7 minute read
PRESIDENT'S CORNER
A few thoughtful steps are all it takes to put safety first
A message from your 2021 GTR President Ellie Lambert
While REALTORS® like to keep our focus on our clients and the great services we provide, we know safety must come first.
As we mark the National Association of REALTORS® annual Safety Month, we are reminded that 38 percent of the nation’s 1.3 million agents have felt unsafe at some point in their real estate careers. That’s more than half a million. Undoubtedly, many of you are represented in that statistic. REALTORS®, by nature of the job, have easily accessible contact information and often place themselves in vulnerable situations. Fortunately, there are many things you can do help ensure your safety.
To start, create a safety strategy for when you are at the office, with clients and even at home. Having a plan that you, your team and even your family follow will make safety second nature.
Further, get help from technology. There are many new tools, including a number of smartphone apps that provide an extra layer of protection through:
• Alarm systems that operate by silent panic button via cell phone, • Personal emergency transmitters that send a personalized message and your GPS location to up to 30 contacts and updates your location every 30 feet, • Verification of your prospect’s identity and potential risks, • And even 24/7 personal monitoring by a team of professionals.
You can learn about these and more under NAR.realtor/ Safety.
Florida REALTORS® has a promising new app as a free member benefit: SafeShowings, which combines many of the best features of other apps. It was created by a REALTOR® in Charleston, S.C.
SafeShowings lets you record a buyer’s name, automatically captures exact GPS addresses and prompts you to add a photo of each potential buyer – removing the anonymity someone seeking to do harm would want. The app also features a preset system that calls for help, even if an agent can’t access the phone. You set the time you expect your showing to take – the app automatically selects 45 minutes - and adds emergency contacts. If you don’t respond in the time limit, your contacts are notified.
I have found a product called InvisaWear to be the perfect complement to my safety plan. This attractive charm looks like jewelry but hides a panic button that can set up to alert family and friends, text a link to your location and even, with an ADT subscription, get 911 assistance. It’s another tool that doesn’t require you to be holding a phone.
Even beyond the safety necessary for real estate interactions, please also remember that the COVID-19 virus is still a concerning part of our day-to-day lives. Retaining those simple precautions that are now part of our routine will go a long way to help.
Taking steps to protect your safety is worth the cost of a little extra time and effort.
If you do ever experience a situation that makes you feel unsafe, don’t hesitate to call for help. If you are in a lifethreatening situation, call 9-1-1 and please inform the association as soon as possible. Contact Sara Parsons at Greater Tampa REALTORS® by calling 813-879-7010.
GTR cares about the safety of our members as well as the safety of our clients and colleagues. Please use September to remind yourself of all the ways you can stay safe now and throughout the year.
ELLIE LAMBERT 2021 President Greater Tampa REALTORS®
Vision, Values & Mission
VISION
Greater Tampa REALTORS® strives to be the valued voice of real estate by continuing to elevate and enhance our professional and ethical business practices.
Greater Tampa REALTORS® is driven by the needs of its members, led by dedicated volunteers and managed by professional sta . We are committed to providing exceptional service and valuable benefits for our members and communities.
Greater Tampa REALTORS® - your premier real estate resource.
VALUES
MISSION
TAMPA
REALTOR®
Volume 5 | Issue 5
tamparealtors.org/magazine
813.879.7010
2021 OFFICERS
President: Ellie Lambert President-Elect: Ruth Bryson Vice President: Jay Quigley Treasurer: Tom Scaglione Secretary: Joe Perez Immediate Past President: Darlene Davenport CEO: Dennis MacDonald
2021 DIRECTORS
Dao Alderman, Ashley Christie, Marie Gregorio, Adam Grenville, Connie Johnson, Sherman Milton III, Annette Newkirk, Melanie Norris, Jack Rodriguez, Ann Thompson and Tammy Kiehl
EDITOR/DESIGNER
Kimberly Chin, Communications/PR Manager
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Lisa Brosky, Director of Communications & Marketing
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Jennifer Lalji, Communications Coordinator
ASSISTANT DESIGNER
AJ Hlavac, Creative Content Coordinator
The Greater Tampa REALTORS® Inc. (GTR) is the largest Tampa Bay-based professional association of real estate brokers and sales associates conducting business throughout the Bay. GTR provides educational programs, ethical guidance and other services that enable licensed real estate professionals to help people buy and sell homes in the Greater Tampa area. For more information, please visit tamparealtors.org.
