Membership

July is Disability Pride Month, a worldwide celebration of people with disabilities, their identities, culture, resilience and contributions to society. Originated in the United States, this month-long event commemorates the passage of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in July 1990. At SAMCAR, we take this opportunity to acknowledge a remarkable colleague from the Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS (SILVAR), Karen Trolan. In 2009, Trolan, a SILVAR past president, real estate manager and mother of three was piloting her family's Cessna out of the Truckee airport on Labor Day Weekend when the plane crashed. Her life changed in a moment. Trolan became paraplegic. From that day forward her activities revolved around months of rehab and learning a new way of living, but her pain and injuries didn't stop her. Trolan went on to write a book about her experience, "I CAN STILL DO IT!: The Unstoppable Spirit of a Plane Crash Survivor", and goes on speaking engagements telling her story. We are honored to share Trolan's story in a republished profile "Karen Trolan on Overcoming the Impossible" written by former SILVAR Public Affairs Director Rose Meily in 2023.

On Friday, July 11, SAMCAR's Young Professionals Network, SAMCAR YPN, brought together a group of 25 volunteers to join the Pacific Beach Coalition to pick-up litter at Rockaway Beach in Pacifica, including the nearby streets, parking lots, and switchbacks. Volunteers collected a combined total of 41 pounds of trash, 513 cigarette filters, and 2 pounds of recyclables. They also discovered interesting items like a large 12V rechargeable battery, an umbrella, fake leaves, rebar, fireworks, fishing line, and a Mickey Mouse toy. Each item collected helped make our coast and ocean safer for everyone, including wildlife. The activity was supported by a donation from SAMCAR's Community Engagement Fund.

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month -- a time to honor the history, achievements, and commitment to diversity and inclusion of LGBTQ+ communities. At SAMCAR, we join the California Association of REALTORS (C.A.R.) in proudly celebrating the efforts that these communities champion every day. Supporting Pride isn't just about visibility -- it's about fostering inclusion, community, and connection. In particular, we'd like to take this opportunity to highlight one of our valued partners, the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance...

In May, we celebrate AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Heritage Month across the country. At SAMCAR, we take this opportunity to recognize our Realtor member, Alan Louie, who was named Member of the Year at the 2024 AREAA (Asian Real Estate Association of America) National Conference. Read more about how Alan Louie earned this prestigious acknowledgement and the valuable work AREAA does to support the real estate industry, community and more.

It is with great pride that SAMCAR congratulates Sue Walsh on her recent induction into the National Association of REALTORS RPAC Hall of Fame at the $50,000 level. She joins an elite group of individuals that believe strongly in organized real estate and the REALTOR Action Fund as demonstrated by her exceptional level of investment. Congratulations to Sue Walsh on this extraordinary accomplishment and well-deserved recognition!

On Thursday, March 27 at SAMCAR's 2025 Annual Meeting, SAMCAR President Frank Vella provided an overview of association activities for the year as well as the presentation of multiple special honors. Lifetime Achievement Award winner Bobbi Decker was recognized by Elections Committee Vice Chair, Robert Pedro. Recipients of the C.A.R. Honorary Member-for-Life were recognized by Association Executive Alane Gilbrech, acknowledging their achievement of this prestigious membership distinction. Honorary member Tom Tornquist led the Pledge of Allegiance to open the program and honorary member Phil Houston delivered a keynote address. Also at the Annual Meeting was the presentation of "2024 by the Numbers" — an infographic annual report — an update about the REALTOR Relief Foundation from Jessica Eva, a legislative update with SAMCAR Government Affairs Director Fernando Peña and introduction to C.A.R. Field Representative Andrew Hughan, and an MLSListings update with Jean Joh and Dave Wetzel.