In response to the plea from Al Mansell to contribute to the NAR Relief Fund:
I am wondering how we could coordinate a grassroots effort through each local association across the country to collect funds for the NAR Relief Fund? Wouldn't it be great if each association's EO would spearhead a fundraiser who could get each office to commit to a given number of dollars per agent? For example, if an office with 20 agents pledged $25 per agent they would contribute a minimum of $500. An office of 50 agents would contribute $1250... and so on. Another idea might be for each agent to pledge $25 (or some other dollar amount) per closed transaction through the balance of the year. If every association participated, it could be huge! Any ideas?
Humbly,
Carol Williams
My local board, The Lehigh Valley Assn. of REALTORS, isn't waiting for pledges. They have just reported a $10,000 contribution to the NAR Disaster Relief Fun. They are urging members to contribute, offering links and means to do so. I applaud them for their speed and generosity. We're seeing generous REALTOR support on national and local levels.
Posted by: Frances Flynn Thorsen | September 02, 2005 at 12:42 PM
Frances,
That is awesome your local board stepped up like that. Perhaps I can shame ours into something similar. :-)
Posted by: Carol Williams | September 02, 2005 at 01:34 PM
I just got off the phone with our local board and it looks as if nothing is currently in motion. I'm going to check back in with them on Tuesday & go from there.
I have, what I think is a pretty cool idea & I'm working with my office team leader & the Regional director of KW to see if it will fly.
Posted by: Andy Kaufman | September 02, 2005 at 04:38 PM
Jim Weichert, the owner of Weichert Realtors, pledge to match dollar-for-dollar for donations from Weichert Sales Associates. Proceed is going to American Red Cross.
Posted by: Dewita Soeharjono | September 02, 2005 at 06:40 PM
A partnership between the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and National Football League (NFL) could be a dream team. Add the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Pop Warner football teams, local Realtor associations, plus other partners at the local or national level (like Fannie Mae, AARP, HomeDepot, etc.) and you have the makings an incredible, decentralized grassroots campaign.
A concept plan for the proposed "Homecoming Blitz" has been forwarded to The National Football League and circulated privately to some members of the Real Estate Blog Squad for comment. Additional feedback and creative input are still invited, and the concept plan is available upon request.
Professional teams around the country are already using stadiums as donation centers. Imagine the potential of a national Homecoming campaign if Realtor Associations partner with teams at the local and state levels.
FOOTBALL: St. Louis Rams collecting donation at the Edward Jones Dome
http://www.stlouisrams.com/article/50708/
BASEBALL: Major Leage Baseball / MLB.com
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/content/printer_friendly/mlb/y2005/m08/d31/c1191918.jsp
Single team case study: Florida Marlins
Hurricane relief: Throughout the upcoming six-game homestand Pro Player Stadium, the Marlins will conduct a relief effort for the victims of Hurricane Charley.
Starting Tuesday and running through Sunday, Aug. 29, fans can bring their donations to the stadium. Players' wives, the Mermaids, and volunteers from the American Red Cross will be on hand to collect items.
Suggested items are: sealed bottled water, coolers, clothing, first aid kits, camp stoves, trash bags, diapers, blankets, ropes, gloves, duct tape, batteries, transistor radios and extension cords.
Fans can also aid the hurricane victims by bidding on Marlins memorabilia at www.floridamarlins.com. From Tuesday through Sunday, the Marlins will feature a single auction item for each of the six games.
Posted by: RealEstateCafe | September 03, 2005 at 02:42 PM
Our local Association, Williamson County Association of REALTORS, Franklin, Tennessee, has sent an initial check for $6,000 to the NAR Relief Fund. We will continue to evaluate the situation and determine additional efforts.
Posted by: Kathie Moore | September 04, 2005 at 08:49 AM