Three Local Association Selected as Model Programs

The Your Virginia Steering Committee is pleased to announce that three local associations have accepted the invitation to serve as model or pilot programs for the Virginia Homeowners Alliance/Your Virginia initiative. The three associations, Virginia Peninsula, Greater Piedmont, and Southside Virginia, were selected because of their enthusiasm for the program and for their current successful public policy programs in their respective areas.

“The three associations already have varying levels of public policy programming in place,” commented Cindy Stackhouse, chair of the Steering Committee. “The largest, Virginia Peninsula, was selected because they have a GAD (Government Affairs Director) who has been working successfully with the area for the past 18 years, and because some of their initiatives can provide new ideas for other associations who also have a GAD in place. Greater Piedmont and Southside Virginia have a great enthusiasm for the Your Virginia program as well; while they do not have a GAD in place, can show off some of their programs to other smaller associations. Our local associations have a long history of learning from one another, and this pilot program can offer new shared ideas from those who are already doing the right things and moving forward in building a public policy program that really works.”

In addition to creating a new social media strategy for Virginia Peninsula to adopt to communicate with their younger members, VPAR will serve as a mentor to the other two associations throughout this pilot program. The goal of the model program is to work with each association to forge a new facet to add to their existing public policy program, and to then provide their success stories to the remaining 25 local associations in Virginia so that these ideas may be emulated or modeled by others.

“The eventual goal of the Your Virginia program, especially as it relates to the pilot association program, is to provide opportunities and ideas for all of our local associations to add to, or in some cases, create, a successful public policy program,” added Stackhouse. “We’re excited about this announcement, and look forward to sharing their success stories with others in the coming months.”

VAR Board of Directors Nominating Committee

It’s time for the Nominating Committee appointments. Based on the VAR Bylaws there will be a member of the nominating committee from each of the teirs. If you have recommendations, please submit them to gini@varealtor.com before May 1st. A link to the bylaws is shown below as well as the pertinent paragraph.

http://www.varealtor.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=CRFOfk3z4LU%3d&tabid=608

Section 4. Election of Board of Directors.

(a) Nominating Committee

1. There shall be a Nominating Committee consisting of nine members, as follows:

i. The most recent active Association past president who is not a current member of the Board of Directors shall chair the Nominating Committee.

ii. The three most recent active Association past presidents who whose terms of office as Association president preceded that of the Nominating Committee chair named above; if one or more past presidents are unavailable to serve, the next preceding active past president(s) shall be invited to serve.

iii. Four members shall be elected by the Board of Directors no later than its February meeting as follows:

1. One REALTOR® Member from each of the four tiers (See Article VIII, Section 1c), who shall be a member of the Delegate Body for the current year. The Board of Directors shall nominate at least two certified Delegates from each tier and shall elect the nominee from each tier receiving the highest number of votes. Any elected Nominating Committee member who becomes a candidate for Board of Directors or National Association Director must resign from the Nominating Committee. In such an event, the President shall be empowered to appoint a replacement.

2. No elected member of the Nominating Committee shall serve two years in succession. A quorum for conducting business of this committee shall consist of not less than six members, with each tier represented by at least one member, including past presidents.

iv. The immediate past chair of the Association Executive Council.

Predicting the Future

It’s that time again: Time for VAR to start thinking of future year membership numbers and I would appreciate your help.

And this time, not only am I asking for your membership renewal and new member projections for 2010, but if available, I would appreciate projections for 2011 and 2012 as well. I know it’s very early, but I would appreciate any info you may have by April 17. Please send to me at dtalley@varealtor.com

VAR’s newly formed Budget Committee will be meeting before the May 7 Board meeting and would appreciate any information you can provide.

Thanks!

–Debbie

Use of VREB License list

The AEC VREB list work group has developed a short survey to gain your input on use of the VREB license list as it currently exists on the VAR website.

Please take a few minutes and respond to the survey so we can better help you. Just click on this link and if that doesn’t work, just copy and paste into your browser:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=FxZ83N3_2fd2Npr0KJkp41FQ_3d_3d

It’s time to start your Applicant Data Form for RCE

Start your RCE Applicant Data Form (ADF). Every Realtor^® association staff person should have an RCE ADF started from the first day on the job. There is no cost to start the ADF, and no timeframe to submit it; the on-line ADF was developed to be used as a tool in helping you keep track of your accomplishments for points on the ADF.

This on-line ADF can also be used as a guide for where to obtain additional points in order to reach the minimum of 350 required on the ADF to submit it. By keeping the online ADF updated, you will always have an updated ADF, and when you are ready to submit it, it is completed!

ADF submission deadlines are July 1 and December 1, and once you submit your ADF, you have 2 years to successfully complete the RCE exam. The Realtor^® association Certified Executive (RCE) designation is the only professional designation specifically for Realtor^® association staff and recognizes those who have attained a wide variety of skills through education and experience.

