Advice for New AEs

Financial

• Live within the budget and notify leadership regarding any significant variances.
• Have checks and balances to avoid any perception of improprieties.
• Provide scheduled, periodic financial statements to appropriate committees and leadership.
• Ensure the association has adequate reserves.
• Ensure access to necessary outside financial advice, i.e., accountant/bookkeeper.
• Think outside the box when identifying revenue sources.
  

Travel

• Review the annual travel calendar with leadership early in the year and budget accordingly.
• Have a clear, shared understanding of who is responsible for all travel details and reservations. Make hotel reservations early, as headquarter hotels sell out fast.
• Respect each other’s privacy on the road; don’t share hotel rooms.
• Be clear about allowed expense limits and respect them. “Per diem” does not mean “seize the day”!
• Remember that you are working while at the meetings; fulfill all of your responsibilities.

Change

• Don’t expect to know everything early on – it takes at least six months for everything to come together.
• Tread lightly at first and don’t try to change too much too fast.
• Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.” There is no stupid question.
• Remember that the process can be as important to the members as the decision reached.
• Don’t expect leadership to adapt to your way of doing business; you will have to adapt to their way
• Realize that the members want it all, they want it now, and they want it for nothing.

Professional Standards

• Keep conversations about professional standards complaints issues to a minimum. Do not discuss the merits of a case or get personally involved in the discussion. You are “only the administrator.”
• Never encourage the public to come into the office.
• If a case is blatantly frivolous or not related to the Code of Ethics, steer involved parties elsewhere.
• Remember that what you hear is only half the story. Never let anyone say you took one side or the other.
• Sixty percent of complaint forms mailed out to start the process are not returned by members of the public or a member. Don’t follow-up – They will let you know if they want to proceed with filing a complaint.
• This is one time when the president (and everyone else) is not privy to the details.

Relationships/Communication

• Keep your personal and professional relationships separate. You work for the REALTORS -- they are not your friends.
• Don’t try to do elected leadership’s job. Understand your role and theirs. You have a new boss each year who may be confused that he or she doesn’t administer your role.
• Prepare to communicate the same message over and over through various channels.
• Never say what you wouldn’t put in writing. Never put anything in e-mail that you don’t want to see in the newspaper or have to defend in court
• Do not get involved in member politics, never choose sides, and don’t spread gossip.
• Do more listening than talking.
• Recognize that you cannot make all people happy.
• Create your own rewards, as you will not get credit for good work/deeds.
• Beware of hidden agendas with members and staff.
• Remember that vendor “gifts” come with a price.
• Know that you are not alone. There is a large AE community ready to help you – just ask!
  
  
  GUIDE CONTENTS:
  
  New AE Guide Home Page
  Checklist for New Chief Staff Executives
  Advice from Your Peers
  Important definations and acronyms
  Essential NAR Policies & Procedures
  Get to Know the NAR Staff
  References & Resources
  What is NAR?
  How to Get Involved in NAR Committees
  Enhance Your Career with AE Education
  Association Human Resources & Staffing