NEWS & UPDATES
October 23, 2020
President's Message
Dear Colleagues,

Albert Einstein once said, “In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity.” As I look back on this past year, it’s been a time of uncertainty, fear, emotion, and for some of us, a time of loss. But for many of us, including myself, it has been a time that we were told to stop--to rest and rejuvenate and to reflect on those things that are truly important in our lives. Even during this extraordinary pandemic, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity for just a little time of peace.

As we have returned to business, I’ve seen incredible resilience in our business. You see, Rona has nothing on us REALTORS®. Yes, we have had to change some ways that we do business, but we did it, and at lightning speed. Instead of having our cars stocked with wire ties, tape measures, and flashlights, we now also carry gloves, masks, hand sanitizer by the gallon, and no one wants to be without their SentriLock lockboxes. Will things ever get back to our old “normal”? Only time will tell, but for now, I want to congratulate each and every one of you. I want to thank you all for doing the right thing, for wearing your mask, for washing your hands, and especially for making sure that we are keeping ourselves, our clients, and the public safe.

At last year's annual meeting I announced my President’s Charity. If you recall, I chose Foster Forward. Their mission is to empower lives impacted by foster care. I deeply appreciate every one of our members who was able to contribute to our annual fundraiser, which will contribute much-needed funds to Foster Forward and South County Habitat for Humanity.

Lastly, I want to tell you that I am very proud to have served as your President. From our Committees to our Affiliates, our REALTOR® members and our staff at the Kent Washington Association of REALTORS®, I appreciate you. You have all made my year as President a worthwhile journey and an experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. 

Thank you!
Mary Coutu, President
KWAOR Annual Meeting: October 15, 2020
First-Ever Hybrid Broadcast Live On YouTube
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, our annual meeting dinner was limited to board members, sponsors and a few special guests. If you missed our YouTube livestream , you can click on the image to watch the 45-minute meeting.

The evening included the installation and oath of office of the 2021 Officers and Directors. See and read more below.
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KWAOR 2020 President Mary Coutu passes the gavel to 2021 President Greg Eccleston. Greg and our new directors begin their terms of service on November 1, 2020.

Mary will continue to serve as Immediate Past President for one year.
President's Charity raises $2800 for Foster Forward and South County Habitat for Humanity Thanks to all who donated before and during our annual meeting. Special thanks to our generous REALTOR® Prize contributors, listed in the graphic below. Joe Caprara of HomeSmart Professionals is the lucky winner of this prize, and Ashley LaFerriere of Equity National Title is the winner of our Home Media prize.
Dean deTonnancourt of HomeSmart Professionals is recognized as KWAOR Life Member for his 30 years of continuous membership and many years of leadership service. Dean was this year's meeting Installing Officer.
Pamela Hanson Carbone of Domain Properties accepts the KWAOR 2020 REALTOR of the Year Award for her service and unwavering dedication as a REALTOR member at the local, state and national levels.
James “Jay” Readyhough of Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty has been selected as the KWAOR 2020 REALTOR® Hero Award for his many years of volunteering with Meeting Street. Read more here.
KWAOR Members Corner
REMINDER: REALTOR Dues Renewal Deadline is October 31, 2020!

Your 2021 REALTOR® National, State and Local Dues invoice is now available online. As a friendly reminder - dues are paperless and can be paid by credit card or check. If paying by credit card, you must pay online. Checks can be mailed to the KWAOR office at 2240 South County Trail, Ste. 3, East Greenwich RI 02818 .

