The 2015 ACAR Annual Report covers activity from "The Voice of Real Estate in Northeast Ohio" - including association highlights, member stories, real estate awards and financial summaries.

1. A N N U A L R E P O R T
The Voice of Real Estate in Northeast Ohio
2 0 1 5

2. 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report | 3
ACAR 2015 “Snapshot”
VISION
MISSION
We are the voice of real estate, dedicated
to the excellence and advancement of real
estate professionals.
Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
empowers its members to be professional,
ethical and successful by providing
exceptional services and protecting real
property rights for all.
Long-Term Strategic Action Plan
CORE VALUES
CORE SERVICE
AREAS
The public recognizes and
values the professional
services provided by
REALTORS®
Members conduct their
business in an ethical and
professional manner
Public policy/regulations are
favorable to the real estate
industry
Members are informed and
knowledgeable about real
estate issues and trends
Members have a sense of
purpose, cooperation and
support
Members find value in the
association
CORE GOALS
Efficiency
Effectiveness
Leadership
Innovation
Transparency

3. Tony DeLuke
Anthony CreaJohn Chlebina
Robert Colvin
Robert Gallmann
Judy Gorbett Darwal
June Harvey
Sandy LoCascio
Karen O’Donnell
Barbara Reynolds
Denise Scolaro Al Stasek Joanne Zettl
4 | 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report | 5
It’s hard to believe that it’s been two years since AABOR and CABOR merged to form ACAR. During
that time, we have seen a great deal of change – from crafting a comprehensive strategic action plan,
developed with insights across the organization, to negotiating and signing a lease for a new office space
in Broadview Heights to consolidate the Akron and Independence offices.
Uniting two associations with different cultures and characteristics can be challenging. We knew that from
the research and discussions done while examining the opportunity. Many associations wouldn’t take on
the risk, but the shared objectives and aspirations of the two organizations were so aligned and forward-
thinking that merging seemed inevitable.
We knew accepting change would be the central element of ACAR’s success. That success focuses on
harnessing the collective intelligence, experience and dedication of a stellar board of directors, committee
members, volunteers and staff members to ensure the betterment of the association and its members.
To be the established, trusted “Voice of Real Estate in Northeast Ohio” we must remain vigilant in following
our core goals and values, driving our three core service areas, which are:
1. Advocacy
2. Professional Standards and Development
3. Consumer and Community Outreach
We are optimistic and excited to draw on the
momentum and enthusiasm that has been
generated by the merger as we forge a bright and
successful future. We thank our board of directors,
committees, task forces, staff members and more
than 5,000 members throughout Northeast Ohio for
the continued support and passion you bring to this
profession every day!
All of us at ACAR look forward to empowering you
as professional, ethical and successful members
of the real estate industry by providing you with
exceptional services and protecting real property
rights for all.
Sally Johnson
President
Jim Fox
Treasurer
Stephen Merkle
President-Elect
Seth Task
Immediate Past President
Sandy Naragon
CEO, ACAR
Dear ACAR Members,
Partners, Friends,
2015 Officers and Board of Directors
Officers
Board of Directors

