SCREENING COMMITTEE REPORT
ELECTION TO BE HELD AT ANNUAL MEETING AND TRADE FAIR – SEPTEMBER 16
The Screening Committee, composed of Chair Fred Humphrey, Kay Hock, Vince Mellott, Jerrod Paterson and Jim St. Hilaire, presents official notice to all Association members of the 2010 Slate of Officers and Directors. The election will take place Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel and Convention Center, Camp Hill, at the Annual Meeting and Trade Fair. The Annual Meeting and Trade Fair are free to REALTORS^® who register to attend by September 9 and vote.

The Ballot Box will be available for voting during the Trade Fair from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Voting closes promptly at 6:00 p.m. For those unable to vote on September 16, absentee voting will be available at the Association office on September 9, 10, 11, 14 and 15, from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

2010 Board of Directors Candidates
Director candidates are listed in alphabetical order by their last name.

Scott Campbell
Brownstone Real Estate Company

Bill Freundel
Homestead Group Inc., REALTOR^®
Michele M. Gould
RE/MAX Realty Professionals, Inc.

Mo Humphreys
Keller Williams of Central PA

Rob Jenkins
Prudential Thompson Wood

2010 Officers Nominated
PRESIDENT
Jim Spagnolo
Prudential Homesale Services Group
Jim will be elected to the office of President by acclamation.

VICE PRESIDENT
Robert J. Hoobler
Exit Platinum Plus Realty
Bob will be elected to the office of Vice President by acclamation

SECRETARY/TREASURER
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order by their last name.

BYLAW CHANGES TO BE CONSIDERED
At their June meeting, the Association Board of Directors approved a proposed bylaw change. This proposed bylaw change now must be approved by the membership in order for it to become effective. The proposed bylaw is as follows: (Underlines indicate additions and strikethroughs indicate deletions.)

Section 3. Dues Payable. Dues for all REALTOR^® members shall be payable annually ~~in advance on~~ by the first day of ~~November~~ January. Dues shall be computed from the date of application and granting of provisional membership.

In addition at the August meeting, the Board of Directors approved another proposed bylaw change. This proposed bylaw change must also be approved by the membership in order to become effective. The proposed bylaw is as follows: (Underlines indicate additions and strikethroughs indicate deletions.)

Whenever any notice is required under these Constitution and Bylaws, it shall be deemed to be sufficient if mailed by first class mail to the
last known address of the intended recipient or to the last known e-mail address of the member.

Members will be asked to vote on the bylaw changes at the Annual Meeting and Trade Fair or during the absentee voting period before the meeting. See above for more information on absentee voting times.

2009 ANNUAL MEETING AND TRADE FAIR - SEPTEMBER 16
The GHAR Annual Meeting and Trade Fair will be held on Wednesday, September 16 at the Radisson Penn Harris, Camp Hill from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. REALTOR^® Members are invited to cast your ballot for the Board of Directors and Officers, visit over 40 exhibitors from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., network, and enjoy free food and a cash bar. Entertainment, Door Prizes and Raffles will also be held during this exciting event. The Annual meeting will take place from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. and will conduct its annual business meeting, announce raffle winners, vote on bylaw changes, Election Results and much more.

Office Sign Up Sheets are being distributed to your Office Managers! We ask that offices use these forms and return them to the Association by September 9!

This event is FREE to registered REALTOR^® Members who vote! In addition, registered REALTOR^® Members will receive a free gift they vote.

If you would like to be an Exhibitor at the GHAR Annual Meeting and Trade Fair and you did not receive information in the mail you can contact Cindy at the Association office by calling (717) 364-3200.

INFORMATION SESSION - SEPTEMBER 17: TAX STRATEGIES FOR THE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL
Join Maury Scarborough of Bradford and Company to learn about tax reduction strategies and money-making solutions for the self-employed. Maury's experience as a real estate agent and sales manager has taught him the importance of tax planning and the benefits of getting business taxes under control. Join Maury and find out where you can benefit from new tax strategies. This session will highlight the following: How to Find Tax Dollars, Stimulus Package Deductions for 2009, Increase Your Income, Car Strategies, Home Office Deduction, Entertainment Strategies, and Double Entertainment Deductions.

