President's message: Recent meeting and upcoming events

By Joseph Rowley, Jr. I am pleased to report that we had a very successful board of directors meeting at the Rye Town Hilton Hotel on Sept. 12. There was discussion relative to the state of the industry and the challenging economic times. An update was given for each chapter, showing increasing attendance at events and education sessions. The committees also reported advances in each agenda. On the national level, it was noted that there are a number of bills in the works to help the commercial real estate industry. Please go to www.realtor.org/government_affairs to better understand how NAR is lobbying for our industry. The group also discussed the Bush tax cuts and transactional brokerage. Goals were identified including creating a central N.Y. chapter, consider allowing any past president to the serve on the board of directors (if they choose) in addition to the identified officers and directors per the current by-laws, final approval of a standard purchase and sale contract by the Albany Bar Association and start an annual event similar to Turning Stone Downstate. The following individuals were elected to serve as officers and governors: Officers: Joseph Rowley, Jr., Rochester, president; Mike Johnson, Buffalo, first VP; John Lavelle, Pine Bush, second VP; Brian DiNardo, Rochester, treasurer; Guy Blake, CCIM, Kingston, secretary. Governors (term 2011-2013) Alan Hendrickson, Long Island; Edward Smith, Jr., ITI, Long Island; Donald Welch, SIOR, Albany; Ted Welter, CCIM, CPM, Rochester. We have three great programs coming up this October. On Oct. 14, NYSCAR in cooperation with the Metro Long Island Chapter of NYSCAR will present "Discrimination Issues in Commercial Brokerage" instructed by NYSCAR past president Edward Smith, Jr., ITI. This three hour course fulfills the NYS license renewal law requirement for at least three hours of instruction pertaining to fair housing and/or discrimination in the sale or rental of real property or an interest of real property. The course will be held at the offices of the Brooklyn Board of Realtors in Brooklyn. Please go to www.nyscar.org for a registration form. On Oct. 28-29, NYSCAR in cooperation with the Greater Capital chapter of NYSCAR will present an education day and marketing session. On Oct. 28, a course entitled "Tax Strategies, Asset Protection and Estate Planning for Commercial Realtors " will be instructed by Peter Karl, Esq. The course will be held at the Ramada Inn in Albany (just off exit 5 of I-90). (The course has been submitted to NYS Dept. of State for six hours of c.e. credit). This seminar will address the latest practical tax and legal strategies available for commercial Realtors in business and personal situations. Topics will include income/estate tax and asset protection planning along with entity selection for investment and business purposes. Please go to www.nyscar.org for a registration form. Oct. 21 - Commercial Leasing 101 for non-lawyers (three hours.) Sponsored by the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors in cooperation with the RAC. The Commercial Leasing 101 for non-lawyers covers various legal components of a commercial lease. The Green Building and Green Leases portion reviews what is a "green" lease, green building rating systems, as well as green legislation affecting landlords and tenants. The class concludes with risks and rewards of green building for landlords and tenants. Course held at the Crosskeys Office Park, Fairport. Please go to www.nyscar.org for a registration form. NardiGras 2010 - NAR Annual Convention: The NAR will visit New Orleans this year for their annual convention. There are commercial education programs scheduled Nov. 5-8. There will also be some special events including a Commercial Red Carpet Reception, Nov. 6, 6:30 - 8 p.m. This networking and dining event for those in commercial real estate will be held at Calcasier, which is a short walk from the convention center. The "Commercial Bock at the Expo" will be a central location featuring exhibitors with commercial real estate products and services. The Commercial Caffeinated networking lunch with Eric Boles as the speaker, will be held Nov. 6 (12:30 - 2 p.m.). Visit www.realtor.org to register for the annual convention. Dec.7-9, The NY, NJ and PA Associations of Realtors will hold the annual Triple Play Conference in Atlantic City, N.J. In addition to the commercial marketing session that has been held for several years, there are also commercial education programs scheduled. Please go to www.realtorstripleplay.com for full details and to register. Joseph Rowley, Jr. is the 2010 president of NYSCAR and is a VP at CBRE/Rochester, Rochester, N.Y.