SPAAR Cares: NAR provides member access to TeleHealth at no cost. Members must register before new deadline of May 31
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The National Association of REALTORS
®
(NAR) announced this week that it will be expanding access to Members TeleHealth
SM
at no cost to its members for those who register by May 31. In fact, since the initial week of this offering, more than 25,000 members and their families are receiving coverage through this program.
The program comes as part of NAR’s larger
Right Tools, Right Now
(RTRN) initiative is making numerous valuable resources available to the association’s 1.4 million members at reduced or no cost.
Members TeleHealth
SM
provides around-the-clock access to non-emergency healthcare from more than 2,300 board-certified U.S. physicians including common issues such as allergies, asthma, rashes, joint aches, flu and nausea, among others.
NAR is funding two months of services for members who lack access to telemedicine and enroll in this program by May 31. Recognizing that the opportunity will likely draw significant member interest, NAR has also negotiated a discounted rate for those who wish to retain coverage following the two month, no-cost period. For more information, including the TeleHealth application,
click here.
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SPAAR Cares: SPAAR staff still assisting members
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The Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS
®
(SPAAR) is now following the Stay at Home order issued by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. SPAAR staff members will continue to work remotely to serve members Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:45pm. They will provide all services they are able to do in a virtual or electronic capacity.
SP
AAR will continue to pro
vide guidance and updates in regard to what is outlined for the real estate industry to keep members informed in a timely manner.
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Looking for continuing education or networking opportunities? Check out all of SPAAR's upcoming events!
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SPAAR new members in 2020. Welcome, all!
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Web-based education offered in place of in-person classes, meetings and events at SPAAR, which are cancelled now through May 10.
SPAAR's education offerings have been cancelled immediately effective now through Sunday, May 10. This decision is based on recent developments with the coronavirus (COVID-19) in an effort to stop its spread and keep SPAAR members, staff and educators safe. In this current ever-changing environment, SPAAR will continue to provide updates to additional cancellations if and when they are known.
A variety of web-based offerings have been made available through SPAAR and other REALTOR
®
-related organizations, see below to learn more.
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Facilitated discussion sheds light on Newsday's investigative report on discriminatory practices
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Newsday paired undercover actors, posing as potential homebuyers, to compare how REALTORS
®
worked with Asian, Latino, black and white clients and, in November 2019, produced Testing the Divide, an investigative report on discriminatory practices of REALTORS
®
in several communities in New York. The report showed significant and widespread discrimination and brought calls for change in the industry. Many states, including Minnesota, have proposed improving enforcement of the Fair Housing Act.
SPAAR’s Diversity Committee watched the Newsday report at its meeting in December and had great discussion about clients, fairness and potential enforcement issues.
Now, we’d like to invite you to join this conversation!
On Thursday, April 30, from 1 to 2:30pm, join a facilitated discussion about Testing the Divide. The conversation, led by Henry Morimoto from Minnesota Housing and Sue Nichols, 2020 Diversity Committee Chair, will address:
- How should the Fair Housing Act be enforced?
- Should Minnesota use twinned testing of Fair Housing Compliance?
- How do you respond to discrimination in the marketplace?
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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NAR offers sitewide promotions for REALTORS
® now through May
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The National Association of REALTORS
®
(NAR) is offering a sitewide promotion for its Right Tools Right Now through Sunday, May 31. These promotions include online courses as well as designation certifications. As a side note, part of earning a C2EX endorsement includes obtaining a designation, for any member interested.
Click here to learn more about the Right Tools Right Now by NAR
.
Additional topics offered through Right Tools, Right Now include managing finances, market reports to inform your clients and education opportunities to expand your skills.
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SPAAR's Diversity Committee offers At Home With Diversity scholarships
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SPAAR’s Diversity Committee promotes homeownership to diverse groups and one REALTOR
®
certification that recognizes expertise in working with emerging markets is At Home With Diversity (AHWD).
A NAR certification program, AHWD was designed to present a picture of the changing face of the real estate industry. Since 1998, the program has prepared more than 20,000 REALTORS® to work effectively with and within today’s increasingly diverse pool of homebuyers.
AHWD is a 6 to 7-hour online course that addresses the topics of diversity, fair housing and business planning development. After completing the course, REALTORS® are eligible to apply for the official AHWD certification, which conveys to clients they’re working with a dynamic real estate professional with expertise that transcends cultural barriers.
As part of NAR’s Right Tools, Right Now initiative, through June 30, 2020, the AHWD course is $49; however, SPAAR’s Diversity Committee has approved up to 50 scholarships to cover the $49 fee. Submit proof of course completion and SPAAR members will receive a check to reimburse the course price. Also note, there is a one-time $75 fee to apply for and use the AHWD certification, which is not covered by SPAAR’s scholarship.
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Brush up on RPR and the many resources available
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Interested in a refresher on RPR knowledge and skills? This link is a main dashboard for pre-recorded and live webinars for all sorts of RPR functions from beginner to advanced.
https://blog.narrpr.com/workshops/
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The CE Shop offers discount code for SPAAR members
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SPAAR members interested in taking online classes can access numerous topics on
The CE Shop website
. Now extended through Thursday, April 30, members can receive 40 percent off The CE Shop classes by using the promo code SUPPORT40. at checkout.
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National and State member resources also available
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SPAAR is grateful to its premier sponsors
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