www.wcromaha.com

www.wcromaha.com
A Publication of the Women’s Council of REALTORS®, Omaha Chapter
GOVERNING BOARD OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Jessica Sawyer................. 402-679-8166
January, 2015
WCR
Presents:
WCR
WCR
Presents:
Presents:
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Crystal Archer...................402-215-5483
MEMBERSHIP
Missy Turner.......................402-630-9346
Please
Pass
the…
Please
Please
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Pass
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the…
REGIONAL GOVERNOR
Megan Bengtson................. 402-740-5519
SECRETARY
Megan Owens..................402-689-4984
TREASURER
Becky Sandiland.............. 402-676-2167
PAST PRESIDENT
Missy Turner.......................402-630-9346
PARLIAMENTARIAN & BY-LAWS
Nancy Bierman................402-968-6226
WAYS & MEANS CHAIR
Katie Clemenger.............. 402-813-2551
_______
STANDING COMMITTEES
COMMUNITY SERVICE
featuring
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Lazer
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Mary Sladek...................... 402-305-8719
WEBMASTER
Janelle Riggert.................402-829-3433
TRIVIA NIGHT CHAIR
June Eads.......................... 402-881-6981
TRIVIA NIGHT CO-CHAIR
Champions
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13800
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________________
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Meg Tentinger.................. 402-916-1433
GOLF CHAIR
Darla Bengtson.................402-676-2842
GOLF CO-CHAIR
Jen Monjaras....................402-397-7775
SCHOLARSHIP
Lori Bonnstetter.................402-536-0234
Lunch
Prices:
Lunch
Lunch
Prices:
Prices:
$15.00
Members
$15.00
$15.00
Members
Members
$20.00
Visitors
$20.00
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HOLIDAY RECEPTION
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Sue Mohr............................ 402-980-7219
_______
EDUCATION CHAIR
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Heidi
Weeks
for
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[email protected]
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Darla Bengtson.................402-676-2842
_______
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Reminder:
Double
Diamond
Gold
Sponsors
please
utilize
your
monthly
lunch
tickets
by
inviting
Reminder:
Reminder:
Double
Diamond
Double
Diamond
andand
Gold
and
Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
please
utilize
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by inviting
non-members
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LUNCHEON RESERVATIONS small stepsmall
Heidi Weeks.......................402-697-6751
NEWSLETTER
Business
Resources
Meetings
Business
Business
Resources
Resources
Meetings
Meetings
Business
Resource
Meetings
typically
held
every
second
Thursday
month.
Please
check
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Angel Starks......................402-553-5744
calendar
of
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for
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for
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Brenda Stuart.................... 402-306-6319
professional,
personal
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and growth.
personal
TECHNOLOGY CHAIR
Jacy Riedmann................402-630-9880
DOOR PRIZES & HOSPITALITY
Laura Ousley.....................402-639-8040
Copy Deadline for February Newsletter is January 16, 2015
2
2015 WCR Calendar
Business Resource Meetings and Events
January
15th
22nd
22nd
WCR Business Luncheon Meeting – Champions 11:15 am-1:00 pm – Please Pass the….Etiquette Lunch – Nancy Lazer – First National Bank
WCR Board Meeting at OABR (9 am-10 am) – Open to all WCR Members
New Member Orientation – meet at OABR 10:15 am
February
12th
WCR Business Luncheon Meeting – Champions 11:15 am-1:00 pm – Why, Tell me Why – RPAC – Joe Gehrki, The Bill Swanson, Doug Dohse
19th
WCR Board Meeting at OABR (9 am-10 am) – Open to all WCR Members
19th
New Member Orientation – meet at OABR 10:15 am
March
5th
19th
19th
23-25
WCR Trivia Night-Lights, Camera, Action – A Night at the Movies – Omaha Firefighters Union Hall Doors Open at 5 pm, Trivia at 7 pm
No March Luncheon
WCR Board Meeting at OABR (9 am-10 am) – Open to all WCR Members
New Member Orientation – meet at OABR 10:15 am
Nebraska Real Estate Convention – Embassy Suites, La Vista, NE
April
9th
16th
16th
17th
WCR Business Luncheon Meeting – Champions 11:15am-1:00pm – TBD
WCR Board Meeting at OABR (9 am-10 am) – Open to all WCR Members
New Member Orientation – meet at OABR 10:15 am
REBar Camp-Co-Sponsor
May
14-17
21st NAR Convention, Washington, D.C.
