BOARDROOM REPORT: March 17, 2021

Boardroom Report
Boards of Directors
Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, Inc.
March 17, 2021 via Zoom

HGAR Management, Financial & Membership Reports

President Crystal Hawkins-Syska presented the President’s Report, bringing the Directors attention to a press release regarding findings of an undercover investigation relating to housing discrimination and the filing of a lawsuit that occurred on March 15th. She pointed out that the lawsuit alleges that the defendants discriminated against tenants based on Section 8 vouchers. President Hawkins-Syska reiterated her commitment to promoting Fair Housing training.

CEO Richard Haggerty presented the CEO’s Report. CEO Haggerty mentioned that since there has been an increase in the COVID-19 infection rate, the reopening plans for the HGAR offices would be delayed.

HGAR Treasurer Bauman presented the Treasurer’s Report for February, which was approved for filing by the Directors.

President Hawkins-Syska then requested confirmation by the Directors of members of the Nominating Committee; Gail Fattizzi, Chair, Marcene Hedayati, Leah Caro, Sandra Erickson, J.P. Endres, Rey Hollingsworth Falu and Joseph Houlihan, and after discussion the Directors approved the proposed members of the 2021 HGAR Nominating Committee.

CEO Haggerty then reported on the HGAR Dues Receipts Report.

Director and Chair of the Policies and Procedures Task Force Ron Garafalo, and Treasurer and Member of the Policies and Procedures Task Force Carmen Bauman reported on and presented the new HGAR Policies and Procedures Manual prepared by the Policies and Procedures Task Force. Treasurer Bauman reminded the Directors that all of the Appendices to the Policies and Procedures were emailed to the Directors several days prior to the meeting.

After the review of the Policies and Procedures was completed there was discussion amongst the Directors. It was recommended that a more detailed procedure be included in the Policies and Procedures relating to the filing of a complaint against a Director or Officer in the event of a violation of the Policies and Procedures. President Hawkins-Syska indicated that she would request that the Task Force develop additional language for inclusion in the manual relating to same. It was noted that the Policies and Procedures could be approved as drafted and that any additional changes, including the aforementioned change, could be made at a later date by a majority vote of the Directors. After discussion the Directors approved the HGAR Policies and Procedures as presented.

Director and RPAC Co-chair Carol Christiansen provided an RPAC report.

President Hawkins-Syska pointed out to the Directors that reports of the various Committees and Councils (i.e., HGAR Professional Standards Committee, HGAR Fair Housing Committee, HGAR Legislative Committee, and HGAR RPAC Committee) and a report from the COO Ann Garti relating to the Accelerator Program had been provided to them via e-mail and had also been included in their Directors’ packets.

President Hawkins-Syska indicated that the training sessions scheduled with David Severance would follow the close of the business portion of the meeting.