REALTOR® Association Fox Valley -- Installs 2014 President

IT TAKES A VILLAGE—IT TAKES A MEMBERSHIP

A collaborative article by Dave Richert and Heather Kellogg 

Dave Richert, RE/MAX Town & Country REALTOR® was installed on Monday, September 23rd as the 2014 President of the REALTOR® Association of the Fox Valley.

The President of the Association is always a highly involved REALTOR® prided on pursuing goals for the betterment of the membership and the industry. Richert is no exception to this rule, as a licensed REALTOR® since 2004, he holds an MS in Administration from Aurora University. A short list of his recent involvement and accomplishments includes: RE/MAX Hall of Fame, Aurora Housing Authority, Aurora Affordable Housing Task Force, TechComm Committee Chair, Past Treasurer, Finance Committee, Government Affairs Committee, and a Director for the Illinois Association of REALTORS®.

I recently asked Dave if he had set an intention for the upcoming year, for himself and for RAFV. Here is what he shared with me.

“First of all I would like to thank RAFV, our members and staff, for the support I have been given by the Association during the past several years.  My positions on the Board have enabled me to participate in various conferences, each one offering up an opportunity to learn from volunteer members across the country -- working in order to make our industry the best it can be.  These individuals give of their time, laying a foundation for the real estate profession and making us all proud to call ourselves REALTORS®. Each committee brings together different members with different strengths and specialties, when we put these skill sets together we create the type of team atmosphere that brings about change. The protection of personal property rights for homeowners across America, foundational best practices, an enforced Code of Ethics, and the recognition and respect of the REALTOR® brand by the public – are all real life examples of such change.

Possibly even more encouraging, is the type of support which comes from those who have already walked in my shoes, the Past Presidents of RAFV.  In recent years, we have established a working group of Past Presidents which meets annually to give insight as to where the Association has been and where it should go. We want to be certain we are only repeating history worth repeating and progressing in the right direction for the membership.

We have strengthened our other committees as well, and they are now in place as the driving force behind all future initiatives.  Our Industry Relations team is working hard to grow our reputation in the surrounding communities as an Association that cares and gives back via “Caring for Our Community”.  Our RPAC and Government Affairs teams are constantly working on keeping up with local municipalities and issues that affect homeowners and our industry.  These groups are our watchdogs, they work with our local Governments to draft realistic ordinances that make sense for homeowners and investors, keeping housing-related expenses at an affordable level. Our Professional Standards committee watches internally to process ethics complaints and arbitrations. They commit many hours to learning the Code and its Articles, ultimately to ensure we are treating each other and the public fairly in our everyday business practice.  Our Contracts & Forms team works diligently to make sure we are equipped with the best and most up-to-date forms.  Technology and Communications is trying to make it more convenient to volunteer and be a part of our Association committees by instituting video conferencing solutions. 

The bottom line is that we are working hard at the Association so that you can do more deals in your community and ultimately make more money for yourself and your family.  We are protecting your business every day and we will continue to do so in the years to come.  Our Associations, local, state and national, are truly the foundation of this great industry in which we work -- the profession that allows us to set our own hours, spend time with our families, volunteer in our communities, coach our kids, and have the flexible lifestyle and schedule we enjoy.

We have challenges ahead which include replacing our long-time AE, Ann Hammerstad who is retiring after serving our Association for over 26 years.  Ann is moving on to a much deserved retirement and we are so happy for the years she has given to us and also happy that she is able to move on to the next phase of her life.  She has served us well and we have much to be grateful for in all she has provided us with and the years of leadership she has given to us.  Ann will be an integral part of the team that works on a search for our new AE. 

I would like to ask for all your support in the coming year.  If you can give, then please give.  We need everyone to serve in some way to make our association the best it can be.  Please contact me if you have any questions about a role you can play.  I guarantee that every one of our members has a skill set to show off.  I am not asking for a lot of your time or money, just a willingness to lend a hand when called on. Please consider this as we all work together to improve our industry and our own personal lives.”

When Richert asked a local elementary school classroom to write the words that come to mind when they hear the word “home”, the students generated a list noting “Family, Safety, Sleep, Food, Fun, Pets and Love”. We need to all work hard to keep the feelings of home intact. It starts here, at your Association.  To summarize Dave’s statement, get involved because it’s the only way we can make a good Association a great Association. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a membership to raise an Association.