Sep 12, 2012 | RAHB News |
Please note:
Staff photos do not appear on RAHB blog just in the PDF version of REALinfo.
Ross Godsoe
Ross is RAHB’s Chief Executive Officer, responsible for managing all operations of the association. He works closely with the president and board of directors and with the staff who assist him provide member services to RAHB members.
Ross is especially well-suited to the role of CEO of a real estate association. When he joined RAHB in 2001, he brought with him a wealth of experience from all facets of the real estate industry.
Ross owned a real estate brokerage in Mississauga for 26 years. He was involved in residential and commercial real estate, real estate development and property management. As a member of the Mississauga Real Estate Board, Ross started volunteering in the association and found himself serving as president in 1987. From the Mississauga Board, Ross became involved on the OREA Board (he served as president in 1994) and on the CREA Board, where he served as president in 2000. In total, Ross spent 18 consecutive years as a volunteer in three levels of organized real estate.
Just at the time Ross was considering other business opportunities, he became aware of the opening for a CEO at RAHB. As a business person who understood both the business side and member side of real estate, he believed he would be a good fit for the position and the selection committee obviously thought so, too.
Member service is Ross’s primary focus in his role as CEO and he is excited to have assembled a team of staff with the same focus. In looking at the highlights of his time at RAHB, Ross cites the move from the legacy MLS® system to MLXchange as a one of the great member services he has overseen. Other highlights include the relationships established in organized real estate coast to coast and beyond, relationships fostered with other organizations which are leaders in the Greater Hamilton-Burlington communities and – Ross’s special passion – the Home Ownership Affordability Partnership (HOAP) with the City of Hamilton and ScotiaBank.
Ross is the recipient of the prestigious W. Frank Johns Award in recognition of his “dedicated leadership, contributions and support … in developing the professional role and status of executive officers.”
Sep 12, 2012 | Member Services |
The RealTrack service is available for members’ use in the RAHB resource centre.
(more…)
Sep 12, 2012 | RAHB News |
by Cameron Nolan, 2012 RAHB President
The RAHB Board of Directors and Nomination (Election) Committee are moving forward with a change in philosophy of how we identify members who are well qualified as directors and how we encourage them to run for the Board. As the time when RAHB will be seeking candidates for the 2013 Board of Directors is fast approaching, members should understand what is behind this change and what our goals are.
(more…)
Sep 12, 2012 | RAHB News |
An emerging trend in the evolution of not-for-profit governance is the development of a skills-based board of directors.
(more…)
Aug 14, 2012 | REALTORS Care® |
(l-r) First row: Janice Rocchi, Afsaneh Mahboubi, Sylvie Lalumiere, Anne McMillan, Grace Seecharon and Thy Lee Outh
Second row: Sharon Gibbons, Evelyn Mitchner, Colleen Harrison, Gaby Leveille and Tom Peddle
Third row: Ken Hajas, Roy Rodrigues, Ingvar Grimsmo, Tristan Peddle and Joel Tanner
Missing from photo: Tammy Carpenter, Alicia Carpenter, Luke O’Reilly, Brent Paszt and Brianna Paszt
RAHB members and supporters didn’t let a thunderstorm spoil their day of paddling in the Lively Dragon Waterfest dragon boat races at Bayfront Park, Hamilton on Saturday, July 7.
RAHB’s dragon boat team joined over 50 others to race and raise funds for the Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC). RAHB’s team members raised $1,000 for BARC.
“This was a great opportunity for the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington and its member REALTORS® to demonstrate their commitment to building better communities,” said RAHB President Cameron Nolan. “BARC’s work in and around the Hamilton Harbour and watershed protects the natural environment, which improves quality of life for residents and others who use and enjoy the area.”
This is the second year RAHB dragon boat race teams have participated in the Lively Dragon event. RAHB has now raised over $7,200 for BARC.
More information about BARC can be found at www.hamiltonharbour.ca.
Aug 14, 2012 | RAHB News |
Please note:
Staff photos do not appear on RAHB blog just in the PDF version of REALinfo.
