Yesterday, I posted both here and on my other blog about the change of name that our association was implementing. Today, I get the following:

The Association would like to begin by thanking you for your valuable feedback. Just like all of our members, your feedback is important and it's how we grow as an Association.

We have been many many different names throughout the years as we have continued to grow into the accessible and trusted, member-driven association we are today. Of course through most of those name changes, we have merged with other Associations to a now more than 14,000 member strong Association.

Over the past year, the Association launched a campaign to increase member awareness on the many opportunities available to our members through education, events and services. I'm sure you have seen the newly re-vamped www.RWSSC.com and the new E-blast. At the kick-off, we went to the members to determine what they wanted out of the Association, what they liked and what they disliked. From those interviews, the website and e-blast were born! Additionally, we are excited to announce that a new Education and Government Blast is in the works for later this month and the beginning of March.

In addition, it was apparent through these interviews that our name was burdensome and difficult to pronounce. Although at the time of the merge REALTOR® Association of West/South Suburban Chicagoland did reflect our technical jurisdiction, it did not reflect where our member customers do business. We have more than 2,000 member customers that work outside DuPage County, Western and Southern Cook County.

Our member customers sell the dream of living on "mainstreet", owning a house the consumer can call home. Last, but not least, the Association office is located on Main Street in Downers Grove so we felt the name was a perfect match.

This is an Association the staff and leadership are committed to. We are proud of our member customers and the role they play in helping achieve the American dream of homeownership. Our goal is to empower our members to succeed. You get MORE by being a part of the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS®.

Sincerely,

Amy Robey
Communications Director

(So, methinks they protest too much.)