GHAR Weekly E-mail

The 2012 dues are $386.00. This includes dues for the Greater Harrisburg Association REALTORS^®, Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS^®, National Association of REALTORS^® and Public Awareness Assessment. This $386.00 total must be paid in full by January 2, 2012 to fulfill the dues obligation.

Questions regarding dues should be directed to Kathy Ludwig at kathy@ghar.info.

INFORMATION SESSION: JANUARY 18 - THE BEST OF THE LEGAL HOTLINE
Join Jim Goldsmith, Esq., attorney with Caldwell & Kearns, to discuss the best of PAR's Legal Hotline. Over the years, Jim has handled thousands of Legal Hotline calls from REALTORS^® from across the state. Some issues are static, others are short-lived and some emerge, disappear and re-emerge. Come find out what are the “hot issues” being asked by hotline callers and what you can do to minimize your risk. This information session, done in a question and answer interview format, will both be informative and entertaining.

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 $7.00 for members. Register online at www.ghar.info or call (717) 364-3200. Please remember, reservations not cancelled by Tuesday, January 17 at 5:00 p.m. will be billed.

2012 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Thank you to all of our members who volunteered to serve the Association and the industry by serving on a committee - you do make a difference! If you are interested in serving on any Association committees in 2012, please notify the Association as soon as possible. The Association is creating our 2012 committees. If you were an active member of a committee in 2011, you will be automatically assigned to serve on that committee again in 2012. If you were not an active member of the committee, you will be removed from the committee. If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Cuddeford or Kathy Ludwig at (717) 364-3200.

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 lunch is provided by the sponsor of the orientation. Orientation will be held on the following dates and times: (Registration begins at 9:45 a.m.)
January 12, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - sponsored by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
February 23, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - sponsored by McNaughton Homes

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

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND LICENSE RENEWAL DEADLINE - MAY 31, 2012
The continuing education requirement to renew your real estate license is 14 continuing education hours by the deadline of May 31, 2012. For licensees licensed between December 1, 2009 and November 30, 2011, you have must take the required courses. The two required courses are the General Module and the Residential Module or the Commercial Module. For more information call (717) 364-3205.

CODE OF ETHICS TRAINING DEADLINE - DECEMBER 31, 2012
Every four years, a REALTOR^® is required to take 2 ½ hours of ethics training. GHAR and GHRI have developed a 3 ½ hour continuing education course that will fulfill the Code of Ethics Training requirement. GHRI will offer this course many times between January and May 31, 2012. Watch for more information class dates and times.

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.

PAR ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR PENNSYLVANIA BOARDS
PAR currently is taking applications for vacancies on several Pennsylvania Boards including the State Real Estate Commission, the Housing Alliance of PA, and the Federal Home Loan Bank. Members interested in serving on these Boards should apply to PAR. PAR then will select applicants to "recommend" to serve on these boards. Click here for a complete overview of the process and a list of Pennsylvania Boards. Click here to submit an application.

SAVE ON THESE NAR MARKETING MATERIALS TODAY!
We wanted to inform you first about some exciting new offerings at the completely redesigned online store, (www.REALTOR.org/Store), for the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (NAR). They’re offering the latest must have products to help you take advantage of the changing market. They’re also giving you 10% off your next purchase when you use promotional code GH2 at checkout.

The newly designed online store has everything you need to be a successful REALTOR^® from products on:

sales and marketing
commercial
investment
home buying and selling
technology
mortgages

Visit the site often, as it is constantly updated, with offerings based on member feedback and changes in the market. Included in this special offer are items printed using the new Print on Demand Program.

Help turn a “changing” market into a marketing opportunity by visiting www.REALTOR.org/Store and take advantage of your special 10% discount today when you use code GH2 at checkout.

MAKE YOUR 2012 RPAC INVESTMENT WHEN YOU PAY YOUR DUES!
As you are paying your 2012 REALTOR^® member dues, don’t forget to make your 2012 RPAC investment. By investing in RPAC, you are ensuring that the REALTOR^® voice is heard in your municipality, in your county, in Harrisburg, and in Washington D.C. RPAC allows NAR, PAR, and GHAR to protect and advance your interests as real estate professionals. Please consider investing today. You also can invest online through the GHAR Web site.

Thank you in advance for your commitment to your profession! For more information, please contact Sherri Pursel.

CONGRESS APPROVES ADDITIONAL EXTENSION OF FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM TO DECEMBER 16
NAR has announced that Congress once again has approved a temporary extension of the National Flood Insurance Program. The program was set to expire once again on November 18, 2011. However, Congress recently passed a temporary extension through December 16, 2011. NAR intends to continue working on a long-term reauthorization before the new December deadline expires. Click here for more information on the NAR website. Click here to visit the REALTOR^® Action Center to contact your elected official about this important issue.

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.

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.

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