by Michele Gillis
Staff Writer
What began as an interest in networking and professional growth for Elke McMenemy 10 years ago evolved into the start of the St. Augustine chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors.
Over the last 10 years, the chapter has grown to 119 members and blossomed over the years into an organization that offers networking, education, philanthropy and professional growth opportunities to its members.
“I met a Realtor named Peggy Batch-Gattone at a Certified Residential Specialist class in Jupiter who spoke enthusiastically about the networking and professional growth opportunities Women’s Council of Realtors offered,” said McMenemy. “She suggested I join the Jacksonville WCR Chapter to see for myself, but the driving distance and my unfamiliarity with Jacksonville pretty well nixed that idea.
“For a split second, the thought ran through my head that maybe I should try to get a chapter going in St. Augustine, but it wasn’t until a few years later when membership in the local St. Augustine/St. Johns County Board of Realtors had grown substantially that I decided to take the bull by the horns.”
McMenemy put feelers out to fellow Realtors asking if they would join a local WCR chapter if there was one. The response was overwhelming, she said, so the St. Augustine/St. Johns County Board of Realtors requested the paperwork and information on how to start a local WCR chapter.
“Ten of us met at a local restaurant to organize, and the rest is, as they say, history,” said McMenemy. “Simply put, throughout the years the leaders of the St. Augustine chapter have managed to keep the excitement going by offering innovative programs, valuable education sessions, tuition reimbursement, exciting and rewarding social events such as High Teas, Soirees, First Teas, Bratini, monthly mixers, and numerous golf tournaments which benefit not only the chapter but also various local charities.
“Even though our economy has been suffering, membership in the chapter remains high. This is a good sign that all is well and will continue to be well with the St. Augustine WCR.”
Since the beginning, McMenemy never questioned the chapter’s success.
“The word ‘failure’ isn’t in my vocabulary, so I guess I just take it for granted that the Chapter has been thriving, that it will continue to thrive and that its members will celebrate many milestone anniversaries in the future,” said McMenemy.
The chapter has won numerous state and national awards since its inception including Most New Members, Marketing Excellence, and several Gold Chapter awards.