Voices of Real Estate

Last week, I spent several days with our Association’s Committee leadership. We came together in Chicago to ensure that we were all on the same page with President Gaylord’s vision for 2008. During the meeting I was given the opportunity to speak to the group about problem solving and consensus building within a committee. I think we all tend to come to a committee meeting with our own perspective and, I suspect, somewhat unconsciously with some form of our own agenda.

This year, I sensed our committee leadership was “different”. There were many new faces - thanks to our President’s commitment to bring younger Members and fresh faces to leadership. As I said that day, “younger” isn’t always measured chronologically but can also be measured in terms of tenure. Dick’s ability to select and mix the Gen “X” and Gen “Y” folks with our membership’s Baby Boomers is working wonders.

In today’s changing real estate world, no one person or age category can know or carry the water for everyone. “All Together” we can move the Realtor® family into the Second Century for the betterment of our future. I enjoy Jimmy Buffett’s music and quoted him as I finished my talk last week. I think it deserves repeating, here, so indulge me with one of my favorite quotes and take a moment to think about what Mr. Buffett says, "Yesterdays are over my shoulder, So I can’t look back for too long. There’s just too much to see waiting in front of me …and I don’t think we can go wrong!" This year’s committee leadership gives me reason to look forward with pride. As we move through the year and you see our Associations successes you’ll do the same. -- Jim Helsel, 2008 NAR Treasurer