249 East Virginia Street, Tallahassee, FL = 32301 (850)=20 681-6422
FAX (850) 681-6271 WATS (800) 552-1065 = www.flta.org -=20 Kevin M. Hussey, CLC/CLS, President - Lee Huszagh, Executive = Secretary/Treasurer=20 e-mail - leeh@flta.org
The Butler case was heard on December =
7th, 1999=20
and as of yet no opinion or judgement has been rendered. Those attending =
the=20
hearing came away with a positive sense as to the outcome and we will =
monitor=20
this carefully. If anything does occur it will be posted on our web =
page,=20
flta.org., where you can find a lot of useful information.=20
The "Y2K" crisis came and went, fortunately without any noticeable =
problems,=20
and I for one will be happy not to hear the term "Y2K' or "Millennium" =
for a=20
while.=20
The question for many of us will be "now what"? Hopefully we have =
spent a lot=20
of time examining our market and thinking and planning on how to remain =
relevant=20
and profitable as we move forward in an ever faster changing =
environment.=20
When we hear the work "change" we should not think about entrenching =
and=20
fighting to keep things "just the way they are" but instead think of =
opportunity=20
and how we can expand out business to meet the demands and changes our =
customers=20
are going through. Let's not be too hasty to make a knee jerk reaction =
to the=20
changes, but instead study and analyze where we are going or where we =
will be=20
before we set upon changes which will effect our business as we move =
into the=20
new ultra competitive future market. Have a plan with flexibility and =
growth in=20
place, accentuate service, value and professionalism. Look around and =
inform=20
yourself of the capabilities that are available to you, look at who your =
consumer is and how they will want your service or product.=20
The Real Estate industry is really beginning to feel the pressures of =
electronic commerce and the capabilities and changes are occurring at =
breakneck=20
speed as we see a new and better way, even before we begin to understand =
what we=20
have just learned. Make sense? Confused? The message is to try to look =
at your=20
business through the eyes of a potential consumer, one who is much more =
better=20
informed. This past Christmas season made many retailers much more aware =
of the=20
power of electronic commerce as it's use increased over 300% from last =
year;=20
watch as consumers cast their vote by inflating the prices of stocks in =
the=20
technology sector way beyond any reason. Do not look at your business as =
a=20
"title person" as we now know them. Ask yourself "why" do we do things =
as we do,=20
and in light of being more valuable and a benefit to our new changing =
consumer,=20
ask yourself "How" can I change? Then take some action to move forward. =
Yes it=20
hurts, yes it's not fair, but those who identify these changes and =
capitalize on=20
the opportunities it presents will continue to grow and prosper.=20
Next month, February 15th, 16th and 17th, we will be having our =
mid-year=20
meeting in Tallahassee, information is enclosed. Please plan to attend =
as the=20
committee work and educational opportunities are greatly needed to help =
us deal=20
with our changing industry.=20
If you come to Tallahassee, one thing that will help you and FLTA is =
to make=20
an appointment to see your Legislator or Senator, or if they are not =
there, meet=20
their staff, introduce your self and tell them what you do. I can =
guaranty they=20
will be interested in hearing from you.=20
This year we hope to move forward to meet the needs of our members, =
and=20
education will be stressed. We hope to return to a zone educational =
meeting=20
arranged in conjunction with CLT to bring information about our industry =
to your=20
office staff.=20
Mark your calendar today to attend the mid-year meeting, call and =
make=20
reservations now, and call someone you know in the industry who is not =
now a=20
member and invite them to become a member.=20
************************************=20
Associated Land Title Group and Bay County Land & Abstract Co. =
Join=20
First American Title Insurance Company.=20
On January 3rd, 2000, First American Title Insurance Company acquired =
Bay=20
County Land & Abstract Company and Associated Land Title Group, Inc =
from=20
Donald R. Crisp, CLS, Chairman and President of both entities.=20
Together these combined companies encompasses 46 offices throughout =
Florida=20
and bring approximately 300 employees to First American's family in =
Florida.=20
These newly acquired companies will continue to operate under their =
existing=20
names and will be managed by the team of Donald Crisp, Donald Henderson, =
Raymond=20
Crisp and A. Jay Hansli.=20
Silent Auction Continued...=20
Tight Lies #5 fairway metal wood golf club donated by Title Temps for =
our=20
silent auction at the 1999 convention was successfully bid on by Brian =
Ward. The=20
Retail value of this fine golfing instrument is $150.00. Mr. Ward was =
high=20
bidder with his $95.00 bid; however, we have been unable to locate him =
or anyone=20
who may know him. Therefore, please fax your bids for this club and the =
highest=20
bid received prior to February 15th will be accepted. A listing of the =
highest=20
bid and bidder will be posted on the Bulletin Board under Hot Topics. If =
Brian=20
is located we will honor his bid up to February 10th. Good Luck!=20
2000 Convention=20
Mark your calendars now for this years' convention to be held at the =
Hyatt in=20
Sarasota on November 1st, 2nd, & 3rd. Look forward to seeing you =
there!!=20
2000 Dues=20
FLTA 2000 dues are now payable. March is the last month for getting =
you dues=20
in on time. After March 30th dues are delinquent, so please make your =
dues=20
payment today! If you are in need of a 2000 Dues Schedule, please call =
the=20
Association office and we will fax one to you. Thank you for your =
immediate=20
attention on this matter.=20
Check out the Web Page=20
Our Web Page, www.flta.org. Is getting a great deal of attention =
according to=20
the statistics on number of hits and length of stay. Won't you give it a =
view?=20
For those of you who would like to have a link to your web site, contact =
our web=20
master Steve Shafer at UPS offers Discount to FLTA=20
We have had a very favorable response to the UPS discount program =
that is=20
being offered to our membership. The program entitles FLTA members to =
special=20
savings on overnight letter and package deliveries and Worldwide =
Express.=20
Whether you already have a UPS account or are a new UPS customer, just =
call=20
1-800-325-7000 and refer to special discount #P890494, or simply mention =
the=20
Florida Land Title Association. Act now and begin to save!!=20
Committee Workshop and Live Seminar=20
Don't forget to register for the Tallahassee Winter Workshop and/or =
the CE=20
seminar to be held at the Radisson Hotel February 15th, 16th and 17th. =
We have=20
set up an interesting and informative seminar (please see attached =
registration=20
form) that will earn you 3 CE hours as well as Florida Bar credit.=20
A reception well be held on Wednesday February 16th from 5:30 p.m. - =
6:30=20
p.m. at the Radisson. This is always a good opportunity to see old =
friends, meet=20
new ones, to meet some of our legislators and to learn what is new in =
our=20
industry. You will find your registration form attached to this =
newsletter. We=20
hope to see you there.=20
CLC/CLS Applications=20
Look for the CLT Institute 2000 information and application packet to =
arrive=20
with the February newsletter. When you receive the packet, please read =
the=20
information carefully and then share it with your fellow employees. The =
test=20
will be held in July and now is not too soon to begin studying! You will =
find an=20
order form included in this newsletter if you are in need of a Basic =
Title=20
Insurance Handbook for studying purposes. Simply fill out and mail it to =
the=20
Association office with payment.=20
Florida Land Title =
Association
FLTA Members $50.00 Tax 3.50 Shipping 4.00 TOTAL $57.50 Non-members $75.00 Tax 5.25 Shipping 4.00 TOTAL $84.25
Total =
Enclosed____________________________ Name___________________________________ Company________________________________ Address_________________________________ City/State/Zip_____________________________