2005 Equal Opportunity Committee Report

Off to a fantastic 2005 Start

"Bev" Woodford, Chair
Equal Opportunity Committee

The new year is off to a very good start for the CBR Equal Opportunity Committee. To-date, the committee has:

• Received a $3,000 NAR Diversity Grant 
• Awarded grants to 4 new agents 
• Conducted standing room only mentoring sessions

The Equal Opportunity Committee is charged with keeping members abreast of fair housing issues, developing and enhancing opportunities for multi-cultural buyers and diverse real estate agents through education and financial assistance. As well, cultivating partnerships with outside agencies/organizations involved in fair housing issues is another important objective of the committee.

In order to achieve the objectives listed above, the committee has developed an approach featuring four program components as follows:

1. Mentoring Program: The Mentoring Program gives newly licensed REALTORS® an opportunity to chat with seasoned agents and brokers about sales, marketing and problem-solving tips. The mentoring session will be held 11 times this year and topics will include:

• January 20 - Tax Planning and Budgeting
• February 17 - Prospecting
• March 17 - Negotiating
• April 21 - Investment Property
• May 19 - Open Houses
• June 16 - How to Work with Affiliates
• July 21 - Technology
• August 18 - C/I
• September 15 - Legal
• October 20 - Living as Commission-based independent contractor
• November 17 - Business Plans

All mentoring sessions are held the third Thursday of the month, 9:00 to 10:30 am at CBR.

2. Grant Program: The grant program provides financial assistance for newly licensed real estate agents to help with start-up cost.

In January, the committee awarded four $500 grants to Alison Collamore, HER Real Living, Rosalyn Fair-Richardson, Randolph & Associates, Inc.; Melissa Span, Coldwell Banker King Thompson and Shelly Spencer, Woodford Contemporary Real Estate.

The $500 is placed on account at the board for the recipients who can use the funds to pay dues, purchase business cards, flyers, etc. The Multi-Cultural Grants are funded in January and July. The deadline for the next funding period is June 30, 2005. For more information or to get an application, click here or call me 614-236-2603 or Lynn Hackworth, 614-475-4000 ext. 248.

3. Grant Fundraiser: The primary sources of funding for the grant program have been raffles held at various board events: Awards Night and Sales Associates Day. Last year, the committee was awarded a $3,000 diversity grant from the NAR®. The committee is looking at other ways to raise money for the grant program. Additional information will be provided as other sources emerge. On April 27, the committee will host a raffle at Awards Night.

4. Career Night and Job Fair: The Equal Opportunity Committee and Columbus State Community College have formed a partnership to host quarterly Real Estate Career Night Programs at Columbus State. For the past couple of years, the career nights have been getting standing room only crowds.

On Tuesday, March 17, Columbus State Community College and the committee co-hosted the first career night of the year. Several real estate company representatives were on-hand to discuss career aspirations with prospective new agents.

It is hoped that you can see that the committee has continued to take on ambitious projects and with your help will have another successful year!