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August 2010
Index of all
messages
from the Association President
The benefits of Association membership
By David Barber, AAR President
Recently I overheard one of our members asking another “Just what do I get for my $500 a year?” At a time when the Association is sending out the new dues billing, this becomes an important conversation.
All inclusive
First and foremost, many of our members do not understand that their dues are all inclusive, comprising local, state and national dues. The NAR assessment is $115; CAR is $130 and local is $225.
These charges not only get you the benefit of local, state and national lobbying as I have mentioned here in previous months, but also take care of our facility – the AAR building. You as a member can use this convenient facility during the day in a number of ways: as a jump off point, taking advantage of WiFi access and the Metrolist search computer, perusing the REALTOR® Store for business items at great prices, and searching the library, which contains floor plans for many developments going back to the 1970s. In addition, AAR provides the best staffing in the metro area to assist you in making the most of your career through educational offerings and professional development.
Know, like and trust
The social networking opportunities the Association provides allow you to generate lifelong friendships and assist in making your transactions flow much more smoothly. Some of the easiest transactions are those with an AAR member on the each side of the table and a complement of AAR Affiliates providing services from lending to inspection to title to after-closing rehab (for the property as well as the REALTORS®). As many of you have heard over the years, your best business transactions are with referrals and clients who “know you, like you, trust you.” Imagine the opportunity to extend that sphere to the agent across the table and the settlement providers.
I regularly hear from guests of the Friday morning REALTOR® Update marketing meetings that AAR and its members have an energy and a fun-loving atmosphere they don’t see at other meetings, making it a pleasure to attend our sessions.
So what do you get for your dues dollar? Facilities, support advocacy, friendship and profit!
Incentives and plans
This year, the Association offers some incentives for paying early as well as several payment plans to help you defer the cost of membership. Those who pay before Sept. 1 have the cost of their REALTOR® Rally ticket paid by AAR; the 2011 Rally will be a special forum to help you gain greater knowledge for the markets ahead.
AAR also offers four-payment and nine-payment plan options. The Association is sending dues billings out earlier this year, so you have the opportunity to take care of your membership in the months when your cash flow may be a little better than in the fall.
We are blessed to have a great organization of professionals to associate with. That is a bargain at any price.
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