This year, the REALTOR® Brand was revitalized as members of the National Association of REALTORS® from all 50 states came together to celebrate the power of our collective voice during the National Riding with the Brand Motor Coach Tour. But what keeps the energy going after the tour wraps up at NAR NXT, The REALTOR® