How do you benefit from your Board involvement?
Why would you recommend others get involved?
Barbara S. Neff - RE/MAX Associates
“I enjoy being with other active Board members. Keeping up to date on all of the committee information is a way to further my knowledge of my industry and its progress. Hopefully while I am on these committees I can also share information and ideas to further help our Board/members.”
Jim Vowell - HER, Inc., Realtors®
“One of the problems we have as Realtors® is we exist in the narrow world of our clients and our office. Lots of things are happening all the time (positive and negative) that can affect us. The best place to find out what's going on is where the other Realtors® get together and that's at the Board. We all know we like to talk!!! And also, like to share what we've experienced.
In the Middle Ages in Europe, artisans and tradesmen created Guilds. They found by having an association and the members still being independent, that everybody benefited; the independent members and the public they served. The CBR serves something on the same order.
Obviously, our CBR offers a wonderful world of services that make our life better and more productive. The interaction of members — from the Directors to the newest member— is the single ingredient that makes the system work and thrive. By not talking and listening to Realtors® from all geographical parts of our area, we sometimes limit ourselves in what we can do and (what's worse) limit the services and help we can provide our clients — the reason for our existence. For me, the members of the CBR are the single best benefit.”
Mara Ackermann - RE/MAX Consultant Group
“As a fairly newer member of the Board (last 4 years) I enjoy being involved on different committees to learn more about how decisions are made collectively for the membership. I have served on two different committees so far, and I have benefited from hearing the opinions of many different types of agents — part-time, full-time, young, and experienced. Agents not involved now would really benefit from meeting with other agents on a more casual level and sharing different ideas, as opposed to more constant and serious scenarios such as real estate transactions.”
Cindy Calender - HER, Inc., Realtors®
“I would highly recommend getting involved with the CBR. It keeps you in the know with the upcoming events, meeting, changes, etc. It also lets you network with other Realtors® from different companies. This way you feel that your are contributing something of yourself and giving back a part of what you get by being a Realtor® in the central Ohio area.”
Sue Ellen King - Coldwell Banker King Thompson
“I benefit from Board involvement due to the learning from the interactions with agents from different geographic areas, from different size brokerages, with different agency company policy, and with different ways of doing business. I would recommend involvement to get the perspective of the larger organization that one is operating in, not just your brokerage and to feel more connected to the issues in the industry which will eventually affect your business.”
Larry Knoll ABR, CRS, GRI - RE/MAX Elite Service“You ask me to comment on why I am involved in the Board, I started years ago, mainly because I would hear agents complain about things at the Board and not do anything about it or even know enough that they should be commenting on subjects. This really just made me get a little involved so when something came up I at least have a little knowledge.
Now that I have been involved a little, its nice to also be able to go to functions and know more agents from around town as well as the people who work at the Board. You just feel more at ease around friends.”
Gary Francis - American Dream Realty
“I benefit in many numerous ways from my involvement in Board activities. First of all, I receive a great deal of personal and professional satisfaction by being able to give back to a profession that has been very good to me and my family over the past 24 years. As Woody Hayes always said, ‘You pay forward!' I certainly believe that giving your time and effort to make the work environment, that we all thrive in, a more professional and enduring atmosphere can only promote and sustain us as truly professional Realtors®.
Secondly, I feel that the only way you can make your voice and opinion heard by the decision makers is to be involved and have those channels of communication open so that decisions about present and future concerns of our Board will be reflective of ALL members.
Thirdly, I can only tell you the pride I feel when walking down the second floor hall and seeing the photos of our past Board presidents and knowing their previous efforts and goals have made my career a much easier, professional, and rewarding endeavor. Seeing the names and faces of some friends and associates, from Twink Starr to Barbara Lach and now, to my good friend, Lynda Long, I only wish that more of my fellow Realtors® would sincerely consider taking a few hours from their busy schedule each month to give back and pay forward for those who have done such a wonderful job to help all of us.”
Al Leckrone - Coldwell Banker King Thompson
“About 20 Years ago when I first became involved with the Board I thought that this would be a nice way of helping others in our field. What I came to find out was that it was a tremendous way for me to help myself become a better Realtor® by associating with the really great group of Professional men and women who care very much about the industry.
