By Karen Dumond

Like many association execs, I wear several hats for the organization. In addition to producing this magazine, I have my hands in a number of different tasks and areas of the association’s activities. I work on the team that puts together events for members, such as the MAR Conference & Tradeshow, the annual Installation of Officers, and the Professional Awards Recognition event. And one of my favorite annual tasks is producing a tribute video for the 16 local association Realtors® of the Year.

Each year, Realtors® from their respective local associations nominate a member to be their local Realtor® of the Year. They are nominated and earn the award based on service to the local community, business accomplishments, and service to the Realtor® organization on all three levels: local, state, and national. These individuals have truly shined in their communities and have earned the recognition of their peers. Then, the local winners are put before a state association committee that selects one of them as the Massachusetts Realtor® of the Year. That person is carefully selected, as all of the local winners are well-deserving. The 16 local association Realtors® of the Year attend the Professional Award event, where the state Realtor® of the Year is named, and the tribute video is produced to be shown at the awards dinner. We produce it so that members can learn more about the local award winners and why they were selected, and also so they can see how humbled and appreciative they are to receive such an honor. I gather footage for the video by inviting the winners to a luncheon at MAR headquarters. They have a ball getting to know each other, and I capture that enjoyment, along with conducting individual and group interviews. They feel special, and that is our intent.

You’ll see and learn a bit more about this year’s Realtors® of the Year in the Awards of Excellence section on page 18. The winner is profiled along with the 15 other local honorees. We pay tribute to them in the magazine so that the entire membership can celebrate their accomplishments with them. Join me in congratulating these impressive Realtors®.