By Karen Dumond, MAR Director of Marketing & Member Services
I realize I am preaching to the choir with my headline – you are all
“joiners.” You’ve made the conscious decision to join the REALTOR®
organization. I am not a great joiner. I find it hard to become involved in outside groups. Some time ago, I was a member of my town garden club. It lasted a few years, but was a lot of work.
Currently I serve on the high school Booster Club. I am committing myself for three years (that is what I say now). I am not only a member, but I participate in the Booster Club because I’m vested in it—my son is a freshman and plays sports all year long. Many of us may join organizations as members, but how vested are we? Are we simply one that joins, or are we a leader? I have been reading a bit about leadership. According to the Kansas Leadership Center, “Leadership is an activity not a position.” The statement is really something to consider.
Joining in the REALTOR® organization or civically in your communities is one-step, but leading is another step, and a very difficult one. Compared to corporate leadership where a small board makes decisions regarding the company, civic leadership can take much more time, patience, and a bunch of channels of command and hierarchy to make change. And leading in the REALTOR® organization can be the same. You face challenges as leaders to make a positive impact in the organization and the communities you serve
on behalf of, both for private property rights and homeownership.
You, as leaders, understand that your profession thrives on those who join civic groups and the REALTOR® Association locally, on the state level, and nationwide. This issue’s feature and the Insider column on the Broker Involvement Program, illustrate how many broker members understand the merits of leadership and how it contributes to their success. Many who work hard in their businesses also lead as members of the REALTOR® organization in order to receive information that they can use daily. In turn, they understand that, as leaders, sharing the information back to agents and fellow brokers creates a more knowledgeable Association which can work to help better the industry through advocacy on regulations or legislative initiatives that tackle relevant homeownership issues.
If you are a member of the Association but not engaged enough to help spark change in the industry, I hope you find the feature and the Insider column compelling. You will see the important changes those who are leaders (those who act) among you can make through involvement.
I have a better understanding of the immeasurable benefits of being a better “joiner” – I have learned this through REALTOR® example.
|