RSS feed for Items tagged 'Association Executives'

Board OKs Public-Facing MLS Sites as 'Basic' Services

The Board of Directors, at its May 18 meeting, on the last day of the 2013 NAR Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, approved a modification to MLS Policy Statement 7.57 to provide additional guidance on the categorization of programs, products, and services as "core," "basic," or "optional" services.

Twenty Questions to Get You Started Building Your Association's Blog

Thinking about starting a blog for your association? Use these questions as a place to start.

Why are you creating a blog? This is your mission statement and introduces your blog to your readers and your leadership. It should include a brief summary of the idea behind the creation of the blog, your blog objectives, and generally what your blog stands for.
What is the focus of your blog content? Business tips, membership life, association news, housing data for members, home buying and home selling advice for consumers?
Who is the target audience... Read More

Review Board of Directors Meeting Materials

Review the agenda and committee reports from the Board of Directors meeting which was held on May 18, 2013.

Join the AE Mentor Program Today

Calling all mentors: Join the AE Mentor Program today! Complete an AE Mentor Profile to help your fellow AEs excel in their career in REALTOR® association management. Submit your profile to be matched with an AE searching for a mentor.

REALTOR® AE Recognition Program

The REALTOR® AE Recognition Program is a consolidated effort by the Association Executives Committee (AEC) and the National Association of REALTORS® to honor excellence in the REALTOR® association management profession. Brief summaries are below, and detailed descriptions are available on the nomination forms.

The William R. Magel Award of Excellence is the highest honor bestowed by the AEC. All association executives... Read More

July 1 Applicant Data Form (ADF) Deadline Approaching

The deadline to submit your REALTOR® association Certified Executive (RCE) Applicant Data Form (ADF) is fast approaching.

All candidates planning to take the Fall 2013 RCE exam must submit their ADF no later than July 1.

Candidates may now complete a one-minute application to determine how close they are to obtaining the required points on the ADF.

Current and interested candidates can visit the... Read More

Blog: You Can Bank On It

Banks play a vital role in the housing market. And just as banks are important, so is protecting the interests of consumers.

Download Code of Ethics Centennial Widgets

Place this widget on your association’s website, and celebrate the Code of Ethics Centennial from now through the end of 2013. The widget’s messages update automatically with links to Centennial resources produced by REALTOR® Magazine and Realtor.org.

Plan Your Midyear Meeting Calendar

Going to Midyear? Save time while you're on site by setting your schedule before you go.

Use the AE suggested meeting schedule to plan your week in Washington.

You can also provide your elected leaders with a suggested meeting schedule to help them plan. Send them the sample schedule for association presidents.

Call for Presentations: 2014 AE Institute

Calling all AEs: Are you, or any of your members, interested in speaking at the AE Institute next year?

Visit the AEI 2014 call-for-presentations page to learn about the application process and to fill out a proposal form. The application deadline is May 24. Share the link with any potential speakers.

AE Institute 2014 takes place in Baltimore, March 21-25, 2014.

For more information, contact Laurie Oken, loken@realtors.org, 312-329-8307.

AE MVP: Earn Print-on-Demand PDF

Download and spread the word about the three-minute NAR Trademark Protection video between May 1 and June 5 to earn a personalized PDF through NAR's Print-on-Demand program.

Does Your Association Have Good Neighbors?

The call has officially gone out for nominations to REALTOR® Magazine's 2013 Good Neighbor Awards. Learn how your members can get involved.

Congratulations, 2013 Smith Society Recipients

Congratulations to 2013 Smith Society Recipients Jarrod Grasso, RCE; Ray Larcher, RCE; and Karla Roberts, RCE, CAE.

2014 AE Committee Vice Chair Selected

Congratulations to Jarrod Grasso, RCE, New Jersey Association, as the newly appointed 2014 AE Committee vice chair.

Mark Your Calendar: Leadership Summit

The 2013 Leadership Summit for you and your president-elect will be at the Chicago Sheraton Hotel and Towers, August 26-27. Join NAR President-Elect Steve Brown as he shares his agenda for the year ahead. A welcome reception is planned for the evening of Sunday, August 25. The program is all day Monday and on Tuesday until Noon. NAR building tours will be conducted on Tuesday at the conclusion of the summit until 4 p.m. Online registration opens Wednesday June 5, at Noon, Central Time.

Apply Now for 2014 AEC Liaison, NAR Board of Directors

Applications are now being accepted for 2014 AEC Liaison and NAR Board of Directors appointments. Apply online by Wednesday, April 17.

For more information:

Purchase Tickets for RCE Leadership Luncheon

Sponsored by the RCE Certification Board, this year's luncheon is a jam-packed, multi-faceted event! An industry speaker will address timely issues. NAR will recognize REALTOR® associations that are celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2013. The 2013 inductees into the Dr. Almon R. (Bud) Smith, RCE AE Leadership Society will be recognized. REALTOR® Association leadership teams are encouraged to attend the luncheon.

Association Executives Celebrate 'The Code' on Facebook

Want to make your own?

Download the Photoshop file and customize your banner image. Help is available via video tutorial.

