24 Reasons to Belong to Canopy

Reasons you want to belong to Canopy

EIUMQUI ATI QUIAM A NUSA DOLESTRUM carolinahome.com | canopyrealtors.com

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Members benefit from comprehensive education on local, state, and federal issues that impact the real estate industry.

This enables members to actively participate in raising public awareness and advocating for the improvement of the industry and homeownership rights for all. ‣ In April, Canopy hosted a Coffee at Canopy to update members on the emerging issues affecting the industry, the housing market, and the community. ‣ Canopy’s Candidate Rally and Ice Cream Social in August provided members an opportunity to meet candidates running for positions for NC REALTORS® and in the Association and MLS election. ‣ Inside the Canopy Files, the Association’s official podcast, is now in its third season. The five-star-rated podcast features discussions on current events and issues. The 19 episodes in 2023 covered a variety of topics to educate and equip Realtors® while also enlightening our growing consumer audience.

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Inside the Canopy Files Podcast

DEAR CANOPY REALTOR® MEMBERS,

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On behalf of the entire Canopy staff and leadership, it is a privilege to continue to serve you. The monumental challenges our industry has faced over the past year have not and will not stop our motive to serve and our drive to help you succeed. It’s because of this that I am excited to share with you this year’s recap of activity celebrating 24 Reasons You Want to Belong to Canopy in 2024!

The opportunity to sign up for an Association, MLS or Foundation committee for the upcoming year is promoted annually during September and October. These committees provide exposure to various focus areas, such as: education and professional development, MLS compliance, government affairs and advocacy, marketing the value of a Realtor®, diversity and inclusion, fair and affordable housing, budget and finance, grievance, professional standards, meeting unmet housing needs, and community engagement and impact.

As the daughter of a Realtor®, I know firsthand the relentless effort you put into helping each of your clients find a home, the American dream; and that is why whether it is the Association, Foundation, Real Estate Institute or MLS, everything we do is geared toward providing the education, services and tools needed for your success. Having you feel welcome and included is also key, and that is why diversity and inclusion have been a long-time priority and very much a part of the Canopy culture.

Committee involvement offers many benefits, such as exposure to the operational structure of Canopy, building stronger relationships with other Realtors®, starting your own path toward future leadership opportunities at the local, state and national level, and experiencing fulfillment from volunteer service. For those of you who signed up to serve on a 2024 committee, I look forward to meeting you and appreciate your willingness to serve.

Canopy is committed to fostering engagement, enhancing professionalism, providing valuable education, advocating for our industry, identifying and nurturing future leaders, and facilitating community involvement, all of which are demonstrated through the following: •

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Canopy Realtor® Association plays a vital role as your local professional trade association. We work in conjunction with NC REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS® to support and advocate for our members and the real estate industry as a whole.

Our organization is the largest local Realtor® association in North Carolina and ranks among the top 20 in the country. The Association’s jurisdiction includes Mecklenburg County, Iredell County, Haywood County and a portion of Alexander County, while the MLS service area covers 26 counties in North Carolina and includes three in South Carolina.

Our vision statement is our guiding force: Our vision statement— “Advancing the Profession and Improving our Communities” — guides our strategic efforts across all entities to ensure we provide and deliver valuable resources and services to help build your business.

Our home is your home. This industry thrives on building relationships, and our headquarters is designed to offer ample opportunities to expand your network.

Visit us often, attend in-person classes and events, meet colleagues and clients here, enjoy a cup of coffee and explore the offerings at The Realtor® Store.

Committees and advisory groups. Our committees and advisory groups provide tremendous opportunities to build contacts as well as to serve the industry, advocate on behalf of the profession, and make a positive impact in the community. The Young Professionals Network and the Diversity and Inclusion Alliance are open to volunteer engagement throughout the year for our new members seeking to deepen their sense of belonging.

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Leadership Academy. Our Association also focuses on developing future leaders through our Leadership Academy. Established in 1999, the Academy teaches Realtors® industry knowledge and regional insights to nurture their growth and skills in preparation for taking on leadership positions within the Association, MLS, Foundation and community.

Whether you are just embarking on your journey with Canopy, or simply continuing it as part of growing your business, remember — we are here to support and guide you every step of the way.

Your Board of Directors and everyone on the Canopy staff look forward to building on the many reasons you belong to Canopy in 2024!

Anne Marie DeCatsye, Esq., CEO Canopy Realtor® Association, Canopy MLS and Canopy Housing Foundation

Canopy, in collaboration with its government affairs arm, the Real Estate & Building Industry Coalition (REBIC), educates members on the importance of the NC Realtors® PAC. This education enables members to share the strength and impact of the dollars invested which supports the interests of real estate professionals and homeownership. ‣ Members are educated during a 12-week campaign on the significance of the NC Realtors® PAC and its importance in shaping the future of our communities by supporting candidates that champion real estate industry issues at local, state, and federal levels.

