At our 51st Conference in Ontario, I shared with you my vision and goals for our association as well as my commitment to each of you to “Make A Difference.” I asked each of you to get involved and help make that difference. Many of you have requested a copy of my luncheon speech. Here is an exerpt from my speech:

Yesterday I was asked … Fran what is your platform … what are your goals as President?

My answer … It has been the same since I came to Southern California in 1982, since I first got involved with the Los Angeles Escrow Association, since I agreed to join in with this wonderful State association (CEA), since I made my commitment to serve on this Board … My Platform and Goal is still “To Make a Difference.” As my husband says … That’s it. That’s all!

I am here because I truly believe we can “Make A Difference.”

When Past President Carolyn Marcial indicated the theme for her year was “Paint With the Colors You Are Given,” at installation she said my color was voice. And I love my color.

I want to be a voice for the Escrow Industry. I want to be a voice for the Escrow Officers and Assistants that will be heard, from the desk to the ears of the Legislators.

I want to be a voice that will be representative of this membership, a body of professionals that provide a service that is not just necessary but respected. I want to be a voice for an industry that is recognized for their ethics, professionalism, education, and consumer protection.

As your 2007 President and your peer, I commit to you to do all I can to be a positive voice. To be upright and honest in my dealings and conversation, to encourage and support my board and each of you as members of CEA, to carry out the goals and vision for this association, to represent you the members of CEA with strength, dignity and grace.

We are facing changing times in our industry, and our practices. Uniformity and standardization are being discussed and will be inevitable in many areas of our process. We as an association have participated in and are part of a process for change in the area of Uniform Closing Instructions. For once we have been asked to participate in the process and we are so excited and appreciate the opportunity presented. I thank all of you that gave your comments and ask that we as an Association continue to work together with our Committee Leaders to make the loan closing process more efficient. Your continued participation is needed.

Another change is the way we do business. As we must change our process at the desk level in many ways, we also must make changes as an Association. Many regions are growing and expanding and we are excited about our growth as an Association. Other regions are experiencing challenges and we as an Association want to do all we can to assist you. In 2000/2001 we began looking at ways CEA could better serve our membership in our structure and grow our association.

Change can sometimes be unsettling, but with information, education and togetherness, the changes that we as an Industry are facing as well as those the Association are making can and will make us stronger.

Being an Escrow Officer has offered me a career that I could never have imagined, the demands are great but the rewards are even greater.

If you are new I encourage you to join us. Join in and be a part of a team of professionals that are proud of the service we provide and serious about the industry we belong to.

If you are a member, I ask that you help me “Make A Difference.” You say, How can I help? … I’m glad you asked.

• Make A Difference by educating your clients about the services we provide and the value of that service;
• Make a Difference by educating yourself through our online education classes or Regional meetings and workshops;
• Make a Difference by being informed about the issues and practices impacting our industry;
• Make a Difference by being involved, being a part of the process, part of the solutions, part of the change; and

Finally,

• Make a Difference by supporting the goals of CEA, by being an Ambassador for the Association and telling others about the benefits of being a member of the California Escrow Association.

The Power of One is…. that it only takes one to Make A Difference and totally change the course of things. Let that one be you.

CEA continues to Make A Difference by successfully and effectively representing the Escrow practitioner in Sacramento to the Legislature and governmental agencies; by keeping a watchful eye on proposed regulations and bills and their potential impact on our industry; by keeping our members informed of industry changes and challenges; by educating our membership through on line classes and statewide workshops and seminars; and by setting a standard of excellence in our Professional Designation certifications.

Because of the watchful eye of CEA on pending Legislative/Regulatory matters, we as Escrow Practitioners can rest comfortably knowing we have an Advocate fighting on our behalf. Likewise, the charity I have selected for 2007, Operation Gratitude, is an organization that supports people that provide those very same comforts to all Americans.

Operation Gratitude is a non-profit, all volunteer corporation, that is Making A Difference by providing care packages to thousands of men and women in the armed forces. Their mission states they “seek to lift the troops’ morale and bring a smile to their faces by sending care packages to service members overseas. Operation Gratitude care packages contain food, toiletries, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation, all wrapped with good wishes of love and support.” Regardless of your position on the war, these brave men and women are keeping a watchful eye and fighting so you and I can rest comfortably and live the American Dream. Your support will not be an endorsement of any political position, but will be a strong support of those fighting for us, far away from home.

I am asking the CEA membership to join me in supporting Operation Gratitude with your contribution of money, letters, goods and time. There are two volunteer drives a year where we can help package the boxes, the Patriotic drive in June and Holiday drive in December. More information will be provided to you on how we can help. Please visit www.opgratitude.com to find out more about the organization.

Well … whether it is the market slowdown, or the proposed DOI regulation and the potential impact on our industry; we are faced with change and challenges in 2007.

The California Escrow Association will continue Making A Difference in 2007 ... I hope you will too.