2013 Fair Housing FOCUS

The Fair Housing Focus includes advice on reporting acts of discrimination, information on multicultural real estate organization meetings, NAR diversity, smart growth and housing opportunity grants, and ideas for Fair Housing Month.

2013 Fair Housing FOCUS Poster

Display the 2013 Fair Housing FOCUS poster in your office and/or association.

Media Hooks for Nationwide Open House

Below are some data and tips to help you pitch local media on the Realtor® Nationwide Open House. You can use this information as “media hooks” when speaking with local media or incorporate it into press releases and news articles.

Open House Data

The following statistics come from NAR’s 2012 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers.

• In 2012 45 percent of all buyers used an open house as a source in their home search process.

• Repeat buyers... Read More

Gear Up for Health Insurance Employer Mandate

Next year is a big year for the health insurance reform law enacted three years ago, but it's this year that you might want to start thinking about what, if anything, you'll need to do to get ready.

Celebrate Fair Housing Month

The 1968 Fair Housing Act prohibited housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap. Every April, REALTORS® celebrate Fair Housing Month to reaffirm their continuing commitment to fair and equitable treatment and a professional level of service for all in their search for real property.

Display the Fair Housing FOCUS Poster

Updated Association Resource Packet Available

Help communicate the benefits of NAR with the 2013 Association Resource Packet.

Each packet includes 100 copies of two 6" x 10" printed pieces: the catalog (highlighting NAR’s products, education courses, and REALTOR Benefits® partners) and the Top Benefits of NAR brochure, which includes a CD with NAR member programs and services materials. Packets cost $12.

Order your packet today from the REALTOR.org Store.

Contest for AEs: Promote MVP Program to Members

Enter the "I'm an MVP!" contest by March 1 for a chance to win one of five $100 VISA Gift Cards.

New Professionalism Video & Brochure

NAR created these resources for members on how to conduct themselves professionally and show respect for property, the public, and peers.

Free Public Advocacy Campaign Materials for Associations

NAR’s national advertising campaigns highlight real estate issues that matter to REALTORS® and their clients. Local and state associations are encouraged to coordinate advertising and outreach efforts with the national Public Awareness Campaign.

Materials are available for local and state associations to use in their own markets. NAR's newest campaign, "... Read More

NAR Calendar of Special Events

Help NAR recognize Fair Housing Month, REALTOR® Safety Month, Designation Awareness Month, and Nationwide Open House weekend by sharing information and providing resources to members of your association.

Fair Housing Month—April

Each year in April, REALTORS® recognize the anniversary of the 1968 landmark Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap, and reconfirms our commitment to upholding fair housing law as well as our commitment to offering equal professional service... Read More

2013 Member Orientation Toolkits Now Mailing

Help welcome new REALTORS® with this toolkit, REALTOR® pins, new professionalism video and a comprehensive resource CD.

Professional Standards Education Seminar

The National Association's 2013 Professional Standards Education Seminar will be held in Chicago on Aug. 22–23, 2013.

About the Seminar

The seminar includes, but is not limited to, instruction on:

Due process
Procuring cause
Mediation
The role of the grievance committee, hearing panel, and board of directors
Writing an ethics decision

There will also be a question... Read More

NAR Offers Community Program Grants to Associations

Grants help REALTOR® associations play leadership roles in the areas of housing opportunity, smart growth, and diversity.

Housing Opportunity Grants

NAR has two tiers of grants to help associations create and sustain affordable housing opportunities.

Level 1 grants (up to $1,000): available for associations who wish to sponsor an Employer-Assisted... Read More

NAR's Member Policy Manuals: Going Green

In an effort to “go green,” NAR’s Member Policy Department will no longer mail policy manuals each January to local and state associations and to regional MLSs. Instead, NAR encourages associations, members, and MLSs to access the updated materials on Realtor.org.

Associations may continue to order printed copies of these publications through the REALTOR.org Store.

Fiscal Cliff Update: What Is At Stake for Real Estate

As we go into the last weekend of 2012, Congress continues to wrestle with what to do about the fiscal cliff, the hundreds of billions of dollars in automatic tax increases and federal spending cuts that take effect at the end of the year unless Congress acts to avert it.

It's impossible to know exactly how things will play out. Negotiations will continue through the weekend, and NAR will update its members next week.

With this very fluid situation as a backdrop, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun and NAR Director of Tax Policy Linda Goold discuss what real estate interests... Read More

View the Archived MVP Webinar

View the 30-minute informational webinar on the MVP Program, which was originally presented on Dec. 17, 2012.

Get Involved With Workforce Housing

On Oct. 10, NAR conducted a national Workforce Housing Forum: Bring Workers Home 2012 in Chicago. The meeting was followed by an Employer-Assisted Housing (EAH) class on Oct. 11.

This year’s event drew over 175 participants from 20 states across the U.S., and Canada. It covered a wide range of issues, including:

Advocacy and policy programs and strategies
Affordable housing finance and development
Consumer education, outreach & assistance
Neighborhood stabilization and foreclosure solutions... Read More

RPR Partners With Houston REALTORS®

This announcement comes one week before the RPR rollout to all REALTORS®.