No May Luncheon
WCR Board Meeting at OABR (9 am-10 am) – Open to all WCR Members
June
11th
18th
WCR Business Luncheon Meeting – Champions 11:15am-1:00pm – TBD
WCR Board Meeting at OABR (9 am-10 am) – Open to all WCR Members
July
9th
16th
WCR Golf Tournament – Pacific Springs
WCR Board Meeting at OABR (9 am-10 am) – Open to all WCR Members
August
7-9
13th
20th
WCR Leadership – Chicago, IL (President Elect Only)
WCR Business Luncheon Meeting – Champions 11:15 am-1:00 pm – You are your PR Dept – Joan Lukas-Lukas Partners
WCR Board Meeting at OABR (9 am-10 am) – Open to all WCR Members
September
10th
WCR Business Luncheon Meeting – Champions 11:15 am-1:00 pm – Omaha Chamber of Commerce Starring – David Brown
17th
WCR Board Meeting at OABR (9 am-10 am) – Open to all WCR Members
October
8th
15th
Business Success Forum – Champions 10:00 am-2:00 pm
WCR Board Meeting at OABR (9 am-10 am) – Open to all WCR Members
November
11-15
NAR Convention – San Diego
19
WCR Business Luncheon Meeting – Champions 11:15 am-1:00 pm – 2016 Thoughts – Broker Panel
Dec
3rd
10th
WCR Past Presidents Lunch-12:00 – Location TBD
Holiday Tea & Installation – Champions 3:00 pm-6:00 pm
Business Resource Meetings are held at Champions Run, 13800 Eagle Run Drive 11:15 am-11:45 am – Network
11:45 am-1:00 pm – Lunch & Program
Any member can attend the governing board meetings. Come and see how your organization operates.
3
Who Are You & What Are You Doing Here?
Name Please?
Rachel Pierce.
Why do you love being a member of
WCR?
I’m very new to WCR, but I love the
events I have been able to attend. I love
the Business Resource Lunches.
Who got you involved in WCR?
Becky Sandiland.
What is favorite WCR Activity?
I am a new member but I am looking to get involved
in as many activities as possible. I think WCR is a great
organization!
Where do you want to travel to in the next 2 years?
Hawaii for my 5 year anniversary.
What is a goal of yours that you want to accomplish this
year?
I would like to be in the top 50 Mortgage Loan Originators
at First National Bank.
What do you think the future of real estate looks like?
I feel home values will keep rising, but gradual. Mortgage
rates will stay low, and loans will become easier to obtain.
What is the best business tip you have been given?
To be successful, you need to be organized. Organization
will help you complete tasks and stay on top of things!
Create a To-Do List each day and check them off.
What do you want to tell your fans?
I would love to provide the best experience for you and
anyone you know that are in the market to buy a new
home or refinance your existing home.
What is the highlight of your life?
My Amazing family. My beautiful daughter, Nevaeh
16 months, my loving husband, John, my 3 wonderful
bonus daughters, Andi, Sammie & Stephanie and my
cute granddaughter, TayLynn.
What do you think the secret to life is?
Be honest at all times. Being known as trustworthy is an
excellent trait to maintain and essential to having integrity.
What is one local thing that you have wanted to do?
I love any kind of cultural festival. I love to try new food
and listen to different music. There are many local
festivals in the area that I haven’t been able to get to yet.
2015 Gold Sponsors
2005
Gold Sponsors
THANK
YOU
TO THE FOLLOWING
DOUBLE
DIAMOND
SPONSOR
WCR DOUBLE
DIAMOND SPONSORS
2005-2006
$2200.00
11516 Nicholas St. #201
Omaha, NE 68154
(402) 934-5538
SAVINGS OF $300.00
RECEIVE ALL THE SAME BENEFITS FOR A
TWO YEAR PERIOD, PLUS RECEIVE,
EXCLUSIVE DOUBLE DIAMOND
SIGNAGE
AND ON STAGE RECOGNITION AND PLAQUE
AT THE RESPECTIVE STYLE SHOW!
