Thanks OKCMAR Staff!

Well here we are at the end of April and it seems like the first 4 months of the year have just flown by very quickly. All the Committees are hard at work and the Strategic Plan for the year is moving along per schedule.


I wanted to take the opportunity to Thank the Staff of OKCMAR for their fine work. Each week I receive accolades about one of the Staff or a combined “Great Job” about them all. Over the last few years, I have served on both the MLS and OKCMAR Board, and am very privileged to serve this year as President of OKCMAR. The work of the Committees would not be successful if it were not for the efforts and guidance of the Staff. I hope you have seen the improvements in recent years and continuing even moreso.


I hope you all share my thoughts when you arrive at “Our Open House” and see a smiling Staff Member who asks if they can help. Stop by the R Store and have a cup of coffee, and remember that they are now opened on Saturdays to better serve everybody’s hectic schedule.


So far – it has been a great year, with many great things yet to occur. A great staff makes the volunteer effort a whole lot of fun. Stop by and be part of the action.


Thanks OKCMAR staff!

Green with Pride?

I 100% enjoyed the OKCMAR Green Resource Council's first event. The council organized a recycling drive throughout the city. The drive was capped off on Earth Day 2010 with a networking "happy hour" with some of the best appetizers I have ever had and unique micro-brews and organic wines. The event was sponsored by Allied Waste (Thank you Allied!!!) and was held at the first LEED certified commercial building, Boldt Construction (Thank you Boldt!).


It was incredibly rewarding to see such a passionate group of REALTORS working together to help others- used cell phones were donated as 911 service is still available on these abandoned phones- & to do our part to keep OKC going green. Check out our new link to the OKCMAR Green Resource Council's facebook group page to see photos of the event. The Green Resource Council has a lot of fantastic opportunities to become involved in going green and is sponsoring the GREEN designation course at the September membership conference. I encourage everyone to follow this group on Facebook and become involved in ensuring the sustainability of our wonderful OKC market. I know the saying is Green with Envy (and I think most associations would be) but for me, I guess I am green with pride at this amazing group of REALTORS!

Greetings from Your Own Traveling Gnome!

I realize that I am not a gnome BUT I am short and pudgy and I do have a little bit of a pointy forehead so I thought the title of this post was appropriate. Here I am in the beautiful city of Quebec for the 2010 Association Executive's Institute (AEI). Being in real estate. I am literally blown away by the architecture. Married to a chef, I am enjoying the wonderful french food. Breakfast here is a little rough (they like strange things) so I have pretty much been substituting the meal with coffee only but the rest is absolutely wonderful.

Aside from soaking up the charm I have been soaking up knowledge! I have focused my time on the Quality of Life Track. I believed this was very appropriate as for three years in each OKCMAR strategic plan, the quality of life as a member and in OKC has been a primary driver. It is my goal and philosophy to ensure that each and every REALTOR receives absolute value from their $125 annual OKCMAR dues. Although, together, we have accomplished much in terms of various quality of life programs (Supporting MAPS, bringing in the Thunder, supporting the city in its purchase of the Tinker plant, building an entire Habitat House, participating in green drives and Susan Kohmen race, starting a green resource council, establishing a charitable giving program supporting 5 different charities that contribute, and a scholarship fund) I often feel that these acts do not have the impact in increasing the value of a REALTOR as they should. Like paint splotches all over a canvas but not a cohesive work of art. After attending multiple sessions this week I believe I have the tools to come back to OKCMAR and assist the various committees into creating a relevant piece of community art.

Speaking of relevance.... I attended a session called Remaining Relevant. Imagine my surprise and pride when in a room of 200+ association executives OKCMAR was featured NOT ONCE BUT TWICE as an example of remaining relevant. First our postcard responding to our very first survey was cited as an example of communicating that the membership needs were heard and addressed and at the end of the session 5 associations were cited as case studies in courage. The speaker talked about how remaining relevant requires that association leadership look forward to anticipate what the member needs before they need it and having the courage to implement programs that the membership will need to succeed. We were the last example and the home page of the ARCS' CIE website with our beautiful OKC skyline filled the screen, cited as an example of courage and vision! I was so proud of OKCMAR and its RCA at that moment! Great work OKCMAR!

A Cup of Java & Leadership Over Easy

This morning I was afforded a wonderful opportunity to speak to our Leadership Tomorrow 7 [LT7]group. For those of you who do not read the weekly e-newsletter, this is a select group of REALTORS who have demonstrated leadership ability and are nominated to serve by their brokers. It is the hope of OKCMAR to develop a well-trained, well-developed and large pool of future leaders willing to serve as committee chairs and directors of the board. As I enjoyed a strong cup of coffee and a healthy breakfast (yes I passed on the doughnuts but only because I did not see them until after I had fruit and cheese) I could not help but feel an enormous sense of pride watching an idea that started almost three years ago come to fruition. By the way, serving something healthy at the OKCMAR events where a meal was part of the event, was a member suggestion from the evaluation forms gathered at a meeting in February.

As with all OKCMAR programs and services, this group was the result of a request from membership and specifically from a committee: the education committee. Knowing that OKCMAR was committed to improving its governance procedures and its process transparency, the chair, Abby Mathew, came to me and said: "I have this idea I would like to run past you". The seed had been planted in conversations with his education committee. I thought it was a great idea because it was much more goal specific than the state and national leadership programs that I had been exposed to. From there Abby went to the OKCMAR President, Marolyn Pryor, and President-Elect, Judy Lindsay and gave them a presentation. Next step, a presentation before the entire Board of Directors.

Back to the committee to go ahead and develop a program with the first group being recognized at the end of Judy's term at current President Dave Moeller's inaugural. And today, President Dave Moeller & I got to have breakfast with the future leaders of OKCMAR! The group was in Chandler at Jacob's Ladder, a camp, for their first training session and retreat.  I would like to personally acknowledge the work and dedication of OKCMAR REALTOR, Abby Mathew. It seems to me every truly great vision realized on our mutual journey has had a tireless champion behind it. Thank you Abby for working so hard to bring OKCMAR to the next level of member-driven programming.

The very best initiatives will always be those that allow members to excel and are formed for the benefit of all rather than the benefit of a few. LT7 is one of those initiatives. I started my presentation with a quote from Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu who said: A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.In my humble opinion this is what all great leaders should strive for. I started with this quote in the hopes that this program will always emphasize that the best leadership comes from allowing  the members to develop the programs and services that OKCMAR offers. That to lead means to set a vision for the journey but to allow the membership to forge the path. Congrats OKCMAR- today was the start of a new journey. I will also end this post with Lao Tzu: "Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. "

R-Store, Your Store

The R-Store has completed its expansion to bring in more non-dues revenue to keep your dues and fees low! The exciting news is that we are partnering with Jack Pratt signs (more info to come) to bring you the highest quality metal signs and at a great price and easy pick up destination. We are proud to say that we have REALTORS coming in from around the state to purchase in your store all of which helps to keep MLS costs down and assists in maintaining the pre-pay discounts for you.

But the expansion is more than just the ability to increase the non-dues revenue source it is also meant to bring our members the lowest possible price on anything real estate related. If we don't have it- we can get it! Just talk to Katy in the store. In addition to bringing you incredible value Katy works diligently to create affinity partnerships with local businesses. Did you know that you can receive 10% off services at the Firestone on the Northwest Expressway? Did you know that our savings partnership with Office Depot not only saves you money but Office Depot contributes to our scholarship fund allowing REALTORS and REALTOR family members to offset college expenses? Katy has numerous affinity programs in place- stop at the store to make sure you have all that you need to save money.

However the expansion fills another need too- did you know we have a cyber cafe where you can meet a client, log into transaction desk and then print out your contract- have a snack and /or coffee ALL IN YOUR STORE?!? Taking a CE course? Stop in the store or just enjoy a cup of Starbucks on the patio. And.... for all you animal lovers- Katy even has REALTOR "R" branded puppy clothes. The store is your store and one of your greatest resources. Remember that buying supplies in your store (items you were going to buy anyway somewhere else) keeps your MLS fees low!

