eNews
August 19, 2019
State Fair winners announced and SPAAR bench unveiled

The Great Minnesota Get-Together begins this Thursday, and SPAAR is pleased to be sending two members to the State Fair with two free admission tickets, a blue ribbon coupon book and some fair-related gifts. 

Melanie Kelly and Cindi Signa, pictured at right, were chosen at random among the many SPAAR member recipients who shared their favorite State Fair memories or why they go to the Fair in response to SPAAR's inquiries on social media. Thanks to all who shared, and congrats to Melanie and Cindi - have a great time!

While at the Fair, be sure to check out one of the newest blue benches near the Grandstand. A SPAAR bench is making its debut, with information about the member organization also shared. SPAAR President Patti Jo Fitzpatrick can be seen on the new bench, below.
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 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. 
C2EX receives distinguished honor

The National Association of REALTORS®' Commitment to Excellence (C2EX) Program has been selected as a 2019Learning! 100 award winner. This award honors organizations for fostering a culture of professional growth, innovation and organizational performance.
 
NAR joins a distinguished group of previous winners, including Amazon, the U.S. Department of Defense and the American Heart Association as organizations recognized for their superior learning and development programs.
 
When NAR launched C2EX in November 2018, the program was identified as one that could help consumers recognize that REALTORS® are a step above the rest in their knowledge, skills and ability to serve their clients. The self-guided assessment 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.
 
To date, more than 26,000 REALTOR® members nationwide have started on their C2EX journey and more than 1,700 have earned the endorsement. Within SPAAR, nine members have identified themselves as in progress with C2EX, and five members have been endorsed. The five members are Jason Cassel, Sarah Marrinan, Elizabeth Sandwick, Paul Sigurdson and Michael Van Grinsven, GRI.
 
To earn your C2EX Endorsement, sign in here.
Check your email for 2020 membership renewal notices

SPAAR 2020 Membership Renewal Notices were sent by email on August 7 from billing@spaar.com. If you do not see your renewal notice in your inbox, be sure to check the spam or junk folder so you do not miss any important information. 

If payment is not received on or before November 30, a $50 late payment fee will be added to the amount due.
Click here to view important 2020 dues billing information. 

If you have questions regarding your membership renewal, contact SPAAR at (651) 776-6000.
 
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 or new REALTOR® members.
 
Check out the links below for more helpful information:
DIRECTIONS FOR CHOOSING THE PAYMENT PLAN OPTION  (For Primary REALTOR® Members ONLY). 
Consider applying for the Hillcrest Community Advisory Committee

The City of Saint Paul is slated to redevelop the 112-acre Hillcrest Golf Course site on Saint Paul's East Side. The city is accepting applications to join a 10-member committee that will provide public input to city staff throughout the master planning process. 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.
Free CE classes will soon result in a fee for no-shows  

Beginning on October 1, the free CE classes offered at SPAAR will result in a $25 fee for no-shows in order to create space for members interested and able to attend a class. This change has been approved by SPAAR's Board of Directors, comprised of volunteer REALTOR ® members, to allow for all seats to be filled when these classes are offered. 

Toastmasters is tomorrow, Aug. 20

Interested in professional development opportunities or having a forum to improve your speaking skills with timely feedback?

If so, check out Toastmasters at SPAAR tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 20) from 1-2pm at the 325 Roselawn Avenue East location.

No need to register in advance.
Weekly safety tips as provided by SPAAR and its members
SPAARky says:
 
Have ICE on the mind
Pre-program important emergency numbers into your phone, in case of emergency (ICE). Beyond 9-1-1, consider adding roadside assistance, your office, personal emergency contacts, medical contacts and any other numbers that are pertinent to you.
 
We like hearing what tips SPAAR members have to share, too, such as:
Don't post too much information on social media that alerts others when you're away from your home. It could create an opportunity for others to take advantage of the situation.
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)! 

Congratulation s to SPAAR's summer safety winners, Sara Leonhardt and Tracy Applebaum, fo r submitting safety tips. Each month, SPAAR randomly selects winners for a $25 Visa gift card from all of the safety tips sent in from members. It's a great way to learn from each other.  THANK YOU to all who have submitted one or more safety tips. Keep them coming!
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
SPAAR welcomes its newest members
Welcome, new members! We look forward to working with you.
New Member
Organization
Daniel Anderson Keller Williams
Thomas Anderson Coldwell Banker Burnet
Deanna Belkadi Keller Williams Classic Realty
Sofiene Belkadi Keller Williams Classic Realty
James Benincasa Incentive Realty
Jaclyn Buechner Midwest Realty Network
Andrea Evenmo Keller Williams Preferred Realty
Nathan Gorz Mingo Realty, Inc.
Patricia Grant-McDonald Timber Ghost Realty, LLC
Francis Kaas Realty Group, Inc.
Rebecca Krueger Edina Realty, Inc.
Michael Mielke Edina Realty, Inc.
Andy Nguyen Realty Group, Inc. - Apple Valley
Amy Potts Keller Williams Classic Realty
Dillon Reitberger Edina Realty, Inc.
Marisa Thole IQ Realty
John Tocho Keller Williams Integrity RE
Ong Xiong Creative Results
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