Spring 2003 TitleGram Page Four

Get In The Title Game

by Mark Bilbrey, OLTA Past President
member, ALTA Board of Governors

It seems as a society we are consumed with the game, any game, where winning is to be the only acceptable outcome. Games where money is no object, whether it means getting the best seats, getting the newest golf club, or playing the best course. Are you a player? A coach? A fan? Or are you just watching from the sidelines oblivious as to the outcome?

The game could easily be football. You could be cheering on your favorite state university (Go Sooners!) or following your favorite NFL team, living and dying with every victory or loss.

The game could be baseball. Did your team make it to the college world series, or if it's a pro team, how are they doing at the All-Star break?

The game could be golf. Will Tiger win them all, or how will you do in the club championship at your local course?

THE BIG GAME

What is wrong with this picture? Maybe nothing! Maybe everything! I am a sports junkie; I admit it. I watch the golf channel more than regular programming. It gives us all a chance to get away from the really serious things in our lives - like work.
But now is the time to get in the "Big Game"... and that game is the title industry. Be a player or at least a fan! Put the same energy and excitement into our industry as you do into your hobbies, and I guarantee we will have a winning team.

STEP UP TO THE PLATE

OLTA is in desperate need of your talents. No one in the world knows more about the title industry than we do, so why are we letting others carry the ball in the most important game in our lives? It amazes me that I can get title companies to give $100 toward any golf tournament, OLTA has trouble getting these same companies to give the same $100 to Okie TiPAC to help ensure the future of the title industry.
We all need games in our lives to keep us sane, but don't forget to be a player in the "Big Game" and get involved. Support OLTA and Okie TiPAC and make sure we have another winning season.

President's Message

Dear Members:

My year as your president has come and is nearly gone. I cannot believe how fast this year has passed. This will be my last message before Barry Schmulbach is installed as your new president. As I reflect over the past year, I cannot thank each member enough for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to serve as your president. It has been an experience I will treasure for my lifetime.

    We had a great Owners/ Managers Meeting in conjunction with our Advanced Abstractor School and Legislative Reception. Those of you who could not attend missed a truly great time. I want to thank David Steed and Jan Loftis for a job well done. We also much thank our Education Committee for such successful continuing education, as the classes were full to capacity. Our thanks also go to Mark Bilbrey, our legislative chairman, and his wife, Cathy, for orchestrating our Legislative Reception. It was a wonderful opportunity for all of us to network with our own senators and representatives, as well as other legislators whose friendship and support has become so vitally important.
    Your Board of Directors has been busy in January and February, attending the Governor's Inaugural Ball, the Speaker's Ball, and the Mortgage Industry Summit in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Some of us will be attending the ALTA Title Technology in March and our executive secretary, along with some of our members, will be attending the ALTA Federal Conference in April. As you can see, we have been busy representing our association the last couple of months. We are also planning a Leadership Conference in November in Branson, Missouri with our neighbors in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska and possibly Arkansas. If you are not actively involved in our association, please consider it, as we value your input and participation.
    Please mark your calendars for April 24th through 26th at the Doubletree Warren Place Hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Our convention committee is hard at work to make our convention a tremendous "Salute to the Red, White and Blue!" I hope to see you all there.
    Again, I thank you for a great year and I look forward to seeing each of you at our annual convention.

God bless you!

Beverly Jones
OLTA President