REPRODUCTION
Tampa REALTOR® magazine is published bi-monthly for members of GTR in the interest of informing, promoting, and improving the real estate industry. With the exception of articles and materials from other publications reprinted in this magazine, members and affiliate members of GTR are hereby authorized to reproduce articles appearing in this publication, provided each such reproduction gives the following credit:
Reprinted from the Tampa REALTOR® magazine,
Greater Tampa REALTORS®.
ADVERTISING INFORMATION
For advertising information/sales, please contact 813.879.7010 or news@tamparealtors.org. All advertising is subject to the approval of the GTR Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer.
Congratulations to the Greater Tampa REALTORS® members honored at the 2021 Florida REALTORS® Awards in Orlando. The Commercial REALTOR® Achievement Award honors a REALTORS®’ lifetime of contributions to commercial activities at the local, state, national and community levels. Tina Marie Eloian, a member of GTR and the Florida Gulfcoast Commercial Association of REALTORS®, received the 2021 Commercial REALTOR® Achievement Award. Jack Rodriguez was named the winner of Florida REALTORS® 2021 REALTOR® Achievement Award, which recognizes a REALTOR® who serves as manager, broker of record or officer in his or her company. The award acknowledges the winner’s previous three years’ contributions to the community, local, state and national REALTOR® associations. The Education Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes members who volunteered their time and energy to advance professional development for REALTORS®. This year’s Education Volunteer of the Year winner was GTR’S Jean Garcia Dorazio. GTR members make a difference in our industry and in our community! Cristina Gregorio is our newest Member Services Coordinator here at Greater Tampa REALTORS®! She is a graduate of Brandman University, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing and Human Resources. Cristina has worked with kids and in customer service and has a passion for helping and serving others. In her free time, Cristina enjoys going to Disney World, calligraphy and exploring the Tampa area with her family and her Siberian Husky. GTR welcomes Sonia Perera! Sonia brings over 19 years of non-profit experience to Greater Tampa REALTORS®. Having worked as a Sr. Manager of Support Services for the American Cancer Society, she oversaw a team responsible for account, mission and event support across the region. She resides in Tampa with her husband, Orlando. They have three children and three dogs.
OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES ARE EXTENDED TO THE FAMILIES OF:
Eugene Ravenel (Ravenel Realty LLC) who passed away on August 23.
Anita Christian (CENTURY 21 Affiliated) a long-time resident and REALTOR® in Riverview, Florida, passed away on August 27 at the age of 59 at Tampa General Hospital.
Phyllis Dutschke (Norman Alexander Investment) who passed away on August 30.
✓ Endorse Chuck Bonfiglio for 2022 Secretary of Florida REALTORS® ✓ Approve the cyber security insurance bid with insurer, HSB Specialty Insurance Company for $2 million at a cost not to exceed $7,000 ✓ Provide up to $1,000 per member in meals and travel reimbursement for our two GTR Stellar Directors to attend this year's CMLS conference ✓ Proceed with a partnership with Woligo and their sister company, Broker Source, to promote healthcare options for all GTR members ✓ Discontinue IXACT Contact® CRM as a member benefit as of January 1, 2022 ✓ Sponsor the Hillsborough County Republican Dinner at the $10,000 Sponsorship level ✓ Sponsor the Pasco County Republican Dinner at the $5,000 Sponsorship level
✓ Approve $2,500 in RPAC local funds to be used to sponsor the Pasco County Access to opportunity the event on October 28, 2021
