You can't hit a hole-in-one every time . . .

Or, in other words -- You can't please all the people all the time

Brad Bennett
President

With 7,300 members and so many changes in our industry and board, we find the old adage is true: You can't please all the people all the time. But your leadership and your staff strive very, very hard to please most of the people all of the time.

But, in an effort to stay in the upper echelons of real estate associations, we do try hard to make sure that every voice is heard. We have committees that deal with almost every detail of member service. The committee structure is, in and of itself, a most efficient means of ensuring member input.

Last year, when updating our strategic plan, we sought your opinion through focus groups and intense discussion with representatives from all sized companies, agents both new and successful, all CBR leadership and committee chairs.

From this input, a plan was created to accomplish what our members listed as priorities. A few of these priorities are:

•  implement penalties (i.e. fines) for inaccuracies that diminish the value of our most important listing and 
   selling tool -- the MLS
•  create the highest level of technology to serve our members in serving buyers and sellers;
•  expand our newly created Commercial Information Exchange (COCIE);
•  increase public awareness of the value of REALTORS®.

This year, from wireless MLS to a new mapping system to adapting to the new political climate in our government, your volunteering colleagues are spending a lot of time enhancing and protecting your business.

The 20+ CBR committees are in full swing for 2007. Here's just a quick look at what they are up to . . . 

• Awards Night -- April 18
• Affordable Housing -- May 6 Super Sunday
• Builder/REALTOR® -- April 9 bus tour of the Northwest area
• Equal Opportunity -- coordinating African homeownership education workshops for late spring/early summer
• Communication -- Feng Shui seminars coming May 3 & 10
• CORPAC -- May 24 Auction
• Foundation Fund -- REALTOR® Foundation Walk (see article on page 16 and insert in this magazine.)
• Grievance & Professional Standards -- just finished their annual intense training program
•  And, of course Education is continually putting together an outstanding course schedule.

And these are just the projects happening right now. But all of the committees are actively meeting and planning now for programs throughout the year.

If you don't believe me, just try to schedule a meeting here. It's almost impossible to find an open time/room.

In addition, you are welcome to provide your input to the leadership also. Bear in mind that, if there is a committee that deals with a topic you are addressing, leadership does not act without first consulting the group of your peers who have volunteered to deal with that issue.

But I ask for your help. If you have an idea, concern, comment, please put it in writing, and tell us how we can contact you.

Why? Because what you say is not always what I hear. You've played that game before where a sentence is started at one end of the line and 10 people later it becomes a different thought entirely. So, put it in writing, please. That way, I can ensure that your idea or comment is dealt with directly and professionally.

And, most importantly, include your recommendations and/or solutions.

Now a note about your dues...We sometimes forget that all of the $732 REALTOR® dues we pay annually is not kept by CBR. Of the total CBR, sends $100.00 to the Ohio Association of REALTORS®; $94.00 to the National Association of REALTORS®; $106.00 is for Display Key Lease; and $265.00 to the Multiple Listing Service and this is based on the actual costs of operating a Multiple Listing Service.

The remaining $167.00 is your annual dues that CBR uses to provide services to you. I suspect you would agree that you get a lot for your money from CBR. We are continuing to provide all levels of service at current dues level even with a slightly diminishing number of dues paying members.

So, if you feel you aren't getting your money's worth, drop us a note, with a solution and we will direct it to the appropriate committee or staff to respond to your concerns. Your peers volunteer many hours helping to create the best business environment for your success.