Apps and Web Site Recommendations for Association Executives

Here is a list of iPhone, iPad, and cloud-based apps, as well as Web sites, to help association executives working with YPN be more effectient in their job.

Tell Members to Take Action on Affordable Mortgages

Tell members to take action: unless Congress acts, thousands of families will lose access to safe and affordable mortgages backed by the Rural Housing Service Section 502 Program.

For AEs: Promoting RPR

As of Nov. 1, 2012, Realtors Property Resource® is available to all REALTORS® across the country. Here are four easy ways for REALTOR® associations to promote the news to members and inform them about all the benefits RPR provides.

Post RPR Graphics on Your Site

Give members easy access to the latest information from RPR by embedding RPR badges... Read More

Getting Started

Use these tips from NAR’s Association Executives Committee to develop an effective performance review process for your chief staff executive.

Establish job expectations. A detailed job description is critical. Equally important is for the board and the chief staff executive to have a more philosophical discussion about the chief staff executive’s role. What role does the chief staff executive have in leading the association? Who is responsible for developing the organization’s strategic direction?

NAR’s... Read More

How to Share Lockbox Access

Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association
Orlando, Florida
Michael Kidd, EVP

An electronic lockbox service is one of the most basic association member benefits. Members subscribe to their association’s lockbox service and receive electronic keyboxes for the properties they list and electronic keys to access properties to show. No longer do practitioners need to pick up house keys from the listing broker’s office to show a property or call for the manual lockbox access code. Association members simply use the electronic key that is unique to them to... Read More

How to Share Professional Standards Services

North Shore–Barrington Association of REALTORS®
Northbrook, Illinois
Terry Penza, CEO

When it comes to associations sharing services, professional standards is likely the service shared most often by REALTOR® associations. Sharing professional standards administration or enforcement not only saves associations money, time, and effort, but it spotlights that the Code of Ethics uniformly applies to all REALTORS®, regardless of the association to which they belong. Professional standards is a service all associations can share, whether it’s... Read More

Update Member Guide Info, Get Rewarded

AEs that update their association information through NAR's Member Guide by Oct. 31 get rewarded with a free 2012 NAR Member Profile download.

Get to Know REALTOR.org's New Features

When we launched the new REALTOR.org this spring, we asked for your feedback and promised future improvements and updates to make your experience on NAR’s website even more personal and practical.

We're pleased to introduce a new look for the Realtor.org home page and new tools throughout the site that deliver on that promise.

Highlights of what’s changing:

An Improved... Read More

5 Ways the Missouri Association of REALTORS® Is Celebrating the Code of Ethics Centennial

How will your association acknowledge the 2013 Centennial of the REALTORS® Code of Ethics?

The Missouri Association of REALTORS® (MAR) decided to commemorate the Code’s 100-year anniversary as part of a Leadership Academy class project. Read about their plans to spark ideas for your own association.

1. Create a Centennial Graphic

MAR’s marketing and... Read More

Orlando REALTORS® Ride Planned Railway

More than 170 Central Florida real estate professionals, leasing agents, and others rode an Amtrak train this morning, "pretending" they were on the planned SunRail commuter train.

About REALTOR® AE Magazine

REALTOR® AE is a professional magazine published four times yearly by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® as a service for REALTOR® association executives. REALTOR® AE is an informational publication of local, state, and national association programs, activities, and current trends and ideas in association management and their practical application in REALTOR® associations. The print magazine is distributed to local and state executive officers and MLS directors.

Subscriptions

REALTOR® associations and NAR members are welcome to reprint articles... Read More

For AEs: 6 Tips for Using the New REALTOR.org

Association staff are some of the most active users of the information on REALTOR.org. We've identified some of the most important sections and resources you need to access regularly in your business, and provided the quickest steps to find them.

1. Start by visiting the AE section

You can follow two easy paths: Click the “For AEs” link at the top of every page or type the direct URL, www.realtor.org/ae

2. Browse the AE section according to your three key tasks

The task links are located in the left column of the... Read More

Get 2013 AE Institute Updates Delivered to You via Facebook

"Like" AE Institute on Facebook to receive the latest updates on what's in store for 2013 AE Institute in San Diego.

10 Groups Win Lottery to Host REThink Event

REThink: The Future of Real Estate and the National Association of REALTORS® are excited to announce the 10 winners of the lottery that awards associations and other groups the opportunity to host a REThink workshop locally. Winners were drawn at the 2012 Leadership Summit in Chicago, Aug. 20-21.

State or Regional

Louisiana REALTORS® Association - Baton Rouge, La.

Puerto Rico Association of REALTORS® - Carolina, Puerto Rico

Local Associations

REALTORS® Association of Metropolitan... Read More

Presentations

Check back soon for information about presentations at the 2013 Leadership Summit.

AE Profile: Courage to Change

Terry Penza is an adventurer. From hot-air ballooning to world travel, Penza has a desire to experience something new, take chances, and seek out opportunities to learn. That also applies to her work as the president and CEO of the North Shore-Barrington Association of REALTORS® in Illinois.