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‣ The dedication of the NC Realtors® PAC to making the real estate business stronger for members in North Carolina is palpable as investments from last year exceeded $197,130.00. Active giving continues from Canopy members in 2024.

As a result of frequent and effective collaboration with key policy makers, REBIC’s accomplishments last year included the following: ‣

Obtaining $200,000 in funding from North Carolina’s state budget to study adaptive reuse (commercial to residential conversion), with the goal of generataing ideas to increase the region’s overall housing supply.

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Achieving necessary amendments to the Charlotte Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) after working with city council and city staff to provide greater flexibility and enhancing the ability to deliver more workforce housing.

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Developing the UDO Change Request Form that is now in use to assist city staff in achieving better organization of information and in prioritizing changes.

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Successfully working to place real estate industry professionals on key advisory boards throughout the region, with several currently serving on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission and the UDO Advisory Committee.

Canopy and REBIC continue to advocate for six affordable housing solutions that include: 1. Expanding the NC Homestead Exemption — by relaxing the income qualification and lowering the age threshold.

2. Retrofitting Existing Commercial Buildings — advocating for flexibility of codes and local regulations, and creating market-based incentives.

3. Establishing a State Tax Credit for Affordable Housing Development — by using the Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit as the model.

4. Amending the Housing Authorities Law — moving the existing 20% set aside for 60% AMI to 10% and 80%, respectively.

5. Expanding the use of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) — by working on improvements to the Charlotte UDO and actively supporting legislation moving through the N.C. General Assembly.

6. Addressing the role of local regulatory burden — by amending the definition of affordable housing to include “workforce housing,” enhancing review for affordable housing projects and adding administrative flexibility.

Participation in the State of Housing in Charlotte Annual Summit: ‣ The summit, attracts developers, government officials, and community stakeholders to discuss Charlotte’s growing housing market using data provided by Canopy MLS. ‣ Anne Marie DeCatsye, Canopy CEO, participated in a panel discussion last year delving into solutions addressing housing affordability. ‣ Robust partnerships of this nature ensure Realtors® remain the voice of real estate locally.

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

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Canopy is dedicated to enhancing professional standards and the Realtor® Code of Ethics by providing exposure to timely educational opportunities, articles, Realtor® Hot Topics, and podcasts.

‣ Members benefit from a wealth of information on various real estate topics, fostering continuous learning and keeping members updated on industry trends. ‣ Additionally, Canopy’s Grievance Committee and Professional Standards Committee actively review and address potential violations of the Code of Ethics to help protect the integrity of the industry.

‣ Canopy’s Inside the Canopy Files podcast provides you the opportunity to immerse yourself in industry trends featuring timely episodes, such as “Be the Pro in Professional.”

These podcasts not only entertain but also enlighten as they delve into the profound significance of professional standards and the Code of Ethics, shaping both the profession and the consumer experience.

In 2023: • 39 Ethics complaints received • 4 Arbitration requests • 18 Ethics hearings held • 2 Arbitration hearings held • 5 MLS Appeal hearings held • 4 MLS Compliance hearings held • 6 Requests for mediation • 1 Ethics appeals requested • 1 Ombudsman request • 1 Pre-hearing conference No commercial ethics/arbitration requests occurred in 2023

‣ Canopy’s Grievance Committee reviews ethics complaints filed with the Association monthly to determine whether the allegations in the complaint constitute a potential violation of the Code of Ethics. Additionally, the committee reviews arbitration requests to determine if a hearing is necessary. If a hearing is necessary, the committee forwards the case to the Professional Standards Committee for a full due-process hearing. ‣ The Professional Standards Committee conducts ethics and arbitration hearings as well as MLS appeals and MLS compliance hearings, further benefiting members by safeguarding the integrity and professionalism of the industry.

Members benefit from Canopy’s Risk Management Team, who monitor and provide information on issues affecting the industry and membership. ‣ Canopy proactively provides messaging regarding current, sensitive, and even negative media coverage. This messaging benefits and equips members with timely coverage for both staff and consumers. ‣ Staff actively publish articles to keep members updated on the legal landscape of the industry. ‣ Various communications are issued in regards to the national legal landscape. ‣ Anne Marie DeCatsye, CEO, facilitates Town Hall discussions and presents legal updates and information on how litigation will most likely impact the future of real estate. ‣ Canopy informs members by publishing relevant articles on the Code of Ethics, Real Estate scams, and Professional Courtesies, such as the op-ed published last year entitled, “Who are the Real Winners in the Real Estate Class Action Lawsuits?”

