Connect Magazine March/April 2018 | Página 5

A LE T T ER FROM T HE PR E S I D E NT The Leadership team, along with Florida Realtor® Directors and Association staff, also attended the Florida Realtors® Mid- Winter Business Meetings in Orlando at the end of January. Collectively, we brought back many ideas and programs that will be shared throughout the year at our Association. Dear Members, There is much excitement happening around the Association. The market and selling season are moving well with lots of open houses and activity. The buyers are here and the properties are selling. Season is definitely in full swing! I would also like to encourage you to get to know everything there is about Amendment 2. It will be on your ballot in November – and it protects homeowners, renters, and small businesses just to name a few. Florida Amendment 2 preserves the cap on certain property tax increases. Those tax increases could drive families and businesses away from Florida, and it ensures Florida stays an affordable place to live and work. You can find plenty more information on the website everbodyisfor2. com. Within the Association, the committees are all underway with their plans for 2018 and are taking it to “The Next Level.” We are engaging members and moving ahead with taskforces working to enhance the member experience. Some highlights are the Professional Development Committee is preparing a Taking it to great line up of speakers and instructors the Next Level to bring top notch education to our membership. Planning is under way for a Seminar At Sea. You can earn your 14 CE hours and have fun! We had a Global Program & Training with Carol Kairis, NAR Managing Director of Professional Development We’re also very happy to bring to you a brand new look for our from NAR, which was attended by committee members, CIPS website. If you’ve visited RPCRA.org recently, you’ll see a new, designees, and staff to help guide us on how to enhance our modern website that’s easy to use and pleasing to look at. Global Council and give us a greater Global presence in the Everything you need is right on the homepage! You can even market. Our Commercial Alliance continues to grow as do the easily access everything from your mobile phone. We’ve worked listings in our Catylist system. The Communications Committee hard to bring you a website you can be proud of. Take a look and department are taking us to the next level by connecting with around and we are certain you’ll like what you see! the committees and members. We have already done so much in the first couple of months of The Association leadership team and volunteer members, along 2018, and we still have a lot more to accomplish. Thank you all with almost 1,000 Realtors® from around the state, attended for joining the team and helping as we “Take it to the Next Level” Great American Realtor® Days in Tallahassee from Janua ry 9th within our Association. - 11th. We met with legislators at the state capitol to discuss key talking points: Assignment of Benefits, Business Rent Tax, Vacation Rentals, Affordable Housing and other important Real Estate legislation. Our Director of Public Policy Chris Lopez is keeping us updated with the outcome of the bills that are in the House & Senate. Donna Guido, 2018 President RPCRA.ORG | MAR/APR 2018 5