Nickname Registration
By Peg Ritenour, Ohio REALTORS Vice President of Legal Services
Do you use Mike, Liz or J.R. to identify yourself in your advertising? If so, you are now required to register that name with the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing.
As was reported earlier this year, the Ohio Real Estate Commission adopted amendments to several administrative rules that became effective on Feb. 10. Among these was a rule that addresses the name licensees can use in advertising or any form of marketing, including social media.
Under existing Ohio law, licensees are required to advertise in their name as it appears on their real estate license. This will generally be the licensee’s legal name. Previously, a Commission rule allowed licensees to use common nicknames, a middle name, or initials in their advertising. However, this rule has been amended to now only allow this if the licensee registers that nickname, middle name, etc., with the Division as a “preferred name."
This requirement to register a preferred name will include even common nicknames or derivatives such as Dave, Jim, Patty, Chris, Debbie, etc. It will also allow licensees to register initials (J.D., P.J.) or more unusual nicknames such as Buzz, Skip, Buffy, etc. In addition, a licensee who wishes to advertise in a maiden name can also register that name.
The form to register such names -- Application for Preferred Name Registration -- is now available. A $10 application fee is required. The Division has indicated that licensees will be given ample time to comply with this new registration process.
It should be noted that many years ago the Division did issue some licenses in a person’s nickname. If you are one of those licensees, it is not necessary for you to register that nickname because it is already your licensed name.
The bottom line is, if you want to use a name that is different than what is on your license, you have to register it. CLICK HERE to access the form.
January 2019 CEO Report
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2019!
As 2019 begins I am happy to report that on December 28th, 2018, our final member finished their NAR Code of Ethics class for the past cycle. We were one of only a handful of Associations in the country to achieve 100% by the year-end. The next series begins now and runs until December 31, 2020. Final member dues payments were the 15th of January, and unfortunately, 15 members were suspended for nonpayment. Most are working to gather the cash.
Our new sales representative from Rapattoni Scott Quinn, met with leadership on December 18th to introduce himself and to not only demonstrate some new changes and improvements to our MLS, but to also see if there were needs of our Board. He took much information from the meeting and has been communicating with leadership and staff on the feedback.
I have been busy finalizing our end of year reporting to prepare for our Audit on January 22nd. All of our required reporting to both the IRS and the State of Ohio, have been submitted.
2018 was arecord year for RPAC in Ohio and below is a breakdown of other PAC related goals including Major Investor, President’s Circle and overall percent participation. As you can see, for the first time, Ohio REALTORS exceeded our percent participation goal ending the year at 38.57%.
In the categories of Major Investor and President’s Circle Members we were within striking distance of both goals, coming in only 6 shy of our MI goal and 1 shy of our PC goal. While we did not meet those goals last year, we did significantly tighten our loss when compared with 2017. I have full confidence that we will hit these goals in 2019.
Category 2018 Goal 2018 Total Difference
Total RPAC Dollars $921,000 $1,041,675.26 + $120,675.26
Major Investors 306 300 (NAR) 306 (OR)* -6 (NAR), 0 (OR)
President’s Circle Members 31 30 -1
Percent Participation 37% 38.57% +1.57%
*NAR does not count affiliate Major Investors - the discrepancy in totals is from that.
2018 was a year we should all be proud of and please share this great news with your fellow REALTORS.
My REALTOR Party training will be held Monday, February 11th at the Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus. This training is geared toward the following member positions:
• RPAC Chair
• Legislative Chair
• 2019 President
• 2020 President
• AE
2018 was a busy year for Professional Standards and Grievance and already this year we have have had two complaints filed. Our annual training is scheduled for February 14 here at the Board Office. This year we have the training designed to give all attendees credit for Code of Ethics class for the next cycle that ends in 2020.
As always the first of the year is busy with planning for the coming year and we will be sharing event information as it is finalized.
Respectfully submitted,
David W Freitag RCE, CEO
2019 Hondros Scholarship Awarded
The 2019 Hondros Scholarship has been awarded by our scholarship committee to Paula Lukac from Norwalk, OH. She has already registered and is ready to go. We look forward to working with Paula soon!
