On March 29th, 2014, I will be standing for election as Director-at-Large of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) Board of Directors. Below is some information about my past experience and the reasons why I am choosing to run. If you have any questions that are not answered below, please feel free to email me or call me anytime or write a comment. I hope that you will support me.
Yours Sincerely,
Richard
ABOUT RICHARD SILVER
Licensed in 1980 I have spent more than an eight-year period doing association work. I chaired and/or sat on committees at the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB): Executive (5 times), Finance (twice), Leadership,Condominium, External Communications, MLS (3 times), Arbitration and Professional Standards Steering Committee (once), MLS Framing/VOWs/IDX (twice) and Communications (twice).
I also served as a Director, President-Elect, President and Past-President of the Toronto Real Estate Board.
Three Past Presents of TREB: Cynthia Lai, Tom Lebour and Richard Silver
I am originally from Edmonton, Alberta. I have studied and worked in Quebec City and Montreal, where I learned French, and I now reside in Toronto. I have experienced personal transactions in Real Estate in three provinces and have given and sent referrals to almost all provinces. It has helped me to be aware of the many differences that exist across Canada, in both customs and expectations.
Organisers of REBarCampTO
I have also sat on Task Forces and Advisory Councils in other organizations: REBAC Advisory Council and Global Alliances Committee at the National Association of REALTORS®, Electronic Signatures Task Force at the Ontario Real Estate Association, Branding Task Forces at CREA and OREA and Marketing Task forces at CREA. I have had two terms as a member of the MLS and Technology Council (MTC) at CREA. For the past four years I have been part of a group who have organized and hosted REBarCampTO in Toronto, Canada and helped organize the REbarCampBWC at the Banff Western Connection 2013. In 2013, I was honoured to have been named one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Real Estate by Inman News.
Banff Wester Connection 2011
WHY I WANT TO BE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE CREA
I feel that Real Estate Associations must first and foremost have the members' best interest at heart. We are going to go through great changes in the next few years and I can give a common sense, street REALTOR® perspective to the changes.
I have always been the one who enjoys the challenge of change, embraces it and tries to find ways to make it work for our members' benefit.
I feel that there are great advantages to our members who educate and open themselves to working with new Canadians and foreign investors and we need to sensitize our organizations to be more inclusive and diverse.
I am proud to represent Canada Internationally as a member of FIABCI, AREAA, and International National Association of REALTORS®.
There will be more challenges from the Competition Bureau and I feel that the experience I gained while being on the Board at TREB, would be helpful.
International Panel at Inman Connect 2013 3
I have fought long and hard for Bill 28, an amendment to the Ontario Electronic Commerce Act over the past eight years and I know that as we try to make "paperless" our goal across the country there will be some bullets to dodge and changes to become accustomed to.
Finally, I believe strongly in REALTOR.ca as a not-for-profit tool for our members and believe that the Data Distribution Facility is a great service that puts us far ahead as a model of the true spirit and benefits of MLS around the world.
Title photo by: Oliver Mallich