Obtaining the designation is a two-part process — an application and an exam. The first step is to earn a minimum of 350 points on the ADF. The next step is to take the RCE exam. Between the ADF score and the RCE exam, candidates must earn a minimum of 700 points to be certified. RCE Scholarships are also available and are awarded each year at the REALTORS^® Conference and Expo in November, and cover the ADF fee ($325), and the one-time certification fee ($150) — a value of $475. Watch NAR’s Internal News Service (INS) at the beginning of September for the application.

MORE points now available for The University of Chicago Strategies in Nonprofit Management Certificate

Successful completion of this program is now worth a TOTAL of 100 points on your RCE ADF (used to be 86 total points)!

Be sure to register for University of Chicago Courses at midyear and earn 6 points per class (for a total of 36 points for the classes), and an additional 64 points when you earn your certificate! Two courses, including one core course and one new optional course, will be held in Washington D.C. at the Midyear Legislative Meetings. The optional course, "Politics and Beyond: Advocacy for Realtor^® Associations," will be held May 11, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. The core course, "Leadership in Changing Times," is May 12, 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. For more info, contact: Laurie Oken, 312/329-8307 or log into your Midyear registration form to sign up by the April 17 deadline.

Realtor® Association Management Self Study Course

This updated course will be released April 15, 2009 — be sure to enroll AFTER this date for access to the 2009 edition of this course! (If you are currently taking an earlier version of this course, and are preparing for the RCE exam, you should re-enroll in this free course after April 15 to ensure that you are using the 2009 version of The Answer Book, as RCE exam questions will be using this updated version.)

The online Realtor^® Association Management Self Study Course covers 28 areas of Realtor^® association management and policy topic areas. This on-line course will help you to be more efficient in the day-to-day operations of your Realtor^® association, and it is highly recommended that you complete this course within the first year on the job. This course is recommended for ALL staff in your Realtor^® association to take, and is an excellent staff training tool, and it is FREE! Many AEs require their staff to take it within the first year of employment, and also use it as a performance evaluation tool. Students have one year to complete the course, and it is worth 75 points on the RCE ADF. (Please note that each person taking the course must be registered at REALTOR.org; if you need assistance with registration, please call NAR’s Information Central at 800-874-6500.)

The Answer Book — the Source for Realtor® Association Management

The updated Answer Book will be released April 15, 2009 — be sure to check REALTOR.org after this date for the 2009 edition! All future RCE exam questions will be based on this updated version.

The main reference for the Realtor^® Association Management Self-Study Course and the RCE exam is The Answer Book — the Source for Realtor^® Association Management. This must-have FREE online reference is a comprehensive compilation of Realtor^® association management information that serves as a valuable resource for not only all Realtor^® association staff, but also for volunteer leaders. (Please note that to access The Answer Book, you must be registered at REALTOR.org; if you need assistance with registration, please call NAR’s Information Central at 800-874-6500.)

Advanced Realtor® Association Management Self Study Course

This updated course will be released April 15, 2009 — be sure to purchase after this date for access to the 2009 edition of this course at the AE Institute special pricing of $99 (normally $125) — this special price will be good between April 15-30, 2009! (If you have recently completed or are currently taking an earlier version of this course, just let me know and I will enroll you in the updated version of this course at no charge.)

Another study tool for the RCE exam is the on-line Advanced Realtor^® Association Management Self Study Course, which is a more comprehensive course to further measure your knowledge of Realtor^® association management than the above mentioned free Realtor^® Association Management Self Study Course. Students have one year to successfully complete the course, and will earn an additional 75 points on the RCE ADF. (It is suggested that you take the Realtor^® Association Management Self-Study Course noted above before you take this course).

Advanced Professional Standards Association Management Self Study Course

This updated course has been released at the AE Institute special pricing of $59 (normally $75) — this special price will be good between April 1-30, 2009!

This on-line course provides an in-depth study of professional standards, and goes beyond the professional standards information taught in the free Realtor^® Association Management Self Study Course, and NAR’s mandatory professional standards administration training. Students have six months to successfully complete, and will earn an additional 20 points on the RCE ADF.

New Address for Prince William Association

PWAR moved into their new office today. Website and email remain the same.
4545 Daisy Reid Avenue
Woodbridge, VA 22912
(703) 565-0033
Fax (703) 565-0039

Honor Society Submissions due April 1st.

Just a reminder, Honor Society submissions are due April 1st. You can download the PDF HERE.  It is fillable online.*

If you would request the members to submit the form via email, it would be much appreciated.  Email completed forms to Awards@VARealtor.com.

*Please note that the completed form must be saved before it can be emailed.

