Welcome to another monthly edition of the Association newsletter.
I would like to update you on a few important topics relevant to the future of SCAOR. First, I would like to announce that Andrew Mason, communications coordinator, is departing SCAOR to manage the day-to-day operations of his business, Small Pond Productions. If you know Andrew then you know he is very talented with a great voice. After many years of working part-time on his voice over business, he will be leaving SCAOR on Friday, November 30 to take his talents full-time. We wish him the best! With that being said, I will be posting a job announcement for a full-time communications professional. SCAOR is a great organization to work for, so please pass along this information to those seeking work in the communications field.
Secondly, SCAOR finished the 2018 Lockbox Audit. Brokers with lockboxes over 20% of listings, please return by the end of November. Thank you for monitoring your share of lockboxes. Please remember that missing lockboxes cost $115 each, and SCAOR will be in touch if we have found any Brokerages to be in violation.
I would like to thank Emily Williams, Young Professional Network (YPN) Chair, on a great year. The YPN Committee hosted three events which were all designed to expand new member networking. The last YPN event in Lewes was a success with four Affiliate speakers. Members learned a few pitfalls from local professionals. I am excited to see what the 2019 YPN Committee has in store for the membership starting in January 2019.
Regarding the new Strategic Plan, which will be posted on the SCAOR website in November, the Committee agreed on the following objectives commencing in 2019:
Governance (ethics)
Community Outreach
Government Affairs (advocacy)
Communications
Professional Development (education)
We are looking forward to enacting the new objectives, especially the community outreach objective to promote members throughout the community.
Lastly, SCAOR has worked on improving the website, and increasing the social media presence through Facebook. A few improvements are as follows:
Look for a Single Sign On (SSO) in the near future (think one sign on for all SCAOR services) – Want to beta test? Click here and use your SCAOR portal username and password.
New information about the national/local partnership with the Georgetown Boys and Girls Club
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Reminder: The current two-year cycle for mandatory Code of Ethics training for Realtors ends Dec. 31. Get more info here.
Reminder: SCAOR Dues are now available for payment. Invoices will be sent shortly, and are due by October 31st. You can pay on the member portal (scaor.com – top/right button).
Last Chance to Join a 2019 Committee (Click here to sign up!):
Thanks so much to our Diamond & Platinum Affiliate Sponsors:
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Welcome back to Tech Tip Tuesday!
This is your ultra-fast, easy dose of the latest tech that can help your life as a REALTOR®. Whether it’s using SentriLock, Mobile Apps, or surfing around, we’ll give you the tools you need each Tuesday.
Tech Tip Tuesday – Top 5 Things You Need to Know About the REALTOR® Trademarks
How much do you know about the REALTOR® trademarks and how to use them correctly?
Here are five key facts.
1. REALTOR® = Member of NAR
A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. The term REALTOR® should never be used as a substitute for “real estate agent.”
The REALTOR® trademarks include:
REALTOR®
REALTORS®
REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®
the REALTOR® block “R” logo
The REALTOR® marks let people know that you are more than just a real estate practitioner: you adhere to a strict Code of Ethics that protects clients, the public, and other real estate agents.
The term REALTOR® is not only a trademark owned by NAR and protected by federal law, it’s a valuable membership benefit that distinguishes members from other real estate licensees.
2. Members can use the REALTOR® trademarks, with limitations
Members may use the REALTOR® marks only in the context of identifying themselves as members of NAR. To maintain the value of the marks, it’s important that they be recognized by the public as identifiers of NAR members, and never used generically to denote a vocation or a business.
Members are licensed to use the marks only in connection with their real estate business and in connection with the place of business with which their membership is associated.
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DUCIOA Update: SCAOR’s DUCIOA flowchart has been updated with new information, and it’s available now at this link.
Reminder: The current two-year cycle for mandatory Code of Ethics training for Realtors ends Dec. 31. Get more info here.
Reminder: SentriLock payments were due by June 30th. If you have a SentriLock membership, click the link below to pay. This is the final week to make a late payment before SentriLock service is disconnected.
Late SentriLock payments:
$25 late fee for July
$50 late fee for August
$100 for September and disconnection of service
Thanks so much to our Diamond & Platinum Affiliate Sponsors:
As September has arrived, it is hard to believe that summer will soon turn to fall. Numerous achievements are being accomplished each day at the Association. Perhaps, the biggest achievement that happened during the year thus far was our transition to Bright MLS. If you have not already seen the Announcement regarding the Bright MLS Survey, please click the link below. I am hopeful that the survey will provide the respective parties at Bright MLS with valuable feedback that can improve the platform.
Please encourage other agents within your brokerages to complete the survey if they have not already done so as I will see this information is shared with the proper parties at Bright MLS.
It is a pleasure to serve as your President this year, and please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Best regards,
*Christopher M. Lind | Managing Broker, REALTOR®*
*President, Sussex County Association of REALTORS**®*