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REALTORS® International Ambassador Association Program For a full list of current list of current NAR Ambassador Associations visit NAR's International Network . Program Fundamentals During the course of each year, the National Association of REALTORS® hosts more than 2,000 international real estate professionals. The vast majority of these international colleagues attend the REALTORS® Annual Conference and Expo. In addition to this group, a number of delegations and individuals request meetings with REALTORS® throughout the year for guidance on the industry, to network, and to exchange information about the U.S. and global real estate markets. Most of these exchanges emerge because of the bilateral cooperating agreements that NAR maintains with 75 real estate associations in 55 countries (as of January 2008). Additionally, REALTORS® are interested in developing international business ties, as a result of the growing CIPS Network as well as cultural diversity and globalization within local real estate markets. Program Particulars To accommodate our international visitors, and to expose them to the range of opportunities available to them throughout the NAR organization, the International Networks Advisory Group developed the International Ambassador Program. The program is loosely based on the international Sister-City programs: NAR appoints “partner” state and local REALTOR® associations to each of the foreign cooperating associations. The Ambassador Association works closely with President’s Liaison assigned to that country and NAR’s Regional Coordinator for that part of the world. The program also gives members of the Ambassador Association the opportunity to expand their global business networks and get involved in international real estate activities at the local or state level. Where applicable, the Ambassador Association complements the appropriate “Country Work Groups,” a program designed to allow CIPS Network members from varied geographical locations to focus on doing business in a specific country. Communication and Structure Interaction between Ambassador Associations and their assigned cooperating associations varies from country to country. NAR International Operations staff or the President’s Liaison are often the central point of communication to the partner association, especially where language is a barrier. Ambassador Associations frequently become involved in assisting in the development of organized real estate in a country or in the structure of a country’s real estate association. In this case, a particular Ambassador Association staff member or volunteer representative may work closely with the bilateral partner. Given the range of communication styles and levels of responsibility, it is most important that the President’s Liaison and the Ambassador Association communicate frequently and develop a working relationship. The Ambassador Association should also regularly communicate with the Regional Coordinator assigned to the country as well as NAR International Operations staff. Responsibilities The very minimum responsibility of an Ambassador Association is to host and assist delegates from NAR’s foreign cooperating associations during official visits to the United States. An Ambassador Association plays an important role during the REALTORS® Annual Conference and Expo and spends a significant amount of time helping delegates from the partner association navigate the event. The Ambassador Association is expected to provide association management advice if requested, to respond to questions about NAR or other REALTOR® organizations, and to maintain regular correspondence with all parties. The Ambassador Association should also keep abreast of current events in the assigned country, specifically with regard to real estate and should endeavor to find out how business is done in that country. Both association members and staff should actively participate in these international activities. Eventually the relationship should provide the creation of a member-to-member international business network, which should be the ultimate objective of an Ambassador Association relationship. NAR President’s Liaisons President’s Liaisons are appointed each year by the NAR President. President’s Liaisons serve at the pleasure of the President for a term of one year, and may be re-appointed. The position of President’s Liaison is a significant one, as Liaisons help to maintain NAR’s important relationships with foreign real estate associations. For a more detailed description of the President’s Liaisons job responsibilities, visit the President's Liaison page. Ambassador Association Selection Criteria: Opportunities vary greatly with each country and each association. Minimally, NAR seeks REALTOR® associations for Ambassador appointments that have the following:
The Ambassador Association program also seeks REALTOR® associations with a connection to the Cooperating Association country if possible. This connection can range from operating in an area with immigrants from the respective country, to a membership that is similar to the Cooperating Association’s membership base. NAR will provide whatever assistance is possible, but Ambassador Association candidates are advised that there is no single model for a successful relationship. Interest among the members and support by leadership and staff, will generally result in a successful relationship and the identification of specific activities that provide U.S. members with potential networking opportunities and access to involvement in international business. *International is defined where any aspect of the transaction has an international component to it, the buyer, the seller or the financing. Buyers or sellers who are US citizens but still heavily influenced by a foreign culture are considered to be “international.” The bulk of international business done by NAR members is done locally. Ambassador Association MINIMUM Expectations:
Ambassador Association MAXIMUM Expectations/Opportunities:
Cooperating Associations are expected to reciprocate the exchange of information, publications, and hospitality. Levels of coordination vary significantly depending on culture. If your association is interested in becoming an Ambassador Association, please let us know! Download the Ambassador Association Interest Form: Download the Interest Form in PDF (116KB)>> For a list of NAR partner associations that need Ambassadors, contact Jennifer Wiziarde. At the end of each year, NAR staff collects information from each Ambassador Association regarding their experiences with the cooperating associations. These reports help ensure a continuous history of NAR’s relationship with the cooperating association and also helps identify broad issues, concerns, and opportunities regarding this relationship. The report also serves as a reflection of the relationship with NAR and opportunities to enhance this relationship and/or the Ambassador Association program. Download Ambassador Association Annual Report Template (PDF). (Word document attached below) |
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