GADFly Newsletter – October 2020

In This Issue…

• Dates & Deadlines
• Important Information for the 2020 REALTORS® Conference & Expo
• Resources & Information
• NAR’s Economic Outlook

Dates & Deadlines

Nov. 13: RPAC Major Investor Virtual Event
The RPAC Major Investor Virtual Event will be held on Friday, November 13 at 5:00 PM EST. Country music superstar and Grammy award winning artist Keith Urban will perform an intimate, virtual concert for all recognized 2020 RPAC Major Investors. Log-in instructions will be sent to eligible Major Investors closer to the date of the event. Contact Beth Brittingham at 202-383-1209 for more information.

Nov. 15: Community Outreach Grants Extended Deadline
The final deadline to apply for a Community Outreach Grant – Smart Growth, Housing Opportunity, Fair Housing, Placemaking and Community Rebuilding Grant – in 2020 has been extended from October 15 to November 15. After the November 15, applications will not be accepted until January 2021. Need ideas on how a grant can help fund your advocacy effort? Search success stories or sign-up for a 30-minute coaching session. Contact Christine Windle at 202-383-1135 for more information.

Nov. 19: GAD Professional Development and Growth Session
The All GAD Call to be replaced with GAD Professional Development and Growth Session: Special Session on Fair Housing with Bo Patten and NAR Director of Fair Housing Policy, Bryan Greene. This will be at the usual 3:00 EST time but will be a special 2-hour session. Add this session to your calendar.

Dec. 16: Year-End RPAC Transmittal Deadline
The final deadline is approaching for individuals to be recognized as NAR RPAC Major Investors and for associations to receive credit toward their 2020 fundraising goals! National RPAC requires that all funds, with appropriate back-up documentation, be received in NAR’s Chicago Finance office by close of business on Wednesday, December 16. For more information regarding RPAC deadlines please click here or contact Jackie Zaporowski at 202-383-1029.

Dec. 16: RPAC Hall of Fame Deadline
The RPAC Hall of Fame eligibility deadline is Wednesday, December 16. Eligible members and staff must meet the $25,000 minimum threshold by the end of the previous fundraising year. The deadline for the nomination form to be submitted to NAR by the state is January 31, 2021. Click here to access the guidelines and nomination form. For questions regarding the Hall of Fame, or to verify an investment history total, please contact Jackie Zaporowski at 202-383-1029.

Dec. 16: Reimbursement Deadline for RPAC Fundraising Programs
Reimbursement forms for the RPAC Fundraising Partnership Grant Program and the Major Investor Event Program are due on or before the RPAC year-end transmittal deadline of Wednesday, December 16, 2020. No 2020 reimbursements will be processed after that date. Click here for the RPAC Fundraising Partnership Grant Program reimbursement information or contact Liz Best-Bradford at 202-383-7582. Click here for the Major Invest Event Program reimbursement information or contact Jackie Zaporowski at 202-383-1029.

Nov. 20: FPC Nomination Deadline
As we approach the November elections and homestretch of the 116th session of Congress, we hope you are giving careful consideration to your Federal Political Coordinator (FPC) nominations for the next cycle. Your role to help guide your president in selecting FPCs to represent your state for the 117th Congressional cycle is vital. The deadline for submitting your FPC nomination letter is November 20, 2020. Letters should be addressed to 2021 NAR president Charlie Oppler on state letterhead and signed by your state president. Please email all letters to Victoria Givens and make sure to detail why you have chosen new FPCs and their relationship with the member of Congress or position in REALTOR® or political leadership. A quick reminder of the criteria for FPCs:

1. The FPC should be a constituent
2. A close personal relationship with the member of Congress (this is ideal, but not 100% necessary)
3. An interest and involvement in politics;
4. An understanding of the key issues affecting REALTORS®
5. An energy and wherewithal to carry out the NAR specified grassroots initiatives asked of this prestigious position; and
6. Existing relationships with other legislators, community and business leaders.

Mark Your Calendars! REALTOR® Party Training and All FPC Training Conference
The 2021 REALTOR® Party Training Conference (RPTC), January 11 – 13, 2021, will be a virtual event and will be held in conjunction with a virtual FPC Training Conference. A final schedule will be publicized this month and registration will open in the weeks following our Annual conference.  Note: While the core of each conference will take place in early January, each conference will have some continued programming elements that will take place in 30-90-minute segments periodically throughout the first quarter of 2021. Please check the separate RPTC and FPC Training Conference schedules for additional information.

