For an association to run well, partnerships matter. And the most important partnerships of all are those between association executives and volunteer leaders.
Yet AEs continue to tell us that some of their greatest challenges involve navigating volunteer leadership transitions, setting expectations with volunteer leaders, and establishing healthy governance practices.
Addressing these challenges requires alignment on both sides, which is what the National Association of REALTORS®’ Partnership in Practice webinar series is designed to promote—well before leaders even go to their first board meeting.
“One of the most significant factors in an association’s success is the strength of the relationship between its professional staff and volunteer leaders,” says Jarrod Grasso, RCE, NAR’s senior vice president, industry relations.
“Yet many leaders step into their roles without a shared understanding of governance, strategic leadership or their respective responsibilities. This series was designed to help bridge that gap by creating a common foundation before the leadership year begins. This, in turn, will create a more successful year for the association and our membership,” he says.
Educational sessions will be recorded, so participants can easily revisit the content or catch up on missed sessions.
For more, visit nar.realtor/ae/partnership-in-practice.
This is what makes Partnership in Practice unique: It’s a shared learning experience between AEs and volunteer leaders built around partnership. They hear the same information, discuss the same challenges, and develop a common language around governance and leadership.
While the series has been offered in the past, what’s new for 2026 is a curriculum that addresses not only the relationship between AEs and presidents-elect, but also presidents, past presidents and treasurers. “The expanded audience creates richer conversations and reflects the reality that strong associations depend on multiple leaders working together, not just a single partnership,” says Amanda Brewer, RCE, NAR’s director of association leadership and development.
Education on Recurring Themes
Partnership in Practice also isn’t a traditional webinar series. NAR took a layered approach when developing the curriculum, building it around three distinct components that each serve a specific purpose:
- Governance: These foundational sessions explore structure and clarity through governance, how to govern for the future, and building a strong culture to promote success.
- Role-based learning: These sessions are designed for the role you’re in. Roles discussed are AE, board president, president-elect, past president and treasurer.
- Cohort discussions: These live and unrecorded gatherings invite AEs and leaders in various roles—board presidents, presidents-elect, past presidents or treasurers—to come together and discuss how to better partner together and learn from each other’s experiences. Because they are not recorded, participants benefit from an environment where they can speak candidly, ask questions and share experiences with their peers.
If the topics sound familiar, it’s because they were selected based on recurring themes NAR has heard from AEs and volunteer leaders across the country. “Questions about governance, role clarity, conflict management, succession planning and board engagement consistently emerge in conversations, educational programs and peer discussions,” Brewer says.
Subject Matter Experts Share Peer-to-Peer Knowledge
Throughout the series, experienced AEs, volunteer leaders and subject matter experts will lead the sessions, sharing practical knowledge and guiding discussions to create an educational experience that combines practical expertise with peer-to-peer learning.
In addition to the tremendous value of the discussions, participants will have access to supporting resources designed to reinforce key concepts and encourage continued learning. These resources may include tools, templates, guides, checklists and other practical materials that participants can use with their boards and leadership teams and actively incorporate into association operations, long after the sessions conclude.
Ultimately, the goal is for participants to leave with a stronger understanding of their respective roles, a greater appreciation for the value each leader brings to the organization, and practical strategies for working together more effectively.
NAR intentionally planned the webinar series to start this fall so AEs and volunteer leaders have time to build their knowledge, apply what they learn and strengthen their partnerships prior to leadership transitions early in the new year.
“AEs and volunteer leaders each bring unique perspectives and responsibilities to the organization, but the most successful associations are built on a shared understanding of governance, strategy, and leadership,” Grasso says. “This series is designed to establish that foundation before and throughout the year.”
He adds, “The AE-volunteer leadership partnership influences virtually every aspect of an association’s success. When roles are clearly defined and leaders are aligned, organizations make better decisions, navigate challenges more effectively and remain focused on serving their members. Strong partnerships create strong associations.”
