Baldwin receives the 2022 NC REALTORS® Federal Political Coordinators Award

BY KATHARINE WENDT | Political Operations Director & Regional Government Affairs Director

KATHARINE WENDT | Political Operations Director & Regional Government Affairs Director

Lou Baldwin is the recipient of the 2022 NC REALTORS® Federal Political Coordinators Award

Federal Political Coordinators (FPCs) are REALTOR® members who work to educate their assigned member of Congress on important issues facing the real estate industry. Annually, the NC REALTORS® Federal Political Coordinator Award recognizes one outstanding coordinator for their exceptional service to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and NC REALTORS®. The 2022 recipient, Lou Baldwin, excelled in his role as FPC—working with Senator Richard Burr for close to three decades.

Baldwin first began his FPC work when Senator Burr was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He continued to strengthen this relationship over the next 18 years, building on a strong foundation with his staff when Senator Burr was elected to the upper chamber. Beyond his duties as an FPC, Baldwin invested time in developing his contact team and inviting new members to attend NAR’s Legislative Meetings with the Senator. His attention to strengthening relationships has proven invaluable to the organization, helping to both educate the Senator on REALTOR® priorities and encouraging him to attend REALTOR® events.

With Senator Burr’s retirement in 2022, Baldwin now focuses on mentoring and engaging NC REALTORS® State Political Coordinators (SPCs). SPCs work with members of the NC General Assembly to advance REALTOR® priorities and serve as the voice of real estate.

“The SPC role is crucial in keeping close contact with our elected officials in the NC Legislature on issues affecting real estate and our profession,” says Baldwin. “We need to bring along REALTORS® who will continue our record of effective advocacy at the NC General Assembly.”

Baldwin recently participated in a Presidential Advisory Group (PAG) to expand the SPC program and lead a training session for SPCs during the 2023 NC REALTORS® Winter Leadership Meetings. He believes that one of the greatest responsibilities of REALTOR® leaders is identifying and encouraging tomorrow’s leadership within the association.

“We need to be constantly mentoring and recruiting new advocates in order to maintain our record of success in advocacy at all levels,” expresses Baldwin.

When asked why members should make time to get engaged, Baldwin responded, “Advocacy can be one of the most rewarding ways of serving our association and our fellow REALTORS®. As a REALTOR®, you already have the skills to be a great advocate. You also already serve as an advocate and resource for your clients every day.”

To mark Advocacy Month, NC REALTORS® would like to thank Baldwin for his unyielding dedication to our industry. We invite you to get involved, as well. There are opportunities at the state, local and national level for you to be a voice for REALTOR® priorities and advance the attainability of homeownership.

Baldwin said it best, “Advocacy is a team sport!”