Equal Opportunity

Focal Point project to Recruit, Retain and Mentor New Agents

Jerome Witcher, Chair
Equal Opportunity Committee

Equal Opportunity – when you hear these words, what do they mean to you? To the Equal Opportunity Committee, they mean helping, encouraging people of all cultures to look at real estate as a viable career opportunity where everyone is welcome.

Toward that end, the committee has developed a four-point focal point project designed to recruit and retain new agents. The four-point focal point project consist of the following:

1. Mentoring program where newly licensed agents can chat about the business with seasoned agents and brokers 
2. Career night/job fair programs to be held quarterly at various locations throughout the city 
3. Fundraising activities for CBR’s Grant program 
4. Community partners to co-sponsor and help with promotion of the career night program in their particular area

The Mentoring Program is held the third Thursday of each month (except in December) at CBR, 9:00 -10:30am. These free sessions are geared to REALTORS® who have been in the business for 2 years or less; however, all REALTORS® are invited to attend. The mentoring sessions are led by seasoned real estate veterans and industry-related experts from various fields. These sessions cover a variety of topics, including balancing work and family; prospecting; learning to live as a commission-based independent contractor; working the property investment market, negotiating; and writing a business plan.

The committee also co-sponsors several Multi-Cultural Real Estate Career Nights and Job Fairs throughout the year. These events have been held at Columbus State Community College and at various churches throughout the city.

The purpose of the career night program is to give prospective new agents an opportunity to learn about the business from people already in the business. The program includes a panel discussion on opportunities in the industry, skills needed to be successful, licensing, education and testing requirements, myths about real estate careers, start-up costs and the CBR post-license Grant Program. The seminar portion of the program ends with a moderated question-and-answer session. A reception and mini-job fair conclude the evening activities. We encourage real estate companies to have a booth at these events. At the career night held in March, there was standing room only, with more than 100 prospective new agents in attendance.

Our Multi-Cultural Real Estate Grant Program is offered to newly licensed agents who have been in the business 6 months or less. The grant, up to $500 depending on fund availability, is awarded to help off set some of the start-up costs. If awarded the grant, a line of credit in the amount of the grant is issued in the recipients name and funds can used for dues, lockboxes and any other real estate related items.

The committee is always looking to CBR members for support of our committee projects. I welcome and encourage you to join this productive group of REALTORS® and affiliates in their quest for professionalism and cultural diversity in the real estate industry. If you have questions and/or would like more information about the committee, I can be reached at Art Lee Realty (614) 575-0763 or 898-6125.