The 2012 NYSAR Mid-Winter Business Meetings kicked off Sunday at the Desmond Hotel & Conference Center in Albany. Last night, the 2012 NYSAR Leadership Team was inaugurated into office. Today's Association Update will feature New York State Secretary of State Cesar Perales. Click here to learn more.

The National Association of REALTORS designation program scholarships offered by the New York State Real Estate Education Foundation (NYSREEF) are available to help applicants striving to enhance their careers pay for their real estate education. Click here to learn more.

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has joined a nationwide settlement that forces five large mortgage lenders to pay millions of dollars to homeowners whose homes are worth less than what they owe the bank. New York is expected to receive nearly $790 million. Click here to learn more.

Tell Congress to "do no harm" to housing. Increasing the cost of a mortgage is not the way to end the housing downturn. Please take action today by clicking here. Click here for more information.

Click here to read the entire Government Affairs Weekly Report.

The Tuesday, February 21, NYSAR Radio show will provide listeners with a recap of topics discussed during the Legal Action Committee meeting held during the Mid-Winter Business Meetings. Tune in at 10 a.m. next Tuesday by clicking here. Click here for more information.

The NYSAR Legal Update will be held during the Mid-Winter Business Meetings tomorrow, February 15, from 8-9 a.m., at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, in Albany, NY. This session is open to all meeting attendees. Click here to learn more.

Please note that when you visit NYSAR.com and you are prompted to log in, you will need to click on "New User" to set up your account.

Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) Required Course will be offered February 21-22 at Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS in White Plains, NY. This course will teach you how to become an efficient and profitable buyer's representative, providing the quality of service and degree of fidelity today's buyers expect. Click here for more information or to register.

NYSAR's partnership with UPS gives you access to exclusive shipping discounts – up to 30 percent! Enroll today to start saving on every package you send. Visit http://www.savewithups.com/nysar or call 800.325.7000 to enroll.

With a $250 pledge or investment in RPAC, you'll gain access to the RPAC Lounge today, February 14, during NYSAR's Mid-Winter Business Meetings at the Desmond. The lounge features food, beverages, computers, printers, cell phone chargers, cable TV, and access to a professional massage, a Valentines manicure and more! Click here to learn more.

The February RPAC silent auction item is a Brookstone iConvert Portable Document and Photo Scanner. Bids must be placed by February 29, at 11:59 p.m. Click here to learn more.