The organization: The Northeast Florida Association of Realtors is a trade association of licensed Realtors and invited affiliate members in Duval, Clay, Putnam and Baker counties. It provides training and other education programs and oversees the Multiple Listing service. NEFAR also serves as the local lobbying arm of the real estate industry.
What she’ll do: The president presides over the monthly, and any special sessions of, the board meetings. The board oversees the overall leadership and direction of NEFAR through governing decisions. NEFAR’s president is also charged with promoting and encouraging new ideas and new leadership, serving as a liaison with the Florida Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors, upholding the bylaws and policy of NEFAR, serves as an ex-officio member to all NEFAR committees, task forces, councils and advisory/focus groups, appoints any committees, councils, and task forces as needed; serves as an official spokesperson for NEFAR, presides over NEFAR’s general meetings, represents NEFAR at NAR and FAR meetings.
When are meetings and what happens during them? Board meetings are monthly. NEFAR also has a variety of meetings through its committees, councils, and task forces that meet on a variety of schedules. Special meetings are called as needed. NEFAR’s general meetings typically occur three times per year. Meeting agendas vary depending on the purpose and nature of the meeting.
Her business: She is broker/owner of Century 21 Dames Point Realty
How were you elected/selected? Officers of NEFAR are nominated by
a nominating committee of NEFAR’s immediate past president and eight other members. The nominating committee presents a slate of officers to the general membership for approval, which is voted upon at an annual meeting each fall.
Goals for 2008 as president? “One of the major goals of the 2008 leadership team is to improve the market through a realization of the facts that the market is actually improving and is not all doom and gloom as is often reported. To that end, we’re just now beginning a campaign to help change the negative, and often inaccurate, attitude about the real estate market in northeast Florida.
“Our 7,000-plus Realtors are the experts in what is really happening in the market and I can tell you that our telephones are ringing more and there are more showings. We have low interest rates, prices have stabilized to where they were a few years ago, and there is an ample supply of homes from which to choose. There is a fantastic time of opportunity for buyers to get a good deal and there is money available for qualified buyers.
“We must get this word out to the media and the public.
“A second goal is to improve the public awareness of our community involvement. NEFAR has numerous members who contribute many hours to their community with no recognition or acknowledgment. Every year NEFAR gives out an award for Humanitarian of the Year and I can assure you the job of choosing just one or two people is tough. We have many members who literally donate the equivalent of a full time job to civic or charitable endeavors quietly and without fanfare. We want to let the public know that we are an extraordinary group of individuals who give to their community, churches, schools and the public at large.”
How does the organization have an impact on the industry? “There is certainly strength in numbers and Realtors have a large and active voice legislatively. We work hard to stay abreast of all pending legislation or actions that affect private property rights issues and mobilize into action whenever there is a need regarding those.”
What does the organization offer members that is unique? “Realtor associations are always at the forefront of advocating for the preservation and protection of private property rights. As Realtors, we are also governed by a Code of Ethics that differentiates us from real estate agents. Our Code of Ethics binds us to each other in the pursuit of doing what is right for our customers; we are required to treat all parties in a real estate transaction fairly.”