In This Issue
- Top Takeaways – Key reminders on National Voter Registration Day, upcoming RPAC Office Hours, and required Aristotle 360 CFA training.
- Compliance Corner – A quick refresher on the One-Third Rule for PAC prizes and entertainment.
- Advocacy Scoop & RPAC Updates – Don’t miss the latest podcast episode plus important President’s Circle deadlines and event details.
- Resources, Research & Events – From Land Use assistance and Consumer Advocacy Grants to new market insights, upcoming GAD calls, and NXT Houston.
Dates to Remember
- September 17: Aristotle 360 Overview for PAC Managers, 10 AM MT
- September 18: Transforming Neighborhoods Webinar, 2 PM ET
- September 18: Aristotle Calls for Action System Training, 3 PM ET
- September 24: All-GAD Call, 3 PM ET
- September 25: RPAC Office Hours, 3 PM ET
- October 1: Aristotle 360 Overview for PAC Managers, 11 AM MT
Chair’s Letter
GAD Nation,
Thank you to everyone who completed the GADI Survey! Your feedback is more than numbers—it’s the blueprint your next GAD Advisory Group will use to spark fresh ideas and deliver tools and resources that help you and your members achieve more advocacy wins.
Fall is packed with conferences, installations, and year-end decisions all demanding our focus. It’s a busy season, but it’s also a reminder of how much GADs are at the center of it all. Embrace the pace—but remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint, and recharging is part of staying strong.
We’re built for this pace, and every twist and turn proves the impact GADs have—defending property rights, advancing smart housing policies, and shaping stronger communities. A good friend once told me governments are the best plagiarizers, quick to borrow and adapt ideas. That’s why GAD Nation shines: we’re connected, ahead of the curve, and leading the way on solutions.
As we look ahead, mark your calendar: the All-GAD Call is September 24, and NXT lands in Houston this November. Sunshine, networking, inspiration—no snow boots required.
Remember, our momentum is strongest when we lean on each other. Together, we’ve made this a powerhouse year, and Q4 is where we finish strong.
Let’s keep that energy alive!
Neeley Erickson
815.543.7147
nerickson@illinoisrealtors.org
Top Takeaways
National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday, September 16!
REALTORS® have a strong tradition of civic engagement with over 85% registered to vote, and we’ll share new digital assets on Monday to help associations showcase it. State and local associations can also request their voter registration list from NAR to maximize outreach.
✨RPAC Office Hours are back! ✨
GADs, this is your chance to:
- Ask questions
- Connect with RPAC staff and Aristotle experts
- Leave with quick answers and next steps
🔗First block: Thursday, September 25 | 3:00 – 4:00 PM EST
Aristotle 360: Calls for Action Training
NAR offers a monthly training for state and local associations focused on the technical capabilities of Aristotle 360 when launching Calls for Action through Advocacy Everywhere. Participants will learn how to navigate the platform, submit and manage CFAs, and review results. The session covers both available pathways:
- State & Local Associations – using the intake form and concierge to initiate a CFA and access campaign reports.
- State Associations – using administrative access within Aristotle 360 to set up, launch, and manage CFAs directly.
Training & Events
All GAD Call | Wed, September 24, 3:00 PM ET
Mark your calendar! The next All-GAD Call is Wednesday, September 24 at 3 PM ET. Join us to explore proven processes for developing strong public policy positions—and securing leadership and member buy-in.
Did you miss the August call? Check out the recording here.
Transforming Neighborhoods Webinar | Thurs, September 18, 2:00 PM ET
Explore how NAR’s Transforming Neighborhoods is helping REALTOR® associations revitalize communities. Hear success stories from three associations that partnered with the Counselors of Real Estate’s Consulting Corps to tackle local housing and development challenges. Registration today! Questions? Contact Hugh Morris.
- ✉️Aristotle 360 System Overview for PAC Managers (Semimonthly)
- 🔗Aristotle 360: Calls for Action Training (Monthly)
- 🔗Community Outreach Planning Sessions (Weekly)
- 🔗RPAC Office Hours (Monthly)
Advocacy Scoop: Regulation Nation Housing Edition
Buying or selling a home is one of the most highly regulated transactions in a person’s life. In this episode, Shannon and Patrick unpack the complex world of real estate regulations — exploring what they mean for NAR members, how they affect consumers and the role NAR’s advocacy team plays in shaping them. Wherever you practice real estate, chances are the National Association of REALTORS®, along with your state and local associations, has influenced how your state’s real estate regulations are put into practice.
Compliance Corner
One-Third Rule
Overview
- An association may provide prizes and entertainment to its PAC to encourage contributions. However, the aggregate cost of such prizes and entertainment must not be disproportionately large relative to the contributions raised.
- The One-Third Rule limits the amount of general treasury funds that may be used for entertainment and prizes to no more than one-third (1/3) of the total contributions raised.
- The rule does not apply to the cost of food and beverages.
- The fair market value of prizes must be used when calculating costs.
- The One-Third Rule does not apply if the PAC itself pays for the prizes and entertainment.
Example:
- Association spends $300 on auction prizes.
- Total Contributions: $900 = okay.
- Total Contributions: $600 = not okay.