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

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Canopy Real Estate Institute (CREI) collaborates closely with both primary and secondary education institutions, creating valuable partnerships to introduce students to the diverse and rewarding opportunities available in a career as a Realtor®.

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‣ CREI participates in the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Partnership Program with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission exposing students to career opportunities in real estate. Learning opportunities are facilitated through internships and by connecting students with mentors, real estate professionals, and other resources to pave the path toward gainful employment upon graduation. ‣ CREI participates in career fairs at Johnson C. Smith University, UNC Charlotte, and Harding University High School. ‣ CREI actively partners with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) to deliver an Introduction to Real Estate course as part of the CMS Career and Technical Education program. This dynamic collaboration equips high school students with a robust foundation, empowering them for a promising career in the intricate realm of real estate.

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

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CREI provides a one-stop location for education and professional development that helps members build their real estate careers through the virtual and in-person Canopy Campuses. CREI remains relevant by: ‣ Offering a wide range of classes: Last year these included Prelicensing, Postlicensing, Residential Continuing Education, Commercial Continuing Education, Designation and Certification courses, and the South Carolina Review. ‣ Hiring explempary instructors. In 2023 new instructors were hired for the Prelicensing and Post Licensing Programs. Two Canopy faculty members obtained the Gold Star Instructor (GSI) designation from the Real Estate Educators Association and two obtained the Certified Distance Education Instructor certification from the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials. ‣ Providing award-winning courses. Two of our courses received awards in 2023: 1) The North Carolina Commercial Update (Instructor, Cindy Chandler, Real Estate Educators Association (REEA) Program of the Year), and 2) the NC Secretary of State’s eClosing course (Instructor, Mark Saunders, NC Realtors® Champion Award for teaching).

New CE and Professional Development Courses Offered in 2023: ‣ Googling Your Way to Compliance ‣ E-Closings, authored by the N.C. Secretary of State’s Office ‣ 20 Effective Ways to Improve Home Costs (virtual only) ‣ The No Drama Transaction ‣ The Seller Centric Experience ‣ When No One is Watching (Code of Ethics) ‣ Habitability Essentials ‣ Property Management and Service Animals ‣ 10 Things You Need to Know About Land ‣ Home Finance Resource Certification ‣ SCORE: Credit Matters ‣ Marketing the Listing Certification

CREI offers the Canopy Workforce Housing Certificate Program reflecting the following in 2023: ‣ Enrollment: 71 new enrollees ‣ Total attendees for Core courses: 329 ‣ New Graduates: 8 ‣ Workforce Housing Specialist Recertifications: 92 ‣ Workforce Housing Specialists: 201 ‣ 14 education programs for recertification (combination of WHCP core classes, CREI courses and Realtor® Hot Topic events)

‣ Instituting Broker Prelicensing Course Completion Standards. These standards help students who are now required to complete all end-of-chapter quizzes and pass one of two Canopy Practice Exams with a score of 75% or higher.

This policy reinforces and enhances overall exam performance. ‣ Launching #Canopyprepped. In 2023 guest lecturer, Kandyce Ellis, who specializes in state and national exam prep, helped students better prepare for the end-of-course Pre Licensing exam. ‣ Partnering with KimNCo Education Services to provide CRAM. CRAM is an online critical review for the state licensing exam which includes tutorials and live bi-weekly sessions that increase the chances of achieving a passing score the first time the exam is taken. ‣ Adding continuing education (CE) and professional development courses. Courses have been added in addition to expanding on-demand CE course offerings, by partnering with the CE Shop. ‣ Serving students well. In 2023, 4,018 students and members created accounts to access classes, with a total of 10,149 course enrollments.

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

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Realtor® Hot Topics and Broker-in-Charge Briefings provide insight and knowledge regarding sensitive issues impacting Realtors® and the industry. ●

In 2023, more than 3,400 members attended Realtor® Hot Topics and Broker-in-Charge Briefings, representing a 46% increase in attendance over 2022. ‣ Local and national experts spoke at Realtor® Hot Topics and Broker-in-Charge Briefings: ‣ “Top 9 Real Estate Trends to Watch in 2023,” with Jessica Lautz, NAR’s deputy chief economist and vice president of research. ‣ New York Times best-selling author Richard Rothstein (The Color of Law) and Leah Rothstein discussed their new book Just Action*. ‣ “Connecting City Life with Nature! Get ready for The River District,” co-presented with Piedmont Regional Association of Realtors®. ‣ “Supervising for Success with the North Carolina Real Estate Commission: Ask the Appraiser,” featuring a panel of appraisers from across the region. *Both Rothstein books are sold at The Realtor® Store.