Penza is the 2012 recipient of the William R. Magel Award for excellence in REALTOR® association management,... Read More

Law & Policy: Do You Understand Online Copyright Law?

The ability to cut and paste is all people need to violate copyright law. A graph on home sales cut from an online newspaper pasted into a member’s blog post—potential copyright violation. A photo of an elementary school cut from the town’s Web site and pasted into an MLS listing—potential copyright violation.

Managing the risk of operating Web sites that allow third parties to display content requires not only sound business skills but also knowledge of the special laws that govern the application of liability to the operators of such sites.

There are... Read More

HR Connection: The Lowdown on Layoffs

It has been four years since I wrote an article here regarding how to prepare for reductions in staff. My hope at that time was that AE requests to my office for guidance on layoffs wouldn’t be needed later. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Although the real estate industry is in a slow but steady climb in parts of the country, other areas are still struggling to recover.

Associations are still looking for ways to reduce costs, which for some means staff cuts. Even though your largest operating expense—staff—may seem like the best place to start trimming,... Read More

Small Board: Friends in Leadership

Sometimes it’s great to be “where everybody knows your name,” but for some small associations, the cozy dynamic between volunteer leaders and association staff can veer into “too close for comfort” if you’re not careful.

In small associations, members likely know their volunteer leaders personally, which helps build the relationship and trust between leaders and members.

“Many of our members know each other and so they are comfortable with elected leaders because they are likely someone members know,” says Nancy Deichert, AE of... Read More

Management: Tips for Handling Unhappy Members

The phone on my desk beeped. “You’ve got a call on line one,” said Meghan, my receptionist. “It’s a member and he’s not happy.” It hadn’t been five minutes since I’d walked in the door, sat down, and thought to myself that this would be a good day to work through the stack of papers on my desk. Instead, I spent the morning listening to a member so angry I thought his eyeballs would melt, then troubleshooting with staff to find a remedy, and finally closing the loop with his managing broker and leadership.

For a people pleaser... Read More

My REALTOR® Party: Young Members Promote Political Involvement

The Young Professionals Network of the Greater Nashville Association of REALTORS® proves that the industry’s youngest members are not just about light-hearted happy hours: They can take on serious issues, raise serious funds, and throw a seriously great party!

In March, this YPN chapter’s RPAC fund-raiser at the prestigious Governor’s Mansion outside Nashville brought together REALTORS® from across the state and raised more than $35,000.

“The YPN chose to host an RPAC fund-raiser because we believe in the REALTOR® Party and what that... Read More

Meet the New RCEs

These 20 REALTOR® association executives earned their RCE (Realtor® association Certified Executive) designation after an extensive course of study and exam in March.

RCE is the only professional designation created specifically for Realtor® association executives. It exemplifies goal-oriented AEs with drive, experience, and commitment to professional growth. Candidates earn the designation by accumulating points through an experience- and education-based application form and a comprehensive written exam.

For more on the RCE designation, visit... Read More

Member Benefits Go Video

The Wisconsin REALTORS® Association rolled out a new 18-minute member benefits video covering everything from advocacy to education.

“The video was produced and recorded internally, and the footage was captured at our own facility,” says Rob Uhrina, vice president of marketing and communications. “The budget was staff time, plus about $200 of stock footage.”

WRA posted the video on Facebook and YouTube, and Wisconsin’s local associations use the video during new member orientation.... Read More

NAR Establishes MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Subcommittee

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® board of directors acknowledged the growing complexity of MLS technology issues by creating an MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Subcommittee that will anticipate and analyze MLS technology issues.

The subcommittee has a chair and 15 members, eight of whom are REALTORS® with experience in governance or operation of a local or regional MLS, and the rest are MLS administrators or MLS technology or administrative staff. Among them are Carl DeMusz, RCE, CEO of the Northern Ohio Regional MLS; Merri Jo Cowen, RCE, ePRO, CEO of the My Florida... Read More

MLS Caravan Risk Mitigation

Even with the ubiquity of virtual and brokerage video tours, the traditional MLS caravan (where agents drive their own cars to visit listings in person en masse) is alive and well in many parts of the country. Some members say previewing properties in person is the best way to keep their finger on the pulse of the local real estate market.

For the MLSs that host these tours, there are necessary precautions to take to limit your legal liability. NAR association counsels Mike Thiel and Katherine Johnson provide some guidance.

Q. If a REALTOR® association or MLS... Read More

REALTOR® Associations Win Grants to Fund Housing Programs

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® awarded grants totaling more than $60,000 to 19 state and local REALTOR® associations through the Housing Opportunity Program this year.

The HOP grants program is a national effort to promote and expand affordable housing in communities across the nation. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $660,000.

Arcadia Association, Calif.: $1,000 to support a forum for elected officials for a discussion related to the community’s redevelopment plans.... Read More

Reach for Success: 2013 Issues and Challenges

"Reach for Success: 2013 Issues and Challenges" outlines NAR's priorities for 2013 under the leadership of 2013 NAR President Gary Thomas. The report comments on NAR's goals for advocacy, promoting home ownership, protecting REALTOR® business interests, and more.

