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Report from the May 19 Board of Directors Meeting

Below is a report from the Board of Directors meeting at the close of the 2012 NAR Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in Washington, D.C., May 19.

Rally to Protect the American Dream

President Moe Veissi recounted the success of the May 17 Rally to Protect the American Dream, at which 13,800 REALTORS® gathered at the Washington Monument to celebrate home ownership. The rally showed consumers that, when it comes to something as important as home ownership, “you'... 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

2013 NAR Committee Recommendation/Selection Process

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

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.

AE Institute 2013 Call for Presentations

If you're interested in speaking at the 2013 AE Institute in San Diego, March 15-19, 2013, learn more about the application process and how to fill out a proposal form in time for the May 25 deadline.

Code of Ethics Training Toolkit for AEs

These resources will help association executives administer and implement the REALTORS® Code of Ethics Training Requirement, formerly known as Quadrennial Ethics Training.

Many of the materials in this toolkit were provided by local and state REALTOR® associations. If your association has suggestions about materials to add or would like to contribute resources, send an e-mail to member_policy@realtor.org.

In this toolkit:

... Read More

Training

REALTORS® are required to complete ethics training of not less than 2 hours, 30 min. of instructional time within four-year cycle. The training must meet specific learning objectives and criteria established by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®.

The current four-year cycle will end Dec. 31, 2012. Training may be completed through local REALTOR® associations or through another method, such as home study, correspondence, classroom courses... Read More

Mediation Resources

All member boards of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® offer mediation as a service to their REALTOR® members. NAR makes available the training materials from its Mediator/Mediation Training seminars to assist boards in offering these services.

If you are interested in obtaining these materials or have questions about NAR’s mediation policies, please contact NAR’s Member Policy Department at 312-329-8399 or by email at ORPstdspolicy@realtors.org.

PSTM Resource Database

Use our... Read More

Findings of Fact Training

Attached are training materials to assist REALTORS® in better understanding how to write findings of fact that support their conclusion and issue appropriate discipline. Having well written findings of fact is critical to ensure that your association’s ethics decisions are sound and defensible.

Use: These fact scenarios are fictitious and highlight critical issues for hearing panelists. There are several different ways to use the materials. Here are a couple suggestions:Mock Hearing -- Have two disputants present their positions to an audience acting as... 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.

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 sellers as a REALTOR® who has gained in-depth knowledge on technical subjects as well as the... Read More