I Missed You Too...

I feel terrible...my last post was 5 days ago...when I came to log in, security said, 'Oh sure, now you want to come back." The thing is, last week was so amazingly active, we didn't slow down enough to write.

Last week in Boise we had a confluence of Real Estate Leadership, Policy and Futurism.

Alice Martin, NAR VP for Leadership Development, did not 1, but 2 days of contemporary leadership coaching. On Tuesday for association exec's it was 6 hours on how to best apply lesser know NAR resources to help with current organizational challenges.

On Wednesday more than 50 volunteer leaders from IAR, Caldwell AOR, Nampa AOR, WCR and ACAR jammed the IAR conference center learning "Lessons in Executive Leadership from Abraham Lincoln". All I can say is "hold on" there's 50 new sheriffs in town all wanting to make next year the best ever.

Thursday morning the marquee at the Center on the Grove read "National Housing Conference"...right here in Boise. NAR contacted our own Miguel Legarreta to host the national "Bringing Workers Home" conference for more than 150 housing professionals from the Pacific Northwest. NAR Region 12 VP, Jim Johnson kicked off the event with compelling numbers demonstrating the need for a coalition of business community and government leaders to answer our need for sustainable housing opportunity. Mayor Bieter spoke next about Boise and the Valley and what's coming next in their eyes. He reminded us that Boise is the 3rd largest city in the Northwest...when did that happen?

Thursday night we said "Thank you" to Russ Dane for his leadership this year and welcomed Jim Paulson as 2010 President. Joining Jim for installation by Julie DeLorenzo, IAR 2010 President, were Pres-Elect Laurie Barrera, VP Kit Fitzgerald, reelected Director Eric Jensen and new Directors Dave Ferguson and Wendy Alexandre. Just a note...we used Life's Kitchen to supply the food. We got great food at a great price and in the process continued to support one of our REALTOR's Community Foundation partners.

Friday morning came pretty early to 50 REALTORS singed up for Dawn Lane's "Home From Work" program. Want to know how Boise can beat Denver in the next employer solicitation...this is the answer. Dawn explained how REALTORS can work directly with employers to help establish EAH programs that improve the lives of everyone. This was the second time Dawn taught this program here. The first class, six months ago, drew maybe 10. This time 60 signed up! We will be offering the program in its new 2010 form in the spring. Stay tuned.

Whew...Glad to get all that out.

Thanks to everyone who helped put last week together. It was a huge week-long production and you pulled it off brilliantly.

With just a few weeks left this year, we're wrapping up projects and planning 1st qtr events. Before you know it the Circle of Excellence Banquet will be upon us...and it will sell out like it did last year. Stay tuned.