4. *Data approximated based on 2014 data analysis
6 | 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report | 7
• The Stategic Planning Committee crafted a 2015
Strategic Action Plan that gained approval from the
Board of Directors and immediately went into effect,
including the development of new mission and vision
statements and core service areas
• A Consumer Outreach Campaign was launched to
shift public perception and educate consumers on
the value a REALTOR®
brings to the transaction
and that working with a REALTOR®
is a financially
responsible decision
• The Real Estate Community Cares Fund made
$5,500 worth of donations to Neighborhood
Housing Services of Greater Cleveland (NHS),
ReBuilding Together Northeast Ohio and East Akron
Neighborhood Development Corporation (EANDC)
– furthering ACARS’ support of local charities
actively involved in the communities of Summit and
Cuyahoga Counties
• ACAR members John Lynch, Linda Tippel and Karen
O’Donnell were inducted into the RPAC Hall of Fame
for their significant contributions to RPAC. 2015 NAR
President Chris Polychron and RPAC Leadership
inducted them into the Hall of Fame on May 12 in
Washington, D.C. John also received the Vincent T.
Aveni “Lifetime Achievement Award” from OAR
• Staff and members committed to volunteering
in their communities by helping many worthy
organizations, including: the Akron-Canton Regional
Foodbank, Cleveland Food Bank, ReBuilding
Together Project in Slavic Village and several others
• ACAR was presented with OAR’s 2015 Certificate
of Merit Award on Sept. 22 for its participation in a
community service or housing needs program
• ACAR signed a lease for a new, consolidated
office space at 9100 South Hills Blvd., Suite 150, in
Broadview Heights directly off of I-77 and Route 82
2015 was another year of positive change and growth for ACAR. There were many
significant accomplishments and successes achieved. The following is a glimpse
of those successes...
At a Glance
5,292REALTOR®
Members
281 Affiliates
12.5%increase
in membership*
612new members
OAR Certificate
of Merit Award
received for work in
community service or
housing needs program
#
Received a
NAR Commercial
Innovation Grant
Professional Standards & Development
Advocacy
• Grievance Committee received 14 Ethics Complaints and nine
Arbitration Requests. Several Ethics Complaints received late
in 2014 were completed early 2015
• Professional Standards Committee successfully mediated
several disputes
• Twenty continuing education classes were held. In December,
two CRS elective classes were held with maximum attendance
• Commercial Council held its annual What’s Driving Northeast
Ohio event with nearly 200 people in attendance
• $24,534.88 – Programs or funds applied for and received from
NAR’s Realtor®
Party
• 1,586 – Number of times Northeast Ohio Legislators were
contacted by ACAR
• $117,293.20 – Total Dollars Raised for the REALTORS®
Political Action Committee (RPAC)
• $44,000 – Contributed to local candidates, issue campaigns,
and county parties
330 new
page Likes
A 33.5%
increase!
Social Media Movement
7,199 new
visitors
A 15.5%
increase!
593 new
followers
A 16%
increase!
1,309 Likes
4,255 Followers 53,642 Visitors in 2015
127 new
members
A 7%
increase!
1,909 Members
New office in
Broadview Heights
Consumer & Community Outreach
• Raised nearly $9,000 for the Real Estate Community Cares Fund
• Consumer outreach campaign generated more than 2 million
regional impressions, helping drive more than 7,000 visits to the
ACAR website landing page in 2015!
ACAR Successes
Facebook and Pandora Radio Ad Examples