October 18, 2018 CEO Report
As we are putting the finishing touches on 2018, I would like to take a moment to review the past month's accomplishments.
On the public policy front, we have been busy with the local candidate interviews to determine their positions on matters as they relate to our industry. I want to thank our legislative committee for the time that they spent in the process. This year for the first time, our Board has conducted interviews in four of our five counties. We have been able to help distribute over $ 28,000 in RPAC support to our endorsed candidates. The following is the list of our local supported candidates;
Ottawa County: Steve Ardnt, State Representative, and Jim Puffenberger, Auditor
Erie County: Steve Ardnt, State Representative, and Steve Shoffner, Commissioner
Huron County: Nathan Manning, State Senate
Sandusky: Jerri Miller, Auditor, and Bill Reineke, State Representative
Seneca: Bill Reineke, State Representative
We also had interviewed Ottawa County Commissioner Candidates, but the committee made no recommendations on that race. We have had great discussions will all of the candidates, and our Board is well known to the local candidates.
In addition to the above activities President Steve, Frank Corder and I attended an event for Senator Randy Gardner in Perrysburg. We were able to have Representative Arndt join us at our table along with Ed Sitter, Federal Political Contact for U.S. Congressman, Bob Latta. We also we able to talk momentarily with the Congressman.
We left the event and headed to Tiffin to meet with State Representative, Bill Reineke along with Ohio REALTORS District 2 VP, Sara Riesen.
I also attended a luncheon with Secretary of State candidate, Frank LaRose hosted by our Board Attorney D J Swearingen.
Our Annual Awards banquet was held on October 9th at the Bellevue Society of the Arts. We had over 100 attend, and this venue seems to be a central location allowing a shorter drive for our Seneca and Sandusky County membership. I want to thank the committee and especially Cameron Deehr for his hard work.
On the Professional Standards front, we continue to work through our caseload. We were able to have a successful mediation to avoid an Arbitration hearing on a case pending. We had one case settled in Toledo, and we still have one pending at Lorain County. We still have two hearings scheduled, with one trying mediation on October 19th. I am recommending to the Directors that we need to adopt several changes to our Professional Standards procedures. The suggested changes are as follows;
- Mandatory Mediation for commission disputes.
The following change will be required to our by-laws;
Board can require REALTORS to mediate otherwise arbitrable disputes pursuant to Article 17. Mediation can resolve disputes, promote amicable resolutions, and reduce the number of cases requiring the more formal and complex arbitration procedures of the Board, thus reducing the time and effort required of Board Members serving on the Professional Standards Committee
Section 2. It shall be the duty and responsibility of every REALTOR® member of this association to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws and the rules and regulations of the association, the Constitution and Bylaws of the State Association, the Constitution and Bylaws of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, and to abide by the Code of Ethics of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, including the duty to mediate and arbitrate controversies arising out of real estate transactions as specified by Article 17 of the Code of Ethics, and as further defined and in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual of this association, as from time to time amended. (Adopted 11/11)
- Adoption of Ethics Mediation Policy for minor ethics violations.
- Expansion of working relationship with both Toledo and Lorain Boards Professional Standards Committees. This will allow a larger group to chose panel members.
- Adoption of a Citation Policy for minor ethics violations.
Associations adopting this Citation Policy model must also adopt a “Citation Schedule” of potential violations covered, and must specify the fines that apply to those violations. Information about the Ethics Citation Program, including the Citation Schedule, will be provided as part of the information sent to potential complainants considering filing ethics complaints with the association.
Associations adopting this Citation Policy shall establish a Citation Panel, comprised of at least three (3) individuals, who will review complaints to determine eligibility for the citation program and the appropriate citations. It is recommended that the Citation Panel be a subset of the association’s Professional Standards Committee and that the individuals on the Citation Panel have a high level of experience in hearing professional standards cases.
If the Directors and membership approve the above changes, it is recommended that the Board select a Board Mediation Officer. The rationale for this is as follows;
Conducting successful mediation procedures require tact, diplomacy, and a sense of equity. Careful consideration should be given by the Board President (or the Board of Directors of the Board) in selecting the Board’s Mediation Officer. Many Boards will find that one Mediation Officer will be sufficient. However, in large Boards, consideration can be given to appointing a standing panel of two, three, or more Mediation Officers depending upon the number of requests for arbitration normally filed in the course of a year.
