
Given the opportunity would you or have you ever served on a board via your local, statewide, or national Association of REALTORS®? It's a tremendous opportunity and the Associations are always begging for great REALTORS® like you to become involved. Too many people stand back and say 'naw, let the other guy do it', or 'no, thanks...I really don't have the time', or "I don't really think I'm qualified for a position.'
Start off slow, join a committee...it's not a whole lot of time out of your life and besides what better time is there than NOW to do this, business is slower than normal. Make good use of your time. It's a GREAT opportunity to get involved with the REALTOR® community, to meet REALTORS® you would not have met before, and to give a little something back.
There are tons of opportunities...from president on down. Don't go in thinking you will be president tomorrow...today's president started low person on the totem pole at one time. You don't want to be president of NAR you say? That's ok...a committee is enough and you need to go no further.
Some of the positions that need filling on EVERY local Association of REALTORS® are:
Board Of Directors
BORPAC
Bylaws Committee
Charities Events and Fundraising Committee
Commercial Alliance Board
Education Events Committee
Executive Committee
Faculty Committee
Finance Committee
Forms Committee
Grievance Committee
Housing Opportunity Committee
Investment Committee
MLS Committee
MLS Quality Control Sub Committee
Political Affairs Committee
Professional Standards
Property Management
Public Relations Work Group
Quality of Life
Risk Management
Technology Advisory Group
Every Association is different...so their committees may be different (but probably similar)...I encourage you to give it a try. I can almost guarantee you won't be sorry. I was on the Grievance Committee for 3 years, I am currently serving my 2nd year on Professional Standards. I also served a short time on the Technology Advisory Group. One Committee at a time is enough for me...when my stint on Professional Standards is done I think I would like to go for Education or Political Affairs. These were all at the local level...you can move up the ladder and onto state and national levels if you want. There is something for everyone!
Make a commitment for 2008 - BECOME INVOLVED!

www.MaryWarren.com or www.MaryW.com
Mike in Tucson