The information session will be held in the GHAR classroom, Enola. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. and the program starts at 1:00 p.m. Cost is $5.00 for members. Register online at www.ghar.info or call (717) 364-3200. Please remember, reservations not cancelled by Wednesday, September 16 at 5:00 p.m. will be billed.

AWARD APPLICATIONS - DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 25
Award applications Hall of Fame, REALTOR^® of the Year, Professional Merit and Affiliate of the Year are now available and can be downloaded from the homepage of GHAR’s Web site, www.ghar.info. Please take the time to nominate a peer that you admire or complete the Professional Merit Award for yourself.

Hall of Fame – the Hall of Fame Award honors an individual who has made significant contributions to the real estate industry locally, statewide or nationally.

REALTOR^® of the Year – the REALTOR^® of the Year is presented to a member who has made a variety of contributions to the Association, the community, and the real estate business and demonstrates the spirit of being a REALTOR^®.

Professional Merit – the Professional Merit Award recognizes REALTOR^® members that are active participants in the Association, further their professionalism through education and are active in their community.

Affiliate of the Year – the Affiliate of the Year honors an affiliate member who is supportive of the Association, the Foundation and their activities.

The Association will present the awards at the Holiday Lunch on Friday, December 4 at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East. Watch for more details on the Holiday Lunch.

INFORMATION SESSION - OCTOBER 5: WHAT DO THE CHANGES TO RESPA MEAN FOR THE GFE AND HUD 1 - AND FOR ME AS A REALTOR^®Brett Woodburn, Esq., Caldwell and Kearns will be here to discuss how the overhaul of RESPA has made significant changes that will affect REALTORS^®. The session will highlight the following: What Type of Transaction Does RESPA Apply To, What Areas of Real Estate Are Not Governed by RESPA, What Precipitated the New RESPA Revisions, What Are The Changes In The Good Faith Estimate (GFE), How Is The HUD-1 Changing, and When Do These Changes Go Into Effect.

The information session will be held in the GHAR classroom, Enola. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. and the program starts at 10:00 a.m. Cost is $5.00 for members. Register online at www.ghar.info or call (717) 364-3200. Please remember, reservations not cancelled by Friday, October 2 at 5:00 p.m. will be billed.

INFORMATION SESSION - NOVEMBER 4: THE BEST OF THE LEGAL HOTLINE RETURNS TO GHAR
Over the past 18 years, Jim Goldsmith, Esq., Caldwell and Kearns has handled thousands of Hotline calls from REALTORS^® all across the state. Some issues are static, others short-lived and some emerge, disappear and re-emerge. The questions asked of the Hotline attorneys run the gamut of real estate. Join Jim Goldsmith as he highlights the following: Discussion of Problems and Practices Presented by Hotline Callers, Emerging Trends in Real Estate, Tips and Practice Pointers in Seller Disclosure, Deposit and Deposit Disputes, Contract Formation, Procuring Cause, Post-Settlement Problems and Lending and Short Sales.

The information session will be held in the GHAR classroom, Enola. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. and the program starts at 1:00 p.m. Cost is $7.00 for members. Register online at www.ghar.info or call (717) 364-3200. Please remember, reservations not cancelled by Tuesday, November 3 at 5:00 p.m. will be billed.

REALTORS^® REACH OUT 2009!
Registration is now open to participate in GHAR's community service event to celebrate REALTORS^® Reach Out. This month long celebration is a campaign that will showcase REALTORS^® and the contributions they make to their local communities and is being held October 1 – 31, 2009. During this month, all local REALTOR^®associations across the state will take part in community outreach projects.

