At MBA, time to reflect on role of association.

New York's real estate industry is slowly emerging frim five years of economic uncertainty into a new era heralded by fresh perspectives and wisdom, and vastly improving business horizons.

Yet, before industry professionals put the tough times behind them and press on with new business, I believe it is important to reflect upon the career-sustaining role played by industry associations such as Mortgage Bankers Association of New York in good times and in bad times alike.

Since 1948, Mortgage Bankers Association of New York has provided its membership with high quality social and educational programs as well as legislative representation. In all phases of the business cycle, membership has been instrumental - even vital - to the real estate industry and to the career development of its members.

MBA of N.Y. takes pride in the fact that it provided hands-on assistance to the membership as our industry transitioned abruptly from writing new business in the 1980's to negotiating the rough waters of the 1990's.

During this down cycle, our membership learned the dollars-and-cents value of being a member, including the benefits of business communication, legislative intelligence reports and networking. Indeed, in many cases the membership pulled together and found employment positions and other opportunities for members who needed them.

Industry professionals conducted free seminars on the pitfalls of bankruptcies and environmental issues related to foreclosures.

Simply stated, we all learned that it is vitally important for real estate professionals to get to know eachother. The current tough times have generated a large amount of relocations throughout the industry and the MBA has provided timely updates on these personnel changes.

Arriving in a new geographic market, you need to know who the major players are. You need to assimilate rapidly tremendous amounts of market data, the "ins and outs" of neighborhoods and communities. You need to network in order to be effective. Membership in a trade association provides this, and more.

In the coming year, MBA of N.Y. will kick-off its Fall Season with a major address by Mayoral candidate Rudolph Giuliani. This social function will allow our membership to meet the candidate one-on-one.

Our main objectives are education and legislation. Knowledge is power, and MBA delivers its power in a social format. Through our regular luncheon meetings, seminars and conventions, we educate our membership and bring them up to date on the issues as well as the changing regulations in our everchanging industry.

The key issues in the coming year are environmental concerns and regulatory changes. Regarding the latter, we are positioning ourselves for comprehending and taking advantage of new lending vehicles.

Today, lead-based paint has moved to the forefront of industrial threats. However, we have learned a great deal about dealing with envirnmental crises from the asbestos threat. We are working with government agencies in an effort to work through the problem. Procedures, tactics and techniques developed to combat asbestos contamination will prove to be invaluable in the fight against toxic lead contamination. MBA of N.Y. expects to be at the forefront of this initiative.

In keeping with our 45-year history, MBA of N.Y. will continue to provide an exclusive forum for real estate developers and owners to speak directly to the lending community on a social basis and to educate ourselves mutually.

Our long relationship with the development community is based upon the ability to exchange views of real estate and real estate finance with owners and builders as well as all other real estate professionals.

In conclusion, MBA of N.Y. looks forward to a new era when, once again, developers in the New York area will see their plans move off the drawing boards and into the ground. For information on becoming a member of Mortgage Bankers Association of New York, contact Carol Goodman, executive secretary, MBA of N.Y., 54 Shelter Lane, Roslyn Heights, NY 11577 [phone].