By Regina P. Brown, Chair of SDAR Membership & Education Committee
Pssst! Want a sneak peek at SDAR’s Awards of Excellence? Which celebrity REALTORS® get to walk the red carpet and why? Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes? Let’s pull back the curtain and expose the rumors and MYTHS. Listed below are 15 show-stoppers and the TRUTH to squelch each gossip story.
Show-Stopper MYTH: Awards are for top producers only.
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: While production is a small part, other important criteria includes volunteering in the community, coaching and mentoring fellow realtors, and earning designations or certificates.
Show-Stopper MYTH: It's just a popularity contest.
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: Nominees are judged based on a variety of factors. The criteria includes: education, production, Realtor® spirit, professionalism, leadership, association service, industry passion, and community involvement. Therefore, the most well-rounded applicants have the best opportunity to win.
Show-Stopper MYTH: The same people win over and over again.
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: Once a member wins, they are not eligible for 3 years. In fact, rarely do past winners compete again. They realize SDAR has many members and would like to
Show-Stopper MYTH: The winners are selected from big brand real estate brokerages.
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: About 2/3 of SDAR members work for independent brokerages and small firms. Past award winners have come from a variety brokerage sizes: big corporations, franchises, independent brokerages, boutique offices, and small local companies.
Show-Stopper MYTH: The winners are part of the established good-old-boy system or Board of Directors favorites.
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: Each nominees’ blind application is reviewed and scored anonymously by an independent sub-committee from the membership and education committee. The finalists’ applications are forwarded to a separate subcommittee where each is interviewed extensively. Then, a recommendation is made for each category.
Show-Stopper MYTH: Why should I nominate someone? They will never win.
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: Even though SDAR has over 11,000 members, very few members get nominated. And many of the nominees never follow up by completing the application form. Therefore the pool of nominees has typically been extremely small, giving each applicant a high chance of winning.
Show-Stopper MYTH: The process is time-consuming.
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: Nominating someone is simple! Just submit their name online. The nominee will then complete an application. Yes, the application process is a bit lengthy, because it’s necessary to get a comprehensive view of the nominee. It should take about an hour to complete the application form, once you are nominated. The rewards are worth the time and effort!
Show-Stopper MYTH: I know someone who was nominated twice and never won. I doubt if they will ever win.
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: Many people do not win their first time through the process. The winners may have gone through the process 2 or 3 times before finally winning. Applicants should be persistent. Each year, as they develop their skills and experience, they will be in a better position than the previous year.
Show-Stopper MYTH: All members are competing for a single category.
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: Actually, there are 4 different categories, including a category for SDAR affiliates who are not licensed real estate agents. The other categories are: REALTOR®, Broker, and Office Manager. As an active REALTOR®, I'll bet you know people who qualify for each category.
Show-Stopper MYTH: I don't know anybody whom I would recommend.
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: You know more REALTOR® colleagues than you think. Consider those in your office: your manager, coworkers, coach, or mentor. Think about outstanding co-op agents with whom you have completed transactions. What about the vendors you work with frequently: home inspectors, escrow officers, title reps, and mortgage lenders whom you rely on and recommend to your clients.
Show-Stopper MYTH: No one knows about the awards.
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: Our SDAR Membership and Education committee, along with the marketing department, are working hard to promote this opportunity to all members. Please help us by posting on your Facebook page, announcing at your office meeting, and telling co-workers and vendors. The awards are most meaningful and effective when we have everybody's participation!
Show-Stopper MYTH: I think I may be qualified and would like the opportunity. But nobody has nominated me.
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: You can nominate yourself! In fact, many applicants nominate themselves. If you don’t feel comfortable nominating yourself, ask a trusted friend to nominate you.
Show-Stopper MYTH: What’s in it for me if I win?
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: Ooooh good question! REALTOR® of the Year at the largest Association in California — wouldn’t that be great on your résumé? What about your portrait hanging on the wall at the SDAR office for a year… And your name being announced at the annual awards ceremony in front of your peers? Now, wouldn’t that be great publicity to help you promote your brand!
Show-Stopper MYTH: If I win, I won’t have time to be an ambassador for SDAR.
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: It’s true that the winners will “give back” to SDAR by promoting our Association in a positive light. Also you will attend various events and perhaps even be a spokesperson for your colleagues. But don’t worry, you’re already a positive role model and you have plenty of time to practice talking!
Show-Stopper MYTH: I don't know how to begin.
The-Show-Must-Go-On TRUTH: Just go to the SDAR website and enter the Members section (at the bottom). Hover over the Members tab and click Awards of Excellence. The nomination form only has a few fields, how simple is that! SDAR will follow up by screening the nominee and sending the application form.
Website: www.SDAR.com/AwardsOfExcellence
Article is also featured in The San Diego REALTOR®, pages 24-25.
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