‣ The 2023 Canopy Realtor® EXPO attracted nearly 700 members to gain insight from national industry experts. Sessions included: ‣ “How Agents Fight Back: Creating Amazing Experiences for your Clients in this Changing Real Estate Market” with Joe Rand. ‣ “Efficiency Boost: 13 Ways to Use AI and ChatGPT in Real Estate” with Marki Lemons-Ryhal. ‣ “The 411 on Land” with Christina Asbury.

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

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Canopy takes pride in our rich history and unwavering commitment to fostering fair housing, diversity, and inclusion within our Association and industry. Members gain access to unparalleled education, resources, and support for multicultural industry partners. Examples from 2023 are as follows: ‣ More than 1,100 members participated in four Diversity and Inclusion Alliance Advisory Groups (African American Advisory Group, Latin American Advisory Group, Asian American Advisory Group and LGBTQ Advisory Group). ‣ Members participated in the Stand up for Housing Equity Challenge during Fair Housing Month to increase their knowledge and strengthen their commitment to fair housing by: ‣ Confronting and checking biases ‣ Honoring the Fair Housing Act ‣ Working to end discrimination, one interaction at a time ‣ Canopy hosted an Inaugural Fair Housing event providing members the opportunity to participate in education sessions, activities, and experience international food while visiting various exhibits. Education sessions featured speakers from the nonprofit community, government, and Canopy’s own subject matter experts. Presentations included: ‣ DreamKey Partners and Community Link provided profitable information from nonprofits. ‣ The City of Charlotte Community Relations Department reviewed Fair Housing Month. ‣ Canopy MLS staff presented How Canopy Monitors for Potential Housing Violations. ‣ CREI and Foundation staff discussed the 411 on Canopy Housing Foundation and the Workforce Housing Certificate Program. ‣ The Realtor® Store extended its hours for shopping and offered members a special discount. ‣ Fair Housing for All T-shirts were sold during the event, raising $700 to benefit Canopy Housing Foundation. ‣ 122 members participated in NAR’s Bias Override: Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing training, and 118 members in the North Carolina CE elective Focus on Fair Housing. ‣ Alexia Smokler, NAR Director of Fair Housing Policy and Programs, presented a Realtor® Hot Topic on Fair Housing Marketing: Compliance and Beyond.

Fair housing

‣ Members participated in NAR’s Fairhaven: A Fair Housing Simulation Training. ‣ Canopy Leadership Academy participated in an open discussion on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Speakers on the panel included: ‣ Chair of Canopy’s Diversity and Inclusion Alliance Committee. ‣ Leadership from local chapters of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance, Charlotte Crown Realtist Association and Asian Real Estate Association. ‣ CREI diversity and inclusion initiatives included the following in 2023: ‣ Hiring a range of diverse instructors to teach real estate Prelicensing, Postlicensing, Continuing Education, NAR’s Accredited Buyer Representative, Bias Override and At Home With Diversity. Factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability and socioeconomic background bring a wide range of perspectives, skills, and experiences to the classroom. Our faculty welcomed two accomplished African American women educators with extensive expertise in property management, as well as residential and commercial brokerage backgrounds ‣ Hosted At Home with Diversity course with nearly 550 members taking the course since it began in 2020. ‣ Partnered with the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance to host a panel discussion on “Increasing Generational Wealth Building for Underserved Homeowners” featuring a guest speaker from Freddie Mac and representatives from the multicultural real estate industry organizations. ‣ CREI diversity and inclusion initiatives continuing in 2024: ‣ Supporting multicultural real estate industry partners participating in Canopy education, networking, and fundraising events by providing exhibit space at the Fair Housing Kickoff and EXPO and, in turn, serving as an annual sponsor for each local organization. ‣ Utilizing the Diversity in Action newsletter to encourage members to attend Canopy events and programs, participating in Association/MLS elections, and fostering opportunities to be appointed and elected to leadership positions. ‣ Maintaining the Diversity in Action resource web page with information about events, community and industry resources, videos and more. ‣ Participating with members at community events including park clean-ups, Pride Awards, Realtors® Care Day, cultural festivals and more.

DIA PAGE

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

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Canopy consistently looks for new ways to nurture member engagement. ‣ The 2023 Installation featured keynote speaker Steve McKee addressing “The Disruption Cycle,” in addition to presenting key findings from a survey conducted with the Boards of Directors and Brokers in Charge. ‣ Canopy hosted four additional events including Coffees at Canopy and Town Halls to provide members with the opportunity to: ‣ Connect and engage with peers and Canopy leadership. ‣ Gain a deeper understanding of the benefits included in membership. ‣ Stay abreast of the industry and participate in Canopy’s many programs and services. ‣ Hear directly from candidates running for positions in the NC REALTORS® and the Association and MLS election. ‣ Learn more about volunteering and becoming more connected with Canopy.

