We observed a moment of silence for the passing of:
Rtn. Patricia Heiden’s Mother, Edna “Eileen” Heiden, member of Denison Rotary Club, 12/4
Rtn. John Montgomery’s wife, Shirley, 12/6
and the passing of Dr. G. Edgar Folk, 12/10
Our first Meeting of the year was called to order by President Mike.
Goat Rider: Rtn. Ben Snyder
Announcements from the following Rotarians were made:
- Rtn. Rtn. Christina Kimerle presented the Club with an opportunity to help host participants within the Distinguished Young Women Organization. Host families are needed February 12-16th. Interested hosts should contact Christina or LaShonda Kennedy.
- Rtn. Barb Thomas provided members of our Club with 2018 pocket calendars, compliments of the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business.
PROGRAM:
Rtn. Carlton Jackson, CEO of Iowa City Area Association of Realtors introduced Mark Kamps, President of Iowa Association of Realtors. Mark Kamps is originally from Dubuque, IA and has lived in Iowa City since 1976. He started out with a career in radio then earned his real estate license in 1984.
He is currently serving as President for the Iowa Association of Realtors (IAR), served as president of the Iowa City Area Association of Realtors (ICAAR) in 2013 and 1995, and has received many awards from ICAAR for his leadership in the community. He has also earned membership in the Coldwell Banker International President's Elite or President's Circle each year since 2000 (awarded to only 6% of sales associates). Mark was named Realtor of the Year for ICAAR in 2016 and 1995.
Mark also serves as the public-address announcer for the University of Iowa Men’s Hawkeye basketball team. He has served in this role for the past 19 years.
Mark acknowledged Rtn. Carlton Jackson with his sincere appreciation to be working with Carlton and his excellent skill sets here in Iowa City, who was recently working for the National Association of Realtors, in Washington DC.
Mark serves and represents 17 boards and associations within the state of Iowa. Mark shared Multiple Listing Services’ residential sales statistics, comparing average home prices, days on market and numbers of homes sold, comparing 2015 statistics to 2016. Overall, the average price of a home has increased, days on market has decreased and the available inventory has decreased. This has favored sellers. For the most accurate look at 2017 statistics, please visit the “News” tab of iowarealtors.com after January 12, 2018. Mark also described the work that Realtors provide to home owners is within legislation. He works with local and state senators and congressmen to communicate needs and local priorities. Mark walked us through the changes made to the Federal Tax Bill and how the changes impact local home and property owners.
Mark shared a few anecdotes from his experiences as the PA announcer at UI Hawkeye Men’s basketball games. He finished with a reminder to check out tonight’s game IA vs Ohio State and “Go Hawks”!