George Asante
George is RAHB’s IT Systems Administrator. George’s primary role is to maintain RAHB’s internal systems/servers – ensuring they are up-to-date, backed up, secure and performing optimally. In addition to systems administration, George also performs the role of database administrator, provides internal support to RAHB staff and facilitates RETS data feed configuration/support. George can also be found setting up and/or operating the audio/visual equipment at membership meetings, committee meetings, Broker of Record/Manager meetings and training sessions.
George has been with RAHB for four years. He graduated from the Computer Networking Systems course at Mohawk College and spent time in the IT department at Canadian Tire and consulting and managing clients’ systems at Dependable IT before he found his way to RAHB. George is a huge sports fan and can usually be counted on to organize the office sports pool.
Carolyn Infurnari
Carolyn is the Manager of the Executive Office and works closely with RAHB’s CEO and the Board of Directors. She sets up and prepares for all Board meetings, attends the meetings and takes minutes. Carolyn also oversees preparations for all membership meetings and Broker of Record/Manager meetings and takes minutes of membership meetings. Carolyn ensures the Association bylaws and policy manual are kept up to date, is responsible for the staff in the MLS® Department and is the general go-to person for anything to do with board committees or standing committees.
Carolyn began working at RAHB almost 20 years ago on a contract to transcribe minutes and prepare agendas for all RAHB committees. Partway through her one-year term, Carolyn was then hired on full-time. She found that working on all committees’ meeting materials was a good learning experience and gave her a good understanding of the business of the association. She moved on to the position of Communications Assistant before taking on the position of Executive Assistant, a position with most of the duties she presently holds. Several years ago, Carolyn’s title changed and she was given responsibility for MLS® staff.
Aug 14, 2012 | RAHB News, REALTORS Care® |
The Home Ownership Affordability Partnership, or HOAP, is a unique approach to affordable housing in our community. It is a partnership among the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington, City of Hamilton and Scotiabank which helps families achieve their dreams of home ownership, revitalizes existing housing stock and opens social housing units for other families in need.
The idea is a simple one.
- A qualified family works with a REALTOR® to purchase a home in need of repair; the home is purchased at the current market value.
- Renovations are carried out by qualified general contractors, plumbers and electricians.
- The new owner moves into a renovated property that is safe, clean and meets all building codes.
The current HOAP project is expected to be completed shortly, with a key ceremony to be held later this month.
Watch for more details in September’s edition of REALINFO.
Aug 14, 2012 | RAHB News |
Jim Carroll (RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc.) left, receives his certificate for free 2013 RAHB dues from RAHB CEO Ross Godsoe. Jim’s name was chosen from among the names of members who responded to the recent RAHB Member Satisfaction Survey.
Jul 10, 2012 | RAHB News |
Please note:
Staff photos do not appear on RAHB blog just in the PDF version of REALinfo.
Karin Condello
Karin is RAHB’s Accounts Coordinator. She is responsible for accounts receivable including pre-authorized payments and web payments; responding to enquiries from members regarding their invoices; overdue accounts and collections; ordering office supplies and acting as back-up to RAHB’s corporate services manager, membership coordinator and education coordinator.
Karin first started working in the RAHB info centre as a summer student. In 1997, she was hired as receptionist. She moved into the print department for five years and then moved into her current position a few years ago. Karin is a huge fan of classic rock music and is an avid concert-goer; she is also an enthusiastic collector of antiques.
Jason Hersey
Jason is one of RAHB’s newer staff members and is the Manager, Technology. His role is to define and execute technology goals as part of the management team; supervise and co-ordinate the Association’s use of technology; provide management, guidance and support to the technology staff; ensure internal and external systems are secure, available and efficient; and keep on top of technologies that may be useful for members and the association.
Jason joined RAHB in 2011 and came with wide experience from a 20-year career in IT. Jason’s background includes software development, national help desk coordination, consulting for small-to-medium size business and internet service provider network operations. Jason finds organized real estate to be “surprisingly dynamic” and noted that it provides him with some “unique challenges”. A proud father of three young girls, Jason spends much of his free time getting involved in his daughters’ extra-curricular activities.