To celebrate this month, GHAR will be working with various local organizations to host a work day on Friday, October 9, 2009 beginning at 9:00 a.m. This work day will have volunteers helping complete home improvement projects, meal
preparation and cooking for families in need, cleaning and organizing area organizations, and packing and delivering of care items to local shelters and individuals.

In conjunction with celebrating REALTOR^® REACH OUT Month, GHAR also will be hosting a care item drive beginning Tuesday, September 1 through Friday, October 2. Items will then be delivered as part of the REALTORS^® Reach Out Work day on October 9. Click here to download the flyer with the list of needed items and additional details on this event.

If you are interested in volunteering for the work day, please download and complete the event flyer and sign-up form and return it to the Association. Click here to visit the REALTORS^® Reach Out Web page on the GHAR Web site. For more information, or questions about these events please contact Sherri Pursel or Sara Bloss.

ORIENTATION
Orientation is required for all new REALTOR^® members. You must meet this requirement within the first two offerings of applying for membership. Learn what it means to be a REALTOR^®, your obligation to abide by our Code of Ethics, and the many benefits and services that the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^®has to offer. A boxed meal is provided by the sponsor of the orientation.

Orientation will be held on the following dates and times: (Registration begins at 10:45 a.m.)
September 24, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. sponsored by SunTrust Mortgage, Inc.
October 28, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. sponsored by Sovereign Bank

Remember failure to attend orientation as required may result in paying an additional application fee.

Sign up now for a Newsletter Sponsorship or House Cover Photo
The Association is now accepting reservations for the house cover photo and the sponsorship of the electronic newsletter. If you would like to showcase a home or development in the electronic newsletter or sponsor the newsletter as an advertiser, please contact Sara Bloss for more information at sara@ghar.info or (717) 364-3200.

OCTOBER ICI BREAKFAST AND MARKETING EXCHANGE - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1
The October ICI Breakfast is sponsored by Landmark Commercial Realty, Inc. The breakfast will be held at the Commerce Tower, 300 N. 2^nd Street, Harrisburg. John Ortenzio, President/CEO of Select Capital Commercial Properties, will be speaking on the topic: “Revitalization: Going Green. LEED Certification in an Urban Market”. Attendees are encouraged to bring marketing materials to the meeting and to utilize the Marketing Exchange Table. Registration is at 7:50 a.m. Breakfast begins at 8:00 a.m. Reservations are required by noon on Wednesday, September 30. Register online at www.ghar.info or call (717) 364-3200.

SAVE THE DATE: FALL ICI SOCIAL EVENT
Please save the date for the next ICI Social Event on Wednesday, October 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Brewhouse Grille in Camp Hill. Registration for this event will open in September. We currently are looking for sponsors for the event. If you or your company is interested in sponsoring, please contact Sherri Pursel.

GREATER HARRISBURG REALTORS^® INSTITUTE

GHRI BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL
To help decrease the size and scope of the weekly email, the Association has decided to send out a separate email highlighting upcoming classes held at the Greater Harrisburg REALTORS^® Institute. Look for the e-mail to be sent out the second Mondays of each month during the summer months.

REQUIRED COURSE FOR NEW LICENSEES
If you were initially licensed on December 1, 2007 or later, to renew your license in May 2010 you will need to complete a required course for new licensees during the 2008-2010 renewal period. Many of the "approved for continuing education" credits for Pennsylvania licensees currently being offered will not fulfill this continuing education requirement. If you have any questions about continuing education requirements contact GHRI at (717) 364-3205.

PRE-LICENSING PACKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE
Pre-licensing packets including the spring pre-licensing class schedule is now available! Offices interested in receiving packets for distribution may contact Liann at (717) 364-3205.

SAVE THE DATE! GHAR FOUNDATION WALKATHON!
Step by Step, REALTORS^® Sheltering the Community!

Join the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® Foundation, Saturday October 3 at Shank Park in Hershey OR South Middleton Park in Boiling Springs for a Walk-A-Thon! All proceeds from the Walk-A-Thon will benefit shelter and housing related charities in the Central Pennsylvania area. Walk as a team or as an individual! Registration is $10 per walker, plus a minimum of $25 in pledges. Walk-A-Thon T-Shirts will be given to all walkers registered by the deadline! Please be sure to mark your walking location on the form!

