CCAR RUN-OFF ELECTION HAS BEGUN!
RUN-OFF ELECTION BEGAN MONDAY AUGUST 2 at 9am. Click here to visit the election center.
We encourage you to change your membership password prior to the start of our election run-off.
CCAR Bylaws dictate that a simple majority vote is required to elect Officers. In this election we had three candidates vying for the position of 2011 President-Elect. No one candidate achieved the 50% plus 1 requirement; therefore, we are conducting a run-off election. For the benefit of the Association, in order to more easily accomplish the majority vote, candidate Scott Griffith has voluntarily withdrawn from the election.
In accordance with Article XI of the Corporation Bylaws, Marilyn Cunningham and Barbara Safran are the nominees hereby submitted for election to the position of 2011 President-Elect. The voting deadline is 9:00 AM, Monday, August 16, 2010.
In order for this election to be valid, the number of votes cast must equal or exceed the quorum requirement of 15% of the total CCAR REALTOR® membership. As of the record date for this election (June 4, 2010), the total CCAR REALTOR® membership is 3089, therefore, the minimum number of responses needed to meet quorum requirement is 463.
If you experience any problems during voting, please call 925-451-0622 or email michael@ccartoday.com. This applies regardless of CCAR business hours.
2011 CCAR Elections
The Election for 2011 CCAR Officers and Directors has now begun. The election cycle will run from June 28th, through July 19, 2010 at 9am.
You can review our approved slate of candidates here, or by scrolling to the bottom of this page. In order for the election to be valid, the number of votes cast must equal the quorum requirements of 15% of the total CCAR membership as of June 4, 2010, which is 463 votes.
CCAR members have the option of voting with paper ballot by appointment at the CCAR office, but are encouraged to make the best use of their time and Association resources by voting online, here.
Please read the election brochure, complete with candidates statements and the rules governing the CCAR Elections, here.
Following are the open positions, qualifications, requirements, and the candidates who are running for each position.
District Directors for Districts 2 and 4 shall be elected in this election; however, only members from those Districts may vote for their respective District Director and Directors-at-Large in addition to voting for President-Elect and Treasurer. Also, you are entitled to vote for up to three Directors-at-Large.
PRESIDENT-ELECT (1 position)
Candidates: Marilyn Cunningham, Scott Griffith, Barbara Safran
Must be a REALTOR® member who works in any CCAR jurisdiction (serves a one-year term, then succeeds to President)
TREASURER (1 position)
Candidate: Robin Dickson (serves a two-year term)
DIRECTOR-AT-LARGE (3 positions)
Candidates: Sue DiMaggio Adams, Lito Calimlim, Laurie Donovan, Stuart McAfee
Must be a REALTOR® member who works in any CCAR jurisdiction (serves a two-year term)
DISTRICT 2 DIRECTOR (1 position)
Candidate: Lisa Hoctor
Must be a REALTOR® member with an office address in Moraga/Canyon, Orinda, or Lafayette (serves a two-year term)
DISTRICT 4 DIRECTOR (1 position)
Candidate: Ron Mintz
Must be a REALTOR® member with an office address in Alamo, Danville, Diablo, or San Ramon (serves a two-year term)
C.A.R. President
April 13, 2010
Dear C.A.R. Member:
Perception often equals reality for today’s image-driven, media-conscious consumers. While conventional wisdom might deem it prudent to cut costs across the board during a business downturn, that philosophy doesn’t apply when it comes to marketing and advertising. Industry studies have confirmed that a long-term strategy for building a brand, burnishing an image, and capturing market share is to maintain, or even increase, marketing expenditures during a downturn. Proactively promoting our professionalism as REALTORS®, and as an industry, are no exceptions. That’s one reason C.A.R. has consistently reached out to consumers regardless of the temperature of the real estate market through our Consumer Advertising Campaign. This year’s “Your Piece of California. Your Peace of Mind” Consumer Advertising Campaign launches next week, featuring television, radio, and online components, reinforcing the value of working with a REALTOR® and helping consumers understand why now may be the best time in years to buy a home. Be on the lookout for an e-mail next week with complete information on the campaign; for a sneak peek, click here.
