Quarterly: Spring 2004 - GWCAR - Greater Washington Commercial Association of REALTORS

CBQ >> Spring 2004 Issue

Message from the President

To make it in commercial real estate you have to have tenacity and initiative. Any one of the hundreds of commercial award winners from this year's Commercial Awards Dinner can tell you that.

But as REALTORS^®, one thing that sets us apart is our commitment to professionalism and a depth of humanity. In fact, one of the original pillars of GWCAR's core mission statement is to be "a supporter of the community through charitable contributions."

For this reason, GWCAR donates $1,000 to the charity of choice for all top regional winners for sales, leasing and developer agent. Over the past couple of years, we have made donations to numerous worthwhile causes.

Last year's top regional leasing agent Scott Johnston (Spaulding & Slye Colliers International) chose Project ALS, an organization helping cure and treat people with Lou Gehrig's Disease. Also, giving back to where he came from, top regional developer agent Bert Donohoe (Donohoe Real Estate Services) donated his winnings to a basketball booster group, the James Madison University Duke Club.

This year's sales winners, Bill & Paul Collins of Cassidy & Pinkard, have already hit the ground running by designating their contribution to go towards Cassidy & Pinkard's Race for Hope 7th Annual Brain Tumor 5K Run/Walk. The event keeps increasing every year in number of participants from the real estate community and the amount raised. So far, pledge totals near $500,000.

Todd Frye of Carr Real Estate Services (and soon of California), our #1 Developer Agent for 2003, has earmarked his $1,000 to be donated to the Jubilee Support Alliance, a non-profit organization that works to put low-income families into safe, affordable housing in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. They also provide life improvement strategies to its residents.

GWCAR also tries to achieve its goal of charitable donation throughout the year and when needs present themselves. Last year the association donated $750 to sponsor DC Vote's Champions of Democracy awards reception. As you will see by reading the front page article ("Lack of DC Vote Endangers Enterprise Zone Tax Incentives"), DC voting rights is a community and civil rights issue as much as it is a business issue.

Every year there are always two special awards during our awards dinner that go to outstanding members who exemplify the core principles of the REALTOR^® association. These awards recognize members who continually give of themselves for the better of their colleagues, confidants and community around them.

One of which is the Brendan McCarthy Award. This year's recipient, M. Anthony Gould of Newmark, has spent countless hours on association boards, supporting his alma mater (Brown University) and helping produce opportunities for advancement & college scholarships for underpriviliged, inner city youth through the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington.

The association's top individual award is the REALTOR^® of the Year. This goes to a member who demonstrates a commitment to the utmost professional standards, who exhibits the highest regard for colleagues & industry, who has proven leadership & service in civic, community and charitable causes, as well as activity in the REALTOR^® association. I am proud to present this year's award to my mentor and buddy from Cassidy & Pinkard, W. David Bevirt.

I congratulate all of this year's winners and extend a very sincere "thank you" from all the region's commercial brokers for making us look so good.

To any member not involved with an association via volunteer opportunities or simply donating time to serve on an advisory board, I encourage you to get involved. By doing so you provide a valuable service to yourself, the commercial real estate industry and your hometown community.

To be active in your business is an essential element of being a good businessman. To be active in the world around you is an essential element of having a successful life.

President
Brendan Cassidy