Message From The President

Hello OLTA Members:

As President for the year 2008-2009, I want to THANK YOU for the opportunity to serve this Association. I consider it a great honor to work with the Board and Staff of the OLTA, and with YOU, the members.

I also want to thank our new 2008-2009 Board of Directors for their commit-
ment to serve. It is a privilege to work with such a great group of people. These members are some of the "best of the best" in our industry.

The convention this past April in Tulsa was tremendous. OLTA has accomplished so much during the past few years and I know we will continue to move forward with success. By remaining united as an Association, combining our strengths and working through our differences, we will set the highest standard for our industry as well as providing solid products for the consumer.

To date, I've had the opportunity to visit the State Conventions of the New Mexico Land Title Association and Texas Land Title Association. In both states (yes, even Texas) I was overwhelmingly received and treated with the best hospitality. Everyone spoke highly of our Association. I am amazed at the similarities between Associations. They are also faced with political and industry wide issues. The conventions were informative and I brought back ideas I thought would help our Association. However, while visiting the other states, I realized there is no comparison to the warm, family feeling and friendliness we share in OLTA membership.

I have attended two Oklahoma Abstractors Board (OAB) meetings since April. Shortly after each meeting, I sent e-mails regarding the Meeting Agenda, Minutes and notes of the topics discussed. If you are not receiving this information, please contact me.

— The next OAB Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24th at 10:00 a.m., at the offices of the Oklahoma Industrial Finance Authority, 5900 N. Classen Court, Oklahoma City, OK.
— An Abstractor's test is scheduled for July 8th at 10:00 a.m., OAB, 2401 N.W. 23rd Street, Suite 60B, OKC. If you have someone in your office that plans to take the test, be sure to notify Glynda Reppond, Executive Director for the OAB for information and forms, which must be submitted prior to taking the test at (405) 522-5019 or her (current) e-mail: glyndareppond@hotmail.com.
— On July 1st the OAB's website is scheduled to be up and running. The website address is http://www.abstract.ok.gov and Glynda's e-mail address will change to glynda.reppond@abstract.ok.gov.

The OLTA Summer Roundup Meeting is scheduled for July 31st through August 2nd at the Tanglewood Resort in Pottsboro, TX. We have planned for this to be a special event and it will be a great time for all of us to get together with our family and friends. I want to thank our sponsors, Softpro, Greater Metropolitan Area Title Association, Stewart Title Guaranty Company, Grand River Abstract and Title Company and United General Title Insurance Company. If you haven't received the registration form, contact the OLTA office for details. Please plan on joining us.

Regional Meetings are being planned for September - look for information to come in the following months.

The American Land Title Association will hold its annual 2008 convention October 15 ­ 18, in Koloa, HI. For further information and details, go to www.alta.org.

The Education Committee planned our education offerings for the upcoming year. The schools being offered this year will include Basic Abstracting, Title Insurance and Closings as well as additional CE courses. Look for information in the near future on our website (www.oklahomalandtitle.com). Also, please contact committee chair, Chaney Haynes, if you have any questions or comments at (405) 942-4848 or e-mail him at chaynes@oldrepublictitle.com.

If you have not read the newspaper articles circulating from the local press this past month. I challenge you to do so. Our industry has been thrown into a whirlwind of scrutiny challenging the necessity of abstracting. Our industry as a whole does not deserve this. Your OLTA Board and public Relations Committee are earnest in being proactive in responding to these allegations. It is imperative that each and every one of us exemplifies a positive and professional standard in our service to the public.

In the year ahead, we plan to focus and build upon our affiliation with the Oklahoma Insurance Department, The Oklahoma Abstractor's Board, County Clerks of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Association of Realtors and our Legislators. Another goal is to educate the public about the importance of our role in real estate transactions. Please call me at (405) 321-8680 or e-mail maryann@ccabstract.com if you have any suggestions or comments. YOU are invited and encouraged to be a part of what's happening in our Association. It wouldn't be the same without YOU.

Please mark your calendars for upcoming OLTA board meetings. The board meeting for July has been moved to the Summer Meeting and is scheduled for August 2nd at 9:30 a.m. August's meeting is scheduled for the 21st at 1:30 p.m. at First American Title, 133 NW 8th in Downtown OKC.

Until next time,

Mary Ann Nelson
OLTA President