Manhattan realtor group breathes new life into MLS.

In the latest attempt to bring a multiple listing service to Manhattan, the new Manhattan Association held its first membership rally last week.

Members from the over 40 firms that have already joined the group - a chapter of the National Association of Realtors - packed the Citigroup auditorium to hear details about the new group's formation. Also present were those interested in joining the new organization.

Though the main purpose of the meeting was to introduce the new group, it was also used as an opportunity to introduce realtors to the Realtors Housing Relief Fund established in response to the World Trade Center attack. In fact, at times the meeting seemed as much a rally for the real estate industry's response to the tragedy as it was for the new organization.

"The events of Sept. 11 changed everything," said David Michonski, president of MANAR. "Our hearts stopped two weeks ago and we asked, 'what can we do?"'

So far, $2.6 million has been raised for the fund with donations pouring in from realtors and members of the public across the country. The fund will provide assistance to victims of the disaster who need assistance making rent or mortgage payments. Fund administrators, who said "not a penny" of the donations will be spent on administrative costs, are seeking donations from local realtors. Applications from victims are also being accepted.

In a heartfelt speech before the auditorium crowd, NAR president Richard Mendenhall described some of the people who have donated thus far. He told of receiving a check for $353.85 from Ash Grove, Missouri, a town he said had "no more than five realtors." A realtor's board in Idaho with 278 people donated $1,000 and a man donated $37 -- half of his weekly paycheck, Mendenhall said.

"That's what this organization (NAR) is about, making a difference," he said.

Keith Stack, deputy secretary of state for business and licensing services, applauded the industry's efforts to aid disaster victims by helping dislocated companies to find new space and providing other assistance.

"The response of your industry to this tragedy has been outstanding," Stack said.

The formation of MANAR was approved the national group in May. Officials said they initiated the effort because of the need to be linked to a national network of professionals in the same field. The group has over 600 members and 36 firms from residential, management and mortgage brokerage businesses.

Current officers and directors of the group are Michonski, president; Cornelia Netter, vice president; Cynthia Crowley, secretary/treasurer; Robert Anzalone; Steven Leader; and John Wollberg. Attorney Edward Sumber was hired to serve as counsel for the group and Laura Rubinfeld was hired as the associate executive.

With the creation of the new group, officials are hoping to usher in a "new kind Manhattan market." The vision includes an industry that will abide by one code of ethics, will improve buyer searches with information available through Realtor.com, and provide firms with the broadest seller exposure through a web-based MLS initiative. The listing service will be provided through Manhattan MLS, Inc., a subsidiary of MANAR, Michonski said.

"No one firm owns it," Michonski said. "It was carefully crafted so that nobody was elbowing anybody else out."

With the MLS will come common rules for sharing listings, one source of market data for consumers and the industry, and approved listing agreements, he said.