Heads-up: WG forming to develop VAR structure for NAR grant programs

President John Powell is forming a work group to determine structure for VAR assisting locals in taking advantage of NAR’s Forclosure Prevention and Workforce Housing Grant Programs.  I’ll post the WG authorization here when appointees have been notified.  Should be this week sometime, I hope. John Broadway will be the staff liaison, so send any input or suggestions to him. Fine to copy me and John Powell if you wish.

Change in plans

FYI…Plans have changed since I mentioned back in February that I’d not be attending AEI.  A conflict I thought I had turned out not to be one, and then NAR offered a $1000 stipend for CEOs and waived the registration fee.  So my plan now is to attend.  As you saw in the email from Gini, we’ll be hosting a Virginia AE dinner in Colorado Springs on Monday night. Details coming your way soon. Spouses are welcome, but Gin will need to hear from any of you who want to atend so we can get a correct headcount.

Proposed phase-in of new VAR BofD structure

Following memo, proposing a phase-in of the new VAR Board of Directors structure, was sent this morning to the Board of Directors. We seek local association input on the plan as well. As noted in the memo, if you or your leaders have comments, suggestions, concerns, etc., please contact me, President John Powell, or members of the VAR Board of Directors.

scott

VAR Directors — Attached are two documents related to the required reconfiguration of the VAR Board of Directors to adhere to the new four-tiered representation structure approved by the Delegate Body in amendments it made to the VAR Bylaws on February 13, 2009.

The first document color-codes the CURRENT (2009) Board of Directors by tier. You’ll see a legend showing the color assigned to and number of current directors in each tier.  The second is a mock-up of NEXT YEAR’S (2010) Board of Directors; it includes only those directors whose terms don’t expire at the end of this year (2009).

You’ll note that there will be no Tier 2 seats available for next year, because there are eight current directors whose terms will extend into 2010. However, there will be seven tier 3 seats, one tier 4 seat, and two tier 1 seats available for 2010. It’s likely several current directors with 2009 expiring terms who are eligible to serve another term will run again where there is a vacancy in their tier.

My concern at this point is how to stagger terms – in tier 2, in particular.  The Bylaws require staggered terms, but as you’ll see, in that tier, they’re not. We have considered several alternatives for accomplishing this. After consideration, the Leadership Team is now recommending to you the following protocol, which will require Board of Directors approval for implementation:

The staggering of terms in Tier 1 may be accomplished with the election this September of two additional directors for terms 2010-2012.

In order to balance the terms in Tiers 3 and 4, certain directors would be elected this September for terms of fewer than three years.
> In Tier 3, the two current directors in that tier have terms expiring in 2010; therefore, one additional director would be elected for a one-year term (ending in 2010); three directors would be elected for two-year terms (ending in 2011) and two directors would be elected for full three-year terms (ending in 2012).
>  In Tier 4 (which is allocated a total of three directors), the one current director has a term expiring in 2011; therefore, one additional director would be elected for a one-year term (ending in 2010); and one director would be elected for a full three-year term (ending in 2012).

To determine with candidate gets which terms, the longest terms would be awarded to the candidate(s) receiving the most votes in a tier.

We recommend that staggering terms in Tier 2 be accomplished via a two-year phase-in. In short, since all eight directors in Tier 2 were elected to and deserve full terms, we recommend doing nothing related to term adjustments in the tier for 2010, but in the September 2010 elections for 2011 director seats, certain directors would be elected terms of fewer than three years, and the longest terms would be awarded to the candidate(s) receiving the most votes in that tier.

Under the new Bylaws provisions, applications for 2010 VAR Board of Director seats are due June 1, 2009.  So that local associations may determine which candidates may run, time is of the essence in approving this – or some alternative – proposed plan.

President John Powell will be scheduling a special Board of Directors conference call soon so that you may discuss and make a decision on this matter.  I’ll be sending you that date, time and connecting instructions when the date is determined.

In the meantime, if you have questions or suggestions, please contact me or President John Powell.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Prince William Association asking for your assistance

PWAR is researching various approaches/practices of Nominating Committees. Denise is asking for your assistance in answering 8 brief survey questions.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=y0MaZ3rNS4mj2aAETugtkw_3d_3d

Thanks for your help.

Denise (Nebb) Roosendaal

4 VAR staffers appointed, quoted or otherwise recognized

Congrats to VAR’s John Broadway, who’s been appointed to Virginia Free’s Legislative Evaluation Committee. Virginia Free is a non-profit that provides ratings of Virginia elected officials based on their support for business issues.

Congrats to Lisa Noon, who has been appointed to NAR’s AEC AE Transitions WG.

Congrats to Ben Martin and Andrew Kantor, who are featured in the most recent issue of the ASAE-associated CEO Update publication.  The focus on the piece is how organizations are usng blogging to inform and connect with their members.

