In This Issue…
2018 GAD Institute Follow-Up
Thank you to those who joined us for last month’s GAD Institute in Portland! This was the highest attended Institute to date with a record 242 attendees, record number of speakers (55), and largest number of educational sessions (33). Your input, presence, and active participation help make the Institute valuable for your colleagues. Thank YOU for taking time out of your busy schedules to build your professional development, help your colleagues build theirs, and to bring value directly back to your associations and members. The slide presentations from speakers are available online.
IMPORTANT: We cannot make the Institute better, if we do not hear from you. If you have not yet filled out the GAD Institute Evaluation, please do so now…and enter for chance to win a $50 gift card!
Lastly, we received a warm thank you note from Randall Children’s Hospital staff for the 215 super hero and fashion dolls that GADs generously donated. The GAD Advisory Group cannot thank you enough for your generosity in this inaugural year of the GADs Give Back project during the Institute. Thank YOU for providing toys for so many children in need!
Advocacy Updates & Resources
National Flood Insurance Call for Action
In a big win for REALTORS®, the National Flood Insurance Program will continue renewing or issuing new insurance for four more months under legislation overwhelmingly passed by the U.S. Senate on July 31. More than 129,000 REALTORS® participated in the Call for Action. Twenty-five states surpassed 20% participation and another 9 were over 15%. This includes 413 local associations surpassed 20% REALTOR® participation and 182 ended over 15%. The CFA report is available online to view member participation by state and local associations. The REALTOR® voice was critical through the process. This clean extension of the National Flood Insurance Program shows that it’s clear Congress heard the concerns of REALTORS®. For more information, contact Jim MacGregor at 202-383-1188.
IRS Changes Policy on Donor Disclosure
A recent IRS policy change may impact how your association reports its donors on annual tax filings. On Monday, July 16, 2018, the U.S. Department of Treasury announced it will no longer require tax-exempt organizations, such as 501(c)(6) trade associations and 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, to submit donor names and addresses on Schedule B of their annual Form 990 tax returns. Applicable to returns for tax years ending on or after December 31, 2018, this policy alleviates 501(c)(6) and 501(c)(4) organizations from their current obligation to disclose donor names and addresses to the IRS. Instead, these organizations will still be required to complete Schedule B, but only in regards to itemizing the amounts of contributions received from donors who gave $5,000 or more in a year.
Land Use Initiative Quarterly Report
The Land Use Initiative (LUI) program provides recommendations to requesting REALTOR® Associations to improve, support, and/or oppose state and local land use measures when they are proposed. A total of 14 requests were processed during the months of April through June. There were a mix of proposed ordinance issue areas, including short-term rentals, vacant properties, and comprehensive plans. For more information, contact Adriann Murawski at 202-383-1068.
New Resources Added to FairHousing.realtor
NAR adds resources monthly to help with your Fair Housing Act commemoration activities. Find new articles, stories, ads, and more at www.FairHousing.realtor. Remember, we want to hear about how you are recognizing this important anniversary. Share your story for a chance to be featured on the Showcase Stories page. For more information, contact Wendy Penn at 202-383-7504.
Increase Online Visibility
Search engine optimization (SEO) can help members build their brand by optimizing their website’s content. Share this four video series with members to show how small changes to their website can improve their search ranking.
Placemaking Grant Deadline is Almost Here
You have less than two months to apply for a 2018 Placemaking Grant. The grant is available for up to $3,000 to REALTOR® Associations for projects to build a new open/green space or destination, like a garden, pocket park, plaza, or trail in a community. Read the grant criteria. Watch a video on how one REALTOR® Association used the grant to engage members and create a great community destination. For questions, contact Holly Moskerintz, at 202-383-1157.
2018 – 2020 GAD Advisory Group Open Positions
As a result of the growth of the GAD Institute and the number of GADs who serve and provide input to NAR Committees, the GAD body voted last month to increase the size of the GAD Advisory Group by one state and one local member.
If you would like to be consideration to serve on the GAD Advisory Group’s open positions for 2018 – 2020, please fill out the GAD Advisory Group application form no later than August 31. While positions are limited, the goal is to provide representation from a variety of diverse backgrounds, localities, and GAD roles. For additional information, contact Matthew Leger, Julia Parenteau, or Kyle Lambert-London. Thanks for your interest!
Mark Your Calendars and Your Budgets for the 2019 GAD Institute
For your planning purposes, the 2019 GAD Institute will be in Cincinnati, Ohio. NAR group rates at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati will be $189 per night plus taxes and fees. The registration fee will be $550 (late registration will be $600). Details provided at REALTORParty.realtor.
September New GAD & AE Orientation – Registration Is Open!
Registration is now available for the REALTOR® Party’s 1.5 day New GAD and AE Orientation (September 13 – 14) held at the NAR offices in Washington, D.C. The New GAD and AE Orientation is for GADs and AEs without GADs who have been in their role for 18 months or less and would like to learn the basics of the REALTOR® Party, including the tools, services, program details, and how these programs qualify for association Core Standards requirements. For programmatic details, qualifications, and registration, please visit our website. For more information, contact Kyle Lambert London.
Have You Updated the GAD Directory?