The April 15 federal income tax filing deadline is days away, and the IRS has said it will step up audits of independent contractor status and expand its audits of small businesses during 2010. It’s a timely reminder to broker/owners to make sure they have their business and tax records in order. Those who are lax in their record keeping, such as written independent contractor agreements, may incur significant penalties. You can help ensure that your buyers are aware of the April 30 deadline for closings and contracts in order to qualify for the federal Extended Home Buyer Tax Credit. To qualify for the credit, they must close on their home purchase by April 30, 2010, or have a binding written contract by April 30, 2010, and close by July 1, 2010. To help understand the state’s home buyer tax credit recently signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger — legislation which C.A.R. supported since its inception — there is an informative chart here, compiled by C.A.R.’s legal team that lays out the rules and requirements for both the state and federal tax credits. It’s an easy way for you to present a side-by-side comparison to your clients. Research has demonstrated that the availability of the federal tax credit played a significant role in consumers’ decisions to buy a home this year, so the state home buyer tax credit will no doubt spur a similar response.
There’s more good news on the tax front: Governor Schwarzenegger yesterday signed SB 401 (Wolk), a measure providing tax relief on mortgage debt forgiven in a short sale, foreclosure, or loan modification. Previously, California homeowners generally were exempt from owing federal taxes on the forgiven mortgage debt, but still were required to pay California taxes on the so-called “phantom income.” This bill now aligns the state’s tax code with that of the federal government and has become law in time for people to take advantage of it by the April 15 deadline for filing tax returns. C.A.R. has prepared a Realegal® detailing what you need to know about the new law, you can access it here.
With healthcare reform in the news and its ultimate impact uncertain, it’s good to know that open enrollment for group medical and vision coverage through C.A.R. is available through May 15 for coverage effective June 1. C.A.R. offers five plans through Anthem Blue Cross and 11 plans through Kaiser Permanente. For more information, call RealCare at 800 939 8088 ext. 202, or click here. If you’re located in the Inland Empire, or Los Angeles or San Diego counties, you may call RealCare at 800 588 8628 or click here.
REALTORS ® have a long-standing tradition of community involvement, and are generous first responders when disaster strikes one of our own. This is especially timely given the recent temblors that struck Mexico and parts of Southern California last week. To help members of the REALTOR® family — REALTORS®, their staff, and association members and their staff — affected by natural and other disasters, C.A.R. established the C.A.R. Disaster Relief Fund in the wake of the devastating 2003 California wildfires. Today, C.A.R. continues to reach out to those affected by natural and other disasters by distributing grants of $1,000 to $10,000 from the fund. If you’d like more information on the fund, or want to make a tax-deductible donation, click here.
Sincerely,
Steve Goddard 2010 President CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
CCAR BOD
From the Board Room
At the March 5 meeting, CCAR’s Board of Directors approved the following motions.
- To approve the Board of Directors eVote of January 28, 2010, which includes a motion to add a member to the Grievance Committee roster and a motion to approve $5,000 seed money to allow the Make it Green Task Force to proceed with their plan to participate in the Walnut Creek Art & Wine Festival o June 5-6, 2010.
- To approve the Executive Committee meeting minutes of February 11, which includes a motion to postpone permanent exterior signage indefinitely on the 1870 Olympic Boulevard building.
- To approve the Board of Directors eVote of February 20, 2010, which includes recommending that Carla Weston and Judy Myers fill the two vacancies on the Local Candidate Recommendation Committee.
- To approve the Executive Committee Meeting Minutes of February 26, 2010, which includes the following motions:
- To approve spending up to $2,000 on a Broker Involvement breakfast meeting scheduled for March 9, 2010 with the understanding that CCAR will be reimbursed with IMPAC funds.
- To agree to reimburse Attorney Tom O’Toole for his services when he attends meetings representing CCAR with the understanding that CCAR will be reimbursed with IMPAC funds.
- To approve directing proceeds from the June 506 2010 Greenfest to CCAR Helping Hands.
