| THE GADFLY |
| January 2016 |
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| In This Issue... |
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| Dates & Deadlines |
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 Jan 26 – 27: New AE & GAD Orientation, Washington D.C. (Hurry, Two Seats Left!)
NAR will be conducting two New Association Executive (CEO) & Government Affairs Directors Orientations (winter and fall), showcasing how the REALTOR® Party can provide support at the state and local levels. The curriculum highlights how REALTOR® Associations can use REALTOR® Party tools and resources in their advocacy and outreach efforts. Emphasis will also be focused on meeting association’s Core Standards requirement. To register for January, please contact Kyle Lambert London by this Friday, or check the website for details. |
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Jan. 31: Game Changer Program Applications Due
The 2016 Game Changer Program consists of two rounds (due January 31 and July 31). Game Changer applications are available year-round. Following each application deadline, ideas will be reviewed by the Game Changer Review Group, comprised of state and local association executives and government affairs directors. Grant recipients will be determined roughly one month after the application deadline based on idea originality and adherence to outlined criteria. Award amounts are available for up to $15,000 per applicant. For more information, please contact Kyle Lambert London at 202-383-1203.
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Feb. 5: Independent Expenditure (IE) Campaign Webinar
Get a crash course in how NAR processes, evaluates and implements IE applications on Friday, Feb. 5 at 2:00 PM EST. Julienne Uhlich and Mitchell Norton will run through what you need before you submit an application, what happens once the application is submitted and how NAR executes your campaign once the application is approved. Whether you’re new to the IE process and in need of tutorial or you’re an experienced GAD looking to brush up on new procedures, this webinar will have something helpful for everyone. Contact Mitchell Norton at 202-383-1091 to sign up. |
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Feb. 19: Issues Mobilization Program Webinar
Mark your calendar for Friday, February 19, at 1:00 PM EST for a one-hour Webinar presentation on NAR’s Issues Mobilization Program. The presentation will cover the grant application, consideration, award and distribution processes with particular focus on recent Program policy changes. Instructions for joining the Webinar will be publicized at a later date. For more information, please contact Joe Maheady at 202-383-1006. |
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| Legislative News & Information |
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President Signs Appropriations Bill Into Law
Congress passed and the President signed into law sweeping legislation of more than 2,000 pages to fund the federal government for Fiscal Year 2016. The new legislation will put an end to the series of stop-gap funding measures known as “continuing resolutions” that have funded the government since the start of FY 2016 on October 1, 2015. This new bill will expire in September 2016. READ MORE
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CFI's Analysis of How Many Gave, and the Sources of Candidates' Funds, in the State Elections of 2014
The Campaign Finance Institute released three new items related to its now-completed analysis of candidates' funds in 2014 state elections.
- An analysis of the sources of candidates' funds in each of the states;
- An analysis of the percentage of adults in each of the states who contributed any money to the candidates who ran for office in 2014; and
- An unveiling of the post-2014 version of CFI's 50-state "Citizen Policy Analyst" tool that lets users begin from a chart showing the actual sources of campaign funds in a particular state, and then test the effects of a variety of policy options in that state.
Each of these analyses was based on contribution data supplied by the National Institute for Money in State Politics (www.followthemoney.org). READ MORE |
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| REALTOR® Party Updates & Resources |
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More Than $1 Million in Community Outreach Grants Awarded in 2015
State and local REALTOR® Associations were awarded $1,227,027 for community outreach projects in 2015. If your association hasn’t taken advantage of these grants, 2016 would be a great time to get started and help meet Core Standards too! For more information, contact Holly Moskerintz at 202-383-1157. |
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Placemaking Micro-Grant Changes for 2016
In 2016, the Placemaking Micro-grant will be broken into two levels. The Level 1 grant, for up to $1,500, is for state and local associations wanting to revitalize existing spaces with new amenities. Level 2, for up to $3,000, will be for the creation of new public spaces such as plazas, parks, trails, gardens and parklets. Check out the program updates before you submit your application. For more information, contact Holly Moskerintz at 202-383-1157. |
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Thank You, REALTOR® Party Consultants!
