Click “OK” to Agree

by Katherine Raynolds

Did you read the 18 sections of the Facebook terms of service before joining? Probably not. Social networking platforms, Web-based e-mail, and other services, such as iTunes, Flickr, and YouTube, all have terms of service. And, for the most part, these terms are non-negotiable. If you want to use the service, you must agree to the terms.

What Cloud Computing Means to REALTOR® Associations

What if you never had to buy another software package for your association or another expensive server to store your electronic data? What if you never needed to hire IT consultants or pay an IT staff? What if your office was a streamlined, cable-free collection of laptops and iPads, requiring nothing more than Wi-Fi access to ensure complete productivity?

Contents Winter 2010

Relationships Built on Trust
Trust empowers talented AEs to take risks and make unconventional moves. So how do you gain the trust of your leadership and members? Veteran AEs offer advice.
By Masha Zager

Chair Report: Today’s new transparency.
By Dave Phillips, RCE, CAE, AEC Chair

Briefing: REALTOR® association news, events, people, and programs.
By Carolyn Schwaar

From the Field: Let’s all just get along.
By Alice Martin, RCE, CAE

Yes, Anyone Can Innovate

How can you meet more demands with fewer resources? Or adapt old offerings to serve new needs? Or use an existing organization to address a changing industry?

Think outside the box. Be creative. Innovate.

A Smooth Exit Strategy

Each year, the REALTOR® organization loses some of its most experienced and iconic association executives to retirement. Although we are greatful to AEs who have dedicated their professional careers advancing association management, REALTOR® organizations need to ensure that when retiring AEs walk out the door, all their years of valuable institutional knowledge don’t leave with them.

Trust Your Lawyer

By Michael Thiel

Lack of trust is very often at the root of any association’s legal work. Legal counsel reviews vendor contracts because people don’t think they can trust those vendors to deliver on all of their promises.

Counsel participates in professional standards proceedings because the parties need an attorney present so they can trust that the hearing will be fair. It would seem, at first glance, that the law is all about lack of trust.