Announcements

CBR 2009 Elections
CBR is looking for a few good members to run for a position on the Board of Directors. Candidates must be CBR members in good standing for three consecutive years.

Office of Director
For the 3rd year, CBR will hold its election for Directors online. All details for this election are found on pages 22-23 of this issue. One Affiliate Director and four Director positions will be filled in this election. Resume and photo required by October 24, 2008.

Anyone wishing to run for a seat on the Board of Directors should submit their resume and photo to Kathy Elliott, 2700 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219, by the above due date. Those elected in the upcoming election will begin their term January 1, 2009.

2009 Dues
Although you will see a $5 increase from the National Association of REALTORS® for the public awareness campaign and a $10 dues increase from the Ohio Association of REALTORS®, CBR has chosen not to increase dues for 2009. Should a budget shortfall occur in 2009, CBR will rely on reserves that have been set aside for such a purpose.

Once again, the CBR REALTOR® due bills will be distributed via e-mail. Paper bills will be sent to members who do not have an email address in the system. Please be sure your e-mail address is correct in the CBR TempoTM MLS. If you are not a member of the MLS, you can check your e-mail address through the `Find a REALTOR®' or "Find an Affiliate' search on ColumbusRealtors.com. To correct your e-mail address, call Lenora Moore at (614) 475-4000 x253 or e-mail her at Lmoore@ColumbusRealtors.com (please put "e-mail correction" in the subject line). Thank you!

Spotlight on Community Service Application
The Columbus Board of REALTORS® Communication Committee is accepting applications for the 4th quarter 2008 Spotlight on Community Service recognition. Four members will be selected and featured in the January In Contract for their work in the community.

If you or a colleague is deserving of this recognition, please nominate yourself or your colleague by completing the application by November 1, 2008.

Noise impact study related to proposed Cooper Stadium property
CBR and the Ohio Association of REALTORS® approved funding ($5,000) for an independent Noise Impact Study and legal expenses related to the study for the neighborhoods surrounding the Cooper Stadium property. In May of 2008, Arshot Investment Corporation announced its plans to convert the Cooper Stadium site into a motor speedway complex. On July 31, 2008, representatives of the Midtown Area Real Estate Association (MAREA) and other affected organizations met with Arshot members to share their concerns about the noise and how it will affect downtown property owners.

MAREA members believe building a motorsports complex in high-density residential areas will severely impact the quality of life, property values and environment for local residents as well as those in and around downtown Columbus including (but not limited to) Franklinton, Brewery District, South West Area neighborhoods, German Village, Merion Village, Schumacher Village, Miranova, Waterford Tower, Nationwide condominiums and other downtown condominiums.

FHA Toolkit
Mortgages backed by the federal government through FHA represent the biggest growth area in home financing today. Members unfamiliar with how FHA works and why it's easier and quicker to use today than in previous years can learn what they need to know in an FHA Toolkit available from the National Association of REALTORS® online store on REALTOR.org.

The FHA Toolkit is an interactive publication providing valuable information on the use of FHA for financing mortgages. The toolkit is a tri-fold publication. Contents include an 1) interactive CD presentation on how FHA has improved recently including a video FAQ and links to additional resources on the Internet; 2) the FHA brochure; 3) a booklet providing detailed information on the various FHA products and who is best suited to use each product; 4) pull out cards on temporary FHA programs available to alleviate the current mortgage and foreclosure crisis; and a "quick reference" pull out card. Member cost is $39.99. Or you could just call one of our many local lenders who offer FHA mortgages.

Applications being accepted for CBR Affiliate/Sustaining Partner Programs
The Columbus Board of REALTORS® is currently accepting applications for the newly created CBR Affiliate/ Sustaining Partner Program, recognizing affiliate and sustaining members for their years of service and commitment to CBR. The criteria for qualifying for this award, include:

• Five years in a real estate affiliated business;
• Two consecutive years of individual CBR membership;
• Two years of service on a CBR committee;
• One year membership in an area association; and
• Recommendations from three REALTORS®

The deadline for applications for this award is October 28, 2008. Applications are available online at ColumbusRealtors.com. For more information, call Mike Troutman, Chair, CBR Affiliate Liaison Committee at (614) 221-6770 or Staff Liaison Corey Skinner at (614) 475-4000 x239.

100 Acts of Kindness
If you have volunteered your time or talent to the community in 2008, CBR would like to recognize you with our special 100 Acts of Kindness pin. This recognition is only available this year (2008) in honor of CBR's 100th Anniversary. To apply, please complete the simple form and submit to CBR.