That quote from the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sums up so much when it comes to our REALTOR Association. And when I speak of "our REALTOR Association", I am talking about the collective REALTOR association made up of local boards, the state Association and NAR. Despite the structure that operates through separate organizations at three levels, we are really ONE Association working toward the betterment of the real estate industry.
I love the Dr. King quote because it is so inclusive. Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve. It does not qualify the who or the how.
I just returned from San Francisco where I attended the NAR Annual Conference along with more than 20,000 of your fellow REALTORS. At this meeting, 2010 Missouri REALTORS President Elizabeth Mendenhall hosted her first campaign event as she attempts to become the 2016 NAR First Vice President and eventually the 2018 NAR President. At this event in front of a packed house, Elizabeth revealed the results from a survey that she had presented to the NAR Directors to get their opinion on issues that are affecting our Association and our industry. The results are interesting and a copy
can be found here. We are very proud of Elizabeth's decision to serve REALTORS from all across our great country and we know that she will be a great leader!
But as the Dr. King's quote implies, being great does not mean that you have to become the President of NAR. Being great just means that you find a way to give of yourself to something that you believe in. In terms of your Association, you can do this several ways.
If you want to get involved at the state level, the best way is to join one of the many Output Groups that help move our Association forward from the bottom up. You can find out more about the
sign up process here. Its easy to join and unlike past "committees", there is no requirement that you attend our Business Conferences to be a part of our process (although we think you will probably want to when you find out how rewarding the conferences can be).
You can also be great by serving your local board or association. Many of our local REALTOR organizations are currently looking for members to help them in 2014 and you would be pleasantly surprised by the multitude of opportunities that exist. Your local association executive or President would know more.
So I challenge you all to be great. Find a way to serve. Whether that is at the National level like Elizabeth, at the state through an Output Group or at your local board or association, you would be helping OUR Association, your industry and ultimately your personal career. Not a bad way to end the year and look forward to the next.
'Till next time,
Russ