‣ Canopy’s annual Realtor® EXPO held in June, attracted more than 750 members and 100 exhibitors in 2023: ‣ 39% were first-time attendees. ‣ 77% attended an education session. ‣ 78% strongly agreed that speakers met expectations. ‣ 93% rated the overall EXPO experience as excellent/good. ‣ 95% agreed the EXPO theme and atmosphere are an excellent/good rating. ‣ 94% said they would attend again.

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

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The value for members is elevated through Canopy’s proven multimedia campaign to educate consumers on the value of using the services of a Realtor® and their access to the MLS.

‣ Campaign analytics continue to demonstrate that the "With a Realtor®, you’re in the know" campaign resonates with consumers. ‣ We are excited to refresh the campaign using "Your Realtor® Adds Real Value" to highlight the many services provided by a Realtor® to help clients when buying and selling a home. ‣ The refreshed campaign will demonstrate why it is worthwhile to employ the services and expertise of a Realtor®. ‣ Another initiative underway is collecting testimonials from members and subscribers first-hand to support what adding real value means. The testimonials will be promoted under the theme "Real Stories, Real Value."

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Canopy empowers members to use effective, free education on how to articulate professional worth, while providing insights into buyer considerations, agency dynamics and compensation. ‣ A dedicated web page is designed to educate members about Canopy MLS. It emphasizes the organization's commitment to fostering an efficient marketplace. This is achieved through the wide availability of property information. Additionally, Canopy MLS facilitates offers of compensation to cooperating MLS broker participants and subscribers on an impartial basis. ‣ Canopy’s Brand Ambassador Program presents resources on a monthly basis to the Association and MLS Brand Ambassadors to help promote and educate members and subscribers. ‣ Canopy’s Brand Ambassadors include all three Boards of Directors, more than 200 committee members, and staff. ‣ Canopy representatives present, through webinars and podcasts, in addition to brokerage office visits, important information on Realtor® value and compensation considerations.

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

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Canopy positions members and subscribers to be “the source” of real estate information and provides resources to share data in a consumer-friendly format. ‣ Members receive monthly marketing resources (press releases, talking points and infographics) to build their confidence and influence as local market experts. ‣ Press releases provide market stats and housing trends for the Charlotte Region, Asheville Region, and Catawba Valley Region. In Q3 2023, Canopy added the South Carolina Counties report. These resources help jumpstart conversations, newsletters, blog posts and social media. ‣ Media interviews are conducted by Canopy’s president, president-elect and CEO as the primary spokespeople.

Representatives who serve on the Canopy MLS Board of Directors for the Northern Region, Western Region, Asheville Region, Catawba Valley and South Carolina serve as spokespeople for area media. In 2023, more than 25 media interviews were conducted that positioned Canopy and Realtors® as the voice of real estate.

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

Monthly Marketing Resources generated in 2023: Canopy produced the following for the Charlotte Region, Asheville Region, Catawba Valley Region, and South Carolina service area: ‣ 33 Specific regional market stat press releases ‣ 72 Specific market Infographics ‣ 36 Specific market talking points

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Canopy focuses on developing future leaders through the Leadership Academy and in encouraging service on Association, MLS and Foundation committees.

CANOPY REALTOR® ASSOCIATION

LEADERSHIP

ACADEMY

‣ Canopy places a high priority on developing leaders, with the goal of better serving clients, the industry, our Association and community. ‣ From 1999 through 2023, the Leadership Academy has had 268 graduates. The Leadership Academy averages about 12 participants each year.* ‣ Leadership Academy graduates move on to serve in leadership roles for the Association, Foundation, and MLS. They also become Brand Ambassadors for the industry, helping to promote the value of our profession and services. ‣ 140 graduates have served on committees. ‣ 51 graduates have served (elected or appointed) on either the Association, MLS or Foundation Board of Directors. ‣ 14 graduates have served on the Executive Committee.

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Canopy continues to innovate better ways to serve and communicate with members by: ‣ Creating a better online payment option system to send members directly to their RAMCO Dashboard for billing. ‣ Streamlining communications to members regarding billing and account information.

2023 Member Services Activity: ‣ 23,850 Canopy MLS subscribers ‣ 1,201 Canopy MLS assistants ‣ 14,595 Canopy Realtor® members ‣ 349 Affiliate members ‣ 2,871 New Canopy MLS subscribers ‣ 1,603 New Association Realtor® members ‣ 27, 335 Calls answered by Member Services/Accounting

‣ Utilizing text messages to Canopy members that are opted in to reach members with timesensitive account information and avoid membership or service interruption.

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

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Members have access to a myriad of essential products provided at a discount. The Realtor® Store serves members in-person and online.