As of 2016, the REALTOR® Party Consultant Program has concluded. Due to the overwhelming success of the REALTOR® Party Initiative over the last four years, NAR is discontinuing the REALTOR® Party Consultant program, but will still provide support to state and local associations, through consultation, on an as-needed basis. NAR would like to thank Chip Ahlswede, Justin Allen, Nick Bokone, Paula Martino and Meredith Weisel for their great work over the last few years and helping to make the REALTOR® Party a recognizable brand. If your association should need individual support on a REALTOR® Party program, contact NAR regarding your needs. |
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2016 Candidate Training Academy
Plan ahead and offer NAR’s Candidate Training Academy at your association prior to the elections! NAR has funding for 16 associations in 2016—a $5,000 value for your members. Bring NAR’s skilled instructors to your state or local association for this day-long course to train REALTOR®-friendly candidates in what it takes to run for office and implement a successful campaign. This offer is available on a first come, first served basis and will fill up quickly. Contact Kyle Lambert London for questions or to bring this course to your board. |
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Update Your State’s GAD Listing
Please help us to keep your state’s listing of Government Affairs Directors up to date by visiting the GAD Directory. Once there, click on your state and list any changes by clicking on the “GAD Information Update” form at the bottom of the page. |
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Best Practices for Choosing REALTOR® Champions Course in 2016
Have you offered this course for your RPAC Trustees and leadership yet? If not, NAR has 15 opportunities for states to use professional instructors to teach members to plan for and choose the best REALTOR® Champion elected officials. You will even be reimbursed up to $1,500 in related course expenses. Add this to your course calendar before your primaries are over!
For more information on this course, and for details on how to bring it to your state, please contact Kyle Lambert London. |
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2016 Campaign Management Trainings GADs and AEs who haven’t had the opportunity to attend NAR’s Campaign Management Training (CMT), please join us for the 1.0 version of this course.
Those who have completed CMT 1.0 are eligible to attend CMT 2.0, a more advanced and intensive training session, building on the foundation of the first offering. Look for additional program details in future issues of the GADFly. |
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Campaign Management Training 1.0
April 14-15, 2016
The Curtis Hotel, Denver, CO
Class Fee: $99
Hotel Rate: $179/night
Campaign Management Training 2.0*
June 9-11, 2016
Hilton Austin, Austin, TX
Class Fee: $99
Hotel Rate: $169/night
*Attendees must have taken NAR’s Campaign Management Training 1.0 prior to taking this course. |
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Interested in Hosting the 2018 GAD Institute in Your State?
The GAD Advisory Group is asking for those interested in hosting the 2018 GAD Institute to submit their interest by February 1, 2016. The 2018 GAD Institute will be held in the Western Region (NAR Regions 11, 12, 13). For information on what hosting the event entails, please read the GADs Policies and Procedures or contact Kyle Lambert London at 202-383-1203 for additional information. |
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Planning for Conferences & Events in 2016?
NAR has an existing process to request the attendance of a REALTOR® Party Liaison at your meetings and events. In order to secure attendance, your AE or a designated member of your association staff must fill out and submit the REALTOR® Party Director & Liaison Request Form. Submission of the form does not guarantee a liaison’s attendance at your meeting or event. Please allow 10 business days for a response. If you have questions, please contact Beth Brittingham. |
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| RPAC News |
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2016 President's Cup Goals
The 2016 President’s Cup Goals are now available online. Comprised of 8 RPAC and Advocacy goals, this honor recognizes the hard work state REALTOR® leaders and association staff perform to advance the REALTOR® Party. The deadline for these goals is Friday, December 16, 2016. Kick the year off right by having a REALTOR® Party Liaisons speak to your members about the importance of RPAC and advocacy outreach. For questions about RPAC goals or totals, contact Kanoa Naehu at 202-383-7509 or contact Erin Murphy at 202-383-1079 with questions about your advocacy goals. |
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2016 President’s Circle Launch
The first round of President’s Circle for 2016 has launched! During this round, President’s Circle members may invest $500 in one of the four national party committees in honor of any Member of Congress. FPCs have the option of contributing $500 directly to the Member of Congress they serve as FPC. (An FPC must choose either a $500 contribution to their Member of Congress OR a National Party Committee – they cannot do both.) Check out the latest list of President’s Circle members. For questions about the President’s Circle program, contact Maggie Fitzgerald at 202-383-1078 or Kelly O’Donnell at 202-383-7510. |
