Mission We are a network of

successful REALTORS®

empowering women to

exercise their potential as

entrepreneurs and industry

leaders.

Chapter Leaders President Leah Leggett Prudential Blanton Properties leah@prudentialblanton.com President-elect Sandra Russell Century 21 Ivey & Company Sandra@TheRussellTeam.net VP, Membership Brenda Thompson Carriage House Realty brthom@bellsouth.net Secretary Judy Adams Bank of America Judy.Adams@bankofamerica.com Treasurer Mike Leggett CertaPro Painters mikethepainter@gmail.com

Mailing Address: Athens WCR P.O. Box 7371 Athens, GA 30604

President’s Message Dear Members, Well another year is ending. It seems like only yesterday that I began my term as the 2010 Athens Chapter WCR President. I can truly say it has been an honor to serve. I want to give a special thank you to the 2010 line officers and the committee chairs. I was really blessed to have such a fantastic leadership team this year. With their hard work and dedication, the Athens Chapter was able to once again get enough points for the 2010 Gold Award in Chapter Excellence, which will be awarded to our chapter in 2011. A special thank you also goes out to all the members that sat on committees this year. We had some fantastic fundraisers, programs and speakers, newsletters, and membership growth. I thank you for your time and commitment to make this a wonderful year. I would also like to thank our REALTOR® and Affiliate members that have supported our chapter throughout 2010. Without you, we would not be the strong chapter we have become through the years. Thank you for your continued support. To our affiliates, please consider sponsoring next year! We wouldn’t be a chapter without you! The last couple of months have been very busy. Our October program was a panel discussion on Time Management and Business Planning. Our panelists were past Local Chapter Presidents John Morrison, Ann Gibson, Bobbie McKeller, and special local affiliate member Becky Finney. The panel was moderated by another past Local Chapter President Mandy Seigler. Thank you all for volunteering your time to sit on the panel. In October we also held our first yard sale, which was held at the Athens Area Association of REALTORS®. Our chapter raised $255.01. Thanks to everyone that volunteered and contributed items toward this fundraiser. We are looking into making this an annual event. Our November program was on Cultural Diversity with speaker Dr. Edward Delgado-Romero with the Department of Human Development Services at UGA. In November our Food and Fund Drive came to an end. I’m proud to announce that our chapter collected 333 pounds of food. Thanks to all of you for your participation in this drive. Together we were able to make a difference in the lives of many families this holiday season. In December we held our annual holiday party and 2011-officer installation at Iron Grill. Heather McElroy, 2009 President, installed the following members as our 2011 line officers: President: Sandra Russell President Elect: Brenda Thompson VP Membership: Becky Smith Secretary: Pamela Davis Treasurer: Michael Leggett Continued on next page

Athens Chapter December 2010 • Volume 2, Issue 5

FOOD AND FUND DRIVE

Athens WCR held a food drive beginning September 1 through November 18 to help support the programs of the

Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. THANK YOU TO YOU, our members, for helping us collect over 330 pounds of food!!

FALL FUNDRAISER YARD SALE

Thanks to all who participated and supported our chapter by helping us raise (on very short notice) over $250 for our chapter!! We look forward to making this an annual event…remember one person’s trash is another’s treasure!!

President’s Message continued At the holiday party we also honored the following members with awards: Entrepreneur of the Year: Linda Carol Porterfield Member of the Year: Pamela Davis Affiliates of the Year: Mike Leggett and Samantha Williams Congratulations to all and thank you for your continued service throughout the year! As this year comes to a close, I want to thank everyone who contributed to making WCR a success. As your 2010 President, I have learned and grown as a person, and I hope you have gotten value from WCR as well. We’ve made some great progress within our chapter; and I know our 2011 President, Sandra Russell, and her board will continue to bring our chapter, members, and guests, outstanding education programs, terrific speakers, and exciting fundraising events. I encourage all you to get involved with WCR and explore your own potential as an entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Thank you again for making 2010 a fantastic year. It has been my pleasure working with each one of you and I look forward to 2011 under the leadership of Sandra Russell. I wish everyone a happy holiday and a prosperous New Year. Leah Leggett President

What’s Online

Have you been to our website lately?

Check out our local chapter site today: www.athenswcr.com for membership information and to keep up with chapter happenings!

Upcoming Business Resource Meetings

Start 2011 off right by attending this meeting!!!

January 20, 2011 11:30 AM -1:00 PM

Iron Grill, Mitchell Bridge Road

“Tax Planning for a Profitable Year” Be sure to check your email for RSVP information. Bring a colleague!