5. 8 | 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report | 9
Jim O’Neil, 32, was selected 2015 ACAR’s Tomorrow’s
Leader Today. Candidates are selected by local
association and are chosen through the level
of interest they have in serving the association
and demonstrated leadership potential. Jim was
chosen because of his active participation in the
YPN Committee and desire to promote ACAR. As
recipient he is granted access to attend the state
OAR convention and invited to a special breakfast
with OAR officers.
“Many of ACAR’s past recipients have gone on to
become ACAR leaders, including Directors,” mentioned
Sandy Naragon, ACAR CEO. “Jim most certainly has
the drive and passion to do the same, and we would
be excited to see that become a reality!”
How long have you been practicing real estate,
and what made you decide to be an agent?
I was licensed in May 2013 and I started right
away. I became an agent because I was looking for
something new in my life. I’d been in my previous
career for seven years. I wanted to find something
where I wasn’t trading hours for dollars. Real estate
provides the flexibility and allows me a certain level
of control to determine how much I can make and
the hours I work. If you stay within the parameters
of agency law and industry regulations, you have
great freedom within your own agency and can
shape your career in so many amazing ways. I get to
put my own flavor and personality on how I present
myself… doing what comes natural to me.
Meeting new people, building lasting relationships
and getting to work with my clients to help them
solve the process of home buying has been such a
fantastic experience. My goal in this business is to
advise and help my clients in the best way possible,
and hopefully when they’re done working with me
they say “wow that was easy” and “I would want to
work with him in the future.” At a minimum I want
them to say “I’m glad I used a REALTOR®
!”
What made you decide to get involved with
ACAR, particularly the Young Professionals
Network?
My broker sent me an email one day saying that he
thought it would be a great idea, and beneficial for
me, to be a part of ACAR and have a presence on
the YPN. He also mentioned that I would be a good
fit. In January 2014 I joined ACAR and the YPN. It
became an obligation… an obligation that I wanted
to actively be a part of and support. I was welcomed by the
other members, and that drove me to become continually
involved and protect the industry that I love. I truly don’t think
my career would be where it is today if I wasn’t involved, and
I look forward to giving back even more moving forward!
Has being a volunteer changed the way you practice
real estate?
The mentorship I have received from the YPN has been
fantastic! Many of the professionals in the YPN have been in
the industry 10-plus years and the experiences they’ve had
are next to none. I met a mentor that’s from a different market
who advised me on how to be more effective with buyers. Over
the past year-and-a-half I can tell more than ever now that
the buyer sees me as a consummate professional and that
I take this process seriously. I want the buyer to understand
and appreciate that effort and care! Also the peer and mentor
relationships have made me more effective, confident and
help me sell more! The great thing about having ACAR is the
geographical area. It’s a great source of referrals where we
can share information without feeling like we’re stepping on
each other’s feet. ACAR encompasses a very large area. If
someone from Akron gets transferred to Cleveland and asks
me about the Cleveland market, I can refer that client to a
colleague from ACAR who knows that area better and visa
versa.
Why do you feel being a part of a member organization
like ACAR is important, especially to young professionals?
The value of ACAR is the learning and knowledge you get from
different industry perspectives. It’s about making friends in the
field that you can trust. Local, state and national boards like
ACAR, OAR and NAR are only briefly discussed in pre-licensing
classes. This network of people that support the industry with
solid leadership are top-notch. Younger pros in the industry
may not have a lot in common with many peers, or be in their
demographic, but being with agents of the same age group that
are early in their careers is extremely inspiring! The support
they provide is incredible!
What does it mean to you to be named ACAR’s 2015
Tomorrow’s Leader Today?
I was totally shocked, excited and flattered to hear I was getting
this award. It reinforced all of the involvement and hard work
of volunteering on the YPN and throughout ACAR. It makes
me want to do more and be an even better leader, where I
am more visible, respected and trusted.
Any other comments about your experiences with ACAR
or 2015 ACAR’s Tomorrow’s Leader Today award?
There are many agents out there that are unaware of ACAR,
the major impact staff has, and that ACAR truly has the
industry’s best intentions in mind, as well as the credibility to
back it. Giving your time, even just 30 minutes a month, can
be a fantastic way to give back rather than money – especially
for a younger professional. I encourage anyone in real estate
to become a member and to give back!
ACAR, Young Professionals Network (YPN) member shares what drives
him to be tomorrow’s leader today
PhotocourtesyofJimO’Neil
Up Close
with Jim
O’Neil
“The value of ACAR is the
learning and knowledge you get
from different perspectives... It’s
about making friends in the field
that you can trust.”

6. Left: Sally Johnson; Right: Mike Bankowski
REALTOR®
John Lynch of Cleveland was honored as the 2015
recipient of the Ohio Association of REALTORS®
’ Vincent T. Aveni
Lifetime Achievement Award.
The presentation of the award was made at the Association’s Board
of Directors meeting during the OAR 105th Annual Convention, Sept.
20-22, in Columbus. Lynch is associated with Keller Williams Realty
Greater Cleveland West.
Lynch, who served as CABOR (now ACAR) President in 1993 and
OAR President in 1999, remains actively involved in both organization,
serving as a member and chair of numerous OAR and Local Board
committees. During the recently concluded OAR Annual Convention
the organization’s Board of Directors elected Lynch to serve as the
2018 Region #6 Vice President, representing Ohio and Michigan, for
the National Association of REALTORS®
.
John Lynch accepts the Ohio Association of
REALTORS®
’ prestigious Vincent T. Aveni Lifetime
Achievement Award from Meg Casper, chair of the
Past Presidents Advisory Committee, during the
OAR Annual Convention & Expo.
The award recognizes OAR past presidents that provide
exemplary service to the organization. Aveni served as
president of the Association in 1980 and the award was
created in his memory following his passing in 2006.
ACAR
Award Recipients
The Vincent T.
Aveni Lifetime
Achievement
Award
10 | 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report | 11
The 2015 REALTOR®
of the Year recipient, one of the
highest honors bestowed upon a REALTOR®
member,
was Joanne Zettl. Her dedication to the REALTOR®
community, through advocating for REALTOR®
rights,
volunteering on numerous committees, on the ACAR
Board of Directors, attending state and national
conferences and serving her community in a myriad
of ways, showcases why she was named this year’s
REALTOR®
of the Year.
REALTOR®
of the Year
Left: Sally Johnson; Right: Joanne Zettl
Mike Bankowski from NLC Loans was the recipient of
the Affiliate of the Year award for his tireless work and
stewardship in the community – through his volunteerism
for ACAR, involvement in the Boys & Girls Clubs of
Cleveland, the Pancreatic Cancer Walk, Habitat for
Humanity and organizer of an Edgewater Beach Cleanup
for Earth Day, among his many other contributions.
Affiliate of
the Year
ACAR awards were given out at the 2015 Expo luncheon event

