Inside This Edition

	Front Page Article
FTC Moves to Create National "Do Not Call" List NAR: December Existing Home Sales Rise, Annual Record Smashed Survey of Residential Real Estate Specialists Compares This Year's Business to Last and Forecasts a Good to Excellent 2003
	Legal Matters
Best of the Legal Hotline Top Court Fair Housing Ruling Favors Broker Town Ordinance Must Have Reasonable Basis
	Education & Products
Upcoming Classes & Events ZipForm Information Center A Note About Workman's Compensation Insurance United Parcel Service Rate Increase WRA-Endorsed REGIT, Inc. Announces Introduction of New Health Products
	Web Wise
Consumer Resources: Not just for Consumers Be Smart About Auto-Reply
	Public Policy Forum
2002 RPAC Awards Revamping School Financing How High Are Wisconsin Taxes?
	Land Use Forum
Multi-jurisdictional Planning Efforts Make Sense For Many Communities Bush Administration Issues New Wetland Guidance
	Inside the WRA
Inside the WRA with Bill Malkasian

Inside the WRA

  Inside the WRA with Bill Malkasian

Though we are only one month into 2003, the WRA is already four months into its fiscal and leadership year, which began October 1, 2002. Looking down the road of 2003, we need to be prepared for rapid change and high drama as a number of issues facing the real estate industry in Wisconsin come to the forefront.

Your Board of Directors met in Madison on January 24th and a number of policy and administrative issues were presented by WRA staff and selected committees. The proposals and general information about the WRA are interesting and provide some insight for what to expect for 2003.

1. We ended the 2002 fiscal year on September 30, 2002 in a strong financial shape in all funds. Your Board now oversees funds in over eight categories ranging from the General Fund to RPAC to an Education Trust Fund.
   
2. Our dues collection and retention rate for membership will be over 90 percent for REALTORS®. We ended the 2002 membership year on December 31 with over 13,000 members!
   
3. As expected, the Legal Action Fund is being tapped quickly. This is the fund to which we dedicate $10 from your annual dues for the association's involvement in legal cases. The WRA's involvement in the no-call telemarketing issue, Trans 233, campaign finance reform and other administrative rule challenges will put pressure on the fund balance in 2003.
   
4. The Board updated our legal responsibilities as a corporation by reviewing and creating up-to-date policies for WRA records maintenance, conflict of interest statements for directors, and re-establishment of an annual meeting.
   
5. The Board accepted the report of the Nominating Committee, which met on January 23rd with the following recommendations: 2003 NAR Director Joan Seramur, Chairman-elect Kitty Jedwabny, and Treasurer Jeff Kitchen.
   
6. I updated the Board on a number of NAR public policy issues. Your officer team will head to Washington, D.C. on February 10-12 for its annual winter visit with our Congressional delegation. Major issues facing the industry include the following:
   
   a. Banks entrance to the real estate industry
   b. Economic recovery plan
   c. RESPA reform
   d. Virtual office websites
   e. Insurance availability crisis
   
7. Your Board heard recommendations from our Public Policy Committee on the WRA legislative agenda for 2003-05 Wisconsin legislative session. Governor Doyle will introduce his budget to the legislature on February 18, 2003. As you most likely have read in your hometown paper, this budget will be filled with cuts not seen by Wisconsin residents in many years.
   
8. The Department of Regulation and Licensing has a new secretary. Her name is Donsia Strong Hill, an attorney from Green Bay.
   
9. RPAC raised over $381,000 in 2002-a new record! The Board recommended an operational budget for the PAC and approved a goal of $330,000 for 2003.
   
10. Performance standards were presented to the Board for the local governmental affairs directors. Our newest relationship with a GAD is the Commercial Association of REALTORS®.
    
11. The License Law Workgroup and the Real Estate Forms Workgroup presented updates to the Board. One group is dealing with a review of Chapter 452 and the other is reviewing issues regarding the use and possible revision of real estate forms. Both groups will be meeting frequently in 2003.
    
12. The Equal Opportunity Committee has met four times since the beginning of the operating year. Watch for the creative and useful Cultural Diversity Program.
    
13. The Board got its first glimpse at the online marketing plan for WRA currently being conducted by the WRA communications staff. The year-long project is being conducted in cooperation with an outside company and will lay the groundwork for a marketing program to effectively promote the WRA Web site. I'm personally very excited about this project as it begins its focus on getting you, the member, more engaged with our Web site.
    
14. Our Business Services team presented the Board with an exciting new three-year ZipForm contract for 2004-2006. Convention sites were approved for 2004 (Appleton) and 2005 (Wisconsin Dells). Kitty Kuhl and the Real Estate School finished 2002 with a flurry of CE course offerings. A record number of people took their CE online in the last licensing period.

Each program or product that the WRA creates is based on issues that affect our diverse membership needs. However you position yourself-as a REALTOR® or an affiliate member of WRA-we hope that this organization provides value to your core business. Having over 13,000 customers is a challenge for any business operation.

As your business roles change with the real estate marketplace, the WRA will adjust with you. As consumers ask you for more, you will challenge us. I'm thankful to have a thoughtful Board of Directors that recognizes the challenges ahead and provides direction that makes this association successful.

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