2020 Committee Report
Education Committee
By early April the association had pivoted all education online, working with the Department of State’s new class approval procedures and oversight proctoring requirements. Every class was re-evaluated and resubmitted. Instructors learned new techniques for distance learning presentations.
GCAR’s Real Estate Professionals Institute provided 268 hours of CE at no cost to GCAR members. This year’s schedule included 93 classes, 5 designation courses, one certification course, 16 one-hour, appraiser courses, and licensing and brokers courses.
All of this was accomplished due to the very hard work of Director of Education, Debbie Isom, and the untiring efforts of Education Committee Chair Tracey LaFleur and the entire Education Committee: Maria Connally, Bonnie Dunleavy, Tiffany Foley, Christine Glogowski, Mary Peyton, Philomena Prinzo, Christine Serafini, Nathan Smolinsky, and Eric Sterling.
Community Relations Committee
Chair Amanda Blanchard and the Community Relations Committee found themselves in a unique situation this year with the COVID-19 pandemic. Many organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Double H Ranch needed help but could not have people at their facilities to volunteer.
The committee did not get discouraged and searched out places they could help. As we all know, the food banks were working in high gear to get food out to those in need. GCAR members donned masks and gloves early on in the pandemic and:
- worked at warehouses to sort food items to be packaged for delivery,
- honored front-line heroes by purchasing and delivering breakfast and lunches to the emergency room staffs at area hospitals,
- painted cabins and cleaned up landscaping to prep for day campers at Camp Scully in North Greenbush,
- cleared brush for a new parking lot at St. Paul Center’s new supportive housing program in Rensselaer.
- and sewed and distributed masks to several area organizations,
The committee was proud to continue their tradition of adopting a family from St. Paul’s for the holidays.
In 2020, the Community Outreach Fund was able to donate $17,000 to deserving organizations!
KUDOS to the Community Outreach Committee Members: Amanda Blanchard, Chair, Karen Cahill, Jonie Civil!, Chris Glogowski, Domenic Indelicato, Brenda Larkin, Dave LaVoie, Ginny O’Brien, Melissa Petalas, Tom Schlutow, Diane Sluus, and Sue Thompson.
Legislative Affairs Committee
Despite the pandemic, this past year GCAR was on the front lines directly engaging and lobbying local lawmakers on a range of issues. The committee, chaired by Joel Koval and staffed Conor Gillis, held an advocacy meeting in January that brought together GCAR members and property owners to discuss the City of Albany’s rent control debate.
Government Affairs Representative Conor Gillis and GCAR CEO Laura Burns addressed the City of Schenectady H.O.M.E.S meeting to discuss real estate issues and market conditions in the City as well as statewide legislative issues.
We invited the two candidates for the 46th Senate District to meet with the committee members via Zoom to discuss their ideas and positions on real estate matters. Committee members also attended a City of Albany virtual meeting and voiced concerns on a good cause eviction proposal. The committee has also been fielding information regarding a possible restriction on developments within the Town of Bethlehem.
Many thanks go out to our Legislative Affairs Committee members: Joel Koval, Chair, Conor Gillis, Greg Gersch, Harold Gilbar, Joe Krongold, Ginny O’Brien, Victoria Romeo, Susan Sommers, Lynette Tarrats, and Karen Wentz and staff coordinator, Meg Reed.
RPAC
This year, politics reigned on despite a global pandemic. And so political action issues continued as did members’ dedication to the REALTOR® Party.
The inability to host RPAC events throughout the year caused a very low participation rate with GCAR landing at only 25% of the members (876) investing in RPAC. The GCAR RPAC has raised $71,977 reflecting 98 percent of our 2020 fundraising goal of $73,291.
Thanks to our major donors and to Chair Susan Sommers, committee members Nina Amadon, Amanda Blanchard, Harold Gilbar, Cathy Griffin and Nancy Klopfer.
Trade Show Committee
When the deadline for the cancellation of the trade came upon us, we decided to bring together the best virtual trade possible! We analyzed platforms, haggled over pricing, and with the help and faith of 45 vendors and three national speakers – Lawrence Yun, NAR Economist, Darryl Davis, and Tech Futurist, Scott Petronis, and very dedicated sponsors and affiliates we were able to be one of three NY associations that offered a 2020 trade show.
Many thanks to Trade Show Chair Judy Kaiser, and committee members: Toni Curley, Dom DePasquale, Laura Guillerault, Joe Krongold, Cindy Taylor, GCAR’s Deb Isom.
Professional Standards Committee
Perhaps the most challenging effort this year was keeping the Grievance and Professional Standards work moving along. We fielded 34 complaint requests.
GCAR held 8 virtual hearings. Those of you who participated on the virtual platform know that holding hearings via Zoom presented new trials and tribulations. But just as all of you figured out how to list and sell virtually, the staff and committee volunteers did the same. And we were the first association in New York State to do it.
