"There is no place like home"

By Eliezer Rodriguez, Esq. When I assumed the duties as association executive officer for the Bronx-Manhattan North Association of Realtors (BM-NAR), I learned fairly quickly from the board of governors that they were very much interested in enhancing the association's role within the communities we serve. My challenge was to create an outreach program that would incorporate the expectations of the board of governors, while addressing the association's need to retain, recruit and recoup members. In talking to our members and realtors of other associations, they helped in generating our new message to the public that realtors play an invaluable role in both building communities as well as helping to sustain them. To get the message across that BM-NAR's interest and the interests of the community are intertwined, we borrowed a line from the Wizard of Oz: "There Is No Place Like Home." BM-NAR plans to work with its neighbors to become a more integral part of The Bronx and upper Manhattan communities. In March, we started moving forward with professional courtesy and with an enhanced awareness to public service. Meetings took place with executive directors of associations, organizations and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) located in The Bronx. Ideas were shared on how we may turn insight into action and how to share our resources to create programs that benefit our members and the community. Working with other community groups has captured the interest of our elected officials and membership has increased because as one new member put it: "I like the work BM-NAR is doing within the community. My membership dues and my involvement with BM-NAR will benefit my community." Benjamin Franklin said, "If we do not hang together, we will hang separately." Earlier this year, assemblyman Luis Sepulveda asked us to help a 10th grade Bronx student attend a Summer Program at Georgetown University. Ms. Alexandra R. Valle, a student at Mott Hall V, was selected as a junior statesman of America. To attend the prestigious summer program, Alexandra needed to raise $1,200 by June 13th, 2013, to secure her seat. During our president's cocktail reception, we were able to raise the funds. Alexandra later successfully completed the summer program. Several community organizations have also used our office, among them the Bronx Democratic County Committee which held judicial screening panels to interview candidates interested in running for civil and supreme court. Most recently, we teamed up with the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals where a panel discussed the issues of financing. At this event, the New York State Association of Realtors provided several speakers to update members on proposed legislation affecting our industry. In June, at our 78th Golf and Tennis Outing--my first Outing as the host, Rubin Pikus, CEO of Millbrook Properties, became the first to score a hole-in-one and he did it on a contest hole to win $10,000. At a press event, Rubin donated $5,000 to Camp Good Days and Special Times, The Camp. The Camp was selected as BM-NAR's official charity many years ago by Mark Engel, president of Langsam Property Services, Corp, and then President of the Board, to help kids that are facing the challenges of having Cancer. With Mark's help, this year, BM-NAR raised $25,000 for The Camp; bringing the total over the years to $250,000. On November 9th, 2013, from 3pm to 5 pm, at Go 2 Go Restaurant, 1894 Eastchester Road, Bronx, New York, BM-NAR will be sponsoring a book signing. The authors are two kids who are paying tribute to their father who passed away from cancer. The book is entitled "What Do Dads Do?" The profits from the book will go towards saving lives and helping find a cure for esophageal cancer. We are extremely happy with the selection of the venue for our 12th Annual Trade Show. The Show is scheduled for November 20th, 2013, from 3 pm till 7 pm and it will take place at Elias Karmon Gymnasium of the beautiful Bronx YMCA, located at 2 Castle Hill Avenue, Bronx, NY. Dr. Elias Karmon, affectionately known as "Mr. Bronx," was a 40 year member of BM-NAR and passed away in 2008 at the young age of 97. The rental fee will allow the Bronx Y to assist families in need send their kids to an after school program, summer camp or even help subsidize a Y membership. What a wonderful way to recycle our money! You can bet that our Holiday Party on December 11 will also benefit the community. As BM-NAR moves forward, I will be the bridge between the Association and our neighbors. After all, I live in the Bronx. In fact, I live two and one half blocks away from the office. So, if you own a real estate office and like the work we are doing in the community, but you are not a member of BM-NAR then, it's time for you to come home. Join us and be a part of our new direction. Why? Because: "There Is No Place Like Home." Please contact Janine Schall at [email protected] to let us know you will be attending any/all or our events. Eliezer Rodriguez, Esq., is the association executive of BMAR, Bronx, N.Y.