The 2009
MAR Convention and Expo is fast approaching! This year’s Convention will be held October 7-9 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Traverse City, Michigan. As in previous years, one of the biggest highlights during the MAR Convention and Expo is the RPAC Silent Auction. Local REALTOR® associations from around Michigan generously contribute items and gift baskets which grab the attention of everyone who attends, while also helping raise RPAC dollars critical to safeguarding the real estate industry. The success of the auction is only as good as the items donated by our local associations and past contributions by each local association have been outstanding! We would love to have 100 percent participation from each of our boards, and if there is anything the MAR can do to help accomplish this, please let us know. As a reminder, local associations also have the option of making an
RPAC II corporate contribution toward the Silent Auction in lieu of a basket or item. The contribution can come from either the local boards or their Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The MAR Auction Task Force and MAR staff will then buy items for the bidding with the local association corporate contribution. The locals will still get full credit for their contributions at the Auction.
RPAC II Contributions should be sent to the MAR offices, attention Brad Ward by Friday, October 2nd.
Please let your designated Field Staff know if they can assist in getting your item or association contribution to this year’s convention:
Doug Merriam, West Michigan Field Director: dmerriam@mirealtors.com
Amy Daunt, Central and Northern Michigan Field Director: adaunt@mirealtors.com
Michelle Brant, Southeast Michigan Field Director: mbrant@mirealtors.com
The 2009 MAR Convention & Expo is offering more networking opportunities than ever. Being held October 7-9 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, there is no better place to make connections, have fun, and increase your successful business solutions. In addition to your knowledge sessions, attend these events for fun & functional networking opportunities:
Take a swing at The MAR REAL Tour 2009
Convention Golf Outing, on the Wolverine. Included in your outing fee are range balls, continental breakfast, boxed lunch on the course, two complimentary drink tickets and prizes at the conclusion of the outing. Fees for the outing are $110 per person.
Register Here!
Dance into the fall night at the REALTOR® Royale with DJ, drinks and dancing. Come together with your peers to celebrate a successful convention, new ideas learned and a beautiful season in our state of Michigan, as the leaves change their colors in Traverse City with MAR. Included in registration fee.
Experience Leelanau Wine on the REALTORS® Wine Country Tour. Enjoy narrated tour of six prestigious wineries including a fabulous box lunch at Corky's Wine Bar and Beach Bistro at the Vineyard Inn on Suttons Bay including tastings for $55.00 per person. Register Here!
Network in the Expo following the Grand Assembly on Wednesday, head to the Expo Hall for the Welcome Reception and get your first peak at the exhibitors. On Thursday, enjoy lunch in the Expo, and after a long day of knowledge sessions, attend the Happy Hour in the Expo, there is no better way to network this year! Included in registration fee.
Check out the MAR Convention Web site, for an entire schedule of events, including knowledge sessions that will help you succeed. Early registration fees end September 10, 2009, register today, and don't miss your chance to save!
Register Now!
The deadline is fast approaching for ROTY and RAP nominations to be submitted. All nominations must be received
no later than August 17th (as the 15th falls on a Saturday).
Click here for nomination forms.
Along with your nomination form, please include a professional photo. For the ROTY nominees we are also looking for 3-4 candid photos of the nominee for the ROTY video.
If you have any questions, please contact Julie Rowell at
jrowell@mirealtors.com.
Kim Pontius, Association Executive of the Traverse Area Association of REALTORS® (TAAR) will be making a presentation on TAAR’s “Green Multiple Listing Service” at the annual conference of the National Association of REALTORS®.
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IRS Summertime Tax Tip 2009-11
Criminals use many methods to steal personal information from taxpayers. They can use your information to steal your identity and file a tax return in order to receive a refund. Here are ten things the IRS wants you to know about identity theft so you can avoid becoming the victim of a scam artist.
1. Identity thieves get your personal information by many different means, including stealing a wallet or purse or accessing information you provide to an unsecured Internet site. They even look for personal information in your trash. They also pose as someone who needs information through a phone call or e-mail.
2. The IRS does not initiate contact with a taxpayer by e-mail.
3. If you receive an e-mail scam, forward it to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
4. If you receive a letter from the IRS leading you to believe your identity has been stolen, respond immediately to the name, address or phone number on the IRS notice.
5. Your identity may be stolen if a letter from the IRS indicates more than one tax return was filed for you or the letter states you received wages from an employer you don’t know.
6. If your Social Security number is stolen, it may be used by another individual to get a job. That person’s employer would report income earned to the IRS using your Social Security number, making it appear that you did not report all of your income on your tax return.
7. If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft, but you believe you may be at risk due to a lost wallet, questionable credit card activity, or credit report, you need to provide the IRS with proof of your identity. You should submit a copy of your valid government-issued identification – such as a Social Security card, driver's license, or passport – along with a copy of a police report and/or a completed Form 14039, IRS Identity Theft Affidavit.
8. Show your Social Security card to your employer when you start a job or to your financial institution for tax reporting purposes. Do not routinely carry your card or other documents that display your SSN.
9. If you have previously been in contact with the IRS and have not achieved a resolution, please contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit, toll-free at 1-800-908-4490.
10. For more information about identity theft – including information about how to report identity theft, phishing and related fraudulent activity – visit the IRS Identity Theft Resource Page, which you can find by typing Identity Theft in the search box on the IRS.gov home page.
Throughout the United States there is a growing concern about the high costs of long term care and the impact those costs have on financial security, retirement planning and quality of family life.
In response to this concern, MAR members, and their eligible relatives, can now receive a premium discount on Great American Life long term care insurance products through the MAR Edge member benefit program.
For more information on the long term care insurance discounts please contact Great American Life's long term care help line at 800.557.5721.
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