Prizes will be awarded to the Top Fundraising Team and Top Individual Fundraiser with additional door prizes given away at the end of the walk!

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Walker Registration/Pledge Forms and Sponsorship Forms are available at http://www.ghar.info/About_Us/Meetings_Events.htm or by calling the Association at (717) 364-3200.

Registration deadline is Monday, September 14, 2009!

Note: The official registration and financial information of the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS^® Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

DICK BETTS RETURNS FOR 2 DAYS. HERE IS YOUR CHANCE TO EARN CE CREDITS.
CALL TODAY, CLASS SIZE WILL BE LIMITED.

Monday, October 19^th CE CERTIFIED $35/class $60/both
8:30 am – Noon          Today’s Top Technology Trends
Noon – 1:00 pm          e-PRO Designation Information Workshop and FREE Pizza
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm      Beyond the Fundamentals ~ Creating a Mobile Office

Tuesday, October 20^th    NOT CE CERTIFIED $25/class or $40/both
8:30 am – Noon          Time Management ~ Use it…Or Lose It!
1 pm – 4:30 pm           Expanded Social Networking

$60 for all day Monday ~ $40 for all day Tuesday ~ $100 for Both Days

***Class cancellation fee of $25.00 within 48 hours of class.***

FREE WEBINAR TRAINING
Do you want training on the Paragon system but just can't seem to make it to one of our monthly classes? Here is your chance to get training in the privacy of your home. Stay in you pajamas, grab a cup of coffee and learn the Paragon system!!

FREE Webinar Paragon Training presented by the Paragon Training Team at LPS!! Go to the Home Page in Paragon for more information and the registration page. If you do take any of the Webinar training, please email me at rcrossley@cpml.com and let me know what you thought. Thanks.

September 8^th at 11:00 am and September 9^th at 3:00 pm for Paragon Add on Tools
        (Learn about RE Insight Mobile, Doc Central, Voice and Text Alert. Find out what is IDX Smart Framing)
September 15^th at 11:00 am and September 16^th at 3:00 pm for User Preferences
September 22^nd at 11:00 am and September 23^rd at 4:00 pm for CMA
September 29^th at 11:00 am and September 30^th at 4:00 pm for Mapping
October 6^th at 11:00 am and October 7^th at 4:00 pm for Searches & Customizing Searches

Please call the CPML office at (717) 761-8440 to register.

UPDATE ON CPML OPEN HOUSE WEB SITE
NEW! CPML is implementing a new feature on the CentralPennOpenHouse.com website. When the consumer views the results of their search, there will now be a "CALL BUTTON" located under the photo of the property. When they click on this, they will be prompted to enter their telephone number. They are informed at this time, if they continue they are placing a call to a Licensed Real Estate Agent. At this point the system will then dial both the agents' phone number and the consumers' phone number. The system is designed that the consumers' phone rings first, when they pick up their receiver they will hear the agents' phone ringing. The connection is made. There is no fee to the agents for this service at this time.

As an agent, you can decide if you do not want the consumer to contact you. Fax a statement to the CPML office at 717-737-5073 to inform us and we will turn the service off on your name. If you have any questions, please call the CPML office at 717-761-8440.

REALTOR.COM UPDATE!
Realtor.com will soon be showing four photos with their free listings on their site. CPML will provide the first 4 photos of the 12 allowed in our system. If you have more than four photos in Paragon, you have the ability to rearrange them.

FREE EKEY FOB FROM SUPRA
SUPRA is offering a free FOB for any Blackberry, or other non-IR device to any agent who would like to upgrade to the eKEY. CLICK HERE for information on the FOB. Information is also available under MLS Docs. Call the CPML office at 717-761-8440 to schedule an appointment.

