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It is very exciting to embark on a new year and represent you as the 2020 Association Executives Committee chairman. I began my journey with the REALTOR® organization in 1990, when I left a job on Capitol Hill to join the government affairs staff of the National Association of REALTORS®. After 13 years at NAR, I became the senior vice president of public policy for Florida REALTORS® before moving on in 2014 to my current role as CEO of Missouri REALTORS®. Over the past 30 years, one of the things that has impressed me most about the REALTOR® family is how we help one another to be better. We are one another’s greatest resource. REALTOR® AE magazine is one of the ways we do that. I mean, why reinvent the wheel, right?
In this issue, dedicated to community development, you’ll learn how and why so many REALTOR® associations across the country are investing time and money into projects to better their communities. This subject provides a great example of how we can learn from one another.
Every one of us knows that our members are deeply involved in their communities. I, personally, am very passionate about economic development and the ripple effect that it has in our communities. Some of you are equally passionate about land use and development practices. Others are the most engaged in quality of life issues, revitalizing blighted areas, and creating community spaces. I salute you for the contribution you’re making to stronger communities.
While attending NAR’s 2020 REALTOR® Party Training Conference in Austin, Texas, in December, I listened to our public policy leaders announce the three pillars that outline NAR’s advocacy focus for 2020:
- REALTORS® are champions of homeownership.
- REALTORS® fight to protect private property rights.
- REALTORS® are community leaders.
The third pillar is possible only with your leadership. Give members the opportunities to demonstrate their community leadership. Ask them to step up and sit on that city commission or that development planning board. Apply for an NAR grant to fund research into your city’s transportation patterns or to fund building that community playground.
This gets me back to how we help each other be better. Whether through our Hub communities, Facebook groups, or personal interaction at national meetings, we are one another’s best resource.
I get my best ideas for how to create stronger communities from the great work you’ve done in your community.
In closing, I would like to recognize Janet Kane, RCE, CAE, CEO of the MetroTex Association of REALTORS® in Texas. Janet is serving as the 2020 AEC vice chair. Together, we look forward to working with all of you not only to create stronger communities but to be even more successful association executives in 2020.