Each year, the President of the Central Panhandle Association of REALTORS® defines a presidential initiative that becomes an annual goal for our REALTOR® members. Our 2023 President, Jennifer Ledesma, will unveil the 2023 initiative at the Quarterly Membership meeting on March 15, 2023. Her initiative will focus on three key programs: Awareness, Advocacy, and Assistance.

Under the Awareness program, CPAR will encourage all members to become OnWatch certified to help combat human trafficking. OnWatch Certification aims to educate trainees on the signs of human trafficking and provide resources on how to report suspected cases. CPAR has over 2,500 members who are in and out of homes every day, making their members uniquely suited to spot the signs and report.  By raising awareness and acting against human trafficking, CPAR hopes to make a positive impact on the community.

The Advocacy program will focus on advocating for private property rights and defining the difference between using a REALTOR® versus using sales agent. Through this program, CPAR aims to educate the public on the benefits of working with a REALTOR® and the value that REALTORS® bring to the real estate transaction. Additionally, CPAR will work to protect private property rights and ensure that the interests of homeowners and real estate professionals are represented in local and state legislation.

The Assistance program will build on CPAR's tradition of giving back to the community. CPAR will continue to provide support to the community through charity fundraising and constructing a second home in partnership with the Habitat for Humanity of Bay County. The 2023 home will be dedicated in loving memory of Eileen Shaw, a REALTOR® and CPAR Member who worked tirelessly in building our first Habitat home and who passed away suddenly in 2022.

The presentation of the presidential initiative will take place at the beginning of CPAR’s Quarterly Membership Meeting & Luncheon which is open to CPAR members and the press. Guests of honor at the event are Margy Grant, CEO of Florida REALTORS® and Sage Hancock, Director of Impact for the Malouf Foundation. Local charity organizations represented at the luncheon will include Lavished Ministries, Anchorage Children’s Home and the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center. For further information please contact Debbie Ashbrook at ceo@cpaor.org.