Save the Date for the 2021 GAD Institute
Date: July 20-22, 2021
Location: Denver, Colo.
Hotel: Hilton Denver City Center
Registration/Hotel Cost: Institute Registration $550/Hotel $229+ Taxes and Fees/night

Important Information for the 2020 Realtors® Conference & Expo

REALTORS® Conference & Expo Registration Reminder
In order to attend the Annual GAD meetings as part of the NAR Annual Governance Meetings, you MUST be registered for the conference. All GAD meetings will be on November 10.

• GAD Advisory Group (Closed Meeting: Open to members of the GAD Advisory Group Only)
  Tuesday, November 10 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM CST
• GAD General Forum (Open to all GADs)
  Tuesday, November 10 from 2:30 – 4:00 PM CST
• GAD Breakout Sessions:
  Tuesday, November 10 from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM CST
  • State Session will be designed to be of greatest value to State GADs
  • Local Session will be designed to be of greatest value to Local GADs

Urban Roundtable: From Vacant to Vibrant
Monday, November 2, from 2:00 – 3:00 PM EST
Associations and their leadership are cordially invited to tune-in to an expert-led panel discussion on how cities are leveraging strategic partnerships to turn vacant properties into productive community assets; one block at a time. Followed by introductions from Zeke Morris, REALTOR® Party Community Engagement Liaison. Pete Kopf, REALTOR® Party Director, will moderate a panel discussion featuring experts and thought leaders including Dr. Akilah Watkins-Butler, CEO, Center for Community Progress; The Honorable Ron Nirenberg, Mayor, San Antonio; and Timothy C. Twardowski, Partner, Robinson & Cole LLP.  Registration is required for the 2020 REALTORS® Conference and Expo to attend the Urban Roundtable. Contact Wendy Penn at 202-383-7504 for more information.

Resources & Information

2021 Issue Campaigns
If you need NAR assistance to help you hit the ground running on an issue campaign in early 2021, the 2021 NAR Issues Mobilization Committee will consider grant requests at its first meeting on December 2, 2020. This meeting provides the first opportunity to request Issues Mobilization funds to be spent in 2021.  If you’re interested in submitting a grant request for consideration at the December Committee meeting, please connect with us as soon as possible.  For more information, contact Joe Maheady at 443-690-8201 or John Winston at 804-398-8780.

New: RPAC Online Auction Pilot Program
Planning on wrapping up 2020 RPAC fundraising with an online auction? NAR has a pilot program to provide online software and support for 20 auctions to raise RPAC investments for 2020, available on a first-come, first-served basis. NAR will cover all costs except credit card processing fees. Please check with your legal counsel regarding the use of auctions in your state. If interested contact Peter Kelly at 202-383-7599.

On Common Ground: Recovering, Rebuilding and Rebalancing Now Available
The latest On Common Ground explores ways our cities, counties, and towns are responding to COVID impacts and need for equity via through citizen engagement, planning and zoning reforms, data tracking, revitalization, and housing stabilization strategies. An online version is available via the OCG APP (Apple) (Google Play) and online. More than 35,000 copies will be distributed to state and local associations and elected officials.  Are you on the list? If not, contact Catherine Mesick.  For more information, contact Hugh Morris at 202-383-1278.

Community and Transportation Preferences Survey Customizable Materials
The 2020 Community and Transportation Preference Survey of residents in the fifty-largest metropolitan areas recently released explores attitudes towards housing preferences and community features, such as the desirability of a walkable community. Access the customizable press release and assets in the HUB to communicate details to members and/or to help advocate for a range of housing types, open space and walkable neighborhoods. For more information, contact Hugh Morris at 202-383-1278.

ICYMI: Community Outreach Webinar: REALTORS®’ Response to COVID-19 Recovery and Housing Stabilization Efforts
As communities work to recover from COVID-19, REALTORS® are stepping up and responding with solutions for housing stabilization. Several AEs and GADs participated in an idea exchange to discuss how their associations are engaging with local government and community members in stabilization and recovery efforts. Learn how the new Housing Stabilization – A Guide for Collaboration and Initiatives, Expanding Housing Opportunity – A Toolkit for REALTORS® and Associations , Housing Opportunity Grantsand consumer guides to help homeowners facing financial challenges including the Protect Your Credit and Protect Your Investment resources can help with those efforts. Listen to the recording. Contact Wendy Penn at 202-383-7504 for more information.

