NAR President's Liaisons

President's Liaisons are NAR members, appointed by the NAR President to serve as his or her liaison to each of NAR's foreign Cooperating Associations. Appointees are generally CIPS designees and, ideally, have some knowledge of the country's culture and language. Appointments are made each year prior to NAR's Annual Convention and run concurrent to the NAR presidential term. The following outlines the responsibilities of the position. For a current list of President's Liaisons visit NAR's International Network. CIPS Designees interested in being considered for future appointments should contact NAR International for information regarding current opportunities.

• The President's Liaison hosts the president, executive officer and/or delegation of the respective international Cooperating Association during the REALTORS® Annual Conference & Expo. This includes but is not limited to: Attending a special meeting set up by NAR staff with the Cooperating Association leadership and NAR leadership; Participating in events organized by the Cooperating Association at the convention (i.e. receptions, dinners); Guiding and assisting the Cooperating Association's delegation to relevant meetings and social activities at the convention.
• NAR President's Liaisons may be asked to assist NAR staff in the event of a dispute or problem about a specific Bilateral Cooperation Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding. This may require special meetings and/or conference calls to agree upon a course of action. President's Liaisons should be familiar with the terms of the bilateral partnership between NAR and the specific Cooperating Association.
• President’s Liaisons are encouraged to attend the Cooperating Association annual meeting or convention as a representative of the National Association of REALTORS®. Travel grants may be available for reimbursement of expenses. To be eligible for travel grants, President’s Liaisons’ travel must take place IN THE COUNTRY TO WHICH THEY ARE ASSIGNED. Travel to regional real estate conferences and meetings in countries other than the assigned country are not eligible for reimbursement by NAR. President’s Liaisons to ICREA-member countries are requested to facilitate the offering of ICREA’s Transnational Referral Certification (TRC) Program during their visits to Cooperating Associations on behalf of NAR. President’s Liaisons to non-ICREA member countries are requested to make the effort to facilitate the offering of a half-day real estate education program for Cooperating Association members. Contact NAR International staff for eligible curricula. To receive reimbursement, travel grants must be pre-approved by NAR International Operations staff and the President’s Liaison must submit a trip report (guidelines are provided) as well as the curriculum from the course they provided in the assigned country. Expenses are paid through reimbursement only; President’s Liaisons must use their own funds and then request reimbursement via NAR member expense report within 30 days of return. If President’s Liaisons fail to request approval prior to traveling abroad on behalf of NAR, there is no guarantee that expense reimbursements will be processed. Please note that travel funds may not be used towards attendance at NAR national meetings.
• President's Liaisons meet bi-annually at the REALTORS® Annual Conference & Expo (November) and the Midyear Meetings (May) to exchange information. At each meeting, NAR members share ideas at the International Networks Advisory Group meeting, which brings together President's Liaisons, Regional Coordinators and Ambassador Associations. As an official appointee of the NAR President, President's Liaisons are required to participate in these meetings. President's Liaisons who cannot attend these meetings should request to be excused.
• President's Liaisons communicate regularly with the Ambassador Associations assigned to the Cooperating Associations. In addition to serving as a liaison between the international partner and the NAR President, a President's Liaison serves as the link between the Cooperating Association and Ambassador Association. A President's Liaison can expect to be involved in helping find an appropriate Ambassador Association if none is assigned, facilitating introductions and the on-going exchange of communication, and assisting in planning for U.S. visits.
• President's Liaisons are required to submit annual reports documenting activities relating to the Cooperating Association throughout the year. If periodic reports are provided as a result of visits to the international partner country and/or other activities, an Annual Report may not be necessary.

• President's Liaisons are not empowered to officially represent the views and positions of the National Association of REALTORS®, except when specifically directed to do so by the NAR President.
• President's Liaisons are accountable to the NAR President. Generally, President's Liaisons communicate directly with the NAR International Operations Committee Chair and/or International Operations staff who in turn, communicate with the NAR President if necessary.
• President's Liaisons are appointed by the NAR President for a term of one year. In many cases, it typically takes longer than one year to develop significant working relationships with the cooperating associations. With this in mind, consideration will be given to re-appointment where such action will tend to strengthen and intensify relationships.
• President's Liaisons shall serve on the International Networks Advisory Group during the term of appointment. Appointments generally begin at the conclusion of the REALTORS® Annual Conference & Expo.

1. Attend all NAR Midyear Meetings and Annual Conventions and participate in all events pertinent to President's Liaisons, including the International Networks Advisory Group meeting.
2. Host Cooperating Association's delegation at the REALTORS® Annual Conference & Expo and participate in meetings to which Cooperating Association leadership is invited. President's Liaisons are expected to contact the Cooperating Association delegation in advance of their arrival to schedule a SPECIFIC meeting time to connect, review the NAR Convention schedule, answer questions, and help set up adjunct meetings. NAR staff will provide President's Liaisons with periodic lists of Cooperating Association registrants at the convention.
3. Communicate regularly with NAR International Operations staff throughout the year to discuss relevant aspects of the NAR/Cooperating Association relationship, including association leadership changes, country real estate market information, etc.
4. Contact Cooperating Association leadership periodically, and inform the Ambassador Association representative and the Regional Coordinator of news or updates. Coordinate communications, report problems with the partnership, and provide any necessary assistance.
5. Submit a detailed trip report and/or annual report on activities concerning the Cooperating Association to NAR International Operations staff.
6. Assist NAR in gathering information on the Cooperating Association the country's real estate market and business practices.
7. Help NAR implement the bilateral agreement as requested.
8. Understand the fundamentals of the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA) and how to use WorldProperties.com.

1. All of the above, plus:
2. Attend the Cooperating Association's annual convention.
3. Host a function at the REALTORS® Annual Conference & Expo for Cooperating Association members; can be a combined effort with Ambassador Association.
4. Organize a trade mission to the Cooperating Association's country, or from that country to the U.S.
5. Learn about the real estate business and market in the assigned country and be prepared to share that information with interested NAR members.
6. Network with members of the Cooperating Association and create the foundation for a business network between the U.S. and that country.
7. Encourage the Cooperating Association to host NAR education courses, such as CIPS, GRI, etc.
8. Participate in the development of the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA) and WorldProperties.com.
9. Help the NAR International Operations Committee leadership, in efforts such as facilitating the Cooperating Association's membership in ICREA or the development of real estate licensing.

Interested in becoming a President's Liaison? Make sure you review the Program Overview and the Travel Grant Policy (PDF). Please note that President's Liaisons are appointed by the President of the National Association of REALTORS®.

If you would like to be considered as President's Liaison, download the attached interest form and return to NARGlobe@realtors.org.





Download President's Liaison's Interest Form in PDF>>

President's Liaisons' To-Do List
The President's Liaisons' To-Do list has been created to ensure that all PL's are consistently doing similar tasks to accomplish collective goals for NAR's International Network. It also provides PL's with a sense of accountability, to encourage motivated and consistent efforts to work with assigned cooperating associations.
Download President's Liaison To Do List (PDF: 24K) >>

President's Liaisons Travel Information
President's Liaisons planning a trip abroad on behalf of the National Association of Realtors® International Operations Committee should review the Travel Grants Policy. In order to obtain a travel grant, in the form of a reimbursement, President's Liaisons should complete the following two reports: the Travel Grant Request prior to the trip and the Trip Report Form after the trip. The links provided here are for PDF files; for your convenience Word documents are pasted below.
Please note: President's Liaisons may not use international travel grants for reimbursement for travel to the NAR Midyear Meetings or Annual Convention.




View Examples of High Quality Travel Grant Applications (PDF)>>

President's Liaison Expense Reimbursement
In order to be reimbursed for expenses, PL's are required to fill out a member expense report and include original receipts for expenses over $75. Member expense reports can be downloaded below.

View the Member Travel Policy (PDF)>>

Download the Member Expense Report (PDF)>>

As stated in the job description listed above, each year NAR President's Liaisons are required to submit Annual Reports documenting their activities throughout the year.

Download President's Liaison's Annual Report Form (PDF)>>

Questions about the President's Liaison program may be directed to Tamala Thomas.