November 2002 - Affiliate Liaison

Affiliate Liaison Committee

What is an Affiliate?
Why do you become an Affiliate?

 

 

Joe Barone, Co-Chair

Being an Affiliate to any group begets two questions: What is an Affiliate and why do you become an Affiliate? The first question is easy. By definition, an Affiliate is a person who “connects with or associates one's self as a member” (Webster's). The Board's definition is more detailed. An Affiliate to the Columbus Board of Realtors® is an individual who does not have a real estate license but has an interest in the real estate industry.

“Why”, as an old crooner once said, “is a many splendored thing”. (No Realtor®'s license, but a poetic license.) The benefits of membership are many and varied and it is the goal of the Affiliate Liaison Committee to increase Affiliate membership by making people in our industry aware of those benefits.

Membership provides us with the opportunity to market and promote ourselves and our companies to the real estate industry. Members are benefited by discounted fees for various services, free access to the meeting rooms at the membership headquarters for company use, inclusion in the Columbus Board of Realtors®' website, and the availability of advertising in the “In Contract” magazine. Also, Affiliates are listed in the annual Membership Directory which is distributed to all members annually.

Since we are in a “people” business, our success is the direct result of our ability to get to know those people to whom we want to provide services. What better way is there to generate business than by networking with Realtors®? Membership provides us with the opportunity to join 20+ committees and become actively involved in our industry by working side by side with Realtors® regarding issues pertinent to our businesses. We also, as Affiliates, have the opportunity to attend numerous social events that provide us with the opportunity to develop business relationships in a non-business atmosphere.

As an Affiliate Member, we gain valuable access to services and resources that benefit our businesses. The Board can provide you with quarterly and annual comparable books and deed transfer annuals. We have access to the multiple listing service as well as the Columbus Board of Realtors® web site. In Contract magazine is published approximately 10 times a year and we receive copies of In Contract magazine at no additional cost. We also have the ability to obtain free services and discounts on many products that are made available to Board members.

The Affiliate Liaison Committee endeavors to provide continuing feedback between the Board of Realtors® and its Affiliate Members regarding their respective needs and to continually update the services and products available through the Board to its Affiliate Members. This goal is evidenced by the fact that the Board of Directors presently has a seat on the Board for an Affiliate representative.

This year the Committee conducted a membership drive and reduced the normal fees to entice new members. The Committee efforts resulted in an increase of 5 Corporate Affiliate members and 4 Sustaining Members.

Finally, as with any membership, along with the benefits there are responsibilities. All Affiliates are asked to support many of the Board's activities. This support is greatly appreciated by the Board and the Affiliate Liaison Committee will recognize Affiliate support at the appreciation breakfast which is scheduled this year for November 12th at the Board Offices. At the breakfast, entertainment and prizes galore are provided to thank the Affiliates for their support. If you aren't an active Affiliate, make it a point to come to the breakfast. You will be waited on by the CBR Board of Directors, which