The date was January 21, the place was Michelangelo’s and the stars of the evening were RAHB’s volunteers from 2011, the newest members of RAHB’s long service clubs and RAHB service award recipients.
Thirty-five 25-year members and six 40-year members were on hand to receive their long service pins from Past President Ann Forbes Arndt, who hosted the evening. In total, 66 members reached the 25-year milestone in 2011 and eight members reached their 40-year milestone.  Among the 25-year recipients was Angela McArthur, RAHB’s Education/Professional Standards Coordinator, who received her pin from RAHB CEO Ross Godsoe.
RAHB Committee, council and task force members were thanked for their service through 2011. Arndt noted that the association is “fortunate to have [volunteers] who take the time away from their businesses and personal lives to serve the wider interests of the association and its members.â€
Four RAHB members and volunteers were awarded special RAHB service awards. Don Inglehart received the Volunteer of the Year Award for his many and continuing years of service on RAHB committees. Diane Price and Larry Szpirglas (who was unable to be present) received Outstanding Community Service Awards for their involvement in RAHB and in their communities. Mike Cusano was the recipient of the Award of Merit for his many years of contributions to RAHB and to organized real estate.
Congratulations to the following recipients of RAHB service awards!
Award of Merit
Mike Cusano
Mike is a Broker member with RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc., Brokerage and has been a RAHB member for 21 years. He has devoted much of his professional life to organized real estate. He was a RAHB Director and served on many committees and task forces over the years; he was President of the Association in 2007. He has been a member of committees and task forces of the Ontario Real Estate Association and served on the Finance Committee of the REALTORS Care Foundation. He is currently a regional Director on the Ontario Real Estate Association Board of Directors. He manages two real estate offices and serves as an example of how members can give back to their industry and to the community.
Outstanding Community Service Award
Diane Price
Diane is a Salesperson with Homelife Macro Realty Inc., Brokerage. She has been active on various RAHB committees and task forces.  Diane is very active in relief and fundraising efforts on behalf of the Rotary Club of Ancaster, for which she has travelled to Haiti four times since 2009 to work on water well projects. She has also been on the Board of Directors of Interval House, was a member of the Police Services Board, helped victims of violence by fundraising and starting a support group for women and was a member of the Canine Search and Rescue team.
Larry Szpirglas
Larry, a Broker and manager at Judy Marsales Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage, has been a RAHB member since 2000 and has shown great commitment to the association and his community. He has served on several committees and on the Board of Directors of RAHB. Larry has been President and served on the Board of Directors of the Hamilton Halton Home Builders’ Association and is currently serving as President of the Hamilton Jewish Federation. Larry is involved with the Canadian Diabetes Association, and was previously involved with the Jewish Community Centre, B’Nai Brith, a City of Hamilton task force and as Vice-Chair and Board member of the Ontario New Home Warranty Program.
Volunteer of the Year
Don Inglehart
Don is a Senior Broker and manager with Homelife Macro Realty Inc., Brokerage and has been active in the real estate business for 42 years. He has served – and continues to serve – on many RAHB committees and task forces and actively encourages other members to be involved as well. Don is helpful and approachable and shows great leadership among his sales staff, his peers and others. A mentor for others in the industry, Don lives by the motto “You treat people the way you would like to be treatedâ€.
After the awards were given, the pins received and the photos taken, local band Funkhaus took over and entertained for the rest of the evening.