RCE Leadership Luncheon Tickets Now Available

Plan to attend with your volunteer(s) as our keynote speaker, Charles McMillan, 2009 NAR President, delivers a message on REALTOR® industry issues.

Get Your Members Involved in Spirit Day

Friday, Nov. 9, is Spirit Day at the REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Orlando, Fla., and you have the opportunity to accessorize your members with emblems from your state, franchise, or other group network to show REALTOR® pride.

Plan Your REALTORS® Conference Meetings

Use your event planner to organize the NAR and affiliate meetings you'll attend at the 2012 REALTORS® Conference & Expo. Schedules are posted on our conference site.

Information for AEs About NAR's Consumer E-mail Campaign

A new NAR e-mail campaign is expected to generate buzz among both consumers and REALTORS®.

Starting the week of July 23, 2012, a series of e-mails will be sent directly from NAR to all U.S. homeowners (approximately 75 million individuals), plus an additional 7 million renters who aspire to become homeowners.

Read the complete Frequently Asked Questions... Read More

Consumer E-mail Campaign FAQ

In late July 2012, NAR is launching the first of a three-part campaign using e-mails and browser ads to make home owners aware of the value of home ownership and introduce them to NAR and HouseLogic as their allies in support of home ownership. This page answers common questions about the campaign.

Q. What is the consumer e-mail campaign all about?

A. The campaign is part of a broader consumer outreach strategy that the NAR Leadership Team approved as part of the association’s long-term... Read More

Budget and Finances

Use these resources to help organize and plan your association’s finances.

General Resources

Association Compensation Survey
Dues Formula--Enforcement Materials
Establishing Benevolent Funds
Financial Assistance for Litigation
... Read More

8 Trends Shaping the Real Estate Industry

What forces will be shaping the real estate industry? NAR’s Association Executives Committee Strategic Issues Work Group and consultant Jerry Matthews held a series of structured discussions in February 2012 with U.S. brokers, sales associates, real estate consultants, economists, and technology experts to determine today’s real estate industry climate.

The research surfaced eight trends that are vital for setting strategic direction for agents, brokers, and associations... Read More

My REALTOR® Party Association Successes from Coast to Coast

Learn how 300 state and local REALTOR® associations are using NAR's My REALTOR® Party resources to take their community involvement and advocacy work to the next level—including a mortgage interest deduction victory in Kansas and a smart growth milestone in Hilton Head, S.C.

Order REALTOR® Party Materials

NAR and the REALTOR® Team Store have partnered to offer REALTOR® Party and REALTOR® Rally items to you and your associations at a low cost.

AEs: Help Fannie Mae Organize HomePath Submissions

Fannie Mae earlier this year launched an online system for submitting and managing offers on Fannie Mae HomePath properties. The system collects up to three types of documentation, and now Fannie Mae is exploring making these documents more readily available to practitioners by storing them in online repositories, but it needs your help in making sure it does this right.

To help the company place documents in the right places, answer four questions... Read More

June 18, 2012: REALTOR® Party Winning for You

2012 NAR President Moe Veissi highlights the broad array of recent REALTOR® Party legislative and electoral wins in the latest "Mondays with Moe" President's Podcast. He discusses the victories from Kansas REALTORS® winning legislation to protect the mortgage interest deduction, to North Dakota REALTORS® defeating a property tax referendum, plus a slate of candidates backed by the REALTOR® Party.

Customize NAR's Public Advocacy Campaign for Your Association's Market

AEs can use the ad generator to customize versions of NAR's new Public Advocacy campaign, "New Generations," that underscores the value of homeownership from a child’s point of view.

Global Programs for Associations Course

Your membership is practicing real estate in a global marketplace. Are you preparing them to serve the multicultural buyers in your market?

Tailored specifically for association executives and volunteer leadership, the Global Programs for Association course will teach association executives to:

Understand the value of educating members on the growing global marketplace and how to take advantage of it locally

Develop a business and governance model that fits best with your association's current structure

Be prepared to sell the concept... Read More

Spring 2012

The Spring 2012 issue of REALTOR AE introduces the winners of the Best Association Web Site Contest; spotlights technology to help associations and their AEs gain an edge; and updates AEs on major NAR initiatives and campaigns.

AEC Chair Report: Be a Technology Role Model. By Ginger Downs, AEC Chair

Gear Up for the Ethics Rush: Every Member Must Complete An Ethics Class Before 2013. By Carolyn Schwaar... Read More

AE Profile: Reggie McCrary on Using Technology for Productivity

If you think running a REALTOR® association is enough of a technological challenge, Reggie McCrary, RCE, EVP of the Atlanta Board of REALTORS®, runs six REALTOR® associations and a full-service real estate school. Plus, he’s the president of Asset Management & Association Services and manages a building, the Atlanta REALTORS® Center, that has nearly 50 tenants.

How does he keep this many balls up in the air? McCrary, an AE for more than 23 years, searched for the right project management technology and found a perfect match for his needs in Manymoon (soon... Read More

Big Bang For Your Tiny Association Technology Budget

In an ever-changing economy and real estate market, there is one common truth: Effective communication with members is key.

For some associations, big budgets may enable the purchase of “bells and whistles” and the latest gadgets, but having a tiny technology budget isn’t the hurdle it used to be.

If you think back ten or even just five years ago, hiring a techie to “program” your Web site was expensive, as was the per-address charge of blast e-mail providers. But today, some of the most effective tools in our technology arsenal are free (... Read More

HR Connection: Put Your Strategic Plan into Action

Thomas Edison said, “Vision without execution is hallucination.” He was bright enough (pardon the pun!) to know that a vision without action is insufficient. The same can be said of a thorough strategic plan that has yet to be executed. All too often, associations put a commendable amount of effort into writing a thoughtful and ambitious strategic plan that, unfortunately, is never fully implemented.

Well, dust off that plan. Let’s put it into action! I’ll walk you through all the steps—from the brainstorming process through a basic implementation... Read More

My REALTOR® Party: From Member to Politician

Supporting a candidate for public office who supports REALTOR® issues provides associations the opportunity to involve their members in community efforts at a whole new level. Advocating for real estate issues is incredibly important, perhaps the most important benefit an association can offer its members. Although undertaking campaigns can be challenging, through the REALTOR® Party Initiative, the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® campaign services department assists boards with tools, professional campaign staff, consultants, and financial resources.

Here’s... Read More

How Associations Use Facebook, Twitter

With 4,000 “likes” on their Facebook page and 1,450 followers on their Twitter feed, it’s no wonder social media features prominently in the Georgia Association of REALTORS®’ communication strategy.

“More people are on Facebook at any given time than any other Web site on the Internet,” says Brandie Miner, GAR’s communication director. “I know many people who either keep Facebook open all day or check it several times each day. So it’s great for fast dissemination of information, especially if we are looking for feedback.... Read More

Appmania: AEs Reveal Their Favorite Apps

Tablet computers, especially the iPad—and the applications created specifically for them—are revolutionizing the way association executives get things done. No longer dependent on a desktop computer, AEs can bring all the data with them wherever they go. RAE asked AEs for the top tablet computer and smart phone applications that have changed the way they work.

Personal Organization

Evernote
If you’re an AE who finds interesting information everywhere, use Evernote to not only write notes, but capture text from Web sites, save... Read More

REALTOR® AE Magazine’s 10th Annual Outstanding REALTOR® Association Web Site Contest Winners

The effect of social media Web sites and blogs on association Web sites is clear: Across all association sizes, member-focused Web sites have become simpler and more, well, member-focused.

Judging from the newly redesigned sites submitted to the 2012 competition, the focal point is on business-building information and tools for REALTORS®. Those discrete buttons off to the side that used to point you in the direction of the member-only areas now feature prominently, touting member resources, benefits, tools, and discounts front and center.

Real estate news, especially... Read More

In Memoriam -- Spring 2012

Tracy Lee Elmore, 48, association executive of the Sussex County Association of REALTORS®, Md., passed away in December. She is survived by her parents; her husband of 23 years, Neil Elmore; and her four children.

David “Sandy” Hendrick, 68, former AE of the Central Oregon Association of REALTORS® passed away in December of natural causes.

Ken Motta, 78, CEO of Yuma Association of REALTORS®, Ariz., passed away in December due to complications from pneumonia. Motta had served as the association’s CEO since 1993 and had been active in real... Read More

Advice from a 24-Year REALTOR® Organization Veteran

In May, Cindy Butts, CAE, RCE, CEO of the Maine Association of REALTORS®, will move on to new career opportunities. “My husband accepted a new job and moved to Hartford, Conn., more than three years ago but we decided to wait until our son left for college for me to make the move, too,” says Butts.

Butts has served on NAR committees since 1992, including the Membership Policy and Board Jurisdiction committee, the AE Institute subcommittee, the Mold Workgroup, and the Association Executives Committee. Prior to moving to Maine, Butts worked in both the Chicago and... Read More

AE Wins Dinner with President Obama

Wyndi Austin, director of marketing at the SouthEast Valley Regional Association of REALTORS®, Ariz., will dine with President Barack Obama after winning the honor by entering the “Dine with Obama” fund-raising raffle.

“This is such an amazing opportunity, and I cannot tell you how excited I am. It’s something that clearly would only happen once in a lifetime,” says Austin, who is one of just four winners to dine with the president. The time and place is top secret until the event, says Austin, but presumably, real estate will be on the top of her... Read More

NAR Funds Association Advocacy Initiatives

The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® in March awarded more than $200,000 to 11 REALTOR® associations for their outstanding real estate public policy or advocacy ideas, as part of the My REALTOR® Party Game Changer program.

The goal of the competition was to find new programs, events, or plans that could change the way business is typically conducted. NAR hopes these ideas can be replicated by other state and local associations.

The Florida Association of REALTORS®, as part of... Read More

New Association Training Aims to Boost Competency, Innovation

This spring at the Midyear Meetings, about 100 -REALTOR® association AEs and their elected leaders are expected to participate in a new training and coaching initiative designed, developed, and supported by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, to promote a wide range of organizational skills.