Respectfully submitted,
David W Freitag RCE, CEO
August 16, 2018 CEO Report
It’s hard to believe that we are more than halfway through 2018! This year seems to have flown by. Since the last Directors meeting We have held several events, and I have attended both NAR and Ohio Realtor meetings.
We held our annual Put-In-Bay continuing education classes on July 11th and 12th. The attendance this year was increased, and both instructors received excellent reviews. This event is made possible with the sponsorship of First American Title.
Ohio REALTORS held their annual leadership meetings on July 16th and 17th in Columbus. This event is to allow all of the Presidents-Elect a chance to meet each other and to let the Ohio President give her message for the coming year.
On July 31st we held the Bob Strayer Memorial Golf Classic and over $7000 raised for our Foundation. The event continues to be a great event and overall a huge success!
NAR leadership summit was held August 5th thru 7th in Chicago. The key takeaways this year were;
Your Role as Chief Storyteller
Before you can communicate the full value of membership, including education, consumer communications and advocacy, you must be able to tell your own story!
• Surround Yourself with Greatness
Discover how to build a strong, effective organization. Define what makes an effective meeting; get familiar with using “Robert’s Rules of Order”; be able to explain the nuts and bolts of what makes an organization great, and demonstrate how to effectively build a team and recruit members.
• CEO Performance Evaluations/Sexual Harassment Issues
Learn how to define sexual harassment and the implications of the #MeToo movement. Uncover how to protect your association from legal liability; learn the most effective ways to conduct your association’s executive officer performance appraisal, and identify the parameters of a strong review process.
• AE/PE Relationship
Define the roles and responsibilities of the Association Executive Officer and the President. Distinguish who is responsible for running and leading the association.
Commitment to Excellence Program which was announced during the Summit is detailed below.
Competencies
The Commitment to Excellence Program will develop and enhance eleven competencies that indicate a REALTOR®’s commitment to ethics, advocacy, technology, data privacy, and outstanding customer service. These REALTOR® C2EX Competencies will include the following:
1. Being current and knowledgeable about the laws, regulations, and legislation affecting the real estate disciplines the REALTOR® engages in, and about real estate in their community generally.
2. Understanding the Code of Ethics is a living document, and keeping themselves informed about its duties and obligations on an ongoing basis.
3. Providing equal professional services to all consistent with Article 10 of the Code of Ethics.
4. Advocating for property ownership rights in their community, state, and nation.
5. Acknowledging and valuing that honesty and integrity are fundamental and essential to REALTORS® being known as consumers’ trusted advisors.
6. Becoming and remaining proficient in the use of technology tools to provide the highest levels of service to clients, customers and the public, and facilitating cooperation by sharing accurate, current information with consumers and with other real estate professionals.
7. Keeping up-to-date on laws and regulations governing data privacy and data security, and taking necessary and appropriate steps to safeguard the privacy and integrity of information entrusted to them.
8. Committing themselves to enhance their knowledge and skills in the real estate areas of practice they engage in on an ongoing basis.
9. Providing superior customer service.
10. Appreciating that courtesy, timely communication and cooperation are fundamental to facilitating successful real estate transactions, and to building and maintaining an impeccable professional reputation.
11. As a broker-owner or principal of a real estate company, being committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes excellent customer service consistent with these standards.
Website and Application
To encourage professional development in the REALTOR® C2EX Competencies, a website and corresponding mobile application, C2EX Central, will be developed to host the Commitment to Excellence program.
Program Plan
C2EX Central will offer each REALTOR® the opportunity to complete a C2EX Skills Assessment: a comprehensive, cutting-edge skills and personality identification system designed to measure a REALTOR®’s proficiency in the REALTOR® C2EX Competencies.
The C2EX Skills Assessment will produce a REALTOR® C2EX Journey: A self-paced, facilitated path through a personalized education program, specific action steps, and tailored tools and resources based on the results of the C2EX Skills Assessment. This Journey would meet the individual needs of each REALTOR®, and maximize engagement by offering the products and opportunities identified as being of use and interest to a particular REALTOR®.
