Have you ever asked, "What do I really get for all those dues I pay to GBAR?"

Well, not too long ago, I used to ask that question each time I made those payments twice a year.  Since I had never done any work in the Association, I really didn't have a clue.  So, I joined some Committees - Education, Finance, and Bylaws.  I figured those three would give me a pretty good idea about the workings of the Association.  And I was right! It opened up a vast amount of information about which I had been unaware.

At that time we were in the old building on Main Street.  Of course, now we are in our new Jennison Avenue building - much needed - and which I might add belongs to the Membership. You are welcome there anytime.  If you haven't visited, please do. 

Obviously, any building needs maintenance - cooling, heating, electricity, snow removal, mowing - just to name a few.  When you visit the building you will be greeted by your staff.  We now have 2 full-time and 1 part-time positions, and of course our Executive Officer.  It wasn't long ago we operated with 5 full-timers, but we have made dramatic changes to manage expenses while still delivering excellent service.

Except for the paid staff, everyone else are volunteers - Officers, Directors, Committee Chairs and Committee Members - all of whom work with very small budgets and manage to do monumental work.

Consider joining a Committee and see all the efforts performed on your behalf:

·        Education:  Pre-Licensing Courses, CE Courses, Designations, and free Strengthen Your Core Offerings.

·         MLS:  Ensuring our Members have the data, information and software they need to be successful.

·         Government Affairs:  Your voice not only in Greater Binghamton, but in Albany and Washington, protecting your interests and that of the real estate industry.

·         Community Service:  A major goal of our Association is to give back to the Community.  This is where REALTORS® show their heart, so if you like hands-on work, this is the Committee for you.

·         Communications and Public Relations:  Use your Marketing, Advertising and Communications skills to deliver our REALTOR® message to the Public and Membership alike.

·         Strategic Planning:  Chart the future course of our Association for the benefit of our Members and the Public.

·         Finance:  Play a key role in the efficient management of Association revenues and expenses to maintain a solid, stable organization.

·         Programs and Banquets:  Successful REALTORS® are all about networking - this is the group which delivers those opportunities.

·         Board Operations:  This Committee not only manages the nuts and bolts of running the Association, but through the new Membership Sub-Committee, is also the voice of Membership needs and concerns which need to be addressed.  We're listening!

We do have travel expenses which allow our Officers, Directors and Committee Chairs to attend State and National meetings that will give them the education and confidence they need to do a good job in service to our Membership as well as representing our Association at these functions.  We have trimmed our travel budget pretty close, and all those attending save any way they can on those trips. 

This forum has allowed me to give you just a few points regarding the use of your dues, and the Membership Services you receive.  There are others, of course, like the REALTOR® Review (a good one for you all), Lock Boxes and Keys, and of course, we must always remember to mention our wonderful Affiliates who support our work on your behalf as well.

If you have any questions, please know we are available to you.  All our Officers, including our Treasurer, Diane White, where the finances are concerned, our Directors and Committee Chairs will be happy to answer any questions you might have. 

So don't be shy.  If you have questions, don't sit back and take pot shots.  Just ask us!  And even better- get involved and have a say in the running of our high-quality Association.

Best, Pat

Got a comment? Contact Pat by clicking here.

 Roger Katchuk has been a member of the GBAR since 2005, has served on various committees and task forces and is the Broker/Owner of First American Realty .info.  For 19 years he has also been an active real estate investor and property manager and currently operates residential and commercial properties in Broome and Tioga County.  Building and construction have also been important parts of his career.  Including flipping houses locally, Roger has consulted on projects ranging from condominium remodeling in the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in NYC to designing the health club for the 5 star Golden Tulip Resort in Tunis, Tunisia.

Rogers's pre-Realtor career was in sports and coaching.  He has a Masters Degree in Sports Management from Marshall University and earned the rank of Assistant Professor with the United States Sports Academy.  Internationally he was the Director of the Asian Sports Education Center for the USSA in Brunei.  As a coach he has directed national sport programs in the countries of Brunei and Saudi Arabia and has been a head coach at the collegiate level in the United States.    He coaches springboard diving locally at Owego Free Academy.

Roger returned to his home in the Southern Tier in 2001 and with his wife Ji has been raising his 5 year old daughter Kaelyn.

An active member of the Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS®, she has served on a number of Association Committees, including Education, Bylaws, Finance, and Government Affairs. In 2009, she was elected to the Association Board of Directors, in 2011 to the office of President-Elect, and in 2012 to the office of President. Her focus has been the provision of excellent service to Association Members, and to ensure the Association is prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving Real Estate industry.

Pat's business background has served her well in her many years in voluntary service. As a strong advocate for children and education, she held many positions with the New York State and National Associations of Parents and Teachers, while also serving her local school district, Chenango Forks.

Hi, I am Dawn Roessing, am born and raised in Broome County. I have been licensed since 1987, am an Associate Broker, GRI, Green designation. Currently I am Chair of the Trade Show Committee, active on Community Service Committee. I participate in the Toastmasters Chapter. I am also a Wish grantor for Make A Wish of Central New York. I am looking forward to serving the Greater Binghamton Association of REALTORS, Inc. in moving forward. I currently reside in Hillcrest with husband Bob, we have a daughter Renea and son in law Jeff and 3 very active grandchildren.