Out in western Kentucky, the small but resourceful Hopkinsville-Christian and Todd County Association of REALTORSĀ® understands that the American Dream of homeownership may be a win-win for employers and employees, but that sometimes dreams need a helping hand.
Virginia REALTORSĀ® Emphasize Link Between Good Schools and Good Communities
Raising awareness about the link between good schools and good communities ā and how to strengthen both ā was the focus of a day-long forum called āConnecting the Dots Between Where Kids Live and Where They Learn." The 29,500-member Virginia Association of REALTORSĀ® used a Housing Opportunity Grant to co-sponsor the day-long forum where 200 attendees explored ways to improve school performance, which in turn, increases housing desirability and values.
Memphis Association Uses Game Changer Grant to Reduce Blight and Put Urban Farming to Work on Vacant Lots
The 3,100-member Memphis Area Association of REALTORSĀ® (MAAR) is determined to fight the blight that is overwhelming a number of its urban neighborhoods. Thanks to an NAR Game Changer Grant, MAAR is now partnering with the mayorās office on what seems like a āwin-win-win-winā solution: a pilot program that seeks not only to reduce neighborhood blight ā but to increase neighborhood pride, spur economic development, and, remarkably, to boost the local school lunch program. The new program is testing the viability of urban farming on vacant lots in a neighborhood of South Memphis, using hoop houses to extend the growing...
Oregon Wins with RPAC Grant and Online Fundraising
The Oregon Association used an RPAC Fundraising Grant and the RPAC Online Fundraising Program to help bring their RPAC collections to more than $30,000 in 2011. Targeted online communication and raffles, combined with extensive work by the Oregon Association leadership and staff made their fundraising efforts more successful than ever.
Missouri and Cape Girardeau Associations Put NAR Land Use Initiative Services to Work
When the City Council of Cape Girardeau got serious about implementing an onerous rental inspection program, the 292-member Cape Girardeau County Board of REALTORSĀ® got busy. The board worked with the Missouri Association, which in turn asked for help from NAR. Through NARās Land Use Initiative Program, the Cape Girardeau Board got a comprehensive review of the proposal from legal professionals. In the end, the City Council asked the Cape Girardeau Board to help them draft an acceptable ordinance. Along the way, the board combated several unfavorable news articles with letters to the editor, explaining that by commissioning a thorough...
Midwestern Ohio Association Uses Grant to Turn Pig Roast and Auction into Successful RPAC Fundraiser
When youāre small, it helps to be resourceful, creative, and well-connected. It also doesnāt hurt to have access to a few pick-up trucks, professional auctioneers, and someone willing to roast a pig. The 460-member Midwestern Ohio Association of REALTORSĀ® (MOAR) proved this in 2012, by parlaying an RPAC Fundraising Partnership Program grant from the NAR into three-times the amount, which accounted for 70 percent of its total RPAC contribution for the year.
Nevada REALTORSĀ® Use Grant and Grassroots Power to Soundly Defeat Proposed Tax on Businesses
The 14,000-member Nevada Association of REALTORSĀ® put an Issues Mobilization Grant from NAR, its own well-honed campaign skills and funds, as well as its significant grassroots power to soundly defeat a massive tax on businesses. The tax would have eliminated jobs, as well as slowed the state economy...
Salt Lake Board Works With Transit Authority to Get Cars Off the Road and People onto Public Transit
Air quality is a big concern in the Wasatch Front region of north-central Utah, and the Salt Lake Board of REALTORSĀ® took steps to help clear the air. The 6,700-member board used a Game Changer Grant and funds of their own to sponsor the Utah Transit Authorityās RideClear Program, which helped to get more than 14,000 cars off the road and 25,000 people onto public transportation
Oregon REALTORSĀ® Pass Ballot Measure 79 and Stop Unfair, Double Taxes
The 2012 election cycle resulted in a resounding victory for 12,000-member Oregon Association of REALTORSĀ® as voters supported the passage of Ballot Measure 79 to prohibit real estate transfer taxes. The vote was the culmination of a two-year campaign with NAR that began by collecting 164,000 signatures to qualify the issue for the ballot. Despite a difficult political atmosphere, research showed a path to victory through a strong education campaign. In the end, Measure 79 passed with 59 percent of the vote and was supported in 35 out of 36 counties throughout the state. This impressive victory featured a strong...
Richmond (VA) REALTORSĀ® Fight for Good Schools ā and Win!
In Richmond, VA, REALTORSĀ® have long understood the strong correlation between good schools and home values. Last year, they had to fight for it. The 4,000-member Richmond Association of REALTORSĀ® put a $95,000 Issues Mobilization Grant from NAR to work on a campaign to use a restaurant meals tax on food and beverages to help fund public schools. Working with other community groups, their successful campaign prevented drastic cuts to the school system budget.