Jump to Content, Main Navigation

The REALTOR® Party Political Survival Initiative: Let Us Hear From You

Important Information for NAR Members About Our Political Survival

In March 2011, NAR launched the REALTOR® Party Political Survival Initiative. The initiative is a bold and powerful proposal to make the Voice of Real Estate one of the most influential advocacy groups in America.

There are monumental issues we're facing — in Congress, in the regulatory agencies here in Washington that govern mortgage financing, in your statehouse that’s faced with critical budget crises and declining property tax revenues, and in our municipalities and counties. Each of these issues impact our ability to do business and serve clients. We must act as one to ensure the future of mortgage financing and to keep housing affordable in America. We must have the power to shape this pivotal moment for the American Dream of Home Ownership everywhere and at every level of government.

To fund such a nationwide effort, the REALTOR® Party Political Survival Initiative proposes a dedicated dues increase of $40. Because it is "dedicated" to this initiative, the dues increase would be used exclusively to fund political advocacy efforts. Nearly 70 percent of this money is earmarked for state and local issues. If it is approved, over 50 percent of the NAR budget would be devoted to political advocacy, which consistently ranks among members as the number-one benefit they receive from NAR.

The proposal will be voted on by the NAR Board of Directors at the Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in May.

 Take a few minutes to get informed. View our new slideshow that provides critical details about the initiative and the value proposition it is designed to give back to you at the federal, state and local level.

 Visit our REALTOR® Party Political Survival Initiative page to get more details. We are posting documents, background information and other resources to help you understand the who, what, why and when of this proposal.

 Read the article from Politico that discusses the emerging clout of the REALTOR® Party and how "REALTORS® ... are going to want to be politically effective, and a large measure of their influence is that they are present everywhere."

 Watch this short video from NAR President Ron Phipps that asks you to get involved in the deliberation process about this initiative.

 

 Your Feedback Is Important and We Are Listening

We also want to hear from you. You are our voice, and these decisions will not be made without getting your input and giving you the opportunity to be heard. We need to know what questions and concerns you have so we can help you understand this effort. We also encourage you to post a comment below and to join the conversation on Twitter, on Facebook and on your favorite real estate blogs.

UPDATE: Due to the number of comments, we cannot display the full list of comments. Please download this PDF of the comments received as of April 10, 2010. This list has not been edited by NAR.

Please use the form below to post your comments about the REALTOR® Party Political Survival Initiative:  

Name
Comment
Enter this word: Change

 Your Comments

What can I accomplish with $40 a year to protect and enhance my business. Very little. What can $40 mulitplied by 1,200,000 do? A great deal. It is all about recognizing how the "power of group" can make a tremendouos difference for my business. Thanks, NAR, but I would have made it $60.00 $5.00 a month is not too much to do so much for my business. Dan Coffey New Buffalo,Mi 


Submitted by Dan Coffey
at: April 16, 2011
Are you kidding! I would more than hope all members would see the benefits and the savings this $40 would be. It's the least I can do to help promote and be proactive in the political field and everyday business! 


Submitted by Kyle Haynie
at: April 16, 2011
You got my vote for the increase! It's a mere price to pay to keep us strong and alive! 


Submitted by Paula B
at: April 16, 2011
I can not believe for the life of me why people are making an issue about $40 to protect our industry! At least its on a purpose and it for something that will be felt and beneficial to all. I spend more than that to go out for one dinner and have nothing the next day! 


Submitted by Kay H
at: April 16, 2011
A $40 well spent! Thanks to NAR for their dedication and hard work in looking out for our industry! 


Submitted by Bob Morgan
at: April 16, 2011
In todays world anything that can keep my association on the right track I appreciate that and I feel it will be the best $40 I have invested! thanks NAR! 


Submitted by Kim O'Hare
at: April 16, 2011
I am in favor of the $40. I appreciate the fact that NAR is looking out for the best of my interest with my business. I look at it as an insurance of my business. 


Submitted by Kim Martin
at: April 16, 2011
I am very frustrated by the lack of understanding by those in opposition to RPPSI. Many of the comments via blogs, twitter and other social media outlets contain so much misinformation and blatant lies that it is no wonder the membership doesn't understand what is happening. Many of those comments are coming from those who are not active in any capacity within our organization. Please do yourself and our association a favor and learn exactly what this initiative is all about, how it will be implemented, and why it is vital to our industry. I am happy to report that my local association has sent the NAR Leadership a letter of support for RPPSI and was voted on unanimously by my board of directors. We take political advocacy very seriously in Utah County. After a several newsletters and announcements to our membership, I am also happy to report that our association has not received one phone call or e-mail in opposition to this initiative. As with many controversial proposals, it is the vocal minority who makes the most noise. I hope that many others will follow the examples of those who understand the vital importance of this initiative and speak in favor of it. 


Submitted by Chris Nichols, President Utah County Association of REALTORS
at: April 16, 2011
The time has come to explain how the system of giving funds to candidates works because I really don't think members get the picture. NAR DOES NOT yes that is right they do not hand out the funds to candidates! Imagine that! At the local level,your AE does not hand out the RPAC funds to the candidates, your local trustees interview and make the decision! Imagine that! At the state level, your STATE AE or CEO DOES NOT hand out the funds to candidates, your STATE trustees meet and decide who is going to be endorsed, IMAGINE that! At the National level it is NOT YOUR Leadership team that hands out the money to candidates or endorses them, it's your NAR trustees, IMAGINE THAT. You have a representative member from each REGION that represents you and they discuss and interview and then they vote and they endorse the candidate.Imagine that! Get involved at your local level and become a trustee,get involved at your state level and become a trustee. These members MAKE the decisions,it is NOT the leadership team! It's the same with the independent expenditures, the trustees make the decision. The 70% return to the states is not money the trustees just send out monthly to the states or local, their will not be bookkeeping to take place as IF the state or local do not request it they don't just get a monthly check for nothing! Members understand what the system is all about. IF the state or local associations do not need IMF funds they are not going to get a monthly check for bookkeeping and no it is not any more work for your local AE or STATE AE, if they are saying that they are wrong and they didn't listen to the presentation very well. I find it amazing that when the local AE's decided they needed more in their budget they didn't have a problem asking for it, put it on the dues invoice with NO reason or cause and the same with the State level,the AE's take it to budget and finance and they said they need more to operate and put it on the dues invoice and the members paid it, BUT now that we have a changing industry and we have to protect the rights of property owners, we have to have funds to fight for issues within our states and local levels and now at the National levels, we are having a problem with $40. Members lets get real and know how the system works. I vote strongly that we get behind this initiative and go forward! Hopefully this helps all you members that don't have a clue because you haven't known how your local level,your state level and NAR works for the betterment of ALL the members. Just maybe you will realize that NAR does everything for us to protect us and move us strong!  


Submitted by a very concerned proactive realtor
at: April 16, 2011
The time has come for us to be united and believe that this is a serious matter! It isn't about why now its about surviving! You are right,the markets have been slower but it will be alot worse if we don't step to the plate and continue to fight for the property rights and ours. People wake up..quit your whining or YOU will have a lot of time to whine as our industry won't be around! 


Submitted by Dennis
at: April 16, 2011
I AM MAD AS HELL THAT THE NAR IS WANTING MORE MONEY TO SUPPORT MORE POLITICIANS LIKE THEY DID IN THE LAST ELECTION. TELL ME, WHAT IS PATRICK TIBERI DOING ABOUT THE RAGING OIL AND GAS PRICES???? OH, I FORGOT, HE DOESN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR GAS BECAUSE HE RIDES AT OUR EXPENSE IN A LIMO AROUND WASHINGTON. I AM MAD AS HELL AND THE NAR HAS GOT TO DO SOMETHING WORTHWHILE WITH THE MONEY THEY HAVE. ALL OF US PAY TOO MUCH NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! 


Submitted by R Mike Gallagher
at: April 16, 2011
I am a believer in my industry and totally believe in the initiative. If not us who is going to be here to protect our clients and our members. Thank you NAR for everything that you have done and continue to work on for the members! $40 is a great investment to know I will survive! 


Submitted by A BELIEVER
at: April 16, 2011
You're acting just as the "out of touch pols" in D.C.! Aren't you unaware that some Realtors can't pay dues charged now to rep "our interest" and must give up their licenses?! If possible I'd resign from NAR - NO INCREASE OR ASSESSMENT - CUT YOUR BUDGET!! 


Submitted by Hazel Haney
at: April 16, 2011
A BIG thank you to the NAR leadership team and all the other members who have been involved in creating the REALTOR political survival initiative. Our industry is changing so rapidly and we are so fortunate to have the leadership and other members to be watching out and keeping our industry strong. For the members that are complaining that they are not going to have a choice in candidates, would you listen to what this is about! This is NOT a RPAC investment. The funds that go back to your local or state level will be able to be used as independent expenditures.You,the member, will be involved at your state or local member to decide if or when you would like to help or endorse a candidate.The candidate with an independent expenditure DOES NOT get the money directly for his pocket but YOU if you choose to be involved at the local or state level will choose the candidate.Yes, NAR trustees, whom you each have a member from your state represent you,will have options to have that independent expenditure funds.The trustees look at the candidate and support those who have helped our industry NOT voted against us for our property owners or our membership! Your state and local will have access to funds that will help stop issues that are effecting homeownership! Such as receiving funds to stop things such as a realty transfer tax,or a tax on fees! These funds are critical! This $40 dues increase is an insurance so that our industry will stay strong. Where can you buy insurance for 11 cents a day? An insurance to say yes we will be here tomorrow, yes we will be stronger? I hear alot about NAR leadership doesn't care. Who are you kidding? Have you closed a transaction that needed flood insurance? Oh, NAR doesn't care but they were at the hill fighting to get it renewed so we could continue on. Did any of your clients buy a home because they took advantage of the tax credit? Oh, that's right NAR doesn't care but they were at the hill lobbying so our clients could have a great tax credit and help the economy! Our mortgage interest deduction is being attaacked by Congress,who has been there helping to maintain that so homeowners keep the deduction so they want to continue to buy instead of renting? People wake up. Our industry is fighting to survive and yes we need to stay united and strong! All the negatives out there talk about how the income levels are down and now isn't the time. But I am sure that each one of you can still buy your latte,go to the gym,go golfing or whatever you choose.Will you be able to do any of that if you no longer have our strong foundation? I would guess not but NAR doesn't care. Right, they are there working for us every single second,and we all should be saying thanks for each of their hard work! NOW is the time! Now is when we need each of you to realize that it is an insurance to stay strong! Our state will be voting strong on this initiative and we are PROUD to be in favor of protecting and insuring we all have a tomorrow to go forward with! We have had the same struggles as each of you but we will survive with pride! THANKS NAR LEADERSHIP we DO appreciate you! 


Submitted by Ronda Tompers
at: April 16, 2011
I believe this proposal is extremely necessary to keep our Realtor members and our industry moving in the right direction, we need NAR more than ever. The $40.00 increase for a total of $124.00 a year to have the information and support that NAR provides us is the best insurance we can get for our money. This amounts to .11 cents day or 31 Lattes over the course of a year. Let's support our leadership in this Initiative. 


Submitted by Donna Kostelecky
at: April 16, 2011
This proposal to raise our dues for this purpose is rediculous, especially in this market climate. I have been involved in the political process directly and I find local boards should be and are move effective then a national organizatons pac. We as realtors should follow the example to reduce expenses, not increase fees and taxes. 


Submitted by John P. Quinn
at: April 16, 2011
Please do not increase our dues when we are making less. BB 


Submitted by BROOKS BAYLIS
at: April 15, 2011
Don't be raising costs at a time like this...just work harder...we are...... 


Submitted by Marsha Cederquist
at: April 15, 2011
They must be DAFT..All my costs have gone up, and my income is down. And NAR now wants to pile on too? GET REAL and REPRESENT US, not pick our pockets! 


Submitted by Mike Piasecki
at: April 15, 2011
If the Board of Directors approves this initiative my next question would be - how do we start a recall petition? Based on the fact that they are guilty of theft of my vote and money. 


Submitted by W. C. Stewart
at: April 15, 2011

Items 61 - 80 of 118  Previous123456Next

 

Member Login

Please enter your password and email address.

» Sign Up

» Forgot Your Password?