As a former chairman of one of the Board's committees and as a member of several committees, I can talk to the new people in our industry without hesitation about the benefits of getting involved.
To become involved with our Board it does not take a lot of time and you do not have to be the smartest kid on the block but what you have to have is a real desire to succeed and to help others do the same. Your feelings, opinions and intellect are very much needed and appreciated by the other members of this Board who are trying to make things happen in a positive way for all.
So take an hour or two a month from your busy schedule and give it to the Columbus Board of Realtors® and make a difference, not only for the Board but also for yourself. Thanx!”
Leslie Zimmerman ABR, GRI - Caldwell Banker King Thompson
“I benefit from my involvement with the Columbus Board of Realtors® in many ways. When you think about the complete make up of the Board and everything they do for Realtors® and Affiliates, it is easy to see how valuable our input and communication is. Our Board is a smaller piece of all it's members so the direction we take is a direct reflection on our needs and goals as active members.
We need to give back to the Board what they give to us... Support! From the President, the Directors, our Executive Officer, Larry Metzger and his outstanding staff to the numerous committees, we are provided with the information we may need to know.
Did you know that there are 23 staff members and 28 committees? When was the last time you were at the Board to attend a meeting, visit our store, and obtain paperwork or lockboxes? Try to find a place to park when CORPAC or the Builder/Realtor® Alliance Committee has a meeting at the Board. It is a busy place and it runs like a well-oiled machine because of the involvement from members like you!
I strongly recommend that all Columbus Board members should get involved with your Board.”
Marie Foeller - Buyers & Sellers Realty/GMAC
“My involvement with Board activities has helped me become more aware of current issues and trends that are affecting our industry and have given me resources and technology that has helped develop me as an agent. I have been involved with the following committees, Membership, Member Services, Education and, this year, the Grievance Committee. Through my Board involvement I have met a lot of staff, directors, and affiliate members that I probably would have never met. So whether you are from a small or large company, sell residential or commercial real estate or are an affiliate member, getting involved gives a person plenty of opportunities for professional development, networking and other fun activities.”
Judy Hunter - Coldwell Banker King Thompson
“I have served on two CBR committees this year: Education and Communications. I have benefited both personally and professionally from the time spent.
Personally, it has been an opportunity to meet with Realtors® who have been active in our Board for several years. Their wealth of past experience gave me insight into the tools of effective leadership. The process is interesting. These committees are made up of Realtors® from Brokerages of all sizes and all areas of the city, often with differing points of view. It is definitely a great learning experience, as well as an opportunity to meet some great people!
Professionally, the chance to help plan the CBR education offerings gave me an advance look at some of the important topics that are constantly being offered to our membership. The Communications Committee was an experience in planning and presenting Realtor®-based topics to the general public. In both committees the interaction with other Realtors® was invaluable professionally as well as personally.
Finally, the committee experience gave me a first-hand look at our professional CBR staff in action - they're terrific! I highly recommend CBR committee involvement to all of our members.”
Carolyn Cox Davidson - Coldwell Banker King Thompson
“How I benefit from having Board involvement is more than I can write. Having been a member for almost 3-decades (in Germantown, Tennessee, also). My first thought is that I have a “Parent” in real estate. The Board associates me with every aspect of real estate necessary to exist. The education, technology, library, support, ethics, law, advertising, real estate store and the great staff, are some of many services available at the Board. The Board is always there if I have questions or dilemmas, plus I know my ‘home office,' Coldwell Banker King Thompson, is always connecting.
I couldn't feel as secure if I didn't know the Board was there for all of the above, however, I haven't been the greatest participant in the functions, etc. I'm very impressed with all the dedication and hard work I know the Board contends and involves itself with daily. I have great respect for all.
It's a great institution and we all know the staff works really hard to keep it that way. All real estate people/agents should highly value their privilege of having this institution available to them and definitely get involved. Go home and visit once in a while.”
Pam Wingate - Coldwell Banker King Thompson
“Honestly, I got involved this year because I was eligible for an award, and participation on a committee was mandatory. The positive side effects of getting involved have been networking with Realtors® from other brokerages (I'd rather co-op with Realtors® I know), getting to know the Realtors® from other offices in my own brokerage, and gaining understanding from the staff members how the process works (from committee to Board approval). Our most fun project has been the revamping of the store.”
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