PARAGON TRAINING SCHEDULE
Training classes have been scheduled on the following dates for the PARAGON system:
                           October 8, 2009
                           November 12, 2009
                           December 10, 2009

Basic class will be held at 9:00 a.m. The Basic Class covers simple searches, descriptions of terms used in the PARAGON system, introduction to input sheets, CPML input rules for paragon as well as system requirements. The Basic Class also provides a brief look at the financial program.

Advanced class will be held at 1:00 p.m. The Advanced Class covers creating CMA's and using the Contact Manager to manage clients as well as send automatic emails.

You need only attend one day, but you may attend more than one class if you choose. Please call the CPML office at
(717) 761-8440 to reserve a time. Classes are held at the GHAR Office at 424 N. Enola Drive, Enola, PA 17025.

FAQS OF ACT 14 OF 2009
For the past several years, PAR has been working to amend the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act (RELRA) in two key areas. In early July we helped to pass what is now Act 14 of 2009, which takes effect on September 4, 2009.

The first change allows licensees to be paid through "qualified associations" that are established by one or more licensees affiliated with the same broker. Up until this change, the law required that brokers pay licensees directly and not through any sort of a corporate entity. Now, brokers can pay to (and licensees can be paid as) certain entities as laid out in the law.

There are a number of issues to be considered when deciding whether or not to establish a qualified association. These include:

whether the broker allows them as a brokerage practice
what tax or business benefits may be gained from setting up such an entity
whether you are willing and able to maintain the entity in compliance with RELRA and relevant state/federal laws that apply to the entity.

The second change clarifies a number of issues relating to escrow requirements. The biggest change to the escrow rules now permits brokers to release escrow where there is a dispute between the parties if the parties agreed in advance how the money should be distributed in the event of an unresolved dispute. The PAR Standard Forms Oversight Committee will be working on appropriate forms language to assist members in handling this issue.

Direct links:
Blog post - http://blog.parealtor.org/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=163
Resource Page - http://www.parealtor.org/content/RELRA2009.htm
Issues Resource Center - http://www.parealtor.org/content/IssuesResourceCenter_main.htm (use link for “2009 RELRA Amendments”)

JOIN THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NETWORK!
Interested in networking with local professionals in Central PA? Then join the Young Professionals Network!
Email Adrienne Loughery at adrienne.loughery@verizon.net if you would like to join this social networking group.

DNCQUICKCHECK PROGRAM AVAILABLE AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE
DNCQuickcheck, is the easy-to-use Do Not Call compliance solution for real estate professionals. If you call or e-mail prospects - referrals, expired listings, FSBOs - you need to complete protection against Do Not Contact laws. With DNCQuickcheck, you can take a proactive approach for your marketing campaigns. And only DNCQuickcheck includes everything you need in one quick, easy-to-use Internet-based service.

Get the protection you need now! Call PossibleNOW at (800) 585-4888 or (770) 255-1020 or visit www.dncquickcheck.com.

Are you a member of PAR? Use the discount code of sc0986pr to receive special rates for real estate professionals!

HAVE YOU VISITED JUST LISTED?
Just Listed is PAR's new blog, another member benefit for you. Log on and join in the discussion with authors including attorney Jim Goldsmith and his Legal Hotline team, economist Austin Jaffe and PAR staff.

NAR LAUNCHES 2009 REALTOR^® PARTY VIDEO CONTEST
On August 25, NAR kicked off its 2009 REALTOR^® Party Video Contest. The contest challenges REALTORS^® to make a short, personal video explaining how the Home Buyer Tax Credit has helped their clients buy their first home. The winning applicant will receive a $500 American Express gift card, and his/her video will be shown at the Annual Convention in San Diego in November. Two runners-up will receive Flip UltraHD Camcorders. The deadline to submit a video is September 30. For more information, including contest rules, please visit the NAR Web site.

