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Farewell Message from 2025 President Frank Vella
To my fellow SAMCAR members:
As the year comes to a close, I want to take an opportunity to thank you all for putting your trust in me to lead SAMCAR in 2025. We share some remarkable achievements this year thanks to our collective efforts.
When I was ceremonially sworn in as president in January, I shared how my introduction to volunteering with SAMCAR was through our government affairs work. We have had some tremendous successes in that realm. Our association plays a vital role in our communities and supporting the success of all our businesses, advocating for common-sense policies, and giving voice to real estate professionals and property owners. This success is only possible because of all of us working together.
In 2025, we have held productive meetings with our legislators on the local, state and federal level resulting in real impact including advancing property rights policies, defeating proposals that would harm your businesses and your clients, and addressing the root causes of the real problems facing our communities.
I continue to urge all of you to get and stay involved. Attend city council meetings, join SAMCAR committees, learn where you can volunteer your time and talent in support of our shared goals.
My colleagues on the Board of Directors and I closed the year by participating in a workshop to draft our next three-year strategic plan for SAMCAR. We adopted the plan at our November meeting and are energized to mobilize our association to enhance our direct engagement with our members and community stakeholders, demonstrate competence and thought leadership, and evaluate procedures for operational excellence. Each of you plays a part in making the objectives in this plan a reality, shaping our association for the years to come and building on our steady diligence and notable achievements.
Highlights from 2025 include…
REPUTATION
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Legislator Meetings at C.A.R. Legislative Day, NAR in Washington D.C. and local offices advancing property rights and REALTOR® Party issues
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Community Development Presentations from Burlingame and Redwood City at Marketing Meeting
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Attended Progress Seminar with regional decision-makers
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Community Engagement Fund Sponsored 14 programs with $20,450
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YPN volunteers at beach cleanup in Pacifica, Kainos art activity, Samaritan House food donation packaging
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Participated in ADU Resource Fair with ADU Resource Center of San Mateo County
IMPACT
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Advocated for creation of San Mateo Emergency Rental Assistance Program to address main cause of evictions
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Joined 5 Bay Area Realtor Associations to host fifth annual Symposium in San Francisco
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Defeated Transfer Tax and Vacancy Tax Proposals in Foster City
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#SAMCARGivesBack over $36,000 in charitable grants & donations to 12 charitable organizations, including over $13,000 raised at the Judy Ploshay Memorial Holiday Auction in December — see our full 2025 Charitable Giving Report.
ENGAGEMENT
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17 in-person social events (Installation and Annual Honors Luncheons, Bowl-o-Rama, BBQ, Coastal Holiday Mixer, Theatre Nights, Topgolf, etc.)
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22 Professional development & YPN classes (16 in-person, 6 online)
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Welcomed 130+ members at Zoom Marketing Meetings every Tuesday morning (47 meetings)
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250+ new Realtor members, 3 in-person New Member Orientations
LEADERSHIP
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Adopted the 2026-2028 Strategic Plan for SAMCAR
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Elected Directors Jesse Gutierrez, Jeff LaMont, Moisés Pelayo, Judy Taylor
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2026 Leadership: Linda Crose-Andersen (President), Diane Wilson (President-Elect), Frank Vella (Region 25 Chair), Diane Viviani (Treasurer)
I look forward to passing the gavel to our 2026 SAMCAR President, Linda Crose-Andersen. Please join us at our Installation Luncheon and Awards Ceremony on Friday, February 6, 2025, at the Oceano Hotel in Half Moon Bay (ticket sales end 1/23/26).
To close, I would like to reiterate my profound gratitude to all our members for your dedicated volunteerism and participation. Thank you for making 2025 another very strong year for SAMCAR and our communities.
Thank you,
Frank Vella
2025 SAMCAR President
