GET INVOLVED!!!

I won't do it.  I won't do it.  I WON'T DO IT!  Is that what we say when we are asked to get involved with local and state politics?  Did you realize that your business and life is more affected by local and state politics than national politics?  Yes it is true.  Where or if signs can be placed.  What business license is needed.  What laws and rules you must follow in conducting your business.  How much property or sales tax you pay.  Where you can park your car, etc. etc. etc.  Is it ok with you to give your voice to someone else that may and probably doesn't have your best interest at heart?  I for one say no thanks.  I'll handle my interest myself.  Are you wondering how to get involved?

Be Informed.  Start by keeping up with what your elected and appointed officials are doing.  Read your newspaper, or watch the local news.  You hopefully will learn what they are doing.  Search for your state government web site and the different officials web sites.  In SC, the SC Association of Realtors keep us informed via email and on their web site of issues that will have an impact on our business.  Ron, you still haven't told me how to get involved.

Be Active.  Here goes.  The hard part.  After you have gotten yourself informed, contact your elected officials.  Most have emails and web forms.  Call them, write them, go to where they are doing meet and greets.  Sound boring and not very worthwhile?  Most of the time you are right.  But Realtors know the impact of face to face, letters, emails, Twitter, FB, and all other forms of contact and networking.  Let your voice be heard.  I know, but I am only one voice.  You're right.  But that voice and vote can make an impact.  In November I lost a race for school board by only 26 votes.  I have to wonder if everyone that said they would vote did.  If I would have talked to 27 more people would I have won?  Your one vote does count.  So does your one voice.

But they will ignore me!  Maybe, and in some cases probably, but the next time they run, remember that.  When you are deciding who to vote for remember how you were ignored.  You say, but they are busy.  You are busy too, but you still find or make time to blog, read blogs, send emails, and still maintain a family life as well as run your business.  Guess what, they can too.

Voice your opinion.  Write that letter.  Make that phone call.  Use that web form, email, Twitter.  Point is you do not have to run for office (unless that is what you want) you can be involved by communicating your opinion to your local officials. 

The 2010 off cycle elections will be here before you know it.  Get involved now.  Let your voice be heard.