By the time that you are reading this, I will have been president of NAMB—The Association of Mortgage Professionals for a year. A lot has happened in with NAMB over the last 12 months, and I am happy to say that we are in so much better shape today than back in November 2011. The Board of Directors and all of the Committee Chairs have really helped in getting us back on track and providing support to all of the mortgage professionals both members and non-members.
As we look to the NAMB National Conference, we are starting to pull all of the final arrangements together and the conference is already a big success. I cannot wait to see it all in line and the actual conference taking place and everyone walking around, talking about how great they think the event is. At this time, we have more than 1,200 registered for the event. My thanks goes to John Stevens and his NAMB National Committee, and Vince Valvo, executive director, for the outstanding job that they have done to make this conference very successful. As this is our last year at the MGM Grand, we will need your input as to where next year’s NAMB National should be held. If you have an opinion, e-mail me at
[email protected] or John Stevens at
[email protected] and let us know. We are starting to work on 2013's event immediately following the conclusion of this year's event.
We have seen an increase in membership over the last 90 days from all of our state affiliates. Now is the time to start thinking about 2013 memberships if you are about to expire this year. If you are a member, I need you to go to all of your friends and loan originators in your office and get them to join. When you stop to think about what you get for the price of membership, how can you not join and help out. We use this membership money to work for you directly with the people in Washington, D.C. who control our destiny. We have, over the past 12 months, developed a great rapport with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the House Financial Services Committee, the VA, FHA and Congressmen and Senators all trying to work together to make a difference.
This Delegate Council at the NAMB National Conference is one of the most important events of the year. We will elect those delegates who will oversee nominations, awards and the by-laws of the association. Only those who have been past delegates, past state board members, and current delegates are eligible for these positions on these committees. So, make sure you and your state Boards are coming to NAMB National so we can get these committees filled and start to complete their jobs.
I need to take a minute and let all of you know that one of the main objectives that I wanted to accomplish was to re-establish our NAMB for profit entity. NAMB PLUS was established in June to help with membership benefits and help NAMB. We already had some companies involved, including Liberty Mutual, Majestic Security, SPRINT, Lowes, and now, The Bond Exchange. Don Fader is the president of the NAMB Plus board and has done an excellent job with his group of people. A special thank you to George Burkley from Indiana, Kelly Hamilton from Colorado, Nathan Pierce from Utah, and Joel Berman from New York for all of their time and dedication to this program. These members, along with John Councilman and Jim Pair complete this board and they are looking aggressively for more companies that NAMB can benefit from and the members also. As I write this article, a special GET WELL to Don Fader who has under gone a medical procedure that will keep him down for about six to eight weeks. Don … please get well soon! If you have any ideas, please e-mail Don at
[email protected] or any NAMB Plus board member with your suggestions. We want to make our benefits better for all members, whether you are a Platinum or Silver Member.
I have had a few inquiries from the states about our two categories of membership. Just so you know, everyone can become a Platinum Member or Silver Member, as long as you are one of the following people in the NMLS system:
These are open to any individual in the residential mortgage field dealing directly or indirectly with consumers, licensed as, registered as or exempt from licensing by their state.
As far as I know, that includes everyone from account executives for lenders to processors, appraisers, title company employees, loan originators, owners, and everyone in between. There should be no reason for anyone not to be able to join. That is why we are “The Association of Mortgage Professionals.”
Ask your friends, your appraisers, your title companies and especially your co-workers about joining. It is the best way to show people that you care about your career and your profession. Log on to www.joinnamb.org and become a member today!
As we look to the New Year, I would like to take this time to wish all of you a Happy Holidays. I know that this is the time of year when we get together and share time with friends and relatives. This is also the time that we reflect on what the past year has brought and we look to renew our vigor and expectations for the coming year. By now, we all know what the election has brought us and what direction that the country is starting to move towards. I know that no matter who won the election, it is still a choice and challenge for all people to work together to make our profession one that is respected and again adorned by all customers. It is the time to get involved and make a difference. We are a society of people motivated by what we do and how we are looked upon.
Many changes will be coming our way over the next few months and we must be prepared to work as a team and together to make all of the planets line up and be in sync. So, make sure you become active and don’t sit on the sidelines. Be a positive influence for all of your friends and co-workers and remember, we are all in the mortgage family of life. Do your part!
Years ago, I was having a conversation with my father, who was really involved with his trade association. He was president of the Ohio Pharmaceutical Association. I was talking about all of the time he spent helping and fighting for things for the association and he left me with this comment: “Those who can, do! Those who can do more … volunteer!”
So, if you find yourself with 10 free minutes, give one of our Committee Chairs a call and volunteer. It will be the best thing for your industry and it will give you a little more purpose.
Donald J. Frommeyer, CRMS is president of NAMB—The Association of Mortgage Professionals. He may be reached by e-mail at
[email protected].