‣ Members pursuing or furthering their real estate education can find all the necessary textbooks and resources at The Realtor® Store. ‣ New Realtor® branded products are now available including a 28-ounce aluminum water bottle, embossed black leatherette porttfolio, and metal license plate frame. Additional map products including an oversized Open House Yard Flag kit, a laminated ZIP code wall map, and a laminated neighborhood map can now be purchased. ‣ To acquaint members with products, the Realtor® EXPO featured a Realtor® pop-up store. ‣ Fair Housing for All T-shirts are sold year-round providing members with the opportunity to support the Canopy Housing Foundation. In 2023, the generosity of our members helped to reinvest an additional $2,000 in the community to address housing needs.

Most popular item

The Realtor® Store activity in 2023: ‣ 975 Lockboxes (new and used) ‣ 3,647 “Working with Real Estate Agents” pamphlets ‣ 16,400 Total items sold

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‣ Members can have their notary needs met for real estate deeds, affidavits, wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and even car titles. ‣ Members applying for a South Carolina license, which must be notarized, now have additional options for service. ‣ This value-added service equates to a savings from $10 to $25 per notarized signature. ‣ The team provides services at numerous locations in Haywood County, Hendersonville, and Brevard, and at the Association headquarters in Charlotte. ‣ A webpage with staff information, locations, contact information and how to make an appointment.

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

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Realtors® have the opportunity to create impact through the Association’s charitable arm by supporting Canopy Housing Foundation’s grants, programs, and initiatives in Mecklenburg, Iredell, and Haywood counties, and the regional Habitat Support Program.

Highlights from 2023 include: ‣ Realtors® Care Day (RCD) involved nearly 400 Realtor® volunteers working on 15 sites across Mecklenburg, Iredell, and Haywood Counties. ‣ Project R.E.A.C.H. (Realtors® Engaging and Creating Hope) boasted a record number of 141 members participating. Volunteers assisted five nonprofits around the community. Each participating organization received $500 from the Foundation. ‣ The Foundation awarded 26 grants through the Community Grants Program and seven grants through the Habitat Support Grants Program. ‣ The Y.E.S. Award (Youth Excellence in Service Award) is the youth companion award to the Foundation’s Humanitarian Award. The Y.E.S. Award recognizes young people ages 10-18 who are engaged in creating a better community through their actions and service. Each recipient designates a nonprofit to receive $500 from the Foundation. ‣ ZaNia Stinson, founder of Z Feeds Angel Food Project received this year’s award. ‣ The annual Strides for Shelter 5K meets the needs of those in the local homeless community. Each year, the Realtor® community chooses an organization to benefit from the race, with proceeds assisting that organization in meeting project goals of a specific nature. ‣ This year Charlotte Family Housing was awarded $42,000. ‣ Since 2017, the Humanitarian Award has highlighted the incredible commitment of people contributing in a major way to the quality of life in the region. Awarded to a project, person, or organization, it is the highest honor bestowed by the Foundation. Each recipient designates a nonprofit to receive a $5,000 donation from the Foundation. ‣ The 2023 Humanitarian Award was presented to Charles A. Odell, Dilworth Center President and CEO. ‣ Canopy Realtors® in the Western Region recognizes excellence in education and awarded three scholarships of $1,000 each to high school and early college students in 2023.

4/21/23

‣ Since 2009, RCD has had a total economic impact of more than $1.2 million benefitting 315 families and organizations.

‣ Since 2009, the Community Grants Program has distributed $516,799.70, and the Habitat Support Grants Program has distributed $321,200.

‣ Since its inception of the Y.E.S. Award, $2,500 has gone back into the community to address a variety of needs.

‣ Since 2016, more than $150,000 has been raised through the Strides for Shelter 5K, to aid families designated as housing insecure to move into safe housing.

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STRIDES FOR 5K RUN

SHELTERWALK

Project R.E.A.C.H. (Realtors® Engaging and Creating Hope) eum vene cum qui as aliquam facid ut laboris is a hands-on group community service experience that engages Realtor® members in a planned volunteer activity venihil millabo repedis ad quas pedi blam with 20-25 other Realtors® at one of five different nonprofit volorescil inusdae simi, nie. organizations that impact housing in the Charlotte area.

YESAWARDS

WHEN | JUNE 21, 2023 Youth Excellence in Service

9 a.m.-noon | Volunteer efforts underway Noon-12:30 p.m. | Arrive for lunch 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Share the morning volunteer experience and enjoy lunch

WHO ATTENDS |125 Realtor® members

2023 Sponsorship Opportunities

24 Reasons To Belong

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DIA Newsletter

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy in 2024

DIA Newsletter

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy in 2024

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Canopy’s culture is steeped in respect and commitment to serving the needs of members and providing exceptional customer service. ‣ Members have the dedicated commitment from the Boards of Directors and staff to support and enhance their business success. ‣ Whether helping our members and subscribers with training, education, tools, resources, and a myriad of networking opportunities, Canopy’s 43-member staff is focused and committed to supporting your business.

