A Brief History of The Cape Cod & Islands Association of REALTORS®, Inc.
Partially researched by the late 1969-1970 CC&IAOR President Helen M. Webster
In the 1920's, Cape Cod was discovered by the land promoters. At this time, all kinds of ‘for sale’ signs began to appear wherever one looked. Land values continued to jump, and waterfront land and homes became increasingly desirable. Real Estate offices opened up all over the Cape as if by magic. Cape Cod was experiencing a major land boom, and it was in this atmosphere that the Cape Cod Real Estate Board was formed. A preliminary meeting was called by Jim Henderson at the Ferguson House (this stood where the Cape Cod Times and Cape Cod Bank & Trust Co. are) and was attended by 137 men and women interested in Cape Cod development. At a later meeting, $15,100 was pledged for advertising purposes, with amounts ranging from $100 to $1,050 from each individual or firm. Forris Norris (who developed Oyster Harbors) was elected President. Soon after, the group incorporated on April 30, 1926; received their National Charter, dated April 23, 1926, and adopted their own Constitution and Bylaws.
During the first years, meetings were held every two weeks at various hotels with a regular attendance of 100 to 300 people. It cost $50 to join, with annual dues of $50. But things would change. The Great Depression hit, and in 1935, there were only 23 active members in the Association! But the Association survived those tough times, and grew and changed over the years to reflect its membership’s needs.
In 1987, the Association changed its name to the Cape Cod & Islands Board of REALTORS®, Inc. to reflect participation in the Board by its members on Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.
Since 1998, the organization has been known as the Cape and Islands Association of REALTORS®, a cutting edge not-for-profit professional trade association which today has 2,300 members throughout Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. The Association is lead by a thirteen REALTOR®-Member Board of Directors, with representation from Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, the Upper, Mid, Lower, & Outer Cape, and Directors-at-Large. Jamie Regan, owner of Century 21 Regan REALTORS® in Mashpee, is the 2009 President. Projects, programs, and member benefits are brought to life through the leadership of its board and President, as well as through the support of a team of staff managed by Henry DiGiacomo, CEO.
The REALTOR® Association’s activities range from offering valuable member benefits, to providing Continuing Education and other professional development courses, to legislative advocacy on behalf of REALTORS® and property rights. It is affiliated with the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® in Waltham, as well as the National Association of REALTORS® in Chicago.
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