7. Jennie Chiccola has been known as “the closer” of
Northeast Ohio real estate for 55 years – starting
her career in 1965.
She was born in Cleveland in 1915 to Russian
immigrants Ben and Sarah Weiser. She is the
oldest of three sisters, and was raised on a farm
in Geneva, Ohio. She graduated from Cork High
School in 1934 and then attended The Ohio
State University for one year.
She earned her real estate license and quickly
thereafter became a broker and started her own
company – making her one of the first women
to achieve this feat, while becoming a pioneer in
the industry.
At a recent OAR event, Chiccola received a
Resolution honoring her 100th
birthday and
longevity as a REALTOR®
.
Congratulations to Jennie and all she has done
for the industry in her long, successful career!
12 | 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report | 13
Lolita Adair breaks down the walls of race inequality in business and real estate
for more than 50 years... her story continues.
Lolita Adair is the broker of Lolita Adair Realty
Company in Akron. She became a real estate agent
in 1963 and a broker in 1979 – during a time of strong
race inequality and gender bias. Adair overcame the
many social and racial issues that were barriers to
entering the real estate field. To become a broker,
especially in Akron, during this time was a milestone
for the city and for women across the region. Akron
also had very few African American brokers, none of
whom were women.
One of the many reasons
Adair decided to become
a broker – beyond
overcoming the racial
and gender barriers –
was largely in part due
to the collective tragedy
African-Americans faced
while trying to find a home in the Akron area. The vast
majority of those living in Akron were unable to obtain
loans solely because they lived in African-American
neighborhoods that were redlined by banks.
When the foreclosure crisis occurred, Marco
Sommerville, then Akron City-Council President asked
her to head the city’s predatory lending task force.
Adair was regarded as an expert in predatory lending
and foreclosure issues, and as a result, featured in the
New Yorker magazine in 2008. The New Yorker article
focused on Addie Polk, an Akron woman who shot
herself as sheriff’s deputies were coming to evict her
from her home. The article described a journey she and
the reporter took in her car through the neglected parts
of Akron, the emotion and passion she felt for those in
need and her efforts to help people who faced predatory
lending practices and the potential loss of their homes.
She’s also been featured on
Good Morning America for her
work in housing.
She provided many years of
invaluable service on the Board
of Fair Housing Contact Service,
having served as President of
the Board.
Currently, Adair serves in the capacity of Vice President
for the Akron Public Library Board of Trustees and
continues to be very active in the community. Adair
remains a strong advocate of fair housing and embodies
the Spirit of Fair Housing.
Note: Some contents of this feature story were cited and re-written from
copy within the New Yorker Magazine article (Boyer, 2008)
PhotocourtesyofChristyRamsey
Right: Jennie Chiccola
Photos courtesy of Jennie Chiccola
A lifetime of experience has taught Jennie Chiccola
and thing-or-two about the real estate business
Diversity in motion
Time
has no
boundaries
“This was someone who had her
home paid off... encouraged to
mortgage her home, time after time,
without sound lending practices...
makes it a predatory loan..”