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Canopy places a high priority on Realtor® safety, whether through education, promoting products with safety features, or events during Realtor® Safety month.

Activate App

In 2023: ‣ Canopy produced tutorial videos to show members how to access safety features available through ShowingTime and Supra. ‣ Canopy hosted various programs during Realtor® Safety Month including a Realtor® Hot Topic: “Self-Defense Seminar for Realtors®. Don’t Be the Next Victim.”

In 2024: ‣ FOREWARN became a member and subscriber benefit.

The app enables real estate professionals to gain real-time knowledge to help verify the identity of prospects prior to showings, including criminal histories. The app also validates information provided by potential clients, such as financial and asset information.

The

Realtor® Store activity in 2023: 24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

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Canopy MLS supports subscribers by offering a robust portfolio of technology products and services to help Realtors® meet the needs of their clients. ‣ Last year, Canopy MLS revised MLS Rules and Regulations to simplify and clarify enforcement policies and remove redundancies to increase member understanding and acceptance of rules and to elevate compliance. ‣ Canopy MLS also completed the MatrixTM Database Conversion in 2023. The conversion provides more uniform data, consistently displayed across platforms, with fields that are logical and easily understandable.

This allows brokers to operate more efficiently in today’s environment of emerging technologies. ‣ ListTrac also became a value-added product to Canopy MLS’s portfolio in 2023 enabling agents to see how their listings are performing online, in the Canopy MLS system, on broker and agent websites, and on real estate portals. ListTrac provides feedback to clients with a Sellers Report that agents can choose to send to the seller. ‣ In 2023 Canopy MLS engaged the WAV Group to participate in their national Customer Experience Index Survey which measures MLS performance relative to other MLS systems. ‣ 1,611 members and subscribers participated in the survey, representing an 8.3% response rate. Canopy MLS exceeded every national benchmark compared to other MLS systems representing more than 300,000 subscribers.

Source: WAV Group

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

2023 Canopy MLS/Matrix Logins*: ‣ 5,415,042 Desktop ‣ 129,703

Mobile

‣ 5,544,745 Total *Figures estimated

2023 Canopy MLS activity: ‣ 12, 832 Support tickets closed ‣ 8,085 Compliance tickets closed ‣ 5,803 Compliance calls answered ‣ 18,007 Support calls answered ‣ 4,549 MLS Data Checker/violation notices sent ‣ 403

MLS Data Checker/fines issued

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Canopy continues to add products and services through the MLS to help members better assist clients. These products will be available as part of your membership in 2024! ‣ Down Payment Resource (DPR), a national database of more than 2,200 homeownership programs, is now integrated into MLS property listing data to identify eligible properties. The DPR programs available in the Canopy MLS Service area will total 43 programs, of which 36 are funded through 32 agencies. These are national, state, and local programs that range from down-payment assistance to affordable first mortgage programs, mortgage credit certificates and more. ‣ The following products will be released in 2024: ‣ “Restb.ai,” an artificial intelligence software, assists agents by auto populating listings based on uploaded photos to improve MLS search capabilities and to help ensure website accessibility. ‣ Rental Beast is a comprehensive rental platform integrated within the MLS to assist agents with their rental clients, as well as to keep agents productive with lead sourcing and management.

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Canopy offers free in-person or virtual training conducted by our Broker Relations Team. The goal of the training program is to ensure members are using and maximizing Realtor® tools and resources. ‣ Nearly 5,700 members and subscribers participated in training in 2023. ‣ Canopy’s technology trainers are available for customized training.

Frequent requests on topics include compliance, the unique roles of assistants and appraisers, and what agents need to be successful. ‣ Canopy staff offer specific product training with the most requests for RPR, Remine, SAM, Matrix™, Supra, along with training on new product releases.

Scan for training schedules and to register

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

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Canopy partners with other MLSs to increase the ability of members' access to data from across state lines resulting in greater referral opportunities — most recently through the creation of the Southeast MLS Alliance. ‣ The Southeast MLS Alliance represents a collaborative effort among Canopy MLS, Charleston Trident Regional MLS, Georgia MLS in Atlanta, and Realtracs in Nashville. ‣ This alliance is designed to offer enhanced services and benefits to brokers and agents across the southeastern states, empowering them to better serve their clients. ‣ This collaboration helps increase access to data, creating a more open, transparent and efficient marketplace. The goal is to have the data-share technology vendors to license and obtain access to MLS data feeds to power brokerage and agent websites, mobile apps and tools.