If you are a new GAD (or have hired a new GAD) and would like to be added to the GAD Directory, NAR would like your information. NAR posts state and local GAD information on the REALTORParty.realtor website. This information is available by state and can be sorted by state versus local GADs as well. The directory also allows you to update your information or delete GADs who no longer work within your state. Requested changes will be reviewed by NAR staff prior to finalizing them in the directory. Contact Kyle Lambert London with questions.
RPAC News
2018 President’s Circle Deadline
All four President’s Circle rounds have now launched for 2018! The full $2,000 investment is due by September 30, 2018, but please encourage your members not to wait to complete their commitment in this important election year. View the current President’s Circle Roster online. For more information, contact Lauren Facemire at 202-383-1080 or Lisa Friday Scott at 202-383-1270.
2019 President’s Circle Conference Update
The 2019 President’s Circle Conference will be held at the La Quinta Resort and Club in Palm Springs, Calif. from February 21-24, 2019. President’s Circle Members who invested the full $2,000 by July 31 will be able to register for the Conference beginning the afternoon of Monday, August 6, 2018.
After the initial launch, registration will be open to members on a rolling basis, as follows:
- $2,000 PC investment completed between August 1 and August 31: Eligible to register on September 5
- $2,000 PC investment completed between September 1 and September 30: Eligible to register on October 5.
Contact Lauren Facemire at 202-383-1080 or Lisa Friday Scott at 202-383-1270 for questions regarding the President’s Circle program. Contact Beth Brittingham at 202-383-1209 or Prisca Austin at 312-329-8389 for questions regarding registration for the 2019 President’s Circle Conference.
Participate in September RPAC Email Campaign
The RPAC Online Fundraising Program will be releasing compelling new videos for the upcoming September RPAC email campaign. Be on the lookout for these new fundraising videos focused on moving members into action! For more information, contact Peter Kelly at 202-383-7599 to sign up for the September campaign or for more information.
NAR’s Economic Outlook
- Pending Home Sales Reverse Course, Rise 0.9 Percent in June – Pending home sales increased in all four major regions in June, but overall activity lagged year ago levels for the sixth straight month.
- International Activity in U.S. Residential Real Estate Market Declines, According to REALTOR® Survey – Rising home prices and low inventory led to a decline in foreign home purchases in the U.S.
- Existing-Home Sales Subside 0.6 Percent in June – Existing-home sales decreased for the third straight month in June, with declines in the South and West, and gains in the Northeast and Midwest.
- Infographic: June 2018 Foot Traffic – While foot traffic dropped in June, the diffusion index is slightly higher than last year by 5.6 points.
- REALTORS® Confidence Index – REALTORS® report “low inventory,” “interest rates,” and “multiple offers” as the major issues affecting transactions in June 2018.
For more information on NAR’s Economic Outlook, contact Meredith Dunn at 202-383-1207.
Message from the GAD Chair
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Matthew Ledger
GAD Chair
REALTORS® of the Palm Beaches and Greater Fort Lauderdale
With Portland, Oregon behind us, we now set our sights to Boston for the REALTORS® Conference & Expo, and then Cincinnati for the 2019 GAD Institute, but before we look forward, many ‘thanks’ are in order.
Hosts: Shawn Cleave with the Oregon Association of REALTORS® and Jane Leo with the Portland Metro Association of REALTORS® — you both did a phenomenal job welcoming more than 240 GADs to your home. And as a previous site host, that is no easy task! Thank you!
NAR Staff: Uncle Bill Malkasian has put together an amazing staff and it shows. Much is planned and implemented for a successful GAD Institute, which is why we couldn’t have had the experience we did if it wasn’t for Kyle Lambert London and Beth Brittingham. Thank you both for always putting us in a position to better the GAD Community!
NAR Leadership: A big thank you to 2018 NAR President Elizabeth Mendenhall; Kenny Parcell, VP of Government Affairs; and Margo Wheeler, REALTOR® Party Director for taking the time out of your hectic schedules to speak with us in Portland. It is appreciated more than you know and the GAD Community looks forward to working closely with you for the remainder of 2018 and beyond.
2018 NAR GAD Advisory Board: Cady put a lot of thought into the makeup of the 2018 GAD Advisory Group. Every year it gets harder to top the previous GAD Institute, but you all did it. I can’t tell you how proud I am to have acted as Vice Chair for this group. Thank you!
2018 Chairwoman Cady Thomas: The success of the 2018 GAD Institute is a direct result of your leadership and dedication to our group, not only in 2018, but the years leading up to your term as Chair. You’ve been a leader, mentor, and friend to so many of us, including myself, and it is apparent when you look at the passion our group carries. Don’t plan on going anywhere because with an average of 35 new GADs a year, your leadership is still very much needed!
In Portland you voted Julia Parenteau from the Texas Association of REALTORS® as your Vice Chair. I can’t think of a better GAD, and more so, person, than Julia. Congratulations, Julia!
Now you have a chance to submit an application to serve on the 2018 – 2020 GAD Advisory Group. If you are looking to get involved and take the GAD Community to the next level, I encourage you to submit an application.
I look forward to working with all of you to build off the endeavors of our past GAD Chairs, and make sure the GAD community continues to grow professionally so that we can best represent the REALTOR® Party in our communities and states!
SAVE THE DATE
- Deadline for GAD Advisory Group Applications
August 31, 2018 - New GAD & AE Orientation
Washington, D.C.
September 13 – 14, 2018 - REALTORS® Conference & Expo
Boston, Mass.
November 2 – 5, 2018
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