By the time you read this, 2023 will be here, which means my term as president of Greater Chattanooga Realtors is coming to an end. While there are many proud moments from this past year, I want to spend some time reflecting on just a few of those.
Giving back
Other Realtors and I feel strongly about our community. I feel like it’s each Realtor’s duty to give back to the community that gives so much to us.
For that reason, I was especially proud that Greater Chattanooga Realtors continued its support of Snack Packs Food Ministry by making its annual $10,000 donation and providing an additional $25,623 for a total gift of $35,623.
Our support was not just monetary, as many of our members volunteered to prepare the bags during the school year. This accomplishment was not just the work of a few people, either, but from Realtors all over the greater Chattanooga area.
Thanks to the efforts of these fine people, food insecure school children in Hamilton County will have better access to food.
Greater Chattanooga Realtors also played a part in offering five scholarships to incoming college freshman, contributed to Wreaths Across America and worked with Habitat for Humanity. These are a few of our proud accomplishments in 2022.
Advocacy
As I’m also passionate about advocacy, I was excited to accompany a great group of Chattanooga Realtors as they participated in Realtor Day on the Hill in February, when agents from across the state visited with our elected officials at the state capital.
In May, many of the same Greater Chattanooga Realtors traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with our federal officials. Getting one-on-one time with officials is how Realtors ensure the needs of property owners across the city, county, state and nation remain top of mind.
Our officials know Realtors see the community from a unique perspective and we appreciate the opportunity to work alongside them. Advocating for homeownership and private property rights will remain a passion of your local Realtors in 2023.
Forging new trails
I was especially thrilled when our Placemaking Committee partnered with the Lookout Mountain Conservancy to help establish, clean and maintain a new trailhead in St. Elmo. So many people make the Scenic City their home because of our beautiful outdoor amenities, and helping to preserve this natural beauty was definitely a highlight.
I’m excited to see this partnership continue and to forge other partnerships in the future.
Thank you, thank you, thank you
As I conclude my time as president, I’d like to thank my lord and savior, Jesus Christ, as I’d be nothing without Him.
I also thank my board of directors for working on the many items we were able to accomplish. We brought new benefits and services to our members that made our association the flagship in the state on how real estate is conducted.
In addition, I’d like to thank my committee chairs and members for their hard work bringing productive and forward-thinking ideas to the directors.
And I would be remiss to not mention my gratitude to the staff at Greater Chattanooga Realtors for their hard work in all they do. Our accomplishments would not be possible without their commitment to the members and services we use on a daily basis.
Last – but certainly not least – I thank my wife, my business partners and the members and staff of our brokerage. This group of people offered me encouragement and were always there when I needed someone to take an appointment or cover for me when association meetings, events or travel had me indisposed.
Over and out
My time as president might be over but I’m certainly handing the reigns to someone who’s especially suited for this position. Steven Sharpe is a brilliant real estate practitioner and has my confidence and respect as my successor.
We’ve become good friends over the past few years and I know he’ll help guide Greater Chattanooga Realtors with steady leadership during his term as president.
Realtors can RSVP to the 2023 board of directors installation and reception, taking place Jan. 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Gilman Event Hall, at gcar.net.
Before I close, I want to urge consumers one last time to utilize the expertise of a Realtor – not just because we’re the trusted source of knowledge for real estate but also because Realtors serve others in so many ways every day.
Realtors work for the benefit of others. That’s Who We R.
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is the voice for real estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with more than 2,700 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors serves Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations and boards of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors owns and operates a Multiple Listing Service that is one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and services more than 3,000 MLS users. Local association membership consists of Realtors servicing the Greater Chattanooga area and specializing in a variety of disciplines, including appraisal, commercial, industrial, land, multifamily, property management and residential. Affiliate members who represent related industries work alongside these Realtors, including mortgage lenders, home inspectors, title and closing services, pest inspection and control services and insurance providers.