Give and Take...Do you know how to do both? Baltimore,Maryland
I learned a lot at Monday's Three Divas for Free event. The plan was for Fran Thorsen, Joeann Fossland, and me to do an interactive panel together. Our plans changed when Joeann got a call that Fran would not be able to attend. Thrown off guard but not for long, Joeann was talking with Bernice Ross and told her about the dilemma. Giving person that she is, Bernice asked if Joeann would like her to stay over and go to Baltimore to fill in? She had a new presentation, and Baltimore could be the place to preview it. (Anyone who knows anything about real estate knows that this was like hitting the lottery - having Bernice Ross and Joeann on the same platform.)
And what did I learn? That Joeann was gracious and said, "Yes, I would love for Baltimore to hear your new presentation."
Joeann was able to accept an invitation to help. A few phone calls, a few changes to the flyers, a few more Active Rain blogs, an email went out from Martha Lessner to all the WCR members, and Anita Davis who was also at the NAR convention started putting out the word.
We had a fabulous turn out - Marvin came from Bucks County, Pa, Amad drove in from Ocean City, MD, Andy Norton came in from Northern Virginia, Pat Kennedy drove in from DC. There were many agents and affiliates from Baltimore. With their presentations on ePro and social networking, Joeann and Bernice held the audience from 1:00 until after 4:00 in the afternoon with information, humor, and lots of interaction. The million-dollar-bills that Bernice handed out didn't hurt, either!

Bernice spoke about the idea that "when you give to others, it comes back to you" (what I've often talked about as "you get by giving.") She said the key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving. It is not always easy to receive – we get so used to giving that we forget how to accept, whether it's help or a compliment or a gift.
This was just one small point of Bernice's seminar, but was really an important "ah ha" moment for me. When someone says, "What can I do to help?" think about it before you answer. My friend and publisher Peg Silloway emailed the night before the event and asked, "What do you need me to do?" My response could have been "Pick up the food," or "Bring the ice," but what I really needed was her presence and support. And she was there. No, Peg is not in real estate, but she sat through the entire afternoon, took photos on her new camera, and then went with us to the crab feast afterward. I knew she had an early morning meeting the following day; she could have bowed out easily, but she stayed and she stayed for me. 
It was the same when I asked Joeann what I could do. This magnificent gracious lady said, "You already have done it." Though she did a lot of work to help organize and publicize the event, Joeann allowed me to do some giving. And that's the lesson: Yes, it is important to give, but if we never accept, we deprive someone else of the opportunity to give.
How are you at receiving?
Give and Take...Do you know how to do both? Baltimore,Maryland
![]()
410-530-2400
Life has a way of doing that...changing plans at the last minute. Unfortunately, Fran Thorsen won't be able to join us on Monday, May 18 for our Social Media Divas Share Their Secrets event. But - we are delighted that nationally syndicated columnist, author, trainer, and speaker, Bernice Ross, will be filling in to make the day even better.
Bernice couples her expertise as a Master Certified Coach with 30 years of real estate sales experience. For our event, Bernice will present "How to Build a Successful Online and Social Media Presence for under $2.00 per Day." Is there anyone who wouldn't want to know how to do that??
If you haven't already signed up for this free event, DO IT NOW! Here's what you need to know:
Location: Greater Baltimore Board of REALTORS
1306 Bellona Avenue, Lutherville, MD 21093
Date: Monday, May 18, 2009
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
followed by Dutch-treat dinner at local restaurant
Sponsored by: Margaret Rome
Presenters: Joeann Fossland, Bernice Ross, Margaret Rome
Cost: FREE!
Reserve: at Eventbrite
or on Facebook
or email Margaret at MRome@HomeRome.com
It's going to be one of those "you've got to be there" events - so please join us! We will be continueing the fun with dinner afterwards. Hope you can join us!!
![]()
410-530-2400
Monday is when it happens - the dynamic Joeann Fossland, the extraordinary Frances Flynn Thorsen, and the...well...me - we all get together for our fun and informative session, "Social Media Divas Share Their Secrets."
It's happening from 1:00 to 4:00 at the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors, and when we're done with the learning and networking, we'll head to a nearby restaurant for dinner, make that steamed crabs and more fun.
Let's make this a Baltimore area Active Rain Gathering! Here's everything you need to know:

Hope to see you on Monday -
![]()
410-530-2400
We need to find this couple the perfect home! You'll recall that I asked them to make a "We won the lottery!" list of everything they could ever want in a home.
And then they were to get real and make a "wish list" of the things that were most important. With that list - and knowing what homes appealed to them before - I would be ready to line up homes for them to see... when they come to Baltimore in early June. Since they are coming from France, and only for a short visit, I need to not waste their time.
They did the exercise and emailed me today!
Now I have their wish list, and there is nothing on it that is unrealistic or unlikely. Whether we can find a home that has all these things is a good question, but I believe we can come close.
This couple recognizes that finding everything on their list in one place and at the right price isn't likely, but we have a good idea of what to aim for.
What are they looking for? The types of things many people desire: three bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, an updated kitchen with stainless appliances and granite or Corian counters, nice wood cabinets, a master bedroom suite with walk-in closets, a Jacuzzi soaking tub, a good-sized patio and deck, a fireplace, central air conditioning, and a few other details.
They have selected about a half dozen neighborhoods.
We have until early June to find several homes that might fit their needs in Baltimore. Can we do it? Stay tuned....
![]()
410-530-2400
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved