February 2012 e-Newsletter! 
 

Board of Governors Report

The first board meeting of 2012 was held on January 26 and a summary of the agenda included the following topics:

• The Real Estate Foundation met with the Institute regarding the Social Purpose Real Estate Collaborative. This Collaborative would like some research done and REIBC members may be the best ones to do it. It was agreed to move forward with this item.
• A terms of reference was approved for the Honorary Member Review Committee.
• The Award of Excellence draft materials were discussed and approved to go forward.
• Nominations for 2012-2013 elections will be going out to the members at the end of March. A nominating committee will be struck in advance of the elections.
•  As part of the multi-year budget an increase in the dues of 3.25% for the 2012-2013 year was approved.

 

Peter Bretherton, RI
Past President

New Funding from the Real Estate Foundation

In January it was announced that the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia will be setting aside up to 15% of their grants budget for the real estate industry. The industry includes REIBC, BCREA, REC and the real estate boards. REIBC is very pleased to be part of this group and looks forward to putting in their request by the end of March. A quote from the Foundation follows:

"The intent of setting aside a portion of the grants budget specifically for industry grants is to acknowledge that the Foundation's primary revenue stream flows through real estate transacations. It is in the public's interest to deal with informed, competent practitioners - and Real Estate Foundation grants support the health of the industry in BC."

REIBC looks forward to participating in this program

Government Relations

On the 29th of February 2012 President Nathan Worbets and the EO of the Institute have been invited to the legislature to be introduced in the house by Deputy Speaker Linda Reid.  She will also read a statement regarding the activities of the Institute.  This will take place at approximately 2:00 p.m.  We are very excited to be able to participate in this great opportunity.  Can you be there?

Professional Excellence Program

Have you completed the Professional Excellence Program?  This is a great tool that REIBC has done for you, the members, to evaulate your soft skills.  Log onto the website and in the large box on the bottom left, click on the program.  It will take you about 20 minutes to complete and will give you great feedback right away.  This is a confidential program and no one sees the answers but you. 

Real Estate Foundation Board

Every three (3) years the Real Estate Institute of British Columbia appoints a member to the Board of the Real Estate Foundation of BC.  This appointment will begin in April of 2012.  The Board of Governors of REIBC is pleased to announce that Mr. Scott Ullrich, RI will be their appointee to the Foundation Board for 2012 - 2015. 

A board of five members directs the business of the Foundation.  The BC Real Estate Association, the Real Estate Council of BC, and the Real Estate Institute of BC each appoint one member.  The Minister of Finance appoints two members.  Individuals are appointed for three-year terms and may serve up to two consecutive terms.

The current board is a follows:

Eileen Smith - Chair -appointed by the Real Estate Council of BC
Kelly Lerigny - Vice-Chair - appointed by the BC Real Estate Associaton
Stephen Mullock - appointed by the Real Estate Institute of BC
Harpreet Bhatti - appointed by the BC Minister of Finance
Charles Scott - appointed by the BC Minister of Finance

REIBC would like to take this opportunity to thank Stephen Mullock, RI for his service to the Real Estate Foundation on behalf of REIBC for the last six years. 

Call for Photos

In January we did a call for photos and got a super response from you.  There are still a few areas that we do not have pictures for.  These pictures will be used on the header of our new and improved website.  We are still looking for pictures from the following chapters:  Cariboo, Nanaimo, North Fraser and Thompson/Okanagan.  We look forward to seeing them soon and thanks everyone!

Upcoming Events

Fraser Valley Chapter Welcomes Mayor Dianne Watts

Friday, February 17, 2012 at the Northview Golf and Country Club, the Fraser Valley Chapter will host Mayor Dianne Watts.  Mayor Watts will discuss the "Future of Surrey" in her address to the group.  Register on line NOW at www.reibc.org

REIBC & PIBC Pub Night

Thursday, February 23, 2012 REIBC and the Planning Institute of BC (PIBC) are joining forces for a fun night at the Elephant & Castle @ 355 Burrard St., Vancouver.  It's a casual affair and we look forward to meeting professionals from other areas of the real estate industry.  Sign up now at www.reibc.org . . . it's FREE!!  We look forward to seeing you there.

2012 Educational Symposium

The planning continues for the 2012 Education Symposium. Mr. Vaughn Palmer and Mr. Cameron Muir have been booked as keynote speakers. Please mark your calendars for this one day event!