Membership News…You Can Use!!

As you look forward to 2011 and renewing your

membership, keep these benefits in mind:

SPONSORS Our chapter would not be a chapter without the support of our sponsors. We

want to take this opportunity again to thank ALL of you for ALL of your support!! Each month’s sponsors are listed below.

Please thank these sponsors by supporting their business! January August

1. American Pest Control 1. Timmons, Warnes, and Anderson 2. Adams & Associates Residential Lending

February 1. Servpro of Athens September 2. The Brickkicker Home Inspections 1. Quarterman & Hodson

April 2. Servpro of Athens 1. Certapro Painters of Athens 2. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage October

May 1. Bank of America Home Loans 1. Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley 2. Lessard Design Associates 2. Classic Home Inspection

June November 1. Amercian Pest Control 1. Blasingame, Burch, Garrard, and Ashley 2. The Real Estate Book 2. Synovus Mortgage

December 1. Oconee State Bank 2. CertaPro Painters of Athens 3. Homes and Land

Member Benefits and Services The Women's Council of REALTORS® brings you more powerful member benefits services and education

opportunities then ever before. Make the most of your membership with:

• The Referral Roster - Our annual member directory is your link to thousands of members nationwide who are ready and willing to put qualified referrals in your hands. Your listing in the Roster is free with your membership.

• WCR.org - Women's Council only enhanced online presence offers the business tips, discussion groups and educational webinars that are essential to growing your business. In addition, you can update your free member expertise profile with up to five areas served, areas of special expertise, industry and community involvement and WCR leadership experience.

• Local Chapters - When you become a Women's Council member, you also become a member of your local chapter, which regularly offers business-building opportunities, such as roundtable discussions, featured speakers, and marketing meetings. These timely and topical events complement our national referral network providing face-to-face interaction and discussion with professionals right in the community where you live and work.

• National Meetings and Special Events - Women's Council offers a host of business-building national meetings and special events. Our Mega-Networking Conference, Influential Women Summit, Midyear Meeting, and National Conference provide the opportunity for members from across the U.S. to come together and conduct business, boost their professional knowledge and make contacts from all over the nation.

• The Performance Management Network - This next generation REALTOR® designation brings you real-world skills, the know-how and the tools that will keep your business out front and on top of an evolving market. The PMN suite of professional performance training courses is taught by recognized experts who dig deep into the hot topics that are driving the marketplace and shaping your business.

• e-Connections Newsletter - The official voice of the Women's Council is packed with timely, practical articles on topics like selling and marketing, financial planning, and professional growth, all written by experts in the field.

• Support System - As a WCR member, you'll join 19,000 other talented real estate professionals in your market and around the country who are there to cheer you on, lend an ear when you need one and ask for a little of your wisdom as well.

• Scholarships - Local level scholarships for REALTOR® designation courses.

Highlights from the October Business Resource Luncheon

Athens Chapter Past Presidents L to R: Mandy Seigler (2002), Heather McElroy (2009), Bobbie McKeller (1991), Ann

Gibson (2001), John Morrison (2005-06)

Highlights from the October Business Resource Luncheon

continued

Top Left: Sponsors Judy Adams and Karen Hock with Bank of America Home Loans smile for the camera!! ☺ Top Right: Lanie Lessard and intern also sponsored the October meeting. Thanks for your support. She also joined the chapter this year as a new local affiliate. Middle Right: Lucky Mable Mitchell won the beautiful door prize from Lanie Lessard! Mable is always lucky and has a bright smile to show her excitement! Bottom Left: Past President (2005-06) John Morrison spoke about time management techniques. Bottom Middle: Affiliate Becky Finney shared about the importance of networking and the joy it brings her, both personally and professionally! Bottom Right: Past President Bobbie McKeller shared about business planning tips. She follows her business plan closely and shared some helpful advice from her experience.

Highlights from the December Holiday Party

2010 President Leah Leggett Honored with Plaque, Pin and Gift

2011 Officers Installed by Heather McElroy (2009 LCP)

L to R: Heather McElroy (Installer), Mike Leggett (Treasurer), Pamela Davis (Secretary), Becky Smith (Vice President of Membership), Brenda Thompson (President Elect), and Sandra Russell (President)

2010 Award Winners with President Leah Leggett

L to R: Linda Carol Porterfield (Entrepreneur of the Year), Mike Leggett (Affiliate of the Year), President Leah Leggett, Pamela Davis (Member of the Year), Samantha Williams (Affiliate of the Year)