Transformation in Action...

On June 7^th, we will be installing permanent medallions on the 32 homes in the Building a Living Legacy Project in St. Clair Place. A few days ago, I was out in the neighborhood marking the spot on each house where the medallions will be installed. As usual it was a beautiful day. I don’t know why it is, but most of the time I’m in St. Clair Place, the weather is incredible. Blue skies, puffy white clouds, bright green grass, a gentle breeze, you get the picture. Most of our volunteer days last year were blessed with equally fantastic weather. No need to discuss the snowy, icy bus tours in early 2011 or 95 plus degree groundbreaking ceremony last summer – let’s stay positive people. Anyway, the place puts me in a good mood.

I have to say though, the most delightful thing happened when I passed a certain house. On the corner of Eastern and St. Clair is the cutest arts and crafts style home. We’re talking adorable, magazine cover quality material. And what was else on the corner in the yard? One of the last remaining yard signs from the project – one of YOUR signs with the MIBOR centennial logo plastered front and center. I was so proud! 

Then it hit me. That was the exact corner where I went with Cabinet Chair Bill Hacker last year as he taped an interview for WFYI’s series More than a Game. That day with Bill, we had to keep stopping the taping because the construction noise on the house. You’ll have to take my word for it, but that house looked nothing like the beautiful piece of architecture I saw this time. Wow! It’s an amazing home that will bring new beginnings for a family. I could not have been proud or more convinced that this project was just the right fit for REALTORS®.

I hope I’ll see you on the 7^th. The party will be celebration; a toast to all the real estate community has accomplished through Building a Living Legacy. You just have to see it. 

Claire Belby

MIBOR Communications Director

Congratulations from NAR President Moe Viesi

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) President, Moe Viesi, recently sent us a video message to congratulate MIBOR on 100 years of service. Mr. Viesi was unable to make it for the Centennial Celebration in January, but was kind enough to send us his greetings. Beyond saying congratulations, he also recognized the Building a Living Legacy: Centennial Project and the commitment YOU made to lift up a neighborhood and help reverse homelessness in central Indiana.


Here is Moe Viesi's message



The celebration is far from over. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to commemorate our 100 years of service in central Indiana. This is truly a special time. However, we're not just looking back...we're looking forward. And the best is yet to come.


Visit www.mibor100.com today to join the celebration!

Local REALTORS® Award $500 to Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation

As you know, from our post earlier in March, REALTORS® throughout central Indiana volunteered at local service organizations on Leap Day for the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTORS® (MIBOR) Day of Service.

Monika Mueller, Sara Beth Skidmore and Tod Richardson from RE/MAX Metro helped the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF) move their food pantry to a new location. HVAF was also the winner of a $500 cash drawing, organized by MIBOR.

“We were so excited to have this opportunity,” said Mueller. “Since they’re located only a block from our office, it’s nice to be able to make a difference on a hyper-local level. It is additionally rewarding to have the opportunity to present HVAF with a $500 check, to further support the services they provide to veterans in need in our community.”

HVAF is a United Way non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating homelessness for veterans and families through prevention, education, supportive services and advocacy. HVAF provides supportive, structured housing to Indiana veterans with the assistance necessary to ensure successful independent living in the community.

“We are very grateful for the help Monika, Sara and Tod provided in helping us relocate and organize our food pantry,” said Debra Des Vignes, marketing coordinator at HVAF. “We are equally grateful for the donation from MIBOR. Each gift we receive is an investment in helping to eliminate homelessness for veterans and their families.”

It's YOUR turn - share ways that you give back to our community by commenting below! Register for our Volunteer Day on June 8! Get Involved this year, visit www.mibor100.com for opportunities.

REALTORS® Made a Difference on Leap Day

Thank you to our members for volunteering your time, service, donations and blood during our February 29th REALTOR® Day of Service!


We encouraged you to use Leap Day as an opportunity to make a difference, and you showed central Indiana that REALTORS® recognize the importance of giving back to their community. 


Twenty-one units of blood were collected by the Indiana Blood Center at the blood drive held at MIBOR – a significant impact as the Blood Center faces shortages this month. 

Monika Mueller and a group from RE/MAX Metro helped the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation (HVAF) move their food pantry to a new location. HVAF was also the lucky winner of our $500 drawing.


“We were so excited to have this opportunity,” said Mueller. “Since they’re located only a block from our office, it’s nice to be able to make a difference on a hyper-local level.”


Volunteers from Carpenter, REALTORS® helped the Gennesaret Free Clinic stuff, lick, stamp and prepare a mailing of 1,000 invitations to their “Arts for Beds” program, a huge fundraiser for the organization. 

“We shared stories about things we have done besides sell real estate and discussed current events,” said Pat Williams, MIBOR member and past president. “It seems like such a small thing, to offer our morning to help, but it was a great time for all of us and saved the clinic a lot of time.”


Cindy Marcum and Dianna Grindean from Prudential Indiana Realty Group volunteered at Shepard Community, helping in the kitchen and sacking groceries for families.

“They do so much for inner city families, including feeling the children at their center who come for pre-school through 3rd grade, after school care and summer camps each year,” said Grindean. “They are a wonderful organization and we sure enjoyed volunteering there today.”