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Data Security and Privacy Toolkit
The National Association of REALTORS® constructed a toolkit to ensure legal compliance with state and federal regulations for data security and privacy protection. The Toolkit provides pertinent information about state laws and pending federal regulations and a checklist of issues to consider when drafting a security program. It also has helpful references and sample policies for reference. Please contact Karne Newburn for any questions or additional information. |
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NEW RPAC Fundraising Transmittal Deadlines
The RPAC Fundraising Trustees recently approved its 2016 RPAC Fundraising Transmittal Deadlines. NAR requires that all funds, with appropriate back-up documentation be received in the Chicago finance office by close of business on the 3rd Friday of April, October and December to be recognized as NAR Major Investors or for a state to receive credit towards its 2015 fundraising goals. In 2016 those dates are April 15, October 21, and December 16. Full details are available here, please contact Kanoa Naehu for more information. |
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2016 RPAC Major Investor Fundraising Events
Kick start your RPAC Major Investor fundraising efforts for 2016 by hosting a Major Investor event in your state. Our 2016 NAR speakers are ready to travel and speak to your members about the connection between legislative successes and RPAC investments. These events are NAR-sponsored and, as always, 70 percent of all funds raised remain in your state. Click here to learn more about our Major Investor Events Program and apply to host your event today! Should you have any questions, please contact Kelly O’Donnell. |
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| NAR’s Economist Outlook |
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New Report: HOME Survey
This new quarterly report covers consumer feelings about home ownership as an investment, its place in the American Dream, timing for buying and selling, and perception of home price changes. |
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New Report: Remodeling Impact Survey
This report looks closely at the reasons home owners remodel, the success of taking on projects, and the increased happiness found in the home once a project is completed. |
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How Much Do You Know: Home Remodeling Projects
How much do you know about cost vs. value of home remodeling projects? Take this quiz, based on NAR research, to find out. |
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Home Survey Infographic
88% of U.S. households believe owning a home is a good financial decision. See more highlights of the new HOME Survey in this infographic. |
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Remodeling Impact Infographic
Did you know that 74% of owners have a greater desire to be in their home after a remodeling project is complete? See more highlights in this infographic. |
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How Many Houses are Vacant at Your Zip Code?
Housing vacancies are currently at the lowest levels since at least 2005, according to the Census Bureau estimates. But how did housing vacancy rates change at a local level between 2011 and 2014? |
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Message from the GAD Chair
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Jenny Reese
GAD Chair
Nevada Association of REALTORS®
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I hope you had a great holiday season and that you’re looking forward to what the New Year will bring. With that in mind, it’s an election year. NAR provides multiple resources to help you elect REALTOR® friendly candidates, and I would encourage you to use their programs and resources.
There have been 27 associations that have taken advantage of the Best Practices for Choosing REALTOR® Champions Course. The course is designed to help train RPAC Trustees, identify and support REALTOR® friendly candidates. NAR has 10 slots left for 2016 that include grant money to help you offer it. These are available on a first come, first served basis.
In addition, NAR conducts a Candidate Training Academy that helps provide resources and training to REALTORS®, REALTOR® Champions and those that may be interested in running for office. It provides an in-depth look at how to run a campaign from start to finish—from opposition research to fundraising. Candidates have found it to be a valuable resource. NAR has 11 of these still available in 2016 (a $5,000 value for your association). If you are interested in either of these programs, please contact Kyle Lambert London for more information.
Let’s get ready to take our members to the next level of advocacy involvement! REALTOR® Party programs, tools and resources are at your disposal. Let’s continue to work together so that REALTORS®, once again, make their mark on politics and policy in 2016. I look forward to hearing about your successes!
Follow the
REALTOR® Action Center! |
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SAVE THE DATE
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2016 President’s Circle Conference
Feb. 18-21, 2016
Las Vegas, NV
*Event restricted to 2015 President’s Circle members only |
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2016 GAD Institute
July 13 – 16, 2016
Room Rates: $199/night
Registration Fee: $500 early/$550 late registration |
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