Bank of America has been a Platinum Sponsor of the Southern California Chapter of CRS for a number of years, and we value their support tremendously. In addition to their financial support, BofA provides a number of loan programs for consumers, and SoCalCRS members have an opportunity to work with one of the largest banks around and some of the best loan programs.

Our Bank of America representatives are always available to share information and provide assistance with regard to mortgages, and they attend each of our membership meetings to help members better understand what is going on in the mortgage world. Their discussion at a recent meeting of the Countrywide takeover is just one example.

The banking world has gone through some dramatic changes in recent weeks which will have a major impact on us and our market. The next membership meeting of our Chapter THIS FRIDAY September 26 in Temecula is an opportunity to learn more.

$   $   $   $   $

Mike Hegna (Pacific Southwest Region) and his team will discuss the Merrill Lynch acquisition & Countrywide transition and give us an update on how all of the changes on Wall Street will affect our market conditions.

This meeting is open to all - Chapter Members, non-members, and those who want to know more about becoming a CRS. Come hear DICK BETTS educate us on on "Technology Tools to Update Your Marketing Style."

REGISTER HERE

Today, for those who did not attend, was the 1st quarterly general membership meeting at the Wyndham Hotel in Costa Mesa. It was a great session with our featured speaker, DICK BETTS, SmartPhone Guru extraordinaire! About 60 CRS members were there.

After some general announcements by Emily Link, current President of the SoCalCRS chapter, she introduced Dick (photo, left), who spent several hours teaching us all the stuff you can, and should, do with your SmartPhone (Treo, etc.). It was a terrific session, with too much learning to try to get into it here.

One of the things folks learned was how to set up a business card and then BEAM it to another SmartPhone (see photo, right).

For more information from Dick, check out his website. And he is open to emails from CRS members who have questions or need help. He is a veritable FONT of information. Sorry you missed it.

Lunch was great as well, held outdoors on the patio overlooking the pond. Shown here are several CRS members at my table - (from Left to Right) Donna Sutton (Area VP for Orange County), Gina LaPLaca (2007 President-Elect, NorCal CRS), and Diane Rath (Past President, SoCalCRS, Strategic Committee Planning Committee).

The next meeting will be held in Santa Barbara (what a fabulous place for a long weekend!). Hope to see you there!

Jeff (Area VP - San Diego)

The SoCal CRS 1st general membership meeting will be held on March 30 at the Wyndham Orange County Hotel,located at 3350 Avenue of the Arts in Costa Mesa.

The meeting will run from 8:30 AM until 2:30 PM with lunch provided.

The speaker, DICK BETTS, will discuss how to get the most out of your investment in a PDA or TREO Smartphone.

You will learn:

• To find the easiest way to navigate your way around your phone
• The 6 different ways to input data
• How to manage your contacts

and much more. It should be a great session with lots of learning, and a terrific way to network.

If you are NOT yet a SoCAL CRS member, come visit and learn more about our CRS Chapter of the Year for 2006.

If you are not a CRS, we'd loved to have you so you can learn more about the designation, meet some of the great members, and find out more on the benefits of being a CRS and a SoCal CRS member.

I will be happy to email OR fax you a registration form, OR you can contact KARI CASARIETTI in the SoCal CRS Office at 888-277-0818.