Here are some photos from the Southern California CRS Q1 2009 meeting held yesterday in La Quinta at the Mountain View Country Club. Many thanks to Mike Duncan for arranging this meeting space.

More information coming soon on the learnings and the happenings from our meeting. Sorry we missed you!

Our Q3 meeting  was held at the beautiful Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula's wine country.

Many thanks to VICKI PUTERBAUGH for all the arrangements in the winery's new conference center.

A smaller group of folks gathered at the Pechanga Casino to attend Night at the Improv with 3 comedians. It was a fun night of laughs. A bit over the top at times, IMO.

• DEBORAH KNISS led an outstanding meeting, jam packed with information including updates about the two new REO classes we are co-sponsoring with Silver Lining Workshops. Don't miss this opportunity to attend these two classes being offered in October in San Dimas on the 3rd and the 24th to become more knowledgeable and proficient at REO listings.

• MICHAEL HEGNA from Bank of America shared his perspective on what has happened in the banking world and what lies ahead. Knowing that wholesale loans are more than 1.5 X as likely to go into default as retail means an increased focus on direct lenders going forward. There will be more programs for first time buyers from BOA, as well as a continued emphasis on getting buyers into homes and helping them keep them

• The 2009 slate of officers was announced - Deborah Kniss (President), Marlene Bridges (President-Elect), Debbie Browne (Treasurer) and Rich Lombari (Secretary).

• We heard from RON CANNING, our Regional Vice President, and a number of attendees had the opportunity to meet him personally and chat a bit. We appreciate that he took the time to come all the way out here from Ohio to attend our meeting and show support for all that our Chapter is doing.

• We heard from our Sponsors - Bank of America, Old Republic Home Protection, and Hallmark Escrow/Coast Cities Escrow

• DICK BETTS challenged many to further embrace technology in their marketing going forward. With the increasing number of buyers and sellers who are using technology, we need to be there in order to be successful and to run our businesses more effectively. Blogging, websites, and text messaging are just a few of the things we need to be using.

• We held our ANNUAL FUND RAISING auctions for HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, with the 50/50 raffle, a SILENT AUCTION of 6 prizes, and a LIVE AUCTION of 3 prizes, hosted by Ken Nordstrom, an auctioneer. The final count of monies raised is not complete, but we know the auctions and additional cash donations left nailed to THE STUD thus far TOTAL $2136.00 (Folks who attended The Improv donated $5 for the cover charge so I'm waiting for the final tally). THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR GENEROSITY

VIDEOS:

Our Newest CRS for the quarter was announced - Bruce Campbell. See his video interview here.

I did a video with Rich Lombari (our Communications Chair) as moderator with Debbie Hake, our Q2 Spotlight Member - see her video here.

And the Q3 Spotlight Member, GARY ERICSON, was announced - see his video here.

VIRTUAL TOUR OF OUR MEETING:

For those of you who could not attend, here are some photo highlights of the meeting. ENJOY!