Create More Public Spaces to Accommodate Growing Demand
Sidewalks, streets, plazas, and parking lots are now assets waiting to be put to work in neighborhoods due to the pandemic. Placemaking grants are available to associations to create new public spaces and destinations in a community, such as turning a parking spot into a people spot (parklet) or a vacant lot into a pocket park or community garden. Visit the Spaces to Places Blog for inspiration and Placemaking Grant Program. For more information, contact Holly Moskerintz at 202-383-1157.

Expert Advocacy Help When You Need It
As a community leader, your association helps to create a positive real estate and business environment for your members.  Often proposals that may do harm arise quickly and require expert analysis.   The Land Use Initiative will analyze and provide talking points for proposed planning and zoning related measures that impact real estate.  Contact Holly Moskerintz at 202-383-1157 for more information.

Need a speaker for your virtual association meeting?
The 2021 REALTOR® Party Travel Team is ready to present to your members! The Travel Team is available to provide a quick 5- to 10-minute overview on topics such as Legislative Updates, Community Outreach Programs, and other REALTOR® Party programs and services. To schedule, please complete the REALTOR® Party Request Form. Questions, please contact Vanessa Lopez at vlopez@nar.realtor, (202) 383-7509.

Get members to boost business with a Top-Level domain
Set your members up for success with a .realtor™ or .realestate domain! They’ll optimize the essential engagement tools to effectively generate leads, build their book, and realize exponential business growth. Get them to take ownership of their domain today, visiting get.realtor.

NAR’s Economic Outlook

Kelli Starrett
GAD Chair
New Orleans Metropolitan Association Of REALTORS®

We are just five days from the end of Election 2020 (December runoffs notwithstanding). By now your careful consideration of each candidate and ballot measure has shifted into campaign plans, virtual fundraisers, voter guides, and messaging to members. Standard GAD work for sure, but 2020 is anything but standard as early-voting records are being smashed across the country and voter engagement is at an all-time high.

This means that somewhere along the way you have received that phone call or that email. You know the one: it questions all of the hard work you and your committees have done to choose your champions and issues. Maybe it’s from someone who understands the internal process, but disagrees with the decision. Maybe it’s from someone who disagrees without knowing how decisions are made. Or, worse yet, maybe it’s from someone who doesn’t know that a process even exists, and is offended that you’re involved in politics.

Some time ago, I was chatting with one of our fellow GADs at a conference and the subject of the unhappy call/email came up. I expressed my frustration and was met with, “I love getting those calls. Every time I do, I explain our process and invite the person to join a committee.” The stars aligned, the earth shook, and my mind was blown. Until then I had always answered questions with information on the why – why this candidate was great, why that issue was good or bad. I wanted to get an uncomfortable conversation over quickly so that I could focus on everything else on my plate.

The why definitely matters, but the how is even more important. The why gets you votes at the polls, but the how gets you lasting buy-in. When our national goals for calls for action and participation are at 20% and 37%, respectively, that leaves plenty of opportunity for education. Can supporting the “right” candidate or having success on a vital issue move the needle? Absolutely. But even more crucial to our success is educating the detractor on how the candidate or issue decision was made, shining light on the committees responsible and how their work is not done arbitrarily or in the shadows. Inviting the naysayer to join an appropriate committee to ensure his or her perspective is heard next time these decisions are made is equal parts crazy and genius, and is the path forward to expanding your advocacy program’s reach.

I hope that Tuesday is the best day ever for you, where all of your candidates win, and all of your ballot measures go exactly as you wish. I also hope that the last couple of months have given you a chance to explain the how to someone, because if you have educated at least one member on the important advocacy work you are doing on their behalf, then you have had a successful election season.

SAVE THE DATE

• 2020 REALTORS Conference & Expo
  When: Nov 13-16
  Where: Virtual Conference. Virtual Meeting details to come.
• 2021 GAD Institute
  Date: July 20-22, 2021
  Location: Denver, Colo.
  Hotel: Hilton Denver City Center Registration/Hotel
  Cost: Institute Registration $550/Hotel $229+ Taxes and Fees/night