Mark McIlquham welcomed the 2014 Board of Directors to their first meeting of the year, discussed how meetings will be run and encouraged questions, input and full participation from each member. We reviewed the finances, authorized the newly installed Treasurer and President to serve as signatories along with Sandy Carroll, and discussed and reviewed the governing documents. Sandy Carroll discussed due diligence, fiduciary duties, antitrust, confidentiality and meeting attendance. Board members signed a fiduciary agreement. The Board also approved 12 new members to full REALTOR status, having attended the orientation program
The Board had an orientation of issues for the new board to consider, learn about and discuss. The group was provided with a copy of our Strategic Plan, member feedback from the previous survey as well as the input received at the Installation of Officers meeting. The strat plan was formulated from 2012-2014 and this board will be charged with reviewing and updating the plan for 2015-2017. After lengthy discussion, the board will create a list of goals for review and discussion at the next meeting.
• Investment Committee, Mark McIlquham/Stephen Schoenfeld: Have held three meetings and interviewed four perspective Berkshire County based investment firms. Will meet again shortly to formulate a plan and perhaps a investment strategy for review by the BOD.
• REACT, Paula McLean: Four to five fun events planned in 2014. Motion to amend the REACT mission statement to read as follows: To identify and support charitable causes that upgrade the quality of life in communities throughout the Berkshires, as evidence of REALTORs’ concern for the total well-being of the community. Seconded and approved unanimously.
• Issues Mobilization, Anne Meczywor: Looking for members to sign up to participate in this newly formed work group, which is geared toward mobilizing the membership when important issues surface. Discussed some of the issues currently at the MAR and NAR levels: Transportation bond, scrap metal bill, high speed internet, room tax, SCOPE bill.
• Professional Standards, Suzanne Crerar: Training will take place at the Board office on March 5th from 10:00 a.m. until noon. All BOD members need to be trained, please attend and invite fellow REALTORS® to attend too. Pointed out valuable resources regarding ProStandards on the berkshirerealtors.org website.
• New Workgroups to Assist Staff: Staff foresees requiring assistance and input into some planning and anticipates forming small workgroups that will meet once or twice and then sunset. On the horizon is: Broker-Owner Training Task Force, New Agent Task Force, Social Media Ambassadors and a Past Presidents’ Group.
The Board approved a Bylaw Revision submitted to us by the National Association of REALTORS as a result of a member inquiry after our annual meeting: Motion to approve a change to the Board Bylaws: Section 13. Harassment as follows: Any member of the association may be reprimanded, placed on probation, suspended or expelled for harassment of an association or MLS employee or Association Officer or Director or [ADD] candidate for election as an officer or director [END ADD] [STRIKE] member [END STRIKE] [ADD] or for harassment of any member during an association function or on association’s premises [END ADD] after an investigation in accordance with the procedures of the association…. Seconded and approved unanimously. The rational by the National Association of REALTORS was that the language should be tightened so that we are not obligated to deal with interoffice issues not related to the association.
• Issues on the Radar: For discussion in the coming months: Dodd Frank Act Mortgage Reform Rules, New Broker Training, New Agent Mentoring, Consumer Outreach / Public Website, Flood Insurance.