DATES TO REMEMBER
- Jan 17 2024 RPAC Fundraising Declaration Form Due
- Jan 31 Hall of Fame Nomination Form Deadline
- Jan 31 All-GAD Call (Click here to register)
- Feb 1 2026 GAD Institute Site Nominations Due
- Feb 9 Transforming Neighborhoods Program Deadline
- Feb 22-23 New AE/GAD Advocacy Orientation (Washington DC)
- Mar 1 2027 GAD Institute Site Nominations Due
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Jan 17: 2024 RPAC Fundraising Declaration Form Due
The 2024 RPAC Fundraising Declaration Form must be completed by Wednesday, January 17 at 5:00 p.m. As a reminder, in order to be eligible for 2024 NAR RPAC awards, you must submit a National RPAC Fundraising Goal that is higher than the total amount raised in 2023. Please also complete the section on the form to inform us of your RPAC state split plans with NAR for the 2024 fundraising year. Questions? Contact Jon Waclawski or Carlyle Smith.
Monthly All-GAD Calls Return Jan 31
Starting Jan. 31, the monthly All-GAD calls will return. Each meeting will occur on the last Wednesday of the month at 3 p.m. (ET).
The Jan. 31 call will provide an overview of advocacy grants available to state and local associations in 2024. Click here to register.
Jan 31: RPAC Hall of Fame Nomination Form Deadline
The RPAC Hall of Fame eligibility deadline for members and staff to meet the $25,000 minimum threshold was Thursday, December 15, 2023. State associations must submit Hall of Fame nomination forms to NAR by January 31, 2024. Click here to access the guidelines and nomination form. Questions? Contact Jenn Nguyen (202-383-1268).
Feb 1 & Mar 1: GAD Institute Site Nominations Due
State and local associations interested in hosting the 2026 or 2027 GAD Institute, please submit a Statement of Interest to Jami Sims (202-383-1221) by the respective deadlines below.
- Feb 1: 2026 GAD Institute Site Nominations Due
- Associations in Region 6-10
- Mar 1: 2027 GAD Institute Site Nominations Due
- Associations in Region 11-13
RPAC Major Investor Recognition Deadlines 2023
Make sure you and your members are recognized as RPAC Major Investors by the April, October, and December deadlines! Click here for all dates and important details. These are HARD deadlines to submit RPAC investments to the NAR Finance Office. For questions about RPAC transmittal deadlines, contact Jenn Nguyen (202-383-1268), or Debbie Frey (312-329-8565).
RESOURCES
Access Exclusive Deals on Curate for Local Policy Tracking
Curate, a product of FiscalNote, offers local legislative tracking software to keep you ahead of policy change within cities, counties, and school districts. NAR has negotiated an exclusive package of rates that are available to state and local REALTOR® associations who choose to partner with Curate for their policy tracking needs.
To learn more about how to access the 50% discounted rate that NAR has negotiated for you, please reach out to NAR State and Local Policy Representative Drew Myers.
Associations: Apply for a Community Outreach Grant in 2024!
Transform a vacant lot into a vibrant park or gathering spot to boost downtown vitality and foster economic growth. Tackle regulatory hurdles to address housing inventory and affordability. Further fair housing and advocate for smart growth. Community Outreach Grants empower state and local REALTOR® associations to enhance communities and improve affordability and livability. Associations can access grant applications through October 15th or until capacity is reached. Explore success stories or view a recording of Champion Issues with Community Outreach Grants and Webinar for ideas. For inquiries, reach out to Christine Windle.
NAR’s Transforming Neighborhoods Program Applications Due February 9th
Local REALTOR® associations have a few more weeks to apply for NAR’s Transforming Neighborhoods to bring the Counselors of Real Estate’s Consulting Corp expert real estate problem solving skills to your area. Does your community need help reimagining a neighborhood or town center, repurposing a brownfield or other troubled site, spurring economic development, or igniting commercial activity? Online applications are due by Feb. 9, 2024. Contact Samantha DeKoven at The Counselors of Real Estate or Hugh Morris at NAR with questions or to schedule a call.
