In This Issue
- 🗓 Key Dates & Deadlines: From RPAC transmittals and President’s Cup submissions to Advocacy Week registration and January events, these deadlines are fast approaching.
- 🏘️ Program Highlights: Community Development Advocacy Grants opening January 5, plus essential details Hall of Fame nominations, 2026 RPAC goal setting, and upcoming trainings available to GADs.
- 📋State and Local GAD Feedback Requested: The annual NAR priority issues survey is live, make sure your association’s voice is heard and complete it today.
Key Dates
- December 15: Year End RPAC Transmittal Deadline
- December 17: President’s Cup Advocacy Submissions Due
- December 22 – January 5: Advocacy Everywhere Concierge Unavailable
- December 26: Advocacy Week Registration Closes
- January 5: Community Development Advocacy Grant Application Open
- January 20: RPAC Lifetime Giving Confirmation Request Due
- January 28: All GAD Call, 3 PM ET
- January 30: RPAC Office Hours, 3 PM ET
- January 31: RPAC Hall of Fame Nominations Due
- February 6: Transforming Neighborhoods Applications Due
Chair’s Letter
GAD Nation,
As the year comes to a close, I thought we could add a little holiday fun to this month’s blog. Throughout the post, I’ve included eleven of Illinois REALTORS® GADs favorite quotes from classic holiday movies. See how many you can spot as you read and check your guesses against the answer key.
As we close out the year, I am feeling a bit like someone trying to untangle a giant holiday light display: proud, grateful, and only slightly frazzled. It was a busy year, and your work kept our advocacy efforts shining brightly. Before we unplug for a moment of well-deserved rest, I want to say thank you for everything you have done to help 2025 end on a high note.
If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet, I would not be more surprised than I am right now at how much we accomplished together.
Hallelujah! Holy Policy! 2026 is coming quickly, and I know you are all getting ready to flip the switch and jump into the new year with momentum. We may even need a little believing is seeing energy along the way, because if there is anything advocacy teaches us, it is that persistence pays off. Even when a meeting feels like, “You are a mean one, Mr. Grinch!”
Every year GADs help shape the policy agenda, and this year is no different. Our Policy Issue Survey drops the first week of December. Think of it as the holiday gift that keeps on giving, the kind that might make even an Elf shout, “I am in love, I am in love, and I do not care who knows it!”
With midterms around the corner, 2026 is sure to be as lively as any big holiday gathering. Strong coordination across local, state, and national levels will keep us ahead of any wet bandit surprises. If you are ever in a meeting where someone says, “You are not Santa, you smell like beef and cheese,” just remember you are in the right profession.
I also want to encourage every GAD to step into leadership spaces, join working groups, or share feedback about what is working and what is driving you crazy. Your voice matters and speaking up early helps us avoid moments where someone ends up triple dog dared into something no one intended, or needing a little yippee ki yay courage to get through it. Jump in early, stay engaged often, and do not be shy.
In the spirit of a certain beloved holiday classic, it is worth remembering that “the people who do most of the working and paying and living in this community deserve decent places to call home.” Our advocacy is for them, the families, workers, and neighbors who make our communities run every day. What we do matters because it strengthens the places they call home.
As we close out the year, may all mischievous elves keep their hands off your cookies and may every email that makes your eye twitch be met with the energy of, “Keep the change, ya filthy animal!”
From my home to yours, happy holidays and thank you again for all you do.
Neeley Erickson
815.543.7147
nerickson@illinoisrealtors.org
📌 Top Takeaways
Annual NAR Priority Issue Survey is LIVE
The annual NAR Priority Issues Survey is live, and we want your feedback! Help NAR determine its advocacy priorities by clicking the link to complete the survey today. The survey ends soon so don’t miss your chance to share your feedback!
Questions? Contact Drew Myers.
Last Call (Almost): President’s Cup Advocacy Goals
NAR President’s Cup reminder: Please make sure your state or local advocacy goal submissions are in by December 17. If you’ve already submitted, thank you; if not, this is your friendly nudge before the clock starts yelling.
Questions? Contact Brandon Fenton.
2026 State RPAC Goal Setting
The RPAC Fundraising Trustees will meet on December 17, 2025 to establish approximate 2026 goals. These draft numbers are based on all available 2025 data at the time of the meeting and may shift slightly as year-end fundraising is finalized. Once the final 2025 totals are confirmed—likely in the first week of January—we will distribute the final 2026 goals to all states for official adoption.
Please note that the goal amounts provided for RPAC Fundraising, RPAC Major Investors, and President’s Circle are based on the national award amounts. States may choose to set their goals higher or lower; however, any state goal set below the award amount will not qualify for award eligibility.
What You Need To Do
- Convene your state RPAC Trustees to approve your 2026 goals by January 31, 2026.
- Complete and submit the goal attestation form by January 31, 2026. The form will be included with the approximate goals sent in December.
Questions? Contact Michael Clark.
Leverage Community Development Advocacy Grants in 2025!
Formerly known as Community Outreach, the newly rebranded Community Development Advocacy program empowers REALTOR® associations to turn local vision into real impact. From transforming vacant lots into vibrant gathering spaces to tackling housing regulatory barriers that improve affordability and livability—these grants help drive meaningful community change.
🗓 Applications open January 5 – October 15, 2026 (or until funds are fully allocated).
🎥 Be on the lookout for upcoming training videos that will walk you through how to access and use the new grant management system.
📅 Sign up for a one-on-one planning session to brainstorm initiative ideas and identify the right grant for your goals.