Jul 10, 2012 | REALTORS Care® |
REALTORS® Ride for Heart
RAHB REALTORS®, along with their friends and families, took to the streets on Friday, June 15 in Ancaster, and on Tuesday, June 19 in Hamilton to participate in two Heart & Stroke “Big Bike Rides”. The RAHB team, a blend of REALTORS® from 15 real estate offices throughout RAHB’s market area, rode on a 30-seat tandem bicycle to help raise awareness and funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
RAHB’s participation in the event was organized by RAHB’s Membership Area Representation Committee (MARC). The teams showed their heart and generosity by raising a combined total of $5,735.
“This was a fabulous opportunity for RAHB members to show their support for a great cause,” noted 2012 MARC Chair Tom Peddle.
This was the fifth Celebrate Your Community event offered by RAHB in which members are encouraged to visit a community in the association’s market area and participate in a community event. Previous events have taken place in Dunnville, Cayuga, Grimsby and Hamilton. Each event has also raised funds for local charities and, to date, over $20,000 has been presented to charities in RAHB’s communities.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Big Bike Ride and helped raised funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation!
Charity golf tournament supports HOAP and education
Over 130 golfers and sponsors enjoyed the blue skies over Copetown Woods Golf Club during the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington Charity Golf Tournament on Thursday, June 14. The annual tournament raised $15,250 to support RAHB’s Home Ownership Affordability Partnership (HOAP) and the Karan Barker Memorial Scholarship Fund.
“What a great day,” said Bill Kopac, Chair of the Golf Tournament Task Force. “Not only did participants enjoy a day of golfing and networking, but both our affordable housing program and scholarship fund benefited as well.”
The Top Foursome trophy went to John Pocobene, Todd Barker, David Seburn and Miles Kulik. Other prize winners were Pauline Lewis (ladies’ Closest to the Pin), Chuck Vitanza (men’s Closest to the Pin), Suzanne Boyce (ladies’ Closest to the Rope), Mark Biehler (men’s Closest to the Rope), Collin Maddern, Barb Sukkau, Doug Tunis (first, second and third, respectively, Putting Contest) and Kelly Christopherson (50/50 Draw).
Thank you to our golfers, sponsors and donors who made this another successful tournament.
Jun 12, 2012 | RAHB News |
RAHB members present at the May 16 General Membership Meeting (GMM) voted to approve amendments to sections 9, 10 and 12 of the RAHB Rules and Regulations. The amendments (as circulated to members prior to the GMM and in the May issue of REALINFO) will take effect immediately. (more…)
Jun 12, 2012 | RAHB News |
Please note:
Staff photos do not appear on RAHB blog just in the PDF version of REALinfo.
Tracy Bertin
Tracy is RAHB’s Digital Print Operator and oversees the printing of course materials, member notices and internal printing requirements. Tracy also compiles topsheets, dailies and catalogue data. She packages and prepares for distribution all materials sent to members via couriers and by post. Tracy accepts deliveries at RAHB’s shipping/receiving area and, where deliveries are for goods for the Realty Shoppe, prepares them for sale. Tracy can also be found covering in the Realty Shoppe as needed.
Because she is usually hidden away behind the closed doors of the printing area, members rarely recognize Tracy as a RAHB staff member when they meet her in the Realty Shoppe – they frequently ask how recently she started. For the record, Tracy has been with RAHB for seven years and has been in Print Services the entire time. She says she has seen many changes in her area, especially on the technology side of printing; for instance, the two printers currently in use take less floor space than the single machine she used when she first started.
Kelvin Chen
Kelvin has been RAHB’s software developer since he joined us in 2008. He is responsible for creating, upgrading and troubleshooting RAHB and NAR member and internal programs and for designing and developing databases. He is a behind-the-scenes contributor to new computer programs, enhancements to existing programs and any project that requires technical expertise, such as online registrations for REALTOR® CONNECTIONS, online voting for RAHB elections, listing data transactions between MLXchange and REALTOR.ca, CONNECT and OpenHouses.ca.
In addition to his degree in Computer Science and certificate as Microsoft Application Developer, Kelvin also holds a Textile Engineering Diploma. Prior to joining RAHB, he worked with manufacturers to develop and select new fabrics, improve textile products and create new products for clothing.