4
Enchanted Evening of Honors
The Holiday Reception and Officer Installation were
held on December 11th at Champions Run. I believe a
good time was had by all. Judy Burford and Missy Turner
did a great job of hosting and adding calories with their
yummy holiday candy buffet. It seems that the gum
drops were a favorite of most!
There were current and past members present, plus
a couple first-time visitors at the reception. The good
news is there were talks of the great year we had from
current members, past members asking about a way
to get back involved, and visitor impressions that made
them interested in seeing what else goes on with our
Chapter. Such impressions included: Happy Hour and
networking, awards, tears, family surprising other family,
and it seems like a good group to be involved with!
On this night, awards were presented, scholarship
checks distributed, and 2015 Officers installed to their
new roles within the organization. Megan Bengtson
received the WCR REALTOR® of the Year Award, Crystal
Archer, the WCR Entrepreneur of the Year, Cheri Casey,
the WCR Affiliate of the Year, and Lori Bonnstetter, the
WCR Outstanding Service Award. Each and every one
of these ladies is very deserving of the honor, and they
serve our Chapter with all their hearts. If you see them
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around, please take time to congratulate them on their
accomplishments.
There was the Officer Installation in leadership on the
same evening. This year, Jessica Sawyer was installed
as President, Crystal Archer as President Elect, Megan
Owens as Secretary, Megan Bengtson as Regional
Governor, and Becky Sandiland as our Chapter’s
Treasurer. This is our official leadership, and in addition
to these wonderful ladies, we have a whole list of those
committed to our Chapter and serving in Chair positions
while adding their own flare to each role.
Thank you to those who participated in this important
event, and to the 2014 Leadership Team, you will forever
be respected for your commitments to sustain our
Chapter and allow it to help others grow in their
leadership.
Jessica Sawyer,
WCR President
DEEB Realty
Searching
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6
Membership Drive 2015
Hello and Welcome to 2015! This year, we are doing
something a little different with our membership drive.
We believe it is everyone’s job to recruit new members.
The only way we grow and prosper as a Chapter is to
continually add new members who bring an added
benefit. And who better sees the benefit of Women’s
Council of REALTORS® than our current members.
All new REALTOR® members who join between January
1st and March 31st will receive $25 off of their 2015
membership dues. So the cost of membership for 2015
will be $116. What better way to invest in yourself than
joining a strong, relationship centered organization.
Why you should join in 2015:
Women’s council is the industry’s source for strong,
committed, well trained business and association
leaders.
•M
embership in the Women’s Council is a sign
of professionalism and helps you to build your
professional credibility.
• Women’s Council members openly share their
expertise & experience, and support each other’s
development as professionals.
• When a member shares her unique experience,
skills and perspectives, she enriches the entire
Women’s Council business resource network.
• Council Chapters, local and state associations are
partners, not competitors, in serving REALTORS® and
advancing the industry.
If you know of a member who you think would be
great for our organization and you want some help with
recruiting them, please contact Missy Turner at
402.630.9346 or [email protected] or Megan
Bengtson at 402.740.5519 or megan@dreamscomehome.
com.
Missy Turner
Membership Chair
CBSHome
At Your Service
Did you know … WCR has a Hospitality Committee?
Laura Ousley is at your service if you know of any
happenings pertaining to our WCR friends … be it joyful,
serious, sad, encouraging, etc. Please contact Laura
at [email protected] and she will serve as the voice
of WCR to acknowledge anything that should be with
cards, flowers, etc. … whatever seems appropriate. If
possible share the address of the person or persons
being acknowledged. Many thanks!
Laura Ousley
Hospitality Chair
Maxim Cleaning
Michael J. McGlynn, CSP, GRI
New Home Consultant
Your Celebrity Home Representative
Cell/Text: 402-660-3359
[email protected]
CelebrityHomesOmaha.com
Lights! Camera! Action!
WCR
Trivia
NIGHT
...a night at the movies!