And what would be a REALTOR offering without a little REALTOR networking? Did we mention that we have partnered with Apple for all you I-Phone & MAC users? Our affinity partners will be part of our GRAND OPENING this May 6th- Come in and compare prices, see the great space we have created for you and your customers and clients to use, meet the affinity partners and learn about their offerings and enjoy some awesome food and a cold beer or glass of wine. We look forward to seeing you at the GRAND OPENING and Affinity Partners Table Top! (Yes the event is free- underwritten by our affinity partners)

Thursday, May 6, 2010 3:30-5:30pm- click here to register

Extraordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things

I had the pleasure of attending the Prudential award ceremony held in OKC yesterday. This year they had a special award category called Rock Climbers- those who outperformed their prior year. I beamed with pride as so many of our OKCMAR members received the award. We are so fortunate that we have a real estate market that is so stable that members are putting more people in homes and selling more homes than the year before.

One important thing to recognize is that anytime there is a slow down in the economy there is an equal opportunity in the market to gain market share. Millionaires are made in a down market. I challenge all of you to be those rock climbers, those extraordinary people doing extraordinary things. From 2007 to 2010  there are approximately 1000 less REALTORS in OKCMAR leaving a rather large hole for the members who are willing to step in and do those extraordinary things that define  and differentiate themselves in the market.

I was so proud of a particular member, who recieved award after award. I think I know why. This member avails herself of absolutely everything OKCMAR offers. I see her at designation courses, by the way she travels to Texas to take designation courses, I see her at conferences, seminars, classes and of course she is using the OKCMAR social media to help staff and leadership create a better OKCMAR. She uses the MLS tools designed to increase her sales and decrease the time needed to do transactions. She reads the e-blasts.  She understands that OKCMAR is not a barrier to success because of the financial investment involved but CRITICAL to her success and worth every dollar invested.

I have always said you get exactly back from your association what you put in! Congratulations to all the award winners- you are extraordinary people doing extraordinary things!

Happy Easter OKC!

Today was an amazing day! Repeatedly throughout the day I just closed my eyes and basked in the warm breezes of Oklahoma. I am entering my third year in OKC and I still can't quite get over my love of the Oklahoma seasons. I think OKC is one of the best kept secrets in the entire USA. 4 distinct seasons but mild and short winters and only a few intolerable weeks of summer humidity, The remaining 44 weeks of the year are paradise.

There is so much to do and to see in OKC. On Saturday we took our 2 year old grandson to the big Easter Egg hunt on Council. From the press releases it was my understanding that they expected over 5000 people and there were over 100,000 (yes one hundred thousand) eggs prepared for the OKC children to find. We had so much fun encouraging our little one to fill his basket!

Later that evening, after my daughter and the foreign exchange student we are hosting, Kristina, spent some time at Penn Square Mall, we headed off to Bricktown. We rode a 3-D dungeon ride, helped Kristina pick out some postcards to bring back to Germany, and then took the canal water taxi tour. This tour was great and I learned quite a bit about our city. We ended the night with dinner at Earl's where we enjoyed true Oklahoma barbeque.

This morning off to church followed by brunch at my eldest daughter's home. We were delighted to watch our grandson search for more eggs and his Easter basket. Everyone played yard games and I thought how fortunate we were to live in such a beautiful city. I have spent many Easters traveling through blizzards to get to church in Northern Wisconsin. I can recall only a few warm Easters in 20+ years of living in Wisconsin. OKC is truly an urban paradise. No wonder our real estate market is so vibrant!

Why We Are REALTORS

Maybe because it is Easter Weekend, or maybe because our oldest grandson called last night to tell us his score on the S.A. T. test, but it got me to thinking about all the clients I have dealt with over the years.

Using the word Client is really not the best choice of words in our profession, I believe, because it is really Families or Individuals that we deal with in our business. It is hopes, dreams, future plans, future families and aspirations of a better tomorrow that drives people to us for advice, assistance and counsel.

Over the years, with these families, I have seen births, deaths, joy, sorrow, marriage, divorce, success, and tragedy. What I have seen is – living.

The one thing that is the common denominator is the desire for a better tomorrow. I am convinced the glass is always half full.

So again, is it Easter, or am I a proud grandpa? All I know is that I love my job!