No one can deny that 2009 was a tough year, across the country and locally. People are cutting back, making do with less, and making difficult decisions. But it’s all how we react to such adversity that really matters—and that’s the message that U.Va. Director of Athletics Craig Littlepage shared with the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS® (CAAR) on the afternoon of Thursday, February 25 at Farmington Country Club.

Director Littlepage joined CAAR members as they gathered to honor those who stood out from their ranks last year and excelled in any number of categories, despite the difficult economy. Before the award ceremony began, Littlepage was kind enough to share his thoughts on “Keeping Your Chin Up When the Game Has Changed.” He reminded those at the luncheon that not only is teamwork crucial to getting ahead, but how you prepare for and react to the inevitable roadblocks life presents defines your future success.

Littlepage reminded everyone that all accomplished people have one thing in common: failure. If you learn to deal with failure and put it in the proper perspective in your daily life, there is very little that cannot be accomplished. He concluded his thoughts around a story from inspirational author Bonnie St. John, who believes “the successful folks are the ones who get back up after falling down, but the gold medalists are the ones that get back up first.”

Encouraging preparation and resilience was an excellent message for a group that came together to identify those members who made a difference, despite the ups and downs 2009 brought with it. Created to recognize individual excellence among CAAR members in a given year, these “Of the Year” awards are eagerly anticipated by CAAR members, their families, and CAAR staff.

The process for choosing each year’s winners is not an easy one. The CAAR Awards Committee accepts nominations for five distinct awards: Affiliate of the Year, Rookie of the Year, REALTOR® Ethics in Action, Sales Associate of the Year, and CAAR’s most prestigious award, REALTOR® of the Year. Volunteers from the local real estate community review every application only by the criteria placed in front of them, as all award forms are altered to disguise the identity of the nominee.

Each award category has particular requirements that must be met depending on its focus, but winners across all the awards consistently demonstrate involvement in the local community, dedication to their clients and fellow REALTORS®, and often activity on the local, state, and national levels of the REALTOR® organization.

The first of CAAR’s awards for the afternoon, Affiliate of the Year, was presented to Ty Smith of SunTrust Mortgage. Smith participated extensively in CAAR activities over the past year and years prior, taking part in committees and assuming a leadership role on various projects. He encourages his co-workers to participate in CAAR activities, making many SunTrust employees well-known fixtures at CAAR meetings and events. SunTrust sponsors numerous CAAR events, often specifically at Smith’s request. His support of both the association and its members made him an obvious choice for this year’s Affiliate of the Year.

Next on the agenda was the 
REALTOR® Ethics in Action award, which exemplifies high standards of ethical conduct and practices in the real estate profession. The criteria for this award include being an individual who is sought out by other REALTORS® for advice regarding the Code of Ethics and professional standards. In addition, the recipient should demonstrate a desire to improve their professional knowledge of the real estate profession, and participate in local, state, and national REALTOR® organizations with an emphasis on ethics.

This year’s winner, Carol Clarke of Montague, Miller and Co., is a long-time member of CAAR and has been active at the company, local, state and national levels. She has served on CAAR committees, the Board of Directors, and as President of CAAR and the Virginia Association of REALTORS®. She has served on and led the Virginia Real Estate Board, and has received awards nearly too numerous to count at all levels of service. She regularly teaches Ethics classes for Montague, Miller and reaches out across the country to mentor managers in other states. She is often requested to serve on panels and forums at real estate events in order to share her extensive knowledge with others. In addition, Clarke is active in our local community, often tapped for leadership roles within various organizations. She is an inspiration to her friends, family, and co-workers and received a standing ovation upon announcement of her name.

The festivities continued with the presentation of the Sales Associate of the Year Award. Given to a 
REALTOR® who is a top sales producer and is also active in the Association and the community, this award also recognized individuals who continue to improve their skills by engaging in continuing education courses and the achievement of professional designations.

Christine Lisle of RE/MAX Assured Properties was announced as the 2009 Sales Associate of the Year, and her track record shows that it should have come as little surprise. Lisle was the top-producing agent within her company in 2009 and one of the top producers for the year within CAAR as well. She has worked hard to grow her business quickly and manages a team of 
REALTORS®, yet still finds time to be involved in CAAR activities. She consistently takes on leadership roles within the organization, and she is a familiar face at CAAR events throughout the year. Additionally, Lisle is a CPA and uses those skills in her work with CAAR, her clients, and other agents. She is also active in our community, serving in various roles with the Junior League and the House Staff Women’s Association of U.Va.

Last year’s REALTOR® of the Year, Pat Sury, had the honor of making the final presentation of the afternoon, that of 2009 REALTOR® of the Year. This esteemed award is earned by an individual who has participated in the REALTOR® Associations at the local, state, and national levels. Involvement in civic and community organizations is necessary, as is a high level of personal education and a dedication to the profession. With all of these qualifications, the individual selected is seen as encompassing what it means to be a REALTOR®.

This year’s REALTOR® of the Year is Anita Dunbar of Montague, Miller and Co. She participates fully in the life of our local Association, having served on the Board of Directors for both CAAR and on the PS&A/Grievance committee. She holds two real estate designations, is an Associate Broker, and is a Montague, Miller Top Producer. She has dedicated herself to the Virginia chapter of Certified Residential Specialists (CRS), taking a leading role with the chapter. She has served as the Communications Chair, Sel-A-Bration Chair, Treasurer, Membership Chairman, an Executive Board member, and as President-Elect and now President of the organization.

Dunbar has been recognized by CAAR in prior years for her accomplishments, having received the Top Producer and Sales Associate of the Year awards in years past. She is also a repeat member of the CAAR Professional Honor Society. Her firm has noticed her standout qualities as well, awarding her the Top Producer honor multiple times, as well as the Founder’s, Associate of the Year, President’s, Outstanding Service, and Most Professional awards over the course of her career. She also is active at the state and national levels, as she has been recognized multiple times as a member of the VAR Honor Society and received the CRS of the Year award in 2007.

Outside of the real estate industry, Dunbar doesn’t stop either. In addition to participating in the local Chamber of Commerce and the alumni association for Leadership Charlottesville, she dedicates a large amount of time to several different charities and organizations. She has served in a leadership role at the Shelter for Help in Emergency, the American Heart Association, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Greencroft Club. She gives her time to the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and the United Way as well. It’s obvious that Dunbar has dedicated herself to continual improvement, whether it’s in real estate education, support and leadership of her peers, or the Central Virginia community. She is yet another example of how CAAR members show tenacity and togetherness through the tough times.