The event will be held at the River Rock Resort and Casino in Richmond.  There are six sessions that will certainly interest you from contaminated sites, emergency preparedness, Riparian Area Regulations and more.  Registration has begun and we are expecting a great turnout.  Remember to register at www.reibc.org

For more information and a complete line up of speakers please click here.

Accommodations can be made at River Rock Resort & Casino.

Recognition Dinner

June 14, 2012 marks the date of the Annual Recogntion Dinner.  It will be held at the Terminal City Club at 837 West Hastings Street in Vancouver.  Watch your in boxes for further information.

We would like to thank BCREA for sponsoring this event. 

19th Annual Golf Tournament

Please mark your calendars and plan to join us on Wednesday, June 20^th, 2012 for our 19^th Annual REIBC Golf Tournament in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of British Columbia and Yukon.   Once again, this year’s tournament will be held at the beautiful Northview Golf and Country Club, Ridge Course, Surrey, B.C.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of British Columbia and Yukon grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.  We can make wishes come true with your support.

On-line registration will begin in April 2012.  Sponsorships will also be available.  For further information please contact Maureen at 604-685-3702 Ext. 102

Member Updates

Scott Veitch, RI was elected to the Council of the City of Creston in the last municipal election.  Shortly after that he was named the appointee to the Real Estate Errors & Omissions Insurance Corporation by the BC Real Estate Association. Scott is a past Governor of the Institute and Past President of BCREA.  Congratulations Scott! 

Teresa Coady's firm, B+H BuntingCoady has won the Canadian Architect Award of Excellence for Heritage Mountain Middle School.  Teresa is the Principal of B+H BuntingCoady, a member of the Architect Institute and also an RI.  Congratulations to Teresa and B+H BuntingCoady.   For further information on this story, click here. 

Congratulations also go to Troy Abromaitis, RI who has been selected as one of the Top 40 Under 40 - with the Professional Builder Magazine!  The article will be in the March edition of the Professional Builder magazine and Troy will be profiled in the May edition of the INPUT magazine. Be sure you read all about him in those publications.  Congratulations Troy!

Do you have information you would like to share with your friends at the Institute?  email us at

New Staff Member

REIBC is pleased to welcome Anna Austin to our office team.  Anna is the Marketing & Communication Coordinator and has a passion for all things Social Media.  Anna has got the LinkedIn page moving forward and has started on the Facebook page.  Anna notes " I will work every day to provide you with the best tools for you to share with each other and stay connected with other professionals in the real estate industry." Early in February Anna broke her elbow and is now at home mending.  Once she returns, watch for those social media pages!  Welcome Anna and get well soon!

Student Column

In the survey that was completed last May on the INPUT magazine it was noted by a number of members that a Student Column would be a great addition to the magazine.  In early Februrary in preparation for our May magazine we went out to the student members and asked them what they would like to see in that column.  Fahad Abrahani, Milan Milenkovic and Nancy Peterson sent in their suggestions and received a flash drive.  Please look for the first column in the May 2012 magazine!!

Student Connections

Are you a student member?  Have you seen our Student Connections on the web site?  We have over 30 professional members ready and waiting to speak to you about your future career in real estate.  Check them out here!

Industry News

Cascadia Green Building Council is seeking nominations for the Board of Directors.  For further information click here.

The Missing Link to a Green Economy:  Green Industrial Lands - Event taking place in March.  for further information click here. 

INPUT Magazine - Winter Issue

The winter issue of INPUT should be in your mailboxes any day.  The theme for the upcoming magazine is Appraisal and there are many articles from different perspectives.  Thank you to the many authors who assist us with this magazine.  Also look for the upcoming events page as well as noticing our supportive advertisers. 

Our next edition of the Magazine will be out in May and we have added a number of items that will become regulars to the magazine.  We look forward to your comments and will have a space for Letters to the Editor so feel free to drop us a line at

All REIBC members automatically receive a 25% discount on advertising rates with INPUT Magazine!

For further information contact the office at 604-685-3702 Ext. 103 or by Email at 

Climate Change

We would like to hear from you?  What would you like to read concerning our environment and its changes that affect real estate?  Any suggestions are more than welcome.  If you find an interesting article fellow REIBC members would also enjoy please forward it to us.

Please email suggestions and links to

Club REIBC

Club REIBC is brought to you by the Real Estate Institute of BC.
This program is designed to provide you with valuable insider discounts on the products and services you want and need. Offers can be redeemed in a variety of ways - online, in-store and by phone.

Enjoy the benefits of membership!

Go to www.reibc.intrd.com to find out more.