1.
Being on a board of directors and – now – president of RAHB is a big commitment of time, and you are doing this as a volunteer. Volunteering is obviously important to you – you were Volunteer of the Year in 2003. What drives you to volunteer year after year?
If I had not volunteered, I would not have known how much I could learn about our association and our industry. Knowing all the details of our industry – where it is now and where it is going, seeing the trends – that’s what drives me.
2.
The Quality of Life philosophy adopted by our association is also important to you. Why?
It is important that RAHB and its members are identified as being part of the community. We don’t just make our money in our various communities; we also live there. As REALTORS®, we are front line ambassadors, seeing what is needed in a community even before the city or town is aware there are issues or problems. If we are committed to actively being part of building better communities, then communities will see us as the people to talk to for ideas and solutions. One of the aims of Quality of Life is “building better communities”; better, strong communities benefit everyone.
3.
Over the last few years, the Board of Directors has been focusing on governance issues, which resulted in changes to the RAHB Bylaws at the end of 2012. What do those changes mean for members and for the Board of Directors?
The changes we’ve made to our governance model have been dramatic as to how they affect how the association will move forward. We will be more strategic, more focused on the issues that need attention, better able to react quickly to changes in the industry or in legislation and we will make better use – through efficiencies and direction – of our staff and CEO. There has been a major shift in how decisions are made and how those decisions are carried out – all for the better.
I believe this year members will start seeing the results of the changes we made last year. Interestingly, because of our association’s lead on governance issues, other associations are starting to go this route now, too.
4.
Every year brings its own challenges. What do you see as the challenges facing members in 2013?
Our industry is in the professional service business. As CREA has shown through the Futures Project, we have to be more consumer-centric. This means we as REALTORS® have to pay more attention to the needs of the consumer.
Very plainly, consumers are in the driver’s seat. They can get almost any information they want through the internet – real estate information included. What they cannot get online is the proper interpretation of the information or an intermediary acting on their behalf when it comes to a real estate transaction – for that we want them to come to a REALTOR®. We have to start thinking of what we can do to provide a service that consumers will need and want. To do that, we need to bring up our standards – our services, our image – so that the consumer expects and gets exceptional service experience from a REALTOR®. We will have to look at all sorts of different pieces of the puzzle – raising the level of our professionalism, better technology, collaboration with surrounding associations and maybe a better entrance, or portal, into our systems.
The bottom line is that our lack of action now may well lead to frustration in the future.
5.
What about challenges for the association?
At the December strategic planning session, the Directors identified challenges and opportunities which will be addressed in more detail throughout the year. We have a number of initiatives which will, I hope, engage members and make them aware of what’s going on in the industry. Now is a critical time to be aware.
One of the things we are watching in particular is how our membership numbers might be affected by the changes we have seen so far in the industry and those yet to come. The trend lines aren’t clear yet; predictions are that CREA membership across Canada will go down but so far RAHB hasn’t seen anything close to a reduction in number of members. Membership numbers are important to RAHB’s financial health and our ability to plan for the future. It is something we are watching closely.
6.
Is there anything in particular you would like to accomplish this year?
Yes – probably too much. At our strategic planning session, we identified and prioritized a number of issues we will start tackling at our first meeting in January. This year we will focus on the membership without taking our eyes off the new governance model that will guide us.
It is going to be a very good year. We will keep you updated on our progress.
7.
Do you have any last thoughts to pass on to the members?
Now and in the future, we as REALTORS® will have to be more engaged in our industry. We will also need to understand the consumer – the consumer, after all, is the person allowing us to get paid. We will have to develop our skills, provide more and better service and be essential to the real estate transaction. We can no longer be just holders of information – we have to be the people consumers turn to for the successful sale or purchase of their property.