The Chattanooga chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors on December 7 installed its officers for 2012, announced its annual awards, and showed members how to use an emerging technology to promote their businesses. Held at the Double Tree Hotel Downtown Chattanooga, the meeting was a celebratory seasonal event in which every woman walked out with something new, whether it was a prize, a token of thanks for service performed, or a poinsettia for being a member of the organization.
Kaye Ivey, 2011 president, called the meeting to order and introduced the 2011 officers, including Brenda Pargeon, treasurer; Nina Boss, secretary; Martha Miller, vice-president of membership; and president elect Ann Miller. Karen Flores then said a brief prayer of thanks “for friends and business associates” and led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. Next, Liz Griffith sang a rendition of “Mary Did You Know?” “I love to hear Liz sing. It sets the tone for the holiday season,” Ivey said following the performance.
Miller then announced the new members for 2011, each of which received a pin. New members in attendance included Kim Bass, Darlene Sea and Caryl Ann Sikes. Unable to attend were Grace Frank, Dan Griess, Jennifer Mathews and Jodi Starnes.
Member of the Year awards Joyce Smith then presented the Realtor Member of the Year award to Diane Patty. According to Smith, Patty grew up in a small Tennessee town, attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and then moved to Chattanooga to begin a career as a buyer for a retail store. Her job involved a lot of travel, so when she decided to start a family, she put her career on hold. When Patty returned to work, she entered “the rewarding field of real estate and joined the WCR,” Smith said. In 2011, Patty served as committee chair for the WCR’s Super Sponsors. Next, Richard Smith announced Patty Martin as the winner of the Affiliate Member of the Year award. According to Smith, Martin was born in Ringgold, Ga., attended high school in Macon, Ga., and then moved to Chattanooga. She’s worked at Warranty Title Insurance Company since 2004, and has been an affiliate member of the WCR for more than five years. For the last two years, she’s served as chair of the ways and means committee.
“These past couple of years have been tough, but she’s been successful in her work,” Smith said. Super Sponsor spotlight Ivey then called on Patty to introduce the Super Sponsors for December. First up was Boss, who opened Century Title & Escrow in 2000. Boss, who has over 40 years of experience in the title business and does both commercial and residential transactions, wished everyone present a merry Christmas.
“This never feels like a luncheon to me; it’s more like spending time with family and friends. I enjoy it. Thank you for your friendships over the years.”
Patty then introduced Flores, who has worked in the banking industry since her move to Chattanooga in 1984. She’s currently the vice-president of mortgage lending at Cornerstone Community Bank. A Knoxville native, Flores is also a member of the Homebuilders Association of Southern Tennessee and the Chattanooga Mortgage Bankers Association. She took advantage of her time with the microphone to plug her employer.
“Cornerstone not only does secondary market loans ... but also in-house financing for some of the condo projects that are not acceptable to investors. We can do some of the more unique properties. Call me, and if I can’t help you, I’ll direct you to one of our in-house mortgage lenders who can assist you with the challenging customers you might have.” Flores also gave those present a chance to become investors in Cornerstone, which is raising capital by selling shares of preferred stock with a guaranteed return of 10 percent.
Following the awards, the members in attendance learned how to use QR codes, an innovative new technology that can help a Realtor increase his or her exposure to clients. Speaker J. Brian Miles of BOOM (Business of Online Media) opened his session by reminding everyone about how quickly technology changes. “Technology today has a lifespan of six to nine months. The best thing you can do right now to help your clients and your business is use this technology.” A QR, or quick response, code is a two-dimensional barcode consisting of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The codes can contain a variety of information, including links to external media. Smartphone users can access the media by scanning the code with a QR app. Miles demonstrated how to use QR codes to link clients to video tours of houses, mobile Web sites and video-based business cards. (To see the examples Miles used in his presentation, download either “QR Reader” for iPhone, “QR Droid” for Android or “QR Scanner Pro” for Blackberry from the device’s application store and scan the codes below.) “How do I use this technology? When I attend a Chamber of Commerce meeting, I’ll put a QR code that contains a link to my digital business card on my nametag. The people I meet then scan it to remember who I am,” he said. Miles also provided an example scenario in which a potential buyer pulls up to a listing and scans a QR code to see a video tour of the house. “You could show a house without even being there,” he said. With 148.6 million people projected to be using smart phones by 2014, Miles says now is the time to begin learning and using QR code technology.
QR codes can be obtained online for free. Visit www.makeitboom.com to contact Miles and learn more. New faces for a new year Following the tech talk, Peggy Pryor took the podium to install the new officers for 2012. “In the life of every organization, some leave, and some follow. And there’s a time for both. Today, we’re going to pay tribute to our retiring officers and salute our new leaders. These members are elevated for a brief time to ... serve, and then they step back and follow while others lead,” she said.
Pryor then thanked Ivey for her service in 2011 and commended her for the things she accomplished. “Kaye, through your service to the WCR, you have earned the respect, appreciation and gratitude of our members. We’re mindful of the work you’ve done, and we honor you for the achievements you attained. Thank you, Kaye, for all you’ve done. As you lay aside the office of president and become the immediate past president, the council will continue to look to you for guidance.”
Next, Pryor expressed the council’s gratitude the other retiring officers.
“All of you have given the WCR your time and talent this past year, and we’ve all benefitted as a result. We want you to know how much we appreciate your efforts.”
Pryor then declared the offices vacant and installed the new officers, which include Pargeon serving again as treasurer, Elaine Osby Boyd as secretary, Jennifer Grayson as vice-president of membership, Cheree Dumas as president-elect, and Ann Martin as president. To Ann, Pryor said, “Great trust has been reposed in you by your election to the highest office of the Chattanooga chapter of the WCR. To you, we look for the kind of unselfish leadership that will bring success, harmony and achievement to this year’s program.” To the rest of the officers, Pryor said, “As newly elected officers, you’re entering a new phase of service, cooperation and leadership. You will exemplify the best Realtors have to offer as you serve. Guard this trust carefully and give full measure of your time and qualities of leadership so the Chattanooga chapter of the WCR can continue to grow, and grow in service to our profession, and stand out in our community like a shining light.” Ivey then gave each of the retiring officers a shoe wine holder to express her appreciation for their help in 2011. “You know I love shoes! That’s why I go to work!” she said as the ladies laughed.
Over and out Prior to the start of the meeting, members had purchased numbered tickets and dropped them in cups placed next to an array of Christmas-themed prizes. To bring the meeting to a close, Liz Johnson and Patty Martin drew the winners. Ivey stole the show by winning five prizes, shouting and dancing each time she won.
As the members departed, they picked up a poinsettia provided by Century Title & Escrow and Cornerstone Community Bank. Continue to read this newspaper for continuing coverage of the Chattanooga chapter of the WCR.