Friday in New Orleans (for AEs)
Association Executives Committee Forum – Notable announcements/reports:
1. Las Vegas AE Irene Vogel was selected as the 2006 recipient of the Terry McDermott Community Service Award. Service includes working with disabled children and a local community college.
2. REALTOR.com – changing home page, search ability, and expanding mapping capability (aerial and bird's-eye view); added a disclaimer on the Featured CMA for nondisclosure states saying that the REALTOR® has reliable sales data; improving roster with NRDS integration but need data feeds from associations/MLSs in order to include NRDS numbers; and the President of REALTOR.com position is open if any AE wants to apply.
3. NAR CEO Dale Stinton relayed changing RPAC reporting to enable the ability to get timely and accurate report capabilities; NAR is working on a Master Membership Profile that would allow data overlays; and enhancing consumer outreach to capitalize on their ability to play a meaningful role in advocacy efforts.
4. REALTOR® Henry Ray, NAR Liaison to Government Affairs, recognized the key role association executives play in RPAC success; and announced RPAC Fundraising Partnerships that will be tested to range from fundraising assistance to templates that can be customized.
5. Work Groups looking at changes to dues formula for commercial agents; changing the election process at NAR; and identifying consequences for not submitting to mediation in association to association disputes.
6. Announced four new CAE designees and 13 new RCE designees.
7. Brochures for the 2007 AE Institute in San Diego were distributed. Announced the recommended locations for the 2012 AE Institute – Louisville, Greensboro, Atlanta (in that order).
8. Recognized Colorado State AE Bob Golden for his contibutions as AEC Chairman during 2006. Bob's leadership, humor, and communications skills greatly contribute to anything he's involved with. Incoming AEC Chairman Walt Baczkowski announced goals for 2007 including a webcast on generational impacts on associations – including getting youngest generation of members involved.
The rest of my time ... A bonus to not having more than one NAR committee appointment is the ability to spend time doing more things outside of meetings – participated in a focus group, had lunch with a strategic planning consultant, and even a Diet Coke with 2007 NAR President Elect Dick Gaylord. Dick and I are both dog lovers, and I learned that an RVP group had a renowned artist make an oil painting from a picture of his dogs (Chows). I thought that was a great gift. A few other notes about Dick – he knows everyone, appreciates the value of association executives, and likes to work on real issues.
Maine Night Out – Attendees from my state took the paddlewheel dinner cruise directly behind the Hilton. Several had participated in rebuilding activities today – my state president worked in a soup kitchen for three hours, one painted a home for an elderly woman, and another stacked books in a library. My immediate past president won $25 for being seen with her REALTOR® pin – which also gives her a 1:100 chance to win a plasma TV. Many made masks in the NAR booth at the trade show to wear to the Bourbon Street event tomorrow night. Said people quickly moved from thinking it was weird to asking for the glue and glitter.
And yet life continues with all the work, home, and other email too ….
Comments
Thanks Cindy. Couldn't make it this year, and your Blog is a life saver. Thanks. E
Posted by: Eleanor Lightsey O'Key | November 13, 2006 01:43 PM