Ingredients For Success – ARA 2013 Leadership Retreat

The ARA’s Leadership Retreat for 2013 Local Board and State Leadership Teams was a HUGE success! The retreat’s theme “Ingredients for Success,” helped to inform our Leadership teams of what all it takes to lead Realtors® in the right direction. Local board Presidents and Association Executives joined the State Leadership teams at the Realtor® building on October 23-24, 2012. Everything about the retreat was centered around the “Ingredients for Success” theme that 2013 ARA President Bill Olson chose. He kicked off the program with a presentation on “Gathering Your Ingredients.”

The Tuesday portion of the program included presentations and speeches from Chris Polychron, 2015 NAR President, Karen France, Realtor® Property Resource, and 2013 Committee Chairmen. Wally Loveless and Debbie Rawls gave a presentation on the Key Contact Program and Mike Ford spoke about fundraising tactics for the 2013 Legislative Year. The ARA’s philanthropies were also represented very well by presentations from Larry Kelly for Hearts & Homes Arkansas, Inc. and Terry Weir for Special Olympics Arkansas.

Attendees enjoyed a Wine and Cheese Reception which was sponsored by the ARA’s Equal Opportunity Committee. 2013 ARA President, Bill Olson, provided a few appetizers throughout the program whose recipes are included in the Arkansas Realtors® Cookbook. Proceeds from the sale of the cookbook go to the ARA’s philanthropic organizations.

On Wednesday, Local and State Leadership teams split up to hear more about their specific roles and duties in the coming year. Local Board AE’s met with Andrea Alford and her team at the Arkansas Real Estate Commission. Andrea spoke with them about several issues, including the urgent need for them to encourage members to renew their licenses before the end of the year. Local Board Leadership teams heard from Bill Ladd, Andy Meyers, Cindy Meyers, Hayes Olson, and Miki Bass. The State Leadership team heard from Bill Olson and Gary Isom, Executive Director of the Arkansas Real Estate Commission.

Mike Craig, of Knapp Craig & Co. PA, gave a very informative speech to the attendees about their fiduciary responsibilities.  Ronald B. Stinchcomb spoke to the attendees about the Realtor® Institute Opportunity (RIO) program.  The RIO program allows local board, franchises or companies to offer a GRI designation course in their local area. Registrants will receive continuing education from top notch instructors.

We are excited about the upcoming year with our new leadership teams, their ideas, and recipes for a successful future!