Staten Island Board of Realtors Serving the Community Since 1915

Borough’s largest trade organization works to protect public’s right to own, transfer and use real property

“The Best Real Estate on the Best Spot on Earth.”  This was the theme of a speech given on Staten Island in 1915 by New York City Commissioner of Public Works Henry P. Morrison.

A week earlier, more than 100 people had gathered in St. George to officially launch the Real Estate Board of Staten Island and install Anning S. Prall as its first president. Prall also distinguished himself as a U.S. Congressman, president of the city Board of Education, and chairman of the Federal Communication Commission.

Since then, the Island’s population has grown from 76,000 to some 480,000. Through the years, 50 presidents have helped guide the organization, and the once modest-size group of real estate professionals has evolved into the present day Staten Island Board of Realtors (SIBOR), serving more than 1,600 REALTORS®.

REALTOR FAMILY

All SIBOR Realtors belong to the New York State Association of REALTORS® (NYSAR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). These three levels of the association comprise the “Realtor family” that strives to be the collective force influencing and shaping the real estate industry.

The Realtor family seeks to be the leading advocate of the right to own, use, and transfer real property; the acknowledged leader in developing standards for efficient, effective, and ethical real estate business practices; and valued by highly skilled real estate professionals and viewed by them as crucial to their success.

Working on behalf of Staten Island property owners, SIBOR, NAR and NYSAR provide the tools for professional development, research and exchange of information among its members and to the public and government for the purpose of preserving the free enterprise system, and the right to own, use, and transfer real property.

SIBOR is the largest trade association on Staten Island. The organization exists to enhance the ability and opportunity of its members to conduct their business successfully and ethically, and to promote the preservation of the public’s right to own, transfer and use real property.

PROPERTY INFORMATION, CAREER EDUCATION

SIBOR is the provider of the Staten Island Multiple Listing Service (SIMLS), which works as a clearinghouse through which more than 250 local real estate firms exchange information on properties they have listed for sale.

SIBOR also has an educational component: The Richmond County Real Estate Institute (RCREI) is the largest real estate school on Staten Island, providing Real Estate Pre-Licensing Courses and Post-Licensing Continuing Education Courses.

In addition, SIBOR’s membership, individually and as a group, is actively involved in an array of local causes and community activities, helping to enhance the Island’s quality of life.

SIBOR’S LEADERSHIP

SIBOR is governed by a board of 18 volunteer officers and directors, plus the CEO of SIBOR board counsel. One seat on the board is reserved for a non-realtor director.

The 2012 SIBOR Board:  Georgianna Diaz, president; Traci A. Cangiano, president-elect; Laird Klein, secretary/treasurer; and Kathleen O’Leary Garbarino, immediate past president; Joan Camerlengo; Claire Bisignano Chesnoff; Ann Coppola; Laura Dinten; Doreen S. Frazer, past president; Linda Garber; Dill Gillani; Wayne Goldstein; Ron Molcho; Neila Nuzzi; Irene Paoli; Fran Reali, and Greg Sokol; (non-realtor) Philip A. Guarnieri, president & CEO of Empire State Bank; Sandy Kreuger, CEO of SIBOR, and Mordecai Jacobi, board counsel.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

In 2010, SIBOR officials recognized a need for greater visibility within the community.

“SIBOR is really about family and community. We wanted to reach as many people as possible, and remind them we are here to help them achieve the American dream,” Krueger said. “Many of our members wanted an efficient way of reaching out to the community and lending a helping hand where needed. We knew we needed a polished pro to achieve all of this.”

As a result, SIBOR hired Relevant Public Relations, operated by former Staten Island Advance Senior Business Writer and columnist Barton Horowitz, to enhance its visibility.

“Bart took the reins of our marketing needs and brought us into the 21^st century,” Kreuger said. “He helped to highlight our deficiencies, and incorporated solutions that dramatically improved the way we communicate with our members, our community and the media.”

NEW WEB SITE

Working in concert with Great Kills-based Web design firm MAGICX STUDIO, Horowitz helped SIBOR redefine it image, as well as its efficiency, by having the entirety of its online site redesigned.

The new easy-to-navigate www.SIBORRealtors.com, provides a wealth of regularly updated real estate-related information for homeowners, home sellers, real estate professionals or anyone seeking information about the local housing market.

Property listed on the Staten Island Multiple Listing Service (SIMLS) can be accessed quickly and easily from the site with the click of a button.

In addition to its Web site, SIBOR may be reached at 718-928-3220, visited on Facebook at “Staten Island Living,” on Twitter via @SIBOR, and on YouTube at the Staten Island Board of Realtors and RelevantPR channels.

Media Contact: Barton Horowitz

Relevant Public Relations, LLC

Headquarters: 718‑682‑1509

Mobile: 917‑715‑8761

Email: [email protected]