CAMP HILL POINT OF SALE CAMPAIGN - COUNCIL MEETING 9/9
On Wednesday, September 9, the Camp Hill Borough Council is expected to pick up consideration of the two proposed point of sale inspection ordinances. These two ordinances will required mandatory inspections of a property’s sewer lateral connection and sidewalks/curbing prior to the transfer of the property. If the results of these inspections show the property is not in compliance with Borough Codes, the property owner will be required to make repairs/replacements prior to the sale of the property.

GHAR anticipates that the Council will take a vote on whether or not to re-advertise the ordinances, as required by Pennsylvania Sunshine Laws. Should the Council vote to re-advertise, the two ordinances would come up for a final vote at the October 14 Council meeting.

Since this issue began, GHAR has adamantly opposed any point of sale program. In response to these ordinances, GHAR has developed a Web site and launched a campaign to educate the community and to oppose these ordinances. Please check out the Web site: www.PlayFairCampHill.org. GHAR also is working with a coalition of Camp Hill residents and REALTORS^® to collect signatures for a petition drive opposing the ordinances. Petitions will be presented to Council later this year.

GHAR has been encouraging Camp Hill residents and property owners to attend the Council meetings and to speak out against the ordinances. We also ask you to spread the word to friends and clients that you may have who live in the Borough. Please encourage them to check out the Web site – www.PlayFairCampHill.org – and to attend the Council meeting on September 9!

The Association will continue to update you as we work through this campaign. And for additional ways you can help these important efforts, or for any questions, please contact Sherri Pursel.

REGISTER TO ATTEND THE 2009 LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST – SEPTEMBER 24
Please sign up to attend GHAR’s annual Legislative Breakfast! Association members will have the opportunity to interact with our state representatives and senators and hear about important issues at the state level. The event is being held on Thursday, September 24, at the Hilton Harrisburg, from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. The event is FREE to GHAR members who have made a contribution of $99.00 or more to RPAC. All other members may attend for $20.00. Click here to view the event flyer. If you are interested in attending, please contact Cindy at the Association at 364-3200.

CONTACT GHAR TO SCHEDULE A GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS OFFICE VISIT!
Is your office interested in a government affairs update during one of your sales meetings? Are you looking for more information about what is going on at the local, state, and national level? If so, please contact Sherri Pursel at the Association to schedule a Government Affairs Office Visit. Sherri will come to your office during one of your sales meetings and make a 15 to 20 minutes presentation about government affairs and the important issues facing REALTORS^® at all three levels of government. It is a great opportunity to learn more about legislative “hot topics” and what is happening in government affairs! Feel free to contact Sherri at sherri@ghar.info or by calling (717) 364-3200.

PAR DETAILS MORE INFORMATION ON RELRA AMENDMENTS CHANGES
The Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS^® has provided an overview of the changes to the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act (RELRA) that were approved by the Pennsylvania Legislature in early July. These changes relate to escrow accounts and the use of entities. Click here to read more about these changes on the PAR Web site.

NEW CONSUMER NOTICE DEADLINE EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER
On June 12, the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission announced is was delaying the deadline for the new consumer notice form to go into effect in Pennsylvania. The new consumer notice has been redesigned to be more clear and readable. Licensees now must begin using the new form by September 15, 2009. The Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS^® has more information on this change. Click here to visit their Web site.

BROKERS/MANAGERS CAN REQUEST OFFICE’S RPAC CONTRIBUTIONS REPORT
Attention brokers and office managers: If you are interested in learning who in your office has invested in RPAC, GHAR can provide you a report listing all your agents and their contributions to RPAC. Please feel free to contact Sherri Pursel at the Association for this report.

SIGN-UP to be a MUNICIPAL Political CONTACT!
GHAR is still searching for volunteers to be Municipal Political Contacts. As a Political Contact, GHAR will work with you when issues impacting REALTORS^® and the real estate industry arise in your municipality. GHAR’s goal is to identify REALTORS^® from each municipality in our tri-county area to be Political Contacts. We are still in need of contacts for the following municipalities:

If you are interested in participating in this vital program, please contact Sherri Pursel.

In this Email: