Dear Association Executive:


Every year we’re reminded of the wonderful works of Associations and REALTORS® all across America. We’re inspired by their dedication to create something better. For the fifth year, President George W. Bush announced an initiative to increase minority homeownership by 5.5 million by the end of the decade.

In recognition of National Homeownership Month, we expand our focus to illustrate how it is the collaborative effort of our REALTORS® that creates the communities in which we are proud to live and work. REALTORS® build our neighborhoods by connecting buyers and sellers, and by speaking out on behalf of their clients to protect the integrity of the industry, all while building the image of REALTORS® everywhere.

Inside, you’ll find three approaches to building community that Associations of any size can implement. One project was undertaken by an individual REALTOR®, one group of REALTORS® pitched in with a community project, and one Association adopted a program originally made so successful, it’s been adopted by Associations all over the U.S.!

I urge you as the Association Executive to use the ideas presented here and seek out our REALTORS®—get them involved in your National Homeownership Month activities, encourage them to take the initiative and run their own project, or help them organize their efforts to make even a bigger impact in your community.

To further encourage the growth of ourselves and members, I’d like to remind you of the possibilities for building strong new levels of Association and member growth in the programs of The Pacific Institute, an NAR partner in the REALTOR Benefits(sm) Program.

The Pacific Institute’s programs and services are instrumental in recognizing and releasing the untapped potential in us all. And I’ve personally never experienced a program that pulled all the elements together in quite the same way.

Whatever paths we choose as individuals in 2006, I know that building stronger Associations, REALTORS® and communities will make our entire organization more productive, better focused and stronger overall.

Best regards,
Thomas M. Stevens
2006 NAR President