The goals of the program, referred to as the Pinnacle Group Project, are to prepare associations to compete for influence in a changing real estate environment, to move in concert, and to respond with action. This two-year long relevance-boosting journey consists of modules four... Read More

Gear Up for the Ethics Rush: Every Member Must Complete An Ethics Class Before 2013

The countdown is on. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ ethics requirement gives members until Dec. 31, 2012, to take an approved ethics course. And given the average real estate practitioner’s notorious penchant for operating on a just-in-time basis, associations are doing everything they can to avoid holding eleventh-hour ethics courses for hundreds, or even thousands, of members in December.

Mary Ann Monteleone, vice president of professional development at the 19,350-member Long Island Board of REALTORS®, says she’s taken several steps to ensure... Read More

AE Chair Report: Be a Technology Role Model

Adapting to new technologies isn’t a choice for association executives; it’s a necessity. Beyond the charge of managing effective associations, we serve an important role model function for our members. REALTORS® look to us for best practices involving which tech tools we use and how we employ them in our daily business practices. They are also influenced by our use of social media and other nontraditional, tech-related marketing techniques.

Even if we can’t troubleshoot all tech issues ourselves, we should be able to direct our members to reliable sources of... Read More

NAR Signs Letter Urging Changes to Government Travel Rules

May 7, 2012

NAR has signed on to a letter by ASAE, The Center for Association Leadership, which urges Congress to make changes to legislation approved in late April that places severe restrictions on government employee attendance at meetings and conferences, including those held by trade associations. Approved as amendments to the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA) in the House and the Senate’s 21st Century Postal Service Act, the amendments were added to the bills in the wake of the General Services Administration scandal (regarding a 2010 GSA conference in... Read More

Code of Ethics Training Home

Cycle 4 credit begins

Starting March 1, 2013, existing members who complete NAR's online ethics training will be reported to NRDS using updated course codes and numbers for the 4th training cycle (2013-2016).

Have you been terminated for not completing Cycle 3 training?

If your membership has been terminated because you did not complete Cycle 3 training, when you register for the existing member course, your local board... Read More

Terry McDermott Community Leadership Award

Purpose

To recognize those AEs and staff specialists who go the extra mile to get involved in programs and activities that benefit the communities in which they live and work. Through their involvement, they inspire others to get involved and make a difference in the lives of others. When selecting the McDermott Award recipient, the Recommendations and Recognition Subcommittee places heavy consideration on community service and community activism.

While strong association management skills are important to every AE's career, the McDermott Award is not an association... Read More

2013 BOD Appointments

Each year four association executives are appointed to the NAR Board of Directors (one state AE, two local AEs, and one regional MLS AE). This form allows you to apply for an AE spot on the Board of Directors.

2013 AEC Key Liaison Appointments

This form is used to submit applications for liaisons to 2013 key committees.

REALTOR® Rally Video: NVAR Shows Its Spirit

The Northern Virginia Association of REALTORS®, while leveraging NAR resources, explains the importance of the Rally to Protect the American Dream to encourage a strong turnout.

New Member Code of Ethics Orientation

Tracked on NRDS. (Read more under "registering.")

Use the link below to access the online New Member Orientation Course on the Code of Ethics developed by the National Association of REALTORS®. This course meets all learning objectives and criteria for the New Member Code of Ethics Orientation Policy (Policy Statement 47, NAR Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual).

Start the course and/or access your course progress.

... Read More

Fees

Application Fee

To begin the process, you must complete and submit an online ADF along with a non-refundable $355 application fee. This fee covers both the ADF and the examination costs. A $165 certification fee will be due after you have successfully completed the examination.

Scholarship

You may be eligible for up to $520 to cover the expense of submitting the RCE applicant data form (ADF), and the one-time certification fee. Learn more about the RCE Scholarship.

... Read More

More Real Estate Associations Join Forces

More local REALTOR® associations already have, or are increasingly weighing consolidation of their groups into one larger association as a way to maximize benefits for members and decrease operating costs.

2013 NAR Committee Recommendation/Selection Process

The Committee Recommendation/Selection process allows members to enter and view committee recommendations online.

Technology Survey of REALTOR® Associations

2008 Technology Survey

From offering members Web sites to creating blogs, REALTOR® associations of all sizes advanced their use of technology in 2007.

According to the National Association of REALTORS®’ second technology survey of associations, conducted in March 2008, associations are spending more on technology and providing more online services than ever before, while battling spam and struggling to find new ways to make members embrace technology.

More than 200 REALTOR® associations took part in the survey and shared their technology successes... Read More

Signature Series Speakers' Bureau

The Signature Series Speakers Bureau offers commercial overlay boards and state and local associations access to expert speakers and trainers that have dramatically reduced their fees for REALTORS®. Our goal is to assist in providing affordable, quality education for members at the state and local level. Speakers can also design a program to meet the specific needs of your audience.

Speaker Application

Interested in becoming a Signature Series Speaker? Complete... Read More

Commercial Services Accreditation

Your association can be recognized by NAR for a commitment to offering commercial services, programs and benefits for members. This prestigious achievement not only can help you retain your current members, but is also part of a strong membership recruitment tool.