Each REALTOR®’s C2EX Journey will be unique and will identify the best possible path for that particular individual toward excellence in the REALTOR® C2EX Competencies.
The REALTOR® C2EX Journey will include three components to guide a REALTOR® toward excellence in the REALTOR® C2EX Competencies:
1. C2EX Action Steps will broaden a REALTOR®’s skill development and engagement with their community through a suggested series of activities, such as attending an event or participating in a recommendation and review program. The C2EX Action Steps Tracker is a journal of Action Steps completed by the REALTOR®.
2. C2EX Learning Prospects will offer a specific formal or informal learning opportunity, such as coursework, attending a webinar, or playing a learning game, uniquely designed to enhance a skill or improve a behavior identified in a REALTOR®’s C2EX Skills Assessment. The C2EX Learning Prospect Tracker is a journal of Learning Prospects completed by the REALTOR®.
3. C2EX Tool Bonuses will offer a specific tool or resource offered by NAR or its partners designed to assist a REALTOR® in an aspect of their business identified in the REALTOR®’s C2EX Skills Assessment. The C2EX Tool Bonus Tracker is a journal of Tool Bonuses utilized by the REALTOR®
If a REALTOR® identifies in their C2EX Skills Assessment that they are a broker/manager, they will unlock a special C2EX Broker/Manager Path: a companion REALTOR® C2EX Journey for brokers and managers, offering Action Steps, Learning Prospects, and Tool Bonuses designed to engage their agents in pursuing increased professionalism through the Commitment to Excellence Program.
Once a REALTOR® completes the Action Steps, Learning Prospects, and utilizes the Tool Bonuses in their REALTOR® C2EX Journey for a particular competency, they will be awarded one of the C2EX Excellence Badges: digital insignias provided as recognition of a REALTOR®’s high level of achievement in one of the REALTOR® C2EX Competencies. These success measures will allow REALTOR®’s to promote their progress and receive encouragement along the way.
Achieving C2EX Excellence Badges unlocks new C2EX Action Steps, Learning Prospects, and Tool Bonuses, and moves a REALTOR® one step closer to the REALTOR® C2EX Endorsement: an award given to a REALTOR® for achieving excellence in all the REALTOR® C2EX Competencies. The REALTOR® C2EX Endorsement is a unique market advantage, identifying the REALTOR® as a well-rounded professional committed to providing superior customer service and representing the ideals of the REALTOR® organization.
Once a REALTOR® achieves their REALTOR® C2EX Endorsement, they will be encouraged to complete another C2EX Skills Assessment to unlock new Action Steps, Learning Prospects, and Tool Bonuses, and receive a brand new, customized C2EX Journey.
Pledge of Performance
The Commitment to Excellence Program will encourage the use of the C2EX Pledge of Performance: An assurance provided by a REALTOR® to their consumers, fellow brokers and agents, and by brokers/managers to their agents, detailing their commitment to professional excellence through the Commitment to Excellence Program.
Transaction Feedback
The National Association of REALTORS® will develop the C2EX Transaction Feedback program: an internal, peer to peer recognition system encouraging brokers and agents to identify their colleagues who choose to participate in the recognition system and excel in their transactions. The rating portion of the system would create aggregated ratings of all a participant’s transactions, and could only be accessed by a participant and their broker.
Broker/Manager Involvement
The National Association of REALTORS® will encourage meaningful broker/manager involvement in and support of the Commitment to Excellence program by creating a viable, measurable program that is recognized as a distinct market advantage by REALTORS® and consumers alike, creating firm C2EX Endorsement programs, and positioning participation in the program as the highest level of service excellence.
Consumer Advertising
The Consumer Communications Committee will be asked to consider how to promote the Commitment to Excellence program and identify the benefits of working with a REALTOR® C2EX Endorsement recipient to consumers.
The National Association of REALTORS® will promote the value of local and state ombudsman programs as a means of effectively addressing and proactively resolving peer to peer disputes among members.
Respectfully submitted,
David W Freitag RCE, CEO