Expert Advocacy Help When You Need It
The Land Use Initiative is an excellent tool to counter unexpected measures such as proposed transfer taxes, building moratoria, short-term rental regulations, point of sale requirements, impact fees, or other land-use restrictions that could harm real estate or property rights. You’ll receive an expert analysis and talking points [at no cost] to support your advocacy efforts to lobby and fight the proposals. Learn how the East Tennessee REALTORS® Defeated Detrimental Zoning Proposals with Trifecta of REALTOR® Party Resources including the Land Use Initiative. Contact Christine Windle.
Need to Educate Your Community on a Policy Issue? Apply for a Consumer Advocacy Grant
The Consumer Advocacy Outreach grant allows your association to apply for grant funds up to $25,000 (with a 15% skin-in-the-game requirement) to engage with consumers in your community and advocate for public policy issues that impact homeownership and property rights. The Consumer Advocacy Outreach Advisory Board hears requests each month at 2pm ET via Zoom. First quarter meeting dates are February 6 and March 5. The requesting association is required to present for five minutes. Questions? Contact Erin Murphy at 202-383-1079 to chat about what you’re working on before you start filling out the application.
CELEBRATING GAD ACHIEVEMENTS
Congratulations to Najee Bailey (Howard County, MD)! In late 2023, he fought a county ordinance on rent control, and in early 2024 he was able to announce that it was successfully tabled!
Submit your own victories or share your fellow GADs’ wins with Jami Sims to be included in future editions of the GADFly.
REALTOR® PARTY SUCCESS STORIES
Each month, state and local associations that achieved an advocacy win with the help of a REALTOR® Party grant or resource are highlighted in the REALTOR Party® Success Stories. Success stories include:
- Transforming Neighborhoods Makes a Difference in Greensburg PA
- Greater Portland (ME) Board of REALTORS® Takes DEI to the Streets with High-Visibility Bus-Wrap Campaign
- Idaho REALTORS® Welcomes Residents with New Guidebook on Rural Issues
- Bike-Centered Placemaking Project Makes a Wheel Difference
UPCOMING NAR EVENTS
Start Planning for 2024 NAR Events
Check out the list of 2024 events here to save the date for upcoming conferences.
New AE/GAD Advocacy Orientation | Washington D.C.
Save the Date: February 22-23, 2024
Click here to register
REALTOR® Legislative Meetings (RLM) | Washington D.C.
Save the Date: May 4-9, 2024
Brandon Alderete
GAD Chair
Texas REALTORS®
Here we go!
Happy New Year, GAD Nation! Hopefully, December offered an opportunity to take a breath, spend time with family and/or friends, and gear up for the presidential election year.
The new year is often used as motivation to re-evaluate, reset, make changes, or start over. Whether or not you do the “New Year’s Resolution” thing, I offer some advice to kick off your year. I urge you to stay positive.
Your resolve will be tested this year. It will be tested by your workload, current events, macroeconomic uncertainty, and other factors beyond your control.
Staying positive while working in politics can be challenging. The 2024 election is already eliciting strong feelings from Americans across the political spectrum. National polling shows a high level of anxiety about the upcoming election, and we know that 24-hour news outlets and social media platforms thrive on dramatic headlines.
That’s why GADs need to be rocks. Be a trusted resource and a positive force. For your members, for your boss and co-workers, for your association, your community, and for our democracy.
Bringing it back to the “NAR-niverse”, the new year also means NAR grants reset – so there is once again funding for all your great ideas! We’ve talked a lot about demonstrating value and a great way to do that is to bring home that money!
That’s why I strongly encourage you to join us for the All-GAD zoom on Jan. 31 at 3 p.m. (ET), where we’ll hear from the NAR Staff who administer a wide variety of grants and programs, like Community Outreach and Placemaking, RPAC Fundraising, Issues Mob, Consumer Advocacy, Advocacy Everywhere, and Independent Expenditures.
Whether you’re a new GAD or have been around the block a few times, this Zoom will be a good check in – there are new staffers, new programs with new funding amounts, and new guidelines. In other words, … “Please listen closely as our menu has changed.”
Buckle up and stand strong, my friends … we’ve got a hell of a year ahead of us.
-b
Brandon Alderete
512.573.3664 (m)
brandon@texasrealtors.com
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