® / Bar Committee
2020 Chair: T. Peter Brizee
Vice Chair: Sandy Blonsky
Reviews relevant industry laws and regulations and keeps GRAR contracts & forms current. The Committee is made up of REALTORS® from GRAR and attorneys from the Monroe County Bar Association. They conduct joint educational programs with members of the Monroe County Bar Association and the Home Builders' Association. (Meets monthly for approx. 1.5 hours.)
Industry Advocacy Committee
2020 Chair: John Gerace
Promotes the legislative & regulatory agenda for the Association; Educates members on the legislative process and political issues at the local, state, and federal levels; Establishes relationships with local elected officials to share information and educate them on industry issues; Serves as the grassroots network to carry out the legislative agenda. (Meets approx. 6x per year, more or less depending on the political environment, for 1 hour.) 
Agents Fair Task Force
Plans and implements GRAR's annual Agents Fair, an effort to offer educational opportunities to Members and to allow a variety of vendors to showcase their products and services to the Members.(Meets periodically from January - March for 1 hour. )
Awards Gala Task Force
Organizes and promotes GRAR's annual Holiday Gala. Community partners, such as Hillside Children's Center, work with this Task Force to make this annual event a success. (Meets periodically from August - December for 1 hour.)
2020 Chair:
Martha Burns
Vice Chair:
Laura Swogger
RPAC Fundraising Committee
This committee plans fundraising events to benefit the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (including “RPAC Madness” in March & “Cornhole Madness” in October). It generates support for RPAC and encourages members to contribute via the annual dues billing. The committee manages an annual "phone a friend" effort and creates materials to educate members on what RPAC does for them. (Meets approx. 8x per year for 1 hour)
2020 Chair: Penne Vincent
Vice Chair: Stephanie Gage
Continuing Education
ONLINE SCHOOLS
learning_enter_key.jpg
If taking classes online is something that you prefer over taking a live class – or if you need a class in a pinch that isn’t being offered here at GRAR in time – we highly recommend that you take the class from one of our partners, CE Shop or Hondros. 

3 Reasons We Recommend CE Shop and Hondros
  • You can be certain that the class you take is approved by the New York State Department of State and, therefore, applies toward your Continuing Education requirement for license renewal.

  • Both of these organizations provide GRAR with your class information so your education will be up-to-date on your GRAR account without you having to provide proof of classes taken/passed.

  • The association is supported: A portion of the cost of the class is shared with GRAR.
CE Shop
Hondros
From GRAR Education Sponsor,
CNB Mortgage Company
CNB
CNB Mortgage Company offers a wide range of competitive loan products and the kind of personalized service that builds long-lasting relationships. With two local mortgage lending offices in Pittsford and Canandaigua, we are committed to serving the mortgage needs of the Greater Rochester community.
We strive to make the mortgage experience swift and simple - with local decision making and loan processing. Our commonsense approach to underwriting is what sets us apart from everyone else. We offer loan programs and features that are simply not available anywhere else. Our portfolio product is second to none and accounts for 35-40% of our annual production. Those are loans that aren’t salable on the secondary market, good quality loans underwritten with good old-fashioned common sense.

Our Core Values
Honesty
Innovation
Responsibility
Commitment
Teamwork
Professionalism
Respect

These values are central to how we live our lives. This is true for each and every one of our employees.

Our Core Values represent who we are and what we do every day. That's what makes us different from our competition. Before making any business decision, we carefully consider how it will affect the people who rely on us the most: our valued customers and referral sources, our employees, our shareholders, and the communities we serve.

We are community-focused.
CNB Mortgage Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canandaigua National Bank & Trust, the only local, full-service, community-owned financial institution in the Greater Rochester Area. As an organization, our commitment to the community through contributions and volunteering has been part of our culture for more than 130 years.
New Member Guides -Full Series
Access the full series of New Member Guides by logging into your GRAR Portal and clicking the New Member Guides button.
GRAR NMG Issue 6.1