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Canopy provides, protects and distributes the most trustworthy, timely, accurate and complete property data possible. ‣ Canopy MLS Data Licensing through MLS Grid makes it easy for participants, subscribers and their designated technology vendors to license and obtain access to MLS data feeds to power brokerage and agent websites, mobile apps and tools. ‣ Canopy monitors use of data feeds to protect the MLS data and promptly acts when misuses are identified. ‣ Canopy MLS uses criteria such as value, financial soundness, and contract terms to evaluate MLS data licensing partners.

24 Reasons To Belong To Canopy

2024 STAFF DIRECTORY EXECUTIVE

Anne Marie DeCatsye, Esq. Chief Executive Officer amdecatsye@canopyrealtors.com Danielle Melendez Executive Assistant dmelendez@canopyrealtors.com

LEGAL/ RISK MANAGEMENT Michele McCaskill Vice President Risk Management/ Assistant General Counsel mmccaskill@canopyrealtors.com Bob Hull General Counsel bhull@canopyrealtors.com Carla Rose Professional Standards Administrator crose@canopyrealtors.com

ACCOUNTING

Michelle McCool Chief Financial Officer mmccool@canopyrealtors.com Leslie Singleton Billing Manager lsingleton@canopyrealtors.com Yvonne Case Staff Accountant ycase@canopyrealtors.com

HUMAN RESOURCES & ADMINISTRATION Laura Cuddy Vice President lcuddy@canopyrealtors.com David Fraley Facilities Manager dfraley@canopyrealtors.com

MEMBER SERVICES Carla Gaydos, Notary Public Member Services Manager cgaydos@canopyrealtors.com Stephanie Beckett Member Services Coordinator membership@canopyrealtors.com Leah Bessette Member Services Coordinator membership@canopyrealtors.com

Meet the team helping to Advance the Profession and Improve Our Communities.

Leighton Baldwin Tier One Member Services Coordinator lbaldwin@canopyrealtors.com Lisa Brown Western Region Manager lbrown@canopyrealtors.com

THE REALTOR® STORE Colleen Pierce Manager cpierce@canopyrealtors.com

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SERVICES Karyn Lindsey Vice President of Education, Diversity and Inclusion klindsey@canopyrealtors.com

LaToya Simms Director, Canopy Real Estate Institute lsimms@canopyrealtors.com

Bryan Leitch Member Services/Realtor® Store/ Building Assistant membership@canopyrealtors.com

Courtney McLaughlin Education Services Manager ckmclaughlin@canopyrealtors.com

Kay Murphy Senior Member Services Coordinator membership@canopyrealtors.com

Deanna Smith Education Services Specialist dsmith@canopyrealtors.com

Myra Pachter Member Services Coordinator membership@canopyrealtors.com

Leilani McGhee Education Services Specialist lmcghee@canopyrealtors.com

Emily Cagle Member Services Coordinator membership@canopyrealtors.com

Claudia Martinez Education Assistant cmartinez@canopyrealtors.com

Julie Jones Tier One Member Services Coordinator membership@canopyrealtors.com

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Kim McMillan Vice President kmcmillan@canopyrealtors.com Shawn Proffitt Integrated Marketing Manager sproffitt@canopyrealtors.com Kim Walker Research and Media Relations Specialist kwalker@canopyrealtors.com Tara Howie Creative Services Specialist thowie@canopyrealtors.com Bryan Perkins Broker Relations Manager bperkins@canopyrealtors.com

CANOPY HOUSING FOUNDATION Terri Marshall Executive Director tmarshall@canopyrealtors.com Kim Oliver Director of Community Engagement koliver@canopyrealtors.com Stacy Baum Sponsorship Coordinator sbaum@canopyrealtors.com Lisa Brown, Notary Public Western Region Manager/ Foundation Committee liaison lbrown@canopyrealtors.com

CANOPY MLS/ INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Harman Gill Senior Software Engineer hgill@canopyrealtors.com

Dana Gibbs Steve Byrd Compliance Manager Chief Information Officer support@canopyrealtors.com sbyrd@canopyrealtors.com

Gina Kang Debbie Wey Compliance Administrator Vice President, MLS Administration support@canopyrealtors.com dwey@canopyrealtors.com Amy Davis, Notary Public Training and MLS Support Specialist support@canopyrealtors.com Brigett Bouvier, Notary Public Training, Compliance and Data Licensing Administrator bbouvier@canopyrealtors.com Kyle Murphy MLS Support Managaer support@canopyrealtors.com Shawn Holyfield MLS Support Specialist support@canopyrealtors.com Levi Houser MLS Support Specialist support@canopyrealtors.com Jocelyn Smith MLS Support Specialist support@canopyrealtors.com AJ Sulayman MLS Data Licensing Analyst data@canopyrealtors.com Oanh Duong IT Manager oduong@canopyrealtors.com

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Rob Nanfelt Executive Director, REBIC rob.nanfelt@rebic.com