| THE GADFLY | |||||||||||||||
| December 2014 - Early Edition |
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| The NAR Government Affairs Directors Newsletter | |||||||||||||||
| The GADFly is produced by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® to provide Government Affairs Directors (GADs) at state and local REALTOR® associations with tools, news and information to help you serve your members. To add one of your staff members to the distribution list, or to be removed, contact Kyle Lambert London at klambertlondon@realtors.org/202-383-1203. | |||||||||||||||
| In This Issue... | |||||||||||||||
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| Save the Dates | |||||||||||||||
 Game Changer Program Applications Due January 31st, 2015Starting in 2015 Game Changer applications will be available to applicants year-round. Applications will be received and reviewed twice a year (due January 31 and July 31). Following the application deadline, ideas will be reviewed by a Game Changer Review Group, comprised of state and local association executives and government affairs directors. Winners will be determined by vote within about one month after the application deadline and will be based on idea originality and adherence to outlined criteria. New for 2015 -- award amounts will be available for up to $15,000 per applicant. |
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| Registration for NAR’s 2015 Campaign Management Trainings is Open! GADs and AEs who have not had the opportunity to attend NAR's Campaign Management Training (CMT), please join us for the only 1.0 version of this course being offered in 2015. The program will begin at 8:30am sharp on Friday morning and will conclude by 3pm on Saturday. 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. CMT 2.0 will start early on Thursday afternoon and will finish early Saturday afternoon. Look for additional program details in 2015. Space is limited to 40 participants for each training, so please register quickly!
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| 2015 GAD Institute 2015 GAD Institute, Salt Lake City Utah. July 15 – 18, 2015. Mark your calendars for July! This year’s Institute will be held in downtown Salt Lake City at the Hilton. The Government Affairs Directors Advisory Group is in the early stages of planning for professional development sessions, networking events, and receptions to meet Government Affairs Directors’ needs at every level. Feel free to send us your suggestions! Don’t miss out on this opportunity learn best practices, gain valuable career skills and network with your peers. The early registration fee (prior to June 16th) for the Institute is $425, so be on the lookout for more information in early 2015. We hope to see you there! |
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| REALTOR® Party Program News | |||||||||||||||
| Improvements to the NAR Issues Mobilization Program In order to promote the efficient and effective operation of NAR’s Issues Mobilization Program, an Issues Mobilization Work Group recommended a number of improvements to the Program. At the recent REALTORS® Conference & Expo in New Orleans, these recommendations were amended and approved by NAR’s State and Local Issues Mobilization Support Committee, Executive Committee, and Board of Directors. A Webinar to discuss these Program improvements will be held in January 2015. Stay tuned for further details. |
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| Land Use Initiative Success Story – Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS®, SC Learn how the Charleston REALTORS® (SC) drastically changed the outcome of proposed Historic Preservation Code in South Carolina. The Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® was so effective they were asked to head a task force advising the city. Learn more: Charleston REALTORS® Help Share Common-Sense Historic Preservation Code. |
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| RPAC Hall of Fame Nominations for the 2014 Inductee Class Do you have an RPAC investor with an aggregate lifetime investment history of $25,000 or more to RPAC? If so, nominate them for induction into the REALTORS® Political Action Committee Hall of Fame no later than January 31, 2015. A nomination form must also be submitted for current Hall of Fame members transitioning into the $50,000, $75,000 or $100,000 tiers. To access the guidelines and nomination form, please visit RPAC Hall of Fame. Should you have any questions, or to verify your investment history total, please contact Desta Wallace |
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| 2015 RPAC Major Investor Fundraising Events Kick start your RPAC Major Investor fundraising efforts for 2015 by hosting a Major Investor event in your state. Our 2015 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! |
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| 2014 RPAC Award Winners RPAC Triple Crown The RPAC Triple Crown is awarded to states that meet or exceed their state RPAC goals. This year we are honored to announce that twenty-five states and two territories did just that. RPAC Local and Commercial Overlay Board Winners New in 2014, local and commercial overlay boards received a composite score equally based on their participation, Major Investor and President’s Circle members. Local boards were measured nationally against other boards within their size category, while commercial boards were ranked collectively. Fifteen boards were recognized. NAR President’s Cup Winners The President’s Cup is awarded to states that meet or exceed all eight National goals (four Advocacy Goals and four RPAC goals). This ultimate achievement was obtained by fifteen states. Congratulations to everyone for an outstanding 2014 fundraising year!! To view a list of all the 2014 Award winners, click HERE. |
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| Requesting a REALTOR® Party Liaison? | |||||||||||||||
| Requesting a REALTOR® Party Liaison to Attend Your Meeting? NAR has as formal process to request the attendance of a REALTOR® Party Liaison at your meetings & events. In order to secure attendance, your AE or a designated member of your association staff must fill out the REALTOR® Party Director & Liaison Request Form: www.realtoractioncenter.com/liaisons. Completion of the form does not guarantee a liaison’s attendance at your meeting or event. |
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| FAA Enforcement on Drones Stands | |||||||||||||||
| NTSB Review Panel Finds FAA Rules Apply to Drones A four member panel of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) ruled this week that unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, are subject to FAA jurisdiction and enforcement. The panel reviewed and reversed the decision made by an Administrative Law Judge in the case of Huerta v. Pirker, a landmark case involving the commercial use of drones. The initial ruling declared that drones were not subject to FAA jurisdiction. The FAA appealed the decision and the NTSB review panel sided with the FAA, saying that the machine is an aircraft and is therefore subject to FAA enforcement action. |
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From NAR’s Economist Outlook Blog: |
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| David Stark Public Affairs Director, Bay East Association of REALTORS® |
Remind me, what do you do for a living?
Nothing says “holiday season” more than answering this question at family gatherings.
After almost a decade I’ve found that “I’m a lobbyist” is a great way to either start or stop a conversation about my day job.
When probed further about the nature of my work I typically ask the inquisitor if they’re familiar with the Mortgage Interest Deduction. If they’re a home owner, regardless of their political leanings, the aunt/cousin/in-law typically knows about the MID. From there I simply state, “you can thank us for that.”
I try to avoid robust conversations about sign ordinances, point-of-sale requirements and the finer points of polling but this year anything could happen in those quiet moments during half-time.
Happy holidays GAD Nation and I hope all your dreams come true in 2015.
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GAD Directory |
SAVE THE DATE
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Game Changer Program Applications Due January 31, 2015 |
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2015 Campaign Management Training | ||||||||||||
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2015 GAD Institute July 15-18, in Salt Lake City, Utah |