CEO Message: Lead or Someone Else Will

Lead or Someone Else Will

Our REALTOR® Associations must rethink who they are and why they matter if they want to stay relevant. An association that acts as a monument, versus a movement, will succumb to the numerous industry-shaping options that now exist. If you don’t believe me, look at the history of companies that used to be powerhouses i.e., Kodak, Nokia, Xerox, Blockbuster, Toys R Us, and Pier 1 Imports.

It takes effective leaders to help prevent this from happening. And that’s why we are looking forward to seeing your application for one of CAR’s Officer positions for 2024.

Our engaged and effective leaders help associations govern forward in the good times and in times of uncertainty. As we all know, the real estate industry is certainly going to change for the better, worse, or indifferent. I remember NAR’s 2015 Danger Report published by Stefan Swanepoel, one of our national speakers. A few of the dangers he lists to REALTOR® Association’s sustainability were: •A leadership that is not in unison with the fast-paced world. • Too much focus on protecting the status quo! Many leaders are not willing to face the situation and embrace significant change. •Elected leaders who make uninformed decisions.

Now you can add this to the industry danger list: more competition in several areas.

The evolution of brokerages and other real estate entities is chipping away at the value proposition the different REALTOR® associations had cornered for decades. For consumers to get real estate data, they used to have to know the secret handshake or password to access it. Now housing data is at the fingertips of all consumers, REALTORS®, and non-member agents.

There is also something even simpler that is hurting our profession: Associations used to be the best way to network with other REALTORS® and industry partners. Now we have competition from local, state, and national companies that are also finding ways of bringing our members together.

We are accepting applications for Chair-elect, Treasurer, District Chair-elect, and NAR Directors. We have three NAR Director positions available, plus this year we will also elect NAR Directors from small-membership boards (1-499) and medium membership boards (500 – 1999). You can fill out the CAR Officer Candidate application by April 7.

QUESTIONS: Contact Theresa Harvey at tharvey@ColoradoREALTORS.com or 303-785-7103.

FROM THE CEO

Tyrone Adams CEO of the Colorado Association of REALTORS®

The best way to make sure Colorado REALTORS® are ready for changes in our associations is by ensuring we have innovative, courageous, and knowledgeable volunteer thought leaders.

Are you one of them?