Thursday, March 5
Doors open @ 5pm; Trivia @ 7pm
Omaha Fire Fighters Union Hall
6005 Grover St. Omaha, NE 68106
$200 / Table
8 Team Members / Table
No outside
beverages allowed!
For additional information on WCR Trivia, please email June Eads; [email protected]
Team Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Director Name __________________________________________ Director Email ________________________________________
Team Member ___________________________________________ Company ___________________________________________
Team Member ___________________________________________ Company ___________________________________________
Team Member ___________________________________________ Company ___________________________________________
Team Member ___________________________________________ Company ___________________________________________
Team Member ___________________________________________ Company ___________________________________________
Team Member ___________________________________________ Company ___________________________________________
Team Member ___________________________________________ Company ___________________________________________
Make checks payable to WCR
Early registration and team payment MUST be received by Feb. 12
to receive a FREE drink ticket for each person on your team!
Mailing to: Heidi Weeks
Centris FCU, 11718 M Circle,
Omaha, NE 68137
Email: [email protected]
8
Affiliate Spotlight ...
We All Start at Zero
Submitted By Lynette Arrasmith
Happy New Year and Hello 2015! As I pondered
what to write about for the newsletter this month, I
remembered something that Cindy Tomcak said at
a sales rally for our team last year as we were doing
some business planning; “We all start at zero.” WOW,
that can sure cause you to pause for a minute. It’s
the New Year and we all start at zero. That said; what
can we do to insure a business that grows from that
point of zero?
Several years ago, I was introduced to a book by
Tim Templeton called The Referral of a Lifetime. What
was interesting as I read all of my highlighted favorite
parts was the common theme around putting
relationships first. OK, so, this is not a new concept
but it is one that can easily be forgotten.
It all comes down to building a referral-based
business. If you understand that your relationships
are more important than your products or services
and you always put them first, your existing
customers/clients and all the new people that come
into your life will see this, realize you’re the real thing
by your actions, and enjoy referring their friends,
associates, and acquaintances to you. When
someone they know needs your products or services,
they know you’ll treat them right.
Let’s talk about The Four Principles of Business as
outlined in the book:
1. The 250 by 250 Rule. It’s not only who you know
that counts, it’s who your customer/clients know that
is important. When asking for a referral, always use
‘who do you know’ instead of ‘do you know’.
2. Build a database and ABC it. Your A’s are the
ones who will most likely refer you (your raving fans);
the B’s are individuals that you think can champion
your cause as well as refer you if you educate them
about how you work; and the C category are people
you are not sure about but still want to keep
communicating with.
3. “Just let me know.” I love that phrase! Educate
your customers/clients about how you work and
your value to them through regular, tangible actions
performed without fail.
4. Keep in touch, consistently, personally, and
systematically. I am going to challenge you to ask
yourself: What are you doing to stay in front of your
‘audience’ on a regular basis? Regular means no
less than 6 times per year. Don’t use the spray and
pray marketing strategy. Be diligent, be consistent,
make it valuable, and don’t forget to be personal.
There was a national survey that asked people
who had just purchased a home using a real estate
agent if they would use the same agent again.
Almost 80% said they would. But in a separate survey,
recent home buyers were asked if they did use the
same agent and only about 10% responded yes.
Hence, the need for The Four Principles of Business!
Just remember, business happens on a personal
level after a professional impression has been made
and it is eleven times more expensive to find a new
client than to keep an existing one. With consistent
communications you earn the right to ask for a
referral.
So, if we all start at zero, what will make the
difference for you this year?
• Have a marketing plan and implement it.
• Develop your email and print campaigns.
• You must make an investment in your business
to grow.
______
One day Alice came to a fork in the road
and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree.
“Which road do I take?” she asked.
His response was a question:
“Where do you want to go?”
“I don’t’ know,” Alice answered.
“Then,” said the cat, “It doesn’t matter.”
Alice in Wonderland
~Lewis Carroll,______
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND GO FOR IT!
“Sooner or later, those who win are those who
think they can.”