8. 14 | 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report | 15
REVENUE Total EXPENSES Total
Dues Member Services
REALTOR®
$957,800 Events $66,000
Affiliate $38,700 Legislative & RPAC $70,000
Application Fees $17,000 Professional Development $11,440
CRIS Application Fees $26,500 YPN $30,000
Member Services Commercial $6,000
Events $61,000 Community & Charity $3,700
Legislative & RPAC $54,200 Consumer Outreach $49,000
Professional Development $10,400 Personnel $627,000
YPN $30,000 Contracted Services $162,000
Commercial $5,700 Facilities $200,000
Community & Charity $3,700 Travel
Other OAR & NAR Conferences $58,000
Lockbox $13,000 OAR Director Stipends $24,000
REALTOR®
Store $17,000 Mileage $5,000
MLS & Other $65,000 Other $92,860
TOTAL $1,300,000 TOTAL $1,405,000
$1,040,000,
80%
$165,000,
13%
$65,000,
5%
$30,000,
2%
Dues Member
Services MLS
&
Other
Income REALTOR
Essentials
Store
ACAR Expenses - $1.405 Million (Fig. B)ACAR Income - $1.3 Million (Fig. A)
ACAR Balance Sheet
Assets - $2.3 Million* (Fig. C)
ACAR Balance Sheet
Liabilities - $2.3 Million*(Fig. D)
*ACAR operates on a zero-based budget. Expenses over income are offset using sponsorships and retained earnings.
** Based on December 2015 (estimated) financials
ACAR’s annual budget is $1.3 million. Income is derived mostly from REALTOR®
and affiliate dues and totaled just over
$1 million in 2015. Other revenue comes from REALTOR®
Essentials Store sales and administrative services performed
for the CRIS MLS. Revenue earned from ACAR’s events, programs and classes offset the cost to offer them and most
are budgeted with a break-even budget. Income from Supra (sales of boxes only, not keys) subsidizes a portion of the
staff time needed to administer the system.
Expenses to offer ACAR events, programs and seminars are paid for via admission fees, sponsorships and subsidies
funded through dues dollars. For a breakdown of ACAR’s member services, see Table 1.
Personnel costs include salaries, taxes and benefits for ACAR’s nine full-time employees. Contracted services include legal
and accounting fees, voice and data costs, software to manage the membership database and equipment agreements.
ACAR operated two offices in 2015 – one in Independence and one in Akron. Total building operating expenses were
slightly over $200,000. Combining the office staff into one central location will result in significant savings for the
association over time.
Having representation at the Ohio and National Associations of REALTORS®
conferences is critical to building and
maintaining ACAR’s position as a leading real estate organization. Investing in a travel budget allows executive staff and
volunteer officers to attend these important governance meetings.
Figures A and B show the overall distribution of income and expense.
ACAR’s balance sheet reflects a strong financial position. Current assets, which include cash, investments, prepaid
expenses and inventory, total $1.8 million. Other Assets include ownership in CRIS MLS and NORMLS. Property &
Equipment totals slightly over $200,000. NAR Best practices advise no less than six months’ worth of reserves. ACAR’s
reserves are currently at 15.3 months. Figures C and D reflect ACAR’s balance sheet.
ACAR 2015 Finances at a Glance (Table 1)**
$162,000,
11%
$200,000,
14%
$236,140,
17%
$92,860,
7%
$627,000,
45%
$87,000,
6%
Contracted
Services Facilities Member
Services Other Personnel Travel
$250,000
,
11%
$2,070,000
,
89%
Current
Liabilities Retained
Earnings
$300,000
,
13% $28,000
,
1%
$280,000
,
12%
$1,500,000
,
65%
$213,000
,
9%
Cash Inventory
&
Prepaids MLS
Investments Investments Property
&
Equipment
Treasurer’s Report

9. Sandy Naragon, RCE
Chief Executive Officer
Mike Valerino, RCE
Chief Operating Officer
Therese Covell
Professional Standards
& Development Director
Ralph J. Davila, APR
Communications Director
Beth Klaes
Controller
Jamie McMillen
Government Affairs
Director
Diane Plescia
Receptionist
Jane Shubert
Member Services
Administrator
Sherry Waples
Executive Director
Membership Services
16 | 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report 2015 Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS®
Annual Report | 17
Received an OAR Certificate
of Merit Award for work
in community service or
housing needs program
Giving back to
the community
ACAR Staff

10. 9100 South Hills Blvd., Suite 150
Broadview Heights, OH 44147
Tel: 216-901-0130
www.akronclevelandrealtors.com