By Vicki Trapp, President
Greater Chattanooga Association of REALTORS®
As the Greater Chattanooga Association of REALTORS® embarks on its 102nd year, like many of you, we have a few resolutions for 2014. But before I highlight those goals, I want to thank publicly my immediate predecessor Mark Blazek, who served as 2013 President with enthusiasm and dignity.
Serving as President is more than a title – it is a huge time commitment. The President is the face and voice of the organization to our more than 1,400 members, as well as the vast number of home owners and businesses that call Greater Chattanooga home. Mark unselfishly took time away from his business to meet with his leadership team, staff and community leaders about issues facing our local real estate market. There is a lot that happens behind the scenes to keep all the plates spinning, and Mark, you did it all with composure, tact and professionalism. Thank you for a job well done.
At a recent planning retreat, our 2014 leadership team discussed how we can “pay it forward” this year. By that, we mean making a difference for our various constituent bases: the on-the-ground agent working with buyers and sellers; the managing brokers and owners of real estate firms; and the current and potential property owners who turn to REALTORS® for guidance and market data.
Every Association struggles with communicating the value proposition to its members. As we implement programs and services, we strive to help members do their jobs and best serve their clients and customers. With that in mind, I am proud that again this year, we will provide continuing education to our members at no additional cost. Why is this important to the public? Real estate licensees are required to take continuing education classes as part of their membership renewal. The industry is an ever changing environment and to best serve our clients and customers, we need to be on top of our game. That means taking as much education as we can to help us help you.
Another way in which REALTORS® pay it forward is through contributing to the REALTOR® Political Action Committee (RPAC). RPAC contributions help advance the interests of real estate professionals and the consumers we serve. A timely example of our consumer protection efforts is that effective January 1, 2014, all applicants for a Tennessee real estate license will be fingerprinted and subjected to a criminal background check. This change in the law is a result of our lobbying efforts to ensure a safe environment for conducting real estate transactions.
These are just a couple of examples of our efforts and the year has only just begun. Here’s to a year of paying it forward and our Association remaining the region’s answer for all things real estate. I look forward to leading and serving you in that regard. Happy New Year!