Happy Fourth of July

Finance Committee meets for 2009 Budget

The Finance Committee met for two days making some very tough decisions concerning the 2009 budget. The fact is that we have fewer members now than last year and we are projecting a further decrease of 15% fewer members renewing in 2009 and a 10% reduction in new members joining the association for the first time. Foremost in the minds of everyone on the committee as well as the Management Team was keeping the services funded that most members use and pulling back the least used services. The budget won't be finalized until September during the Board of Director's meeting. That will also give us a few more months to gauge the membership levels reported from the local associations.

District 6 Candidate Event in Clearwater

It's been a busy week beginning Tuesday morning @ 5:30 CST. I picked up Ben Anderson and headed to Pensacola to catch the 8:30 flight to Orlando. On the way, the automated Delta attendant let us know that the flight was delayed until 11:30, not a good option. Fortunately, Continental had a flight leaving at 8:30 also but to Tampa instead. Fortune was in my favor since that was were I needed to be anyway for the District 6 candidate event. Isn't it funny how somethings work out?

Being fast, fluid and flexible as we are; Wendell picked all of us (Pat, Summer and myself) and we headed to the Pinellas Realtor Organization building. But first we stopped at Tina Harris' office to gather our thoughts. We had a good turnout from the District 6 leadership and fielded some good questions about the FAR's future. Afterwards, we headed to Orlando aboard the Wendell Davis express, making the trip in record time.

Lakeland Association of Realtors Endorsement

I'm very happy to announce that the Lakeland Association of REALTORS has endorsed my candidacy for FAR President-Elect

President Arthur Mattson is spearheading one of the FAR Leadership Academy teams and is literally in a different world; Second Life that is. If you haven't checked out the progress that REIS is making in SL, then do yourself a favor and download SL, begin a free account and dress-up your avatar. My avatar's name is RS Halderman. With Arthur's help he took me on a tour of the REIS headquarter, complete with Chairman Joe Ballarino's portrait hanging above the fireplace in the boardroom. I also flew over to John Clare's office for a look around. This is truly a cool experience and I'm looking forward to seeing the new and innovative ideas that Team DNA is working on to enhance our member services.

RPAC in the Heartland

Terri and I took a quick trip to Sebring/Avon Park on Friday to represent the LT and to have some fun at the same time. The Heartland Association had over 250 members and guests in attendance at an RPAC fund raising event at the High Ridge Country Club; Casino Night was the theme. President Gayle and AE Arrianna were terrific hosts and literally rolled out the red carpet. We flew to Orlando Friday morning where I was able to spend several hours with Dave Garrison preparing for this week's Finance Committee meeting. We will be working on the 2009 budget on Wednesday and Thursday.

On Tuesday, the candidates will be speaking to the members of District 6. We'll be headed to the Pinellas Realtor Association in Clearwater. DVP Alan Riley will be heading up the program.