- Since 1/3 of the amount raised ($200) is less than the amount spent on the prizes ($300), the PAC needs to reimburse the association $100.
Questions? Contact Darby Thorne, Director of Political Compliance.
Compliance Corner is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter.
RPAC Updates
President’s Circle Deadlines
President’s Circle Registration has begun for folks who have completed their entire President’s Circle investment and have been recognized as a 2025 Major Investor. See below for our list of registration deadlines.
Reminder: September 30th is the final deadline to complete both Major Investor and President’s Circle investments in order to register for the conference.
NXT 2025 Major Investor Event
- Date/Time: Saturday, Nov. 15 from 6:30 – 9:30 PM CT
- Location: Announcement Coming Soon!
- Who’s Invited: All 2025 RPAC Major Investors are invited to attend, along with one guest, who must accompany the Major Investor upon entering the venue
- Entry requirement: This is an invite-only event. Their conference badge is their entry ticket. Major Investors will have their MI status on their badges – while encouraged, they do not need to wear their pin to the event.
RPAC Major Investor Recognition Deadlines
Make sure you and your members are recognized as RPAC Major Investors by the October and December deadlines! These are HARD deadlines to submit RPAC investments to the NAR Finance Office. For questions about RPAC transmittal deadlines, contact rpac@nar.realtor. View the Major Investor Levels and Benefits.
2025 Hall of Fame Nominations Now Open!
Click Here to nominate your members for the Hall of Fame. All RPAC Hall of Fame nominations must be submitted by Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
REALTOR® Party Success Stories
Each month, state and local associations that achieved an advocacy win with the help of a REALTOR® Party grant or resources are highlighted in the REALTOR® Party Success Stories. August’s success stories include:
- A Paradigm Shift for Housing: Delaware REALTORS® Celebrate Landmark Legislative Wins By: Joe Brennan, GAD, Delaware REALTORS®
- Arkansas REALTORS® Rally Strong Response to Call for Action, Defeating Restrictive Statewide Proposal
- Nevada REALTORS® Campaign to Defeat Statewide Rent Control Legislation
- Middle Tennessee Association of REALTORS® Uses Smart Growth Grant to Host Community Roundtable on Housing and Zoning
- Partnerships and Public Art: MIBOR Joins the Bear Hunt
Resources & Research
Expert Advocacy Help When You Need It
The Land Use Initiative provides free expert analysis and talking points to counter harmful measures like transfer taxes, building moratoria, short-term rental regulations, and more. See how the Oklahoma City REALTORS® Turned to Land Use Initiative for Help Advancing Urban Core ADU Ordinance. For more information visit the Land Use Initiative and a recording a recent webinar. Questions? Contact Christine Windle.
Consumer voices make your advocacy efforts stronger
Is your association tackling a policy issue that homeowners or potential homeowners should know about? The Consumer Advocacy Grant provides up to $25,000 to help you engage consumers and champion homeownership and property rights. Requests are reviewed monthly at 2 PM ET, and applicants must give a five-minute presentation. Apply now or contact Erin Murphy.
NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun explains how Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans would be different without a government guarantee.
Instant Reaction: Mortgage Rates, September 4, 2025
Mortgage rates have dropped to the lowest level since October 2024. This widens the pool of buyers who can afford to purchase a home.
NAR Pending Home Sales Report Shows 0.4% Decrease in July
Month-over-month, pending sales declined in the Northeast and Midwest, held essentially flat in the South, and rose in the West.
Economist’s Outlook
Housing stats and analysis from NAR’s research experts.
Residential Real Estate Snapshot
This monthly report provides insight into economic indicators that affect the housing market, including interest rates, employment, and inflation.
Research Update
Each month, the Research Update report provides a summary of the data, reports, blog posts, and instant reactions produced by NAR’s research team.
NAR Washington Report
- NAR Staff Discuss GSE Reform with Treasury and FHFA
- FHA Announces Transition to New Appraisal Reporting in 2026
- HUD Withdraws Translated Materials
- NAR Submits Comments on FHA Buy Now, Pay Later Request for Information
REALTOR® Party Success Stories
Each month, state and local associations that achieved an advocacy win with the help of a REALTOR® Party grant or resources are highlighted in the REALTOR® Party Success Stories. September’s success stories include:
- Illinois REALTORS® and Quad City REALTORS® Use Polling and Issues Mobilization Grant to Defeat Threat of Home Rule in East Moline
- Keeping Legislative Attention Focused on Housing, Utah REALTORS® Achieve Passage of Priority Bills
- Illinois REALTORS® and Champaign County Association of REALTORS® Successfully Campaign Against Property Tax Increase
- From Title to Tranquility: A REALTOR® Legacy Comes to Life
Want to be featured in a future edition? Send us your advocacy wins!
Upcoming NAR Events
Check out the list of events here to save the date for upcoming conferences.
2025 NXT | Houston, TX
November 14-16, 2025 | Registration is open.
Save the Date for NXT GAD Meetings
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14
- GAD Reception, 5:30 – 7:00 PM CT
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15
- Government Affairs Director Meeting, 10:30 – 11:30 AM CT
- GAD Breakouts (State/Local), 12:00 – 12:30 PM CT
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