WZCC BC Chapter Meeting Notes
MINUTES OF THE MEETING DATE: 11th SEPT, 2016 TIME: 1:00 to 5:00 PM LOCATION: Arbab Rostam Guiv Dar-e-Mehr, 6900 Halifax Street, BURNABY, BC V5B 2R5 We thank ZSBC B of D & Trustees of Arbab Rostam Guiv Foundation for use of the facilities. ATTENDEES: Total 42 including Speakers The meeting was called to order at 1:30 pm and chaired by Firdosh Mehta. He updated members of past meeting issues and thanked everyone for the unusually large turnout. Meeting started with a Presentation by: Mr. Andrew Peck Firdosh thanked Piroj Amrolia for introducing the speaker to WZCC. He proceeded to introduce the speaker. Piroj Amrolia gave us a background on her professional connections and knowing Andrew for many years. Andrew Peck is President-Elect of CREA for 2016, having served on the Board of Directors for the past six years. Andrew is a fourth-generation British Columbian who has spent his entire career as a REALTOR® in the Metro Vancouver area. First licensed in 1983, Andrew became a managing broker in 1987. In 1996, he merged several companies to form Royal Pacific Realty Group – serving Metro Vancouver. Andrew is now the broker owner, vice-president and general manager, overseeing over 1,200 licensed REALTORS® and a staff of 30. Since 2001, Andrew has been a part of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, first becoming a director, then vice-president in 2003 and president in 2004. In 2007, Andrew was elected president of the BC Real Estate Association. Andrew gave us an update on what is happening in the real estate markets across Canada with some highlights about the market in the Greater Vancouver area. He explained the system of Realtors’ testing and exams and the recent withdrawal of Professional Status of realtors for neglect in self-regulation and member discipline. He also explained the issues of market pressures due to large influx of “Foreign Buyers”, that is those who do not have residency status for Income Tax purposes. This has led to the implementation of a new tax on those buyers. He also discussed some agencies who indulged in Flipping of not just the properties, but the sales agreements to multiple tiers of buyers without the additional gain to sellers, with increased profiteering by Sales Agents. Firdosh summarized the talk and offered a Vote of Thanks to Andrew as a token of our appreciation. Refreshments were served to all of Tea/Coffee, Pop, Samosas, Jalaybees & assorted fruits. We are very thankful to Piroj Amrolia for bringing Sandwiches and Cake. The meeting continued with a presentation by: Mr. Rob Gawthrop, CFP, CLU, EPC of Gawthrop Financial Group Inc. and Customplan Financial Advisors Inc. Firdosh introduced the speaker with an exhibit of the book to be discussed. Topic: Important Financial and Life Lessons learned from “The Richest Man In Babylon” Taking some of the valuable lessons from this best-selling book “The Richest Man In Babylon” by George S. Clason, Rob explained how the right knowledge, guidance and actions along with personal determination, can help you develop sound financial plans for your business, yourself and your family. He stressed on what the book promoted as the discipline of SAVING and then making wise investments with those savings. Rob did this by explaining the importance of systematic savings, asset accumulation, access to capital, minimizing taxation, protecting what you have, and leaving a legacy for your family and causes that were dear to you. He guides his clients towards successful financial decisions. Rob also introduced and briefly reviewed his new book titled, “PAY CHEQUES & PLAY CHEQUES: RETIREMENT INCOME SOLUTIONS FOR CANADIANS.” He proceeded to give that book to Homi as appreciation for introducing him to WZCC. Homi requested that the book should be included in the ZSBC Library for all to read. Thanks a lot, Homi. Firdosh summarized the talk with insight into one of the unusual investments mentioned in the book that involved the simple knowledge of heat transfer as imperative understanding for that investment. He highly recommended that all should read this book. He offered a Vote of Thanks to Rob with a Speaker appreciation gift. Firdosh thanked the Speakers and all who attended. The attendees were requested to further partake of the refreshments and encouraged to engage in networking. With no other business to discuss, the Meeting was adjourned at 5 PM. We request those who have not paid membership fees for 2016 year yet, to please do so. We welcome new members and request others to join. We would like to offer our thanks to Aubtin and Kayras for their assistance in audio-visual equipment set up and taking some photos. We have an excellent speaker lined up for the next meeting on 20 NOVEMBER 2016. Please note this meeting will also be our Chapter AGM. Announcement to follow. Minutes Prepared by: Firdosh Mehta Date: 24 SEPT 2016