PSA matrix of important dates and processes

Several of you asked during the AE meeting in Feb. about a PSA matrix of dates, processes, etc. This information is being shared by Gail Phillips as a starting point.

Check out a demo of Easy Ethics from NYSAR at http://easyethicsonline.com/sales.aspx?path.

Gail’s contact is Kristen Egelston, kegelston@nysar.com. The VA AE workgroup will begin work in the next few weeks.

For those who asked for the sample letters for Professional Standards, they can be down loaded athttp://www.realtor.org/mempolweb.nsf/6dcbb4f4d211783186256e7b0057d988/bd444a81eb5515fe8625744300619fbb?OpenDocument

Working on…

Just to update you, following are in the works:

1.  Finalizing “new” VAR Bylaws incorporating last month’s amendments. Hope to have them ready to post on website and distribute to you later this month.

2. Working on a plan to grandfather the current VAR BofD into the new structure. It appears we’ll be able to do it on a two-year phase-in, with no disruption to current seat-holders.  Because June 1 is the new Bylaws-mandated deadline for BofD applications, the LT and Board of Directors will likely need an interim conference call in the next few weeks to sign off on the plan.

3.  President Powell is awaiting staff recommendations on appointing the new Budgte Committee of the Board of Directors, as well as the Strategic Planning Group and committee liaisons from the Board of Directors. Hope to have proposal to him later this week.

4. Finalizing a due diligence plan on developing the market analysis competency that was discussed at Legis Conference, and hope to post that here for your reveiw and input in the next couple of days.

5. All AG minutes, plus Delegate Body minutes are now posted at VARealtor.com. The Policy Board minutes should be posted later this week.

Regional AE Conference Sponsorship Form

The annual regional AE conference is scheduled for July 19-22 in Pinehurst, NC. Additional sponsors would be welcome.

 Download this sponsorship form is for your use in contacting potential sponsors to support VAR. It’s a fillable PDF and the fax number on it comes straight to Amanda.

Amanda will take care of communicating all sponsors to NCAR. The website to register for the conference is www.regionalaeconference.com. Questions, please let us know.

Sandra is a grandma….

Sandra Maschal, that is. Her grandson, Jackson, was born at 10:08 AM Feb 21st, weighed 9 lbs. 9 ozs. And 21 1/4″ long. Everyone is tired but doing great.

Congratulations!

In case you’re trying to reach me…

Scott will be out of office on vacation February 23-27, and trying mightily to be non-responsive to email. If you need anything, contact the appropriate VAR staffer, or Debbie Talley in my absence.  Thanks!

Updates from Information Management Committee

Two quick things from the Committee formerly known as IMAG:

• Upon further review, it has been determined the oft-discussed Local Association Image Grants were indeed cut from VAR’s 2009 budget. Ben apologizes for the confusion.
• A work group was formed from IMC members to assist VAR staff in redesigning VARealtor.com. It was recommended that an AE participate on the Web Site Work Group. This year’s AE liaison to IMC, Nikki Harris and AE Council Chair Jeanette Newton have agreed to sit on the Web Site Work Group.

Seminars on Saving Tax/Medical Expenses

VARedge and TASC are teaming up to educate REALTORS® on how they can save thousands on their taxes and medical expenses!  Members can sign up for a FREE seminar in your area to learn more about deducting their medical expenses with BizPlan.  Click the links below to download the flyer for your respective areas.  Please add these dates to your local association calendars.

• Roanoke Area - March 3
• Bristol/Southwest Area – March 4
• Danville Area – March 5
• Richmond/Southside VA – March 9
• Newport News – March 24
• Virginia Beach – March 25
• Chesapeake – March 26
• Winchester Area – April 8
• Harrisonburg/Greater Augusta – April 9

If you have any questions about the seminars, please contact Amanda at VArealtor dot Com

Two things prior to arriving at the VAR Legislative conference.

NAR announcement and VAR Delegate Body
We are making arrangements for access to the NAR announcement on Feb. 12th as part of the AE Workshop time frame. Original plans were to demo the NVAR data base site. That can still be accomplished but in a much shorter time frame from 12:30 – 1 PM. We understand from NAR the call should last under two hours and that would include Q & A. At 1 PM, arrangements are being made to log into the NAR announcement but only for about one hour. We need to vacate the meeting room by 2 PM and there is no other meeting space available at the Omni. If you would like to join the NAR web cast for the entire time period, you are encouraged to register with NAR on your own and participate in the web cast from your own computer. If you have questions, please let us know.

Please remind your delegates that they must have their name badges on or have some type of identification when signing in at the Delegate Body registration table on Friday. Once they register, they will receive a packet with instructions for the casting their votes during the meeting.