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Tuesday,February 14, 2006 |
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Since the MAR board of directors approved matching local association donations to NAR for Hurricane Katrina relief, just over $100,000 in matching funds have been contributed by MAR. Across the state, 27 local associations have participated in this commitment to REALTORS® devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The approval amount was capped at $125,000. The 2005 and 2006 MAR budgets were adjusted by $100,000 and $25,000, respectively. To have your funds matched by MAR, you need submit them to NAR by February 28th and notify Melissa Sterenberg at the MAR office of the amount you sent in. You can reach her at 800-454-7842 or email her at msterenberg@mirealtors.com.
The license application is denied if the crime is related to the occupation. If the applicant wishes, he/she can petition for a review of the denial, and their case will be reviewed at a board meeting jointly by the board and DLEG. At this time, the decision can be overturned or upheld. If applicants want to further dispute this outcome, they can appeal by filing their case in the Circuit Court. If a person is already licensed and DLEG receives information about the licensee regarding a conviction, they go through a due process investigatory review. If the outcome is that the conviction is related to the person’s occupation and determined that it impacts the licensee’s good moral character, the enforcement division serves a formal complaint. If this happens, the licensee has a full range of rights and may decide to either have an informal conference or participate in a full administrative hearing from which a hearing report will be issued. This report will be presented to the board with findings of fact and conclusions of law. The board will at that time move to prescribe the penalty, if any. There is no formal link between the courts and the DLEG’s licensing process. However, the DLEG does receive court orders regarding child support. If a licensee is in violation of child support, the department must suspend their license. The information about a licensee’s criminal conviction needs to be reported to the department. Persons reporting criminal convictions can stay anonymous, if they wish.
Each On the Mark MAR will feature an expert from its MAR Edge program to answer your questions on your member benefits. To submit a question for one of our MAR Edge Experts, email it to Carrie Wolanin, MAR Member Services Manager, at cwolanin@mirealtors.com. For more information about the MAR Edge, visit: visit MAR's web site. Dear Expert, Why should I look into Frankenmuth insurance through MAR? Frankenmuth Insurance designed an insurance program where all 34,000 MAR members are eligible to participate. The program was designed to be a benefit to MAR members. Your immediate family also benefits from the program. All your owned vehicles can be placed on a single policy including those operated by your spouse and children residing in your household. Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance has been in business since 1868. We have an AM Best A+ financial rating. What does this mean to MAR members? This rating proves members can count on us when they need us and affirms our position as one of the industries most financially sound insurers. Most importantly Discounts - MAR members receive a 10% auto and 7% home discount just for being a MAR member. This is in addition to other discounts such as insurance score, multiple car, multiple policy, loss history, new home and many other discounts. You receive all the credit you qualify for and deserve. Your local independent agent representing Frankenmuth Insurance can provide the professional service and counseling for all your insurance needs. We know you value professional service; this is not an 800 number or self serve program. You deserve the best. My final advice is to quote both your home and auto with Frankenmuth Insurance. This way you take advantage of multiple policy discounts. Click here to visit MAR's web site and the MAR Edge.
Access the 2006 MAR update here. AEs Join MAR on February 28 and stay informed On Tuesday, February 28, Association Executives from around the state are invited to MAR headquarters in Lansing to meet with Bill Martin, MAR’s CEO. The agenda for the day will include a presentation from Patrick Anderson of the Anderson Economic Group. He will present an overview of the exciting new market forecasting consulting services they will be providing MAR and its members. Since Anderson Economic Group will need MLS data to build an accurate forecast, you as a local Association Executive will be a key player to make sure this service is successful. Also on the agenda will be an update on the proposed fair housing testing program that will include an update from MAR’s Public Policy on the Equal Opportunity Committee’s request to add a two-hour fair housing requirement as part of its 18-hour continuing education cycle. This proposal has gained unanimous consensus at a Public Policy meeting, but was sent to an implementation team to address. With 2006 being an election year, it is more important than ever to stay up-to-date on industry related news. MAR will inform you on topics such as the impact of the pending spending mandate, K-16. Not only could this spending mandate cause property taxes to increase, it goes against the ideals of Price of Government, which encourages government to pass a balanced budget based on funding priorities and without increasing taxes or fees. Take advantage of this great opportunity to stay informed and network with your peers. Please reserve your spot by contacting MAR’s Melissa Sterenberg at msterenberg@mirealtors.com or 800-454-7842. Get your message out there by using the press Put together a brief press release that hits all of your important points, but leaves them wanting more information. The following are some pointers to make press releases simple and doable for your association.
MAR has examples of press releases at its Web Site http://www.mirealtors.com/news/media.html
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720 North Washington Avenue • P.O. Box 40725 • Lansing,
Michigan 48901-7925 Copyright © 2005 Michigan Association of REALTORS® |