List of Accredited Commercial Overlay Boards and Associations

For more details, read the ... Read More

GRI Designation

Earn the GRI Designation

In today's competitive business environment, it often takes more than just motivation and initiative to succeed. Earning the Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation is a way to stand out to prospective home buyers and... Read More

Scholarship

Purpose

Recipients will receive up to $520 to cover the expense of submitting the RCE applicant data form (ADF) and the one-time certification fee.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply if you are a full- or part-time employee of a local or state association of REALTORS®, a business which is, directly or indirectly, wholly owned by one or more REALTOR® associations, or a regional multiple listing service owned by a REALTOR® association. You may also be a full- or part-time employee of NAR, or a real estate board, provincial association... Read More

Summer 2011

22 benefits of membership for your value statement

5 Reasons I'm Glad to Be an AE

AE Profile: Gary Clayton

Top smart-phone apps for AEs

Getting It Done: Leadership & Outreach

Getting It Done: Management... Read More

Getting It Done: Technology & Trends

Top tech tools & services developed by NAR in the past 5 years

Realtors Property Resource™ (narrpr.com): a national database of assessor, recorder, and mortgage data, MLS content, foreclosure information, demographics, neighborhood data, and more.

Second Century Ventures (secondcenturyventures.com): a venture capital fund focused on promoting innovation (particularly new technologies) in the real estate industry.

Blogs & social media, including 34 separate Facebook pages for individual association audiences, 13 blogs, and Twitter feeds.

REALTOR... Read More

Getting It Done: Resources & Facts

Show me the money

Full-time REALTOR® association chief staff executives’ average annual base salary, 2010: $59,629

Median AE salary by association size, 2010:
Small: $26,000
Medium: $62,400
Large: $125,000
Mega: $160,000

Average 2010 REALTOR® association income & expenses

Small associations (fewer than 500 members)
Dues revenue: $71,763
Non-dues revenue: $75,811
Expense budget: $150,046

Medium associations (500 to 2,500 members)
Dues revenue... Read More

Getting It Done: Programs & Value

How to uncover the value of every member benefit

Articulate the advantages of member benefits and identify programs that no longer offer a real member value in four easy steps.

Step 1. List every program, product, and service you offer, from telephone customer service and support to leadership training. Be specific and don’t list general categories, such as “education” or “MLS.”

Step 2. Identify the desired or intended outcome of the service and what’s in it for the member. Note: If you can’t complete this step, or the... Read More

Getting It Done: Management & People SKills

5 things REALTOR® AEs need to know to effectively manage

How to manage the association and its business operations, including the ability to prioritize and allocate time, finances, materials, space, and human resources, and the ability to coordinate processes and functions that will produce desired results in a professional environment of trust and respect.

How to recognize real estate industry issues and trends, including the ability to thoroughly understand the diverse elements and issues that contribute to a successful real estate operation; to understand and... Read More

Getting It Done: Leadership & Outreach

16 steps to finding a life-changing mentor

Whether it’s your state AE, a neighboring AE, another business leader in your community, or someone you find online, experienced professionals are typically thrilled to be asked to share their advice. Here are some tips on securing a mentor and ensuring a long and mutually beneficial relationship.

List your top goals for the mentoring relationship.

Brainstorm a list of prospective mentors.

Research available information about them.

Select the top candidates who align with... Read More

Clayton Awarded Magel

Gary Clayton, RCE, CAE, CEO of the Illinois Association of REALTORS®, is this year’s recipient of the William R. Magel Award of Excellence, which honors an individual who has truly excelled in his or her role as an association executive.

Considering the launch of the REALTOR® Party and the heightened focus on political action leading up to the 2012 elections, it’s no surprise that an AE who embodies the REALTOR® association’s dedication to legislative advocacy is honored this year.

Clayton is a firm believer in political action as a primary... Read More

5 Reasons I’m Glad to Be an AE

As we all know, most of us stumbled into this business from some other career. I know, I know, a few of us actually planned to make association management a career (yes, I’m looking at you, Scott Brunner), but that’s pretty rare. I don’t know about you, but stumbling into AE world has been one of the best things that ever happened to me. Here are five reasons why I love what I do for a living:

1. It’s never boring
This job requires me to be a “generalized specialist.” I have to know at least a little about a lot of things,... Read More

22 benefits of membership for your value statement

These 22 benefits are provided by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® to all members.

Combine these with specifics about your association’s unique benefits, charity work, discounts, and services, including home tours, state-run legal or technology hotlines, your homes magazine, the REALTOR® member roster, and the public side of your MLS, to create a convincing value statement.

Learn from fellow REALTORS® through local, state, and national conferences, networking sessions, and social events. The REALTOR® association—some million members... Read More

Spring 2011

24 of the Best, creative, smart, and clever advertising and marketing pieces from REALTOR® associations nationwide!

A Great Year to Be Chair, Seriously

AE-on-the-Street Report from 2011 AEI

Associations and Health Care Reform

Bar Code... Read More

Winter 2011

Benefits of Sharing

Curb Merger Job Stress

Elements of a Successful Merger

Essential Merger Docs

Hire Speakers with Spark

I Have Realistic Optimism

Making Merger History

... Read More