Questions? Contact Christine Windle.
Advocacy Week 2026: What GADs Need to Know (and Share)
Dates/Location: January 21–23, 2026 | Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC
What’s on the agenda: REALTOR® Party Training, Public Policy Leadership Meeting, and the Policy Forum. (Note: No FPC Training in 2026; it returns in 2027.)
Who’s invited:
- Select 2026 committee chairs/vice chairs and committees
- New: State AEs may bring one complimentary guest
- New: 2026 State RPAC Chairs are invited
- AEs are encouraged to bring their State GAD (or another staffer who would benefit)
- State GADs not invited by their AE may attend at their own expense ($199 fee)
Travel & lodging (covered by NAR): Three hotel nights, coach airfare (book through Ovation Travel with no upfront cost), meals, and ground transportation.
Special events:
- Welcome Reception: Wed, Jan 21, 6:00–9:00 PM at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History (each invited attendee may bring one guest, $50).
- Policy Forum (Fri, Jan 23): Beyond the Tax Bill: What’s Next for Housing Affordability and Real Estate. Lodging is covered for attendees departing Sat, Jan 24.
Registration: Closes December 26, 2025.
Questions? Contact advocacyweek@nar.realtor
📆 Training & Events
All GAD Call | Wed, January 28, 3:00 PM ET
Mark your calendar for the first call of the year! Join Mitchell Norton (Director, Independent Expenditures) and Darby Thorne (Director, Political Compliance) to discuss best practices for your IEs as a busy election year kicks off!
Have an idea for a future All-GAD Call?
We want your input! Share topic ideas, success stories, or speaker suggestions anytime.
Missed a Call? In 2026, recaps will be posted in the GAD Hub group for quick access. Don’t have access to the Hub group? Email Jami Sims.
- ✉️Aristotle 360 System Overview for PAC Managers (Semimonthly)
- 🔗Aristotle 360: Calls for Action Training (Monthly starting in February)
- 🔗Advocacy Everywhere Office Hours
- 🔗Community Development Advocacy Planning Sessions (Weekly)
- 🔗RPAC Office Hours (Monthly)
The Advocacy Scoop is the only podcast that takes you inside the advocacy work of the National Association of REALTORS®. The Advocacy Scoop is dedicated to peeling back the curtain on the advocacy operation of the world’s largest trade association. Catch up on this year’s episodes before the final episode of 2025 drops!
Listen and subscribe where you get your other podcasts.
Compliance Corner
2025 Recap of Compliance Corner
The year, we reviewed several core compliance topics to ensure political activity and advocacy remain compliant. Key areas covered include:
- Solicitation notices and required disclaimers
- Hard dollars vs. soft dollars
- Prohibited contributions
- Credit card contributions
- Collecting and forwarding contributions – time limits
- Fundraising Events
- The One-Third Rule
- Social media
- Grassroots lobbying
- Gift ethics rules
These refreshers help reinforce our commitment to compliance. Let us know if you’d like copies of the summaries and as always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
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
December 15, 2025 RPAC Recognition Date is Approaching!
RPAC Major Investor contributions must be received by NAR by end of day on Monday December 15, 2025. To ensure funds are counted correctly, we recommend you transfer funds no later than December 11, 2025. If mailing contributions, please place in the mail no later than December 8. 2025.
As a reminder, you can view the transmittal deadline calendar and payment processing timeframes here.
2025 Hall of Fame Nominations Open!
Before submitting a Hall of Fame nomination, NAR must verify the member’s lifetime giving history. Because January brings a high volume of requests, please submit all lifetime giving history requests by January 20, 2026, to ensure timely confirmation for this year’s class.
Nomination forms cannot be accepted without confirmed giving histories. Final Hall of Fame nomination submissions are due January 31, 2026.
January RPAC Office Hours
Need quick guidance before the year wraps? January’s RPAC Office Hours are your opportunity to:
- Get answers to your questions
- Connect directly with RPAC staff and Aristotle experts
- Walk away with clear next steps
Join us and make sure you’re set up for a strong start to 2026.
📰 NAR Washington Report
- NAR Comments on the Appraisal Qualifications Board’s Exposure Draft on Proposed Interpretations
- NAR’s Kevin Sears Testifies on Housing Affordability and Supply Crisis Before House Financial Services Committee
📚 Resources & Research
Solve a Real Estate Challenge with NAR’s Transforming Neighborhoods Program!
Starting December 1, local REALTOR® associations can apply to bring expert analysis from the Counselors of Real Estate’s Consulting Corps to their community. Whether reimagining a neighborhood, repurposing a brownfield, boosting economic development, or sparking commercial activity, now’s the time to engage stakeholders, set priorities, and prepare your proposal. Learn more. Applications are due by COB February 6, 2026.
Questions? Contact Samantha DeKoven (CRE) or Hugh Morris (NAR).
On December 9, 2025, from 3:30–5:00 p.m. ET, NAR held a virtual economic and real estate summit that provided a year-end review and a forecast on the economy and housing for 2026.
December’s Market Dynamics: Sales, Inventory, and Buyer Trends
Historical data suggests that December has some distinctive patterns that set it apart from the months around it.
Metro Market Statistics Dashboard
Use this dashboard to get the most recent housing, demographic, economic and affordability statistics for your local area. Login required.
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.
🏆 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. December’s success stories include:
- Gaga Ball Brings Communities Together: Aberdeen Area Association of REALTORS® brings year-round play space to fairground
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