Additionally, several agents from Keller Williams Indy Metro North devoted time to raising sponsorship dollars for the Del Mi Boy Scout Council of Indianapolis. 


Member, Bill Hacker, and volunteers from RE/MAX Legends Group helped paint rooms and corridors at the Boys and Girls Club of Indianapolis. 


Patty Morton with Prudential Realty volunteered at Second Starts, a not for profit charity whose mission is to help the homeless start over again. 


Affiliate member, Mary Abella, volunteered at Catholic Charities’ Christmas store.  


Member, Sue Cory Bowers donated and volunteered at Sanctuary of Shelbyville (S.O.S), a home for abused and homeless women.


Member, Debbie Hines, donated and volunteered at Covenant Foods Pantry.


Member and past REALTOR® Foundation President, Regina Jones, volunteered at Ben Davis Christian Church, helping with spring cleaning projects.


We know that numerous other REALTORS® and Affiliates volunteered their time, service and donations yesterday. To everyone, we say thank you again for making a difference!

The Power of Collaboration

Earlier this month, I attended the opening of the Chase Legacy Center, the new community center on the campus of Arsenal Technical High School on Indianapolis’ Near Eastside. It’s one of the signature achievements of the Super Bowl festivities. A crowning achievement, really, particularly for the residents and future residents of a neighborhood that has never before been graced with a rec center, YMCA or Boys and Girls Club.

As I stood listening to the Tech drum line bring the place to life and the dignitaries comment, one after another, about the impact the place will have on a neighborhood and its families, I felt pride (and a tear or two) to be there on behalf of REALTORS® and all the affiliated real estate professionals who know a thing or two about neighborhoods and families. It’s true that the Legacy Center is not part of MIBOR’s Centennial Building a Living Legacy project. Building a Living Legacy is about homes and the stability and security that comes from waking up each morning in a place that allows you to know that anything good you want for your life is achievable. The Center is part of the package, however. Just like the Building a Living Legacy homes are part of the package. Each is part of this sense of place; a place that has been energized and ignited because many people and many groups of people cared and then collaborated.

That’s what hit me the most on the day of the Legacy Center opening. REALTORS® have not only understood the need to help others, but the power of collaboration in order to achieve great things for others since the beginning of their organized history 100 years ago. The REALTOR® Foundation has been the leader in that effort for more than 25 of those years, providing structure to the way the real estate community helps others, but is was happening long before that.

Being part of the team that compiled the history for the book and video that celebrate MIBOR’s Centennial allowed me to see in the early copies of the minutes and in so many photos that REALTORS® never really wanted to do it all themselves. They collaborated in those very early years and in all the years since with builders, affiliates, chambers of commerce, government and so many others to create an industry that helps families and neighborhoods. It’s a great model that continues today. The power of collaboration is real and tangible. If you want to see an amazing example, drive through St. Clair Place to see the renovated Legacy homes, new street lamps and sidewalks and stop by the Legacy Center on Tech’s campus. You’ll see it around you. 

Claire Belby
Communications Director, MIBOR

REALTOR® Day of Service 2012

What an amazing time to live in Metropolitan Indianapolis, especially with a Super Bowl, here, in a couple of weeks. It really is an incredible opportunity for our city to shine. It is our time to shine too. We should take this chance to show our community who we really are as well. It is our 100th Birthday after all, we deserve it.

This year we have a super opportunity on February 29th, Leap Day. We all have an extra day in our lives this year. An extra day….and personally, I don’t want to waste it. What should I do?


The answer is easy. REALTORS® have been selling homes in Indianapolis for 100 years, and they have also been serving the community for 100 years. Everyone has a project, cause, organization or group that they are passionate about! So we have decided to designate February 29, 2012 as REALTOR® Day of Service in central Indiana!


This year instead of having a planned event for REALTORS® and Affiliates to work on as a group, the idea was to let people choose their passion, and give back in a way that was meaningful to them. Your office may plan a group event; you might volunteer at your child’s, grandchildren, niece or nephew’s school. You may grab three co-workers and volunteer at a shelter, or soup kitchen. Your MIBOR Division might plan to volunteer at a local food pantry, or local school event. Or, since it’s the last day of the month, and time is precious, you may consider something less time intensive but just as powerful. For example, you can donate blood! MIBOR will host a blood drive at the MIBOR office on the 29th – it’s simple and takes minimal time. You can also donate items to a shelter (click here for a list of REALTOR Foundation grant recipients), the Salvation Army, Goodwill store or your favorite charity. Or take a walk down your street and pick up trash. Every little bit helps!


The more I write about this the more excited I get. Think about it, a day I haven’t had for 3 years and won’t have again for 3 more years. I want to make the most of it, don’t you? Take this opportunity to do something you are passionate about, and make a difference in someone else’s life. 


Lastly, please tell us what you have planned at www.facebook.com/MIBOR , and your charity could win a $500 donation. We want to celebrate your great work in our communities, and thought there was no better way than to give back, in your name, to those in need.


If you need more ideas on how you might participate in the 2012 REALTOR Day of Service visit http://www.mibor100.com/dayofservice.html.