In This Issue
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.
The countdown is on. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ ethics requirement gives members until Dec. 31, 2012, to take an approved ethics course. Associations are doing everything they can to avoid holding eleventh-hour ethics courses for hundreds, or even thousands, of members in December.
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 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.
Kim Cox, CEO of the 419-member Ozark Gateway Association of REALTORS® in Joplin, Mo., received the Terry McDermott Community Leadership Award during the AE Institute in March. This award was created to honor an AE who has shown outstanding leadership and commitment in helping others outside of his or her regular association duties.
After a tornado uprooted dozens of trees in the Kipling Street neighborhood of Springfield, Ohio, the REALTOR® Association of Pioneer Valley donated $20,000 from its charitable fund to plant 150 new elm, maple, dogwood, crabapple, and cherry trees.
Hundreds of REALTOR® associations participated in the third annual Nationwide Open House Weekend in April.
The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® introduced the Member Value Plus Program, a rewards program that incentivizes members to take action in NAR initiatives every two weeks, plus get rewarded with valuable NAR products and resources for their participation.
Members interested in helping to shape public policy in their city or state by winning elective office can now participate in the new NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®’ Candidate Training Academy. The program is a part of NAR’s My REALTOR® Party initiative, which launched last year.
Amy DuBose, RCE, association executive of the San Marcos Area Board of REALTORS®, Texas, received the Tom D. Morton Award for excellence in association management this year. Her work growing membership, increasing TREPAC participation, and reviving the education program has contributed greatly to the success of her local association.
The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS®, Calif., successfully rallied members, homeowners, and elected officials to defeat a proposed measure that took preparing for global warming to a whole new level.
With its first full year under its belt, RAMCO announced it is revising its implementation package plan, updating the fee structure, and expanding its training staff. RAMCO is an association management software system developed as a project of the Association Executives Council of NAR to meet the specific, unique needs of the executives and staff of REALTOR® associations.
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.
In May 2012, Cindy Butts, CAE, RCE, CEO of the Maine Association of REALTORS®, will move on to new career opportunities. Butts offers advice to fellow AEs after 24 years in the REALTOR organization.
Tracy Lee Elmore, 48, association executive of the Sussex County Association of REALTORS®, Md.; David “Sandy” Hendrick, 68, former AE of the Central Oregon Association of REALTORS®; Ken Motta, 78, CEO of Yuma Association of REALTORS®, Ariz.
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 member-focused.
Tablet computers, especially the iPad—and the applications created specifically for them—are revolutionizing the way association executives get things done. RAE asked AEs for the top tablet computer and smart phone applications that have changed the way they work.
REALTOR AE offers a look at how associations are using Facebook and Twitter in the communications strategy.
This article is about how to get the most out of listing syndication agreements for those who choose to pursue them.
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.
We offer steps—from the brainstorming process through a basic implementation—that provide you with great tools to keep your strategic plan alive and show you how to demonstrate your association’s value to your membership.
In an ever-changing economy and real estate market, there is one common truth: Effective communication with members is key. RAE takes a look at essential communications technology tools, most of which cost under $15 a month.
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. Learn what advice he offers AEs on using technology for project management.