~Richard Bach
Lynette Arrasmith is Sr. Sales Manager, Mortgage
Lending with First National Bank, Larrasmith@fnni.
com; 402.602.7585
9
Using Pinterest to Create City Guides
Pinterest is a great tool for planning a wedding, a
baby shower, your Thanksgiving feast, or your Holiday
Decorations, but what about for business purposes
Pinterest can be a great tool for you as a REALTOR
to showcase that you’re an in town expert! You can
create a variety of boards to organize city-centric
guides of your favorite places for homeowners who
may be new to town, or new to a certain subdivision.
Getting started on Pinterest is easy. Signing up for a
new account is a flash and of course, is free. Just go
to Pinterest.com and follow the set up prompts. Once
you have your account created, you will want to go
to the “Goodies” section on Pinterest to add a “pin it”
button to your toolbar. This sounds more complicated
than it is, I promise. The link for the Goodies is under
the about section on Twitter, and I’ve included it
below for your convenience. You will simply drag
the “Pin It” button from the website and drop it into
your web browser bar, like you would to bookmark a
favorite page. What this little button allows you to do is
to visit almost any website, and “Pin” your work back
to your Pinterest Boards that you are creating. Stay
with me here, I promise the site is very intuitive, and
can even be set up from your smartphone or tablet
device!
After you have your pin it button, Click on the “Create
a Board” icon in Pinterest. Give your board a name,
description and category. Next, you can decide if
you want to add a map to your board (I suggest that
you do), and decide whether you would like to keep
it secret or public. Secret boards have their benefits if
you want to keep your pins private between you and
your clients, but I suggest making it public. It can’t hurt
if others see, follow, or share your board or pins...this
just means more free marketing for you!! Next, you
can allow others to add Pins to your new board by
adding their email addresses or user names. This is
helpful when you are on a team or have an assistant
who may be contributing to the boards as well! Hit
Continued on Page 10
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10
Continued from Page 9
Create and your board will be ready
to go.
Now, visit your favorite Omaha
websites, and click the “Pin It” button
you added to your browser bar. It’ll
pop up a window that allows you to
choose which of your boards you
would like to Pin the website too, and
which image from the site you would
like as your pin. I suggest you write
a brief note here on why you are
choosing to pin this particular place.
You can also search for other Omaha
pins on Pinterest and share them
to your board. This is a shortcut for
creating a board faster, but your board
will be stronger if you take the time to
add unique pins from around the web
too! Happy Pinning!!
To Add a Pin It Button: https://about.
pinterest.com/en/goodies
Jacy Riedmann
Technology Chair
Amoura Productions
Ericka Heidvogel
New Home Consultant
(402) 917-4888
402-334-7926
Patrick Casey
Home Inspections
Radon & Mold Testing
Cherie Casey
www.hbponline.com
Fax: (402) 934-4973
[email protected]
14002 L St., Omaha, NE 68137
www.celebrityhomesomaha.com
11
WCR Picture Pages
12
WCR Picture Pages
13
WCR Picture Pages
President’s View
by Jessica Sawyer
I am honored to lead this group of dynamic
women and affiliates of our Omaha Chapter of
Women’s Council of REALTORS® in 2015. I have
been grateful to be a part of WCR for my entire
sales career in real estate. I have a strong team
of REALTORS® and Affiliates helping this year and I
am excited to find out how talented and creative
each one of you can be in your new role.
when we sit down to have a dinner or lunch with
a potential client. You never know what they know
and won’t they be impressed that you have proper
etiquette!
My goals this year are to continue to add value
to our members through speakers and networking,
continue to grow our Chapter, stretch each and
every one of us to become better members of
society, and have fun while doing so.
Jessica Sawyer
2015 WCR President
DEEB Realty
Thank you for the opportunity to be our Omaha
Chapter President. I certainly look forward to
engaging all of you and making this a memorable
year!
We are starting off strong at our January
luncheon with a speaker that will teach us to mind
our Ps and Qs, as well as changing how we think
THANKS TO FOCUS PRINTING FOR DESIGNING OUR NEWSLETTER.
THE MISSION
OF THE
WOMEN’S COUNCIL
OF REALTORS®
❦
We are a network of successful
REALTORS® empowering women
to exercise their potential as
entrepreneurs and industry leaders
❦