To access your invoice, go to KWAOR’s website homepage and click on the Member Login button (in the upper right corner of the page) to access the member portal. Log into your account by entering your username and password. If you don't know your username or password, or if you have questions regarding your dues bill, please contact us at 885-9300.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Since our last New Member Orientation on March 9th, these REALTORS have completed their Code Of Ethics and New Member Orientation on line. Congratulations!
Robert Andersen-Re/Max South County
Keri Archambault-Platinum Real Estate Group
Gregg Arruda-Coldwell Banker Realty
Robert Babigian-Weichert Realtors/Atlantic
Properties
Charles Barone-Domain Properties
Maureen Beebe-Colwell Banker Realty
Eudys Bello-Wichert Realtors- Atlantic Properties
Donna Boudreau-Keller Williams of Central RI
Lesley Boutin- Randall Realtors
Lee Brennan-Coastal Properties Group
Nancy Caiazza- Coldwell Banker Realty
Lauren Cerio- Keller Williams of Central RI
Mohammed Chaghlil-Weichert Realtors/Cress &
Company
Lorena Childress-HomeSmart Professionals
Michael Colabella-RE/MAX Advantage Group
Jennifer Cosgrove-Greenwich Bay Brokers
Patti Crooks-Caldwell Realty LLC
Cheryl Cusick- RI Real Estate Services
Chelsea Daniels- Williams & Stuart Real Estate
Mary DeSista- Residential Properties Ltd.
Donna Deyorio-eXp Realty
Emily DiPietro-DiPietro Real Estate
Dena DiSano-Keller Williams Realty
Cameron Duquette-Caldwell Realty LLC
Benjamin Emerick-Re/Max Flagship
Carly Fiorey-Select Realty Services Corp.
Melanie Fougere-Keller Williams of N. Kingstown
Michaela Fournier-Residential Properties Ltd
Jeffrey Frenette-Coldwell Banker Coastal Homes
Tracy Gaccione-Randall Realtors
Anthony Hammond-HomeSmart Professionals
John Harrison-Coldwell Banker Coastal Homes
Cherokee Hazard-Randall Realtors
Kristen Hebert-Key Real Estate Services
Catherine Holland-Edge Realty
Nathan Hood-Abbott Properties LLC
Richard Houle-HomeSmart Professionals
Daniel Howe-BHHS Commonwealth
Steven Juchnik-Edge Realty
Richard Laboissonnniere-RI Real Estate
Services
Jonathan Kraiger-Re/Max Flagship
Margaret Manning-RE/MAX Advantage Group
John McCloskey-South Point Realty Group, LLC
Gretel McCrory-Randall Realtors
Nancy McLean-Randall Realtors
Yaitza Mitchell-Keller Williams of Central RI
Heather Moran-RE/MAX Advantage Group
Meg Morrissey-Keller Williams of Central RI
Thomas Morrone-The Brown Group Realty
Theodore Newcomer-Realty Quarters
Eric Pike-Slocum Realty
Joseph Pine-Platinum Real Estate Group
Eddily Polanco- Renaissance Realty Firm
Joseph Powers-eXp Realty
Benjamin Prescott-RI Real Estate Services
Jessica Russo-RE/MAX Professionals
Todd Sherman-Lila Delman Real Estate
Christine Smerkar Lannon-Caldwell Realty LLC
Kelsey Swanson-Lila Delman Real Estate
Kristen Sweeney-The Brown Group Realty
Lorraine Taylor-Re/Max South County
Christopher Testa-RE/MAX Properties
Thomas Thomasian-Realty Quarters
Robert Tormey-RE/MAX Flagship
Emma Vallee-RI Real Estate Services
Jennifer Welch-Keller Williams Realty
Katherine Whitney-HomeSmart Professionals
Justin Woodford-RE/MAX Flagship
NAR News
CELEBRATING TWO REALTOR ADVOCACY WINS - Flood Insurance Extension & Surface Transport Funding
Earlier this month, a bill that funded the federal government through Dec. 11 was signed into law; the bill includes a full-year extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and surface transportation funding. Under the agreement, NFIP authority is extended through Sept. 30, 2021.

This is the second year in a row that NAR has secured a full fiscal year extension for flood insurance. It is a victory for REALTORS®. While NAR continues to work toward comprehensive reform and long-term reauthorization, the marketplace needs stability and continuity.

Also included in the continuing resolution is a similar extension of surface transportation funding. Transportation projects take years from concept to completion, and any lapse in funding is especially disruptive. This is a big win, especially for our commercial members who are eagerly looking toward a post-coronavirus market.

Funding victories like these, which benefit homeowners and communities across the country, are made possible by your NAR dues and RPAC contributions.
Meet REGi, NAR's Voter Support Bot!
Click on REGi, the NAR Voter Registration Assistant to the right to help with your voter registration, check on your registration status, find your polling location, and track your mail-in ballot.

Your vote in Rhode Island on November 3 will help to decide referendums on our state name and local issues like education funding.
NAR REALTORS® Relief Virtual 5 K
Help restore communities by participating!
Price: $50 – All proceeds benefit the REALTORS® Relief Foundation
Start Date: October 26 - NEXT MONDAY!
End Date: November 16 at 12 pm CT

How to Participate
Add the Virtual 5K option during registration and walk, run, or be a cheerleader!
A confirmation email with a link to the Virtual 5K app, and activation code will be sent to registrants mid-October.

How It Works
Use your activation code to access the mobile app, where you can post your run/walk times beginning October 26 through 12 pm CT on November 16. Log as many times as you wish and we will take your best time as your final. The fastest times will be announced during the Daily Wrap-Up on Tuesday, November 17. All participants who complete the 5K will receive a personalized certificate via email.

Sign up to run, walk or be a cheerleader and support the REALTORS(R) Relief Foundation without registering for the Conference & Expo. Everyone is welcome – your friends, families, and pets! All proceeds will provide housing-related assistance to victims of disaster.
KWAOR Committees in Action
SentriLock Lockbox Task Force

Lockbox Program Extended for 2021!

Did you know? Lockbox users can synch with your MLS Listings and set showings via Showing Time. Eliminate the phone/email back-and-forth for setting appointments and keep track of all showings in real time!

Need more information? Schedule an in-office demo from a TaskForce member by calling Carol Drewes at (401) 885-9300.
Grievance & Professional Standards

If you missed our October 7
REALTOR TO REALTOR COMMUNICATIONS Town Hall Webinar, you can watch the recording here. Great info on maintaining and building relationships with your REALTOR peers and your customers!

In fact, all of our Lunch and Learn and Webinar programs since June were recorded and are now posted on our website. Check them out here.
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