Marla Martin, Communications Manager, or Jeff Zipper, Vice President of Communications
407/438-1400, ext. 2326 or 2314
FAR Recognizes Local Realtor® Associations for Board Achievement in 2006
ORLANDO, Fla., October 2006 — The Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR) recently honored several local Realtor® boards/associations with Board Achievement Awards for 2006. These prestigious state awards were presented at FAR’s 90th annual Convention & Trade Expo in Hollywood, Fla.
Each year, FAR presents a Board Achievement Award to one Board/Association in each size category: small (1-499 members), medium (500-999 members), large (1,000-2,499 members) and mega (2,500+ members). The criteria for the award includes how well the group meets the needs of local members, how involved the group is with the state and national Realtor organizations, and how much the group supports the community.
In the small-size category, the New Smyrna Beach Board of Realtors captured this year's Board Achievement Award. Among other accomplishments, the association participated in the local Habitat for Humanity Work Day; raised funds through a golf tournament and Casino Night to provide school supplies for at least 250 kids and Christmas baskets for 120 families; participated in the March of Dimes' Relay for Life; donated flashlights, bottled water, tarps and other supplies for hurricane victims; and collected smoke detectors for local fire departments to distribute to needy families. The board also awarded $1,000 scholarships and a laptop computer to four graduating high school seniors. Along with offering numerous classes for Realtor members, the New Smyrna Beach board conducts monthly business luncheons to promote networking with topics ranging from Realtor safety to building a referral business. To promote community and Realtor involvement, the board also conducts a weekly Multiple Listing Service (MLS) breakfast meeting featuring a speaker from the community, which have represented the Riverfest Festival Committee, the Historic Preservation Group and the Arts Walk for Businesses organization, to name a few.
The Venice Area Board of Realtors won FAR's Board Achievement Award for medium-size organizations for 2006. Among the many activities provided for members, the board formed a two-board MLS Vendor Search Task Force to research and interview vendors to maintain a common database with its neighbor board; participated in a 10-association member group to discuss how to more effectively communicate and share MLS data; and coordinated the repair of the private road used by the board and other businesses and residences -- also working with the city to adopt the road for future maintenance. In the community, the board partnered with the city's Area Beautification Inc. to help with the development of a waterway park and participated in the Keep Our County Beautiful Program by cleaning a local beach each quarter. Members of the Venice area board also promoted a local Family Day, which is a national effort to promote parental involvement as an effective way to reduce substance abuse by children and teens. Plus, the board serves as a charter member of the Coalition to Coordinate Efforts and Focus on the Creation of Workforce Housing; the Coalition of Business Associations; and the local Economic Development Corporation.
Winning the Board Achievement Award for a large board was the Space Coast Association of Realtors. Among activities for members, the Space Coast Association joined the League of Cities as an affiliate member in order to network on important issues as part of its community outreach program; created an Advertising Task Force to evaluate effective ways to improve its Web site; created a Government 101 class to help members gain a better understanding of what local government does; and created a Broker Support Unit to focus on broker issues. In the community, the Space Coast organization continued its commitment to create a strong diverse economic base in the county by serving as part of the Economic Development Commission, and sponsored three local economic summit meetings. The association also sponsors an annual golf tournament to raise money for Special Olympics; provided a meeting space for a local charity's art show and wine tasting fundraiser; and organized and provided volunteers for the Salvation Army's supervised visitation program, which oversees parental visits for children whom the court has ordered removed from their families. Several Realtor members also serve on a new local board to address affordable housing concerns.
In the mega-size category, the Pinellas Suncoast Association of Realtors received FAR's Board Achievement Award for 2006. In serving its members, the association created and implemented a Realtor image campaign, "Real Knowledge, Real Service, Real Value," which appeared in TV and radio spots, newspapers, billboards and members' Web sites. The board also hosted a national conference on innovation for Realtor association leaders from all over the country; sponsored a local Realtor Safety seminar for members; sponsored its fourth annual Affordable Housing Expo; and established two new awards -- the Sensational Service and Rookie of the Year awards. In the community, the Pinellas Suncoast association donated $90,000 to completely fund one house in the county's first multifamily Habitat for Humanity project. The organization also sponsored a special program on local transportation issues; sponsored a Jazz Fest to raise money for its local charities; and produced a cable TV show promoting the Realtor image that runs in seven counties each weekend. The association also established community service awards that recognize and reward both Realtor members who contribute to community activities and members of the general public who contribute significant service to the community.
The Florida Association of Realtors, the voice for real estate in Florida, provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation for its more than 155,000 members in 68 local boards/associations. FAR's Media Center Web site is available at http://media.living.net.
© 2006 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
