Awards
Each year, the Association recognizes four individuals for our most prestigious awards, REALTOR®, Rookie, Affiliate of the Year and Good Neighbor. The recipients have contributed hundreds of hours to causes that benefited the general membership and have also dedicated time to many community programs.
Your 2009 REALTOR®, Rookie, Affiliate, and Good Neighbor of the Year Award Recipients are:
REALTOR® of the Year is given to a REALTOR® who is involved in everything. A person who is active in real estate--selling and/or managing, volunteers at the state and local Association, has earned designations, and also participates in activities within the local community.
Craig Ragg follows the tradition of Bay East's leadership; he has been active in not only the Association, but in his community. He has served on the Castro Valley Educational Foundation, the Salvation Army Advisory Board and currently chairs the Capital Campaign Committee for Eden Hospital Foundation's $12.8 Million Dollar Campaign. He has also been active in local government, serving on the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors for 8 years. He is a member of our Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Local Government Relations Council and Housing Opportunities Council. He also represents us as a member of the California Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors.
Rookie of the Year is given to an individual who has started in Real Estate within the previous 18 months, has demonstrated success in sales and education, has volunteered time to the Association and the real estate community, and has been active in their community.
Even though a new REALTOR®, Carol Sawdey has successfully combined enthusiasm for a new profession with all of the attributes that distinguish a successful REALTOR®. Carol graduated from Castro Valley High School and has a Bachelor of Science with a Business Major from California State University Hayward. Carol received both her Salesperson's License and Broker's License in 2008, going to work for Windermere Welcome Home and Gretchen Pearson. Carol credits her success to the training, mentoring and family orientation of Windermere Welcome Home.
Affiliate of the Year is a member of the Association who contributes an immeasurable amount of time, money, and/or resources to supporting the real estate industry. This person is also active in community activities.
This year's Affiliate of the Year is Michele Wentworth. Michele has been actively involved in the real estate industry for only 2 years. Michele served as the 2009 Treasurer for Central County Marketing Group and participated on several Bay East Councils. In addition to her service at Bay East, she is a member of WCR Southern Alameda County, serving as Secretary in 2009.
Michele is also active in the local community. She is a member of Soroptimist International of the East Bay and served as the Reporting Secretary for 2008-2009. She is the Treasurer for Hayward Business Network, serving in the position since 2008. She loves animals and is a member of the Siberian Husky Rescue and Referral of California.
Good Neighbor of the Year is an award that was established to recognize the ongoing efforts of our REALTOR® members who have made exceptional contributions to improve the quality of life in their local community. This award brings to the forefront the positive difference REALTORS® make in giving back to their communities.
Our 2009 Good Neighbor Award recipient is Carol Sawdey. She is presently organizing a Mobile Blood Drive to help others in need. Carol is working with the family of thirteen year old Kevin Murphy as well as Lucille Packard Children's Hospital to educate and support this cause, while giving community members the opportunity to fill out life-saving donor cards. Kevin, a San Ramon resident, received a heart transplant last February 20 in Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford.
She spends on average 5 to 10 hours a week on charitable endeavors. One of her proudest achievements is that she has instilled in her three children a sense of responsibility, community and above all service to others.
How Are They Chosen?
The Member Benefits Council looks for members who are involved in the Association and the community, and whose ethical and professional behavior makes them role models for others in the industry. The ideal candidate is well rounded - active in both real estate and community.
The Council's Recognition Task Force utilizes a rigorous point system for candidate selection. Candidates are asked to complete a questionnaire detailing their real estate, education, and community involvement. The submitted questionnaires are then reviewed to determine if the candidate has accumulated the required minimum number of points to be considered a nominee. The minimum points required are listed on each nomination form.
Points are earned for involvement in real estate and community related activities, in addition, points are awarded to the REALTOR® and Rookie for real estate education and production, among other things.
The award recipients are candidates with the highest number of accumulated points. Recipients are announced at the annual Inaugural gala, local newspapers, all Bay East publications, and the Bay East website. The recipient of the REALTOR®, Rookie, Affiliate of the Year and Good Neighbor awards will be invited to speak at the annual awards program.