- To approve the Executive Committee eVote of March 4, 2010 which approved nominating Chuck Lamb as a candidate for NAR 2010 Distinguished Service Award.
- To approve the Budget & Finance Committee minutes of December 14, 2009, which includes a motion to approve the 2010 CCAR Budget and Strategic Plan initiative budget.
- To approve the Budget & Finance Committee minutes of January 25, 2010 which includes a motion to approve an allocation of $5,000 seed money for the 2010 Greenfest.
- To approve the Budget & Finance Committee minutes of February 22, 2010, removing Motion B and approving an expenditure of approximately $1,925 for construction of a wall to close off the Executive Assistant’s workspace.
- Acting as IMPAC Trustees, approved that $850 of IMPAC funds be used to reimburse CCAR for 10 elected officials that attended the January 9, 2010 Inaugural.
- Acting as IMPAC Trustees, approved up to $3,000 of IMPAC funds for the Broker Involvement breakfast scheduled for March 9, 2010.
- Acting as IMPAC Trustees, approved the use of IMPAC funds to compensate attorney Tom O’Toole at his hourly rate when he represents CCAR at legislative meetings as legal counsel. Any and all compensation payments will be made with the prior approval of the IMPAC Trustees.
- Acting as IMPAC Trustees, approved payment to attorney Tom O’Toole from IMPAC funds in the amount of $825 for three hours of legal representation regarding the issue of business license tax with the city of Concord.
- Approved the MLS Committee minutes of January 26, 2010 which includes one motion to release the Homes Open Today application as an open source product to the NAR Game Changers initiative.
- Approved the Business Development and Technology minutes of February 27, 2010, approving allocating one third of the $1250 cost for the development on HOT™ to allow for open homes/brokers tour seven days a week.
- Approved the eVote Diversity Committee minutes of February 24, 2010, to create a Fair Housing Month event task force.
- To approve the Special Events Committee minutes of February 24, 2010, which includes a motion to direct 100 percent of the proceeds from the May 1, 2010 “Greenwalk” to CCAR Helping Hands.
- To approve the Special Events Committee eVote of February 25, 2010 that changes the name of the Greenwalk to Board Walk 2010.
- Approved the Special Events Committee eVote of February 26, 2010 which includes a motion to redirect proceeds from the May 1 Board Walk from CCAR Helping Hands to the Moses Guillory Perpetual Scholarship Fund as previously established.
- Approved a sponsorship of $1,500 for the HAF Golf Classic.
CCARlive March Edition!
Click here for the March edition of CCARlive, featuring information about:
· MORE – the Multiple Organization Reciprocal Exchange
· current, expanded housing statistics for Contra Costa County
· eliminating spam from your universe
· new classes and training opportunities
· CCAR Diversity Committee· the CCAR Scholarship Foundation
· Women’s Council of REALTORS®
and much more…
CCARlive uniquely reaches its loyal target market, including some 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliates, in Contra Costa County, in a way that no other publication can or does. Advertise in CCARlive for as little as $25 per month! Your ad includes a link to your website, and ad design is FREE. Click for ad rates, or contact Michelle Manos, Director of Marketing and Communication, at 925 295 9216 or michelle@ccartoday.com.
CCAR Endorses Carnahan
The Board of Directors of CCAR has voted to endorse the candidacy of Tom Carnahan for 2011 President-Elect of C.A.R.
This election will occur at the June C.A.R. Business Meetings in Sacramento. 2010 CCAR President Barry Zwahlen commented, “C.A.R. is fortunate to have two wonderful candidates running for 2011 President-Elect. Both LeFrancis Arnold and Tom Carnahan have exemplary personal characteristics.
“CCAR believes that deep leadership experience within C.A.R. is crucial for its 2012 President as we continue to navigate through uncertain times. When C.A.R. leadership experience is factored into candidate evaluation, Tom appears to have a decisive edge. Our C.A.R. Directors are looking forward to a spirited and positive campaign from two terrific individuals.
We are on your team, Tom!”
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