Top Takeaways from AAR's Leadership Conference

Shot of Board of Director Meeting

For more photos, scroll down to the slideshow at the bottom of this post.

AAR’s annual Leadership Conference provides inspiring education for REALTOR® leaders at the state and local levels. This year was no exception. Jason Schechterle shared his empowering, positive story of triumph over adversity. (See beyondtheflames.com.) And Adorna Carroll, a dynamic association educator and facilitator, brought much needed clarity to governance and leadership issues.

In the post-event survey, we asked attendees to share their top takeaways. Here is a selection of responses (attribution given where known):

  • “Flash mobs can happen anywhere. Incoming local association presidents are optimistic, hopeful and excited to help their communities and associations take advantage of opportunities in the coming year. And $.70 of every dollar for RAPAC stays in the state and is the cheapest form of insurance I can have for my business.” – Holly Mabery, 2012 AAR President, Sedona/Verde Valley Association of REALTORS®
  • “All members have passion. Find out what their passion is.”
  • “Have director liaisons for all of the different committees. This allows all directors to have a role in more than just attending a board of directors meeting once a month.” – Mary Roberts, Lake Havasu Association of REALTORS®
  • “Construct a demographic study of the association’s members for the purpose of marketing to different levels of membership.” – Netta Salazar, Western Pinal Association of REALTORS®
  • “Leadership should meet before the general board meeting.”
  • “The importance of our fiduciary roles as directors and officers of both our local and state associations!” – James “J.T.” Tsighis, Tucson Association of REALTORS®
  • “Focus primarily on that portion of our membership that is engaged.”
  • “We are all in this together. We need to remember to run our associations like a business. We all have challenges, and in sharing, we just might find solutions to what is happening in our own areas.” – Linda Huffman, Southeast Arizona Association of REALTORS®
  • “Members need to know the outcome, not the discussions or who said what.”
  • “I like the idea of layering the board committees and having a director liaison oversee those committees. This helps the board of directors see who may have great potential to serve on the board in the future. Plus, it gets your board members more involved.” – Yvonne Coelet, White Mountains Association of REALTORS®
  • “Minutes, notes and all devices brought into meetings (including phones, iPads, laptops, etc.) can be subpoenaed.” – Jill Knox, Tucson Association of REALTORS®
  • “It’s about your members, not about you!” – Kathleen Murray, Kingman/Golden Valley Association of REALTORS®
  • “Rethink the idea of having board members move through the chairs. Put the best person for the job in the position. Not everyone wants to be treasurer!”
  • “Review documents and make sure we are following our bylaws.” – Lynn Butler, Douglas Association of REALTORS®
  • “Have a member of the board sit down with every new member of the association to go over what the board does locally, at the state level and nationally. Plant the seed to have them volunteer at a later date.”
  • “Jason’s story was inspiring beyond words. His spirit and ability to convey a ‘can do’ attitude to an audience was phenomenal.” – Dru Bloomfield, Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS®

Thank you to all who attended and participated in these important sessions!

 

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