Our industry, and every industry faces foes. Some foes that challenge industries are ideological, some economical, some ethical, and some natural. Certainly, the real estate industry faces each of these foes today. Who will be the leader that guides the people, the agents, the brokers, the association executives, the mls executives?
Remember this leadership statement?
“Let every nation know… that WE shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
More than any political speech, this was the voice of a committed leader.
In one of my favorite Facebook groups “raising the bar in real estate” I casually posed a question: “What would your real estate business be like without the Association of REALTORS®?”
I did not like the answers. Most of the answers submitted included guttural moans, and the undertone that NAR membership was required, not chosen. There seems to be a belief that the rights of agents and brokers come from the generosity of NAR. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Today Jeremy Conaway, my most highly respected industry mentor answered the question.
Is everything NAR does perfect? Certainly not! Is everything NAR is currently doing supportive of everyone in the real estate space? Certainly not! However:
For those who perceive a threat in the present situation, NAR is a suburb lifeboat.
For those who perceive the opportunity begging to be discovered in the present situation, NAR is one of the most powerful battleships afloat.
For those who deny any situation exists, NAR is a great insurance policy.
Most importantly, NAR and its local association system are a magnificent action resource that can, with a little effort, be ready, willing and available today with tools that can affect the best result.
As I read these words, I recalled the words of one of our Nations’ greatest leaders once again.
“The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life.”
These are words of empowerment. These words told a nation to contribute to fighting hardship. These words that told a nation that the future was in their almighty hands. Surely, at nearly 1 million strong, REALTORS® have the potential to create their destiny. “Let the word go forth… that the torch has been passed to a new generation” of REALTORS®.
Again, Conaway writes:
The benefits of selecting the REALTOR® organization as your new strategic partner.
- The national REALTOR® organization (NAR) is today, and has been, for the past 4 generations, one of the most powerful entities in our industry. Surveys have demonstrated that it is one of the most powerful institutions in the country, from any industry.
- NAR holds title to an amazingly powerful array of political, organizational, financial and member support resources. It has, in place, a volunteer structure that incorporates the energies of thousands of educated, trained and sophisticated volunteers who work on projects impacting virtually every aspect of the real estate industry and marketplace.
- NAR has a powerful influence over every aspect of land use and real estate marketing in the United States today.
- Through programs such as House Logic and Real Estate Today radio NAR has the potential of establishing influential relationships with millions of American consumers.
- Through its 21st Century Initiatives, NAR has the potential to support real estate professionals moving forward in transactions and activities that only now are being developed.
- At the local level, the REALTOR® movement is also impressive. Over 1300 local associations provide member services, over the entirety of the nation. Each is a freestanding unit with a complete organizational structure. Everyone involved is a working member of the local real estate community. Each makes definite contributions to the greater community.
- The fact that any of these units haven’t felt the need to embrace the new industry and take advantages of its opportunities does not speak to the value or solidity of the organization; only to how it is being directed.
“All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.”
Thank you President Kennedy, and thank you Mr. Conaway. You Irish guys are all right!
