Hello again,
Thanks for the comments I received from my first blog with my thoughts about the U.S. market. I was happy to hear that many of you are selling, selling, selling and many have mentioned that your local markets are stable or even thriving.
My thoughts today have to do with Leadership Development. I have sat on the Board of Directors for my local Real Estate Board for 5 years. I served as President in 2007 and act as Past President for 2008. OUr Board consists of almost 1400 members with some being access members from neighbouring boards such as Toronto Real Estate Board and REALTORS Association of Hamilton & Burlington. (Ontario). Yes, we are the meat in the middle of the sandwich (or is that a big Hero in the U.S?)
Some of our members are full members of all three Boards. Many REALTORS wish that there was just one Board in Ontario. Each Board is using a different MLS system provider. We are gearing up for a switchover to Tarasoft Matrix this summer.
Any Matrix customers out there???? Tell me it is fantastic, state of the art, user friendly, etc. Our members have been waiting a long time for a "take us into the future system."
O.k. I'm way off track. I was wondering if you could share some great ideas for developing future leaders to fill director positions at the Board. Recruiting, retention, volunteer appreciation, mentoring programs, etc.
We are fortunate to attract members for committees and task forces but many fear the time commitment of becoming a Director. Our Directors serve a two year term. We have 10 directors including the President, Past President, President Elect and Senior Director. The four executive positions are for a one year term. Each Director chairs a committee (or two).
Our Board has a Director Orientation seminar right after the election. Every January we go away for 2 days for our Strategic Planning seminar to prioritize our tasks and implementations for the coming year. We usually head to the lovely town of Niagara on the Lake. Anyone been there???? Lovely spot next to Niagara Falls.
Most years we do end up having an election to fill the Director's slate but some years we have acclamations and there have been times when we have to recycle old Presidents, haha. We also have a Managing Broker's Council which is made up of the Managers of our Brokerages. They appoint a rep to the Board of Directors and they bring a different aspect of the business and various different issues to the table.
The big change that we are finding and I don't know if you find the same thing, is that the newer members mostly work at home. They very rarely come into the office. Although training is available from many Brokerages, some don't want to get involved. It's sink or swim. Years ago we had weekly meetings, and travelled together for caravan. Went to Board functions as an Office. Perhaps some of you still operate that way. Those days seem to be gone for us.
We see the same faces every year at Board functions. The newer members don't seem to be interested in getting involved. Why is that? Is the business too serious now? Do people not want to give back? Or is the business all consuming.
Love to hear your thoughts. Happy selling!
Cheers
Jenny from Oakville
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