Dear Fellow Members,
Spring is in full swing here at the MREA. Our association events have ramped up and we’ve held numerous RLE classes over the last few weeks. Our AGM took place early this month and our building renovations are set to start next month. In preparation, staff are looking for alternate meeting spaces for the next six months.
On an advocacy front, the Manitoba Government recently released more details on their review of the K-12 education system and it looks like the MREA was successful in advocating that education funding be included in the review discussion. Also, on April 16, the MREA Shelter Foundation was recognized at a federal government announcement regarding the Phase 2 renovation of the Salvation Army’s Winnipeg Centre of Hope. This is great recognition for our profession.
Once again, we had a great turnout for the annual Siloam Mission Easter volunteer event. Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to prepare and serve dinner for Winnipeg’s less fortunate. This was our fourteenth year supporting the mission and Siloam announced it was a record year for meals served at 1,150. Our volunteers shared that it was quite heartwarming to give back to their community and to help those in need enjoy an Easter meal in a traditional way. The media coverage of REALTORS® caring in action was also notable.
It’s hard to believe golf season is coming up. If you haven’t already, please contact Natalie to register and/or sponsor the 2019 Brian M. Collie Memorial Shelter Golf Tournament. I suggest you book early to be eligible for the early bird draw prize for four members for a day at the Glendale Golf and Country Club. You can reach Natalie HERE.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read through your monthly newsletter. If you have feedback on this issue or just in general, I encourage you to get in touch with our communications director. You can email Kim Gandier HERE.
Yours truly,
David Powell
2019 MREA President
POLITICAL ADVOCACY
On April 12, the Province of Manitoba released more details on their review of the K-12 education system. Originally the review did not include a look at the funding formula for education. However, the MREA was successful in advocating for funding to be a part of the conversation in the current review. The April 2019 public consultation paper on the K-12 review states that:
“…what the K to 12 education system should look like in the future cannot be de-coupled from how it is funded and paid for. While the review primarily focuses on improving education outcomes, financial accountability and sustainability will undoubtedly be part of the conversation.”
In the upcoming weeks, MREA staff will attend public meetings on the review and will make a formal submission to the government on why Manitoba should have one mill rate.
On April 16, the MREA Shelter Foundation was recognized at a federal government announcement regarding the Phase 2 renovation of the Salvation Army’s Winnipeg Centre of Hope. Various Salvation Army projects have been supported by the MREA Shelter Foundation in the past.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
On April 23, the second MREA Global Business Council event was held. The event was a complimentary bus tour of CentrePort, North America’s largest inland port. The tour was led by CentrePort’s President and CEO, Diane Gray. The event was sold out, and there was a wait list for spots on the 56-passenger bus. The MREA will explore doing the tour again in the future due to the overwhelming interest.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
A big shout out to WinnipegREALTORS® and to everyone who volunteered and participated in making the Gimme Shelter event a success! All donations are very appreciated and your generosity will make such an impact for
those who need shelter in Manitoba.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
On April 23, 45 REALTOR® volunteers prepared and served Easter Dinner at Siloam Mission. This year was a record year for meals served. Siloam Mission saw an increase from 800 to 1150 patrons, which is a reflection of the increasing need in our community. The event garnered the media attention of CBC, Global, CTV, City, the Winnipeg Free Press and Winnipeg Sun.
To see more photos of the volunteer event, visit the MREA Facebook page HERE.
EDUCATION
Relicensing Education (RLE) 19 sessions will be moving off-site in the Fall.
The MREA office renovations will begin in May 2019, therefore all RLE 19 sessions from September to December 2019 will take place at Qualico Family Centre at Assiniboine Park, located at 330 Assiniboine Park Drive (beside The Riley Family Duck Pond and across from the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden). Be sure to review your confirmation email confirming the location of your session. All seminar policies are still in effect when sessions are being held at the Qualico Family Centre.
If you would prefer to attend an RLE session at the MREA office, please register now to reserve your spot for the sessions being offered at REALTOR® Place in April and May 2019. Register today at MREAOnlineEducation.myabsorb.com.
MEMBER EVENTS
For those who didn’t have a chance to attend the MREA Annual General Meeting, MREA’s 2019 President, David Powell reviewed the association’s 2018 accomplishments and provided an outlook to 2019. Here is the 2018 Annual Report to keep you apprised of your association’s initiatives.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
At the recent MREA AGM, the 2018 MREA REALTOR® of Distinction Award (sponsored by CMHC) was presented to Claude Davis. Claude is well-deserving of this award and if you see him in person, please take a moment to recognize his significant accomplishment.
Once again, congratulations Claude!
Congratulations to our March Module 4 graduates.
We wish you all success in your real estate careers!
Pictured here (not in order):
Derek Ans, Logan Bedard, Nadar Boutros,Diljeet Brar, Keenan Brown, Jennifer Donovan-Faubert, Marcia Grobety, Manpreet Kaur Kooner,Linnea Kremer, Jarrett Mazur,Diana Morden, Eden Namaka, Connor Njegovan, Oluwole Osineye,Pardeep Rehsi,
Joseph Dylan Watson, Xuegai Zhu
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Meet Kelly Henderson, MREA’s new Director of Finance
Kelly is a CPA and CGA and possesses a wealth of experience in finance across multiple sectors. For the last nine years, Kelly has worked with not-for-profit and charitable organizations, primarily in the education industry. Previously, she worked with the Provincial Government and has held controller positions at a few smaller businesses in Winnipeg.
Kelly’s niche is in working for not-for-profit association offices and loves the small-business environment and the multiple organizations that usually make up a member association. It is important to Kelly to work for an employer that gives back to the community.
On behalf of all the staff and members, we welcome you to the association and wish you success in your new role.