Young Professionals Network

YPN Promotes “Selfishness” in the Best Possible Way

By: Nathan Butrum, Realtor®, NextHome Excellence

Be Selfish! Yes, I said selfish. Think about yourself and what YOU can get out of it. Very atypical for someone to tell you in this day and age, right? Why would I say that then? Wait a minute and hear me out before you try to cancel me. It’s pretty simple when you think about it. Selfishness has a stigma attached to it, but selfishness can change the world. Most of us superficially want to be some altruistic, generous patron who leaves a mark on the world and whose legacy will echo into eternity. Some “shadows and dust” moments while making great money and doing something that you can go home and feel good about, make a social media post, and move on. I’ll let you in on a little secret, that’s selfish of you. We all start our days and perform every action instinctively and selfishly at our core. This is to survive and become the best. You can’t pour from an empty cup. If you’ve made it this far, so let’s see where this rabbit hole takes us…

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY WITH THE YPN

The Young Professionals Network (YPN) is where you can begin your journey to basically wherever you want to go. Yes, we’re still talking about you. We are the launch pad that has helped instill life and vitality into our association and community while grooming past presidents, leaders, and board members through their leadership journey. YPN can help you find your voice and purpose in this profession and in your life. We are a community of business-savvy young (or young at heart) individuals that aspire to be the best we can be so that we can serve others at our highest capacity.

“But Nate, isn’t YPN just a place where other Realtors® and business partners hang out, there’s no business there!” Au countraire, mon frère! Some of my best relationships and closed transactions have come from my involvement in YPN. The people you meet are your peers and partners and it’s likely that you’ll have a contract in your inbox from one of them and you’ll know it’s going to be a success. There’s a huge social aspect that promotes networking and curating connections that will serve you in the future (selfish, again).

On top of all of that, there is community involvement and outreach to the under-served and programs that need our help. You will have fun while helping change the course of someone’s life. I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel really good inside and brings me joy, so selfish.

The YPN advocates for private property rights and the protection of homeownership, basically helping you keep what’s yours. See where this is going? You’d probably like to make your life easier in any way possible too, right? Well, say hello to the staff at RASM as they are the puppeteers and animators of most of the things you think get produced effortlessly. Thank them when you see them so they keep doing the great work to make your life easier.

GET INVOLVED

RASM is not just a place to pay your dues. With your involvement, you’ll gain a different perspective of Realtors® of every level that all mastermind to collaborate and help propel you out of mediocrity and into excellence. If you’re already that awesome and excellent then you can help raise others into the diamond-studded firmament of your existence. In all seriousness, it’s okay to be selfishly selfless. YPN helps you find yourself in the midst of trying to figure out if you’re doing real estate correctly, where you need to be, who you should meet. There’s no right way to do the wrong thing. Say yes, be present, be selfish, sign up for YPN and make an impact in your own life and in the lives of others. I regret a few things in life, but joining YPN is not one of them. •

Celebrating 100 Years of Impact

By: Gina McCarthy & Warren McKenna, CAE

Everything we do and everything we are as an organization is dedicated to rocket RASM REALTORS® to Reach Further.™

Our brand promise is our “why.” As our tagline expresses—every program, experience and member of RASM can Reach Further.™ But there’s one catch - you have to jump in. Participate. Capture that value we’re developing for you. This is your association. Your future. 2022 marks a tremendous milestone for RASM. It’s our Centennial Anniversary. The 2015 merger of Manatee Association of REALTORS® and Sarasota Association of REALTORS® brought an intersection of cultures, areas of service and you - our members. With a growing membership of over 8,300 REALTORS®, we are considered a mega board. As such, our size and strength bring the greatest responsibility - empowering our members.

Our vision of becoming one of the most “innovative and relevant associations that elevates the standards of professional excellence and is critical to our members’ success while providing value to our community” transcends time. This is our gauntlet. And our focus.

We empower and engage our REALTOR® community. We anticipate our members’ needs and provide services, resources, education and experiences that elevate member success.

We continue to adapt as the real estate market changes and members’ needs evolve. Our direct-toconsumer campaign is one example of how RASM creates value to both members and consumers in our communities. A robust, hyper-local consumer campaign uses local media and digital assets to drive awareness to the REALTOR® brand. We leverage a multi-channel strategy to position every member with professionalism, resourcefulness, transparency, equity, advocacy and trust. We’re just getting started.

This year we will launch a new website to be a clearinghouse of information and an experience that delights RASM members. You will have easy access to relevant content—where you need it and how you want to consume it.

RASM training and education opportunities advance your ability while broadening your network. Our staff, ambassadors and leaders enhance our member-driven community with continued broker and agent outreach. RASM is led by top producers who pay it forward to inspire and challenge every member to achieve more. We continue to bolster our advocacy efforts, political candidates and elected officials who support REALTORS® and consumer rights.

When we asked members and staff where RASM will be in another 100 years, we heard one expression over and over. RASM will be where it has always been, at the forefront of the real estate industry—adaptable to members and the market—supporting you every step to be the best professional you aspire to be. Brokerage models, disruptors and technology will always change. But our commitment to your productivity, profitability and professionalism is a constant.

In the future, we do not know if RASM REALTORS® will one day be on the moon or beyond thrusting to Mars. However, you can count on us to provide another 100 Years of Impact. Whether you’re just getting started in real estate or you’re a seasoned pro, we thank you for your membership and ask you to think of membership as “action” at RASM. Hit the ignition and be ready to blast off. 2022 is the beginning of our next 100 years.

Engage. Reach. Succeed. •