In a maddening twist of fate, when the pandemic forced the Rogue Valley Association of REALTORS® to postpone a wildfire safety campaign, a wildfire tore through its operating region in southwest Oregon, destroying 2,500 residential structures. Not only did the campaign get off the ground the following year, it was able to stop proposed wildfire mitigation regulation at point of sale.
GADFly Newsletter – September 2020
In This Issue… Dates & Deadlines Advocacy News National Flood Insurance Program Update NAR’s Economic Outlook Dates & Deadlines Sept. 25: AEI Year-Round Session “Virtual Hang Out: Catching Up with Your Peers”,11:00 AM CDT/ 12:00 PM EDT Pop Quiz: What’s the number one item association professional staff miss about gathering for meetings? Networking with peers! You asked for it, and we are bringing it to you, virtually! Based on YOUR survey suggestions, we are dedicating an entire session to several small, facilitated breakouts on the topics you rated highest in the recent AE Professional Development Survey. Think ‘tips for tough...
Corporate Ally Program (CAP) and Political Advocacy Fund (PAF) FAQs
What’s the difference between hard dollars (RPAC) and soft dollars (CAP/PAF)? Hard dollars are voluntary personal contributions and are the only type of funds that can be given directly to Federal candidates and National RPAC. Soft dollars are generally raised from organizations and corporations. Soft dollars can be directly given to state and local candidates in some states, and can be used to help pay for the costs incurred in administering and promoting RPAC and for certain grassroots political programs. There is no limit on the amount of soft dollars individuals or corporations may invest in the Corporate Ally Program...
REALTOR Party News – February 2020
New Year New Resolve, By The Numbers, Success Stories, and More
Idaho REALTORS® Secure Legislation Tipping the Balance in Favor of First-time Homebuyers
The Idaho Association of REALTOR® brought its savvy advocacy to bear on a pair of bills helping first-time homebuyers get a leg up in an increasingly expensive market: a dedicated tax-free savings account program, and the elimination of the filing deadline for applying for a homeowner’s tax exemption. Both have been signed into law.
The SPIT Technique
When it comes to your Hill meetings, be prepared to tell a personal story. Explain through a short anecdote or story how the policy issue impacts you directly. Officials recognize the time it takes to personalize a message and will focus their efforts on those communications. One way to develop your story is to use the “SPIT Technique.” SPIT is an acronym as follows: S = Specific: Be as specific as possible about what the Congressperson can do. For example, “we would like you to cosponsor a bill” is better than “our practice provides valuable services.” P = Personal: Messages...
REALTOR® Party News – May 2023
Last week, nearly 9,000 REALTORS® descended on Washington, D.C. for the 2023 REALTORS® Legislative Meetings. We spent six days discussing the most pressing issues affecting the real estate industry and met with members of Congress and their staff at the inaugural REALTOR® National Block Party, which 95% of Capitol Hill offices registered to attend! Nationals Park became a sea of blue that demonstrated the unmatched impact REALTORS® have in their communities.
REALTORS® Leverage Housing Opportunity Grant to Promote Affordable Housing in Bellingham, Washington
In light of all that’s been learned about racial bias in the past year, the Greater Syracuse Association has been working hard to raise awareness of how the issue is at play in the real estate industry. Using a Fair Housing Grant from the REALTOR® Party, it presented Bill Dedman, the lead investigator on the Newsday “Testing the Divide” exposé, as a guest speaker at a seminar for members.
Taking the Lead in Housing Affordability
NAR hosted its second successful Policy Forum at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Focused on one our top strategic priorities – housing affordability, this event was another step in our efforts to collaborate with a broad coalition of organizations, including multicultural real estate groups, lenders, builders, economists, and law and policy makers, to amplify our advocacy voice and discuss was to positively impact and broaden housing opportunities.
REALTOR® Party News – November 2023
Thousands of REALTORS® gathered in Anaheim last week to Own the Moment at NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience. Attendees packed the room at Monday’s Advocacy Scoop to hear the latest on the association’s priorities and successes at the local, state, and national levels. Read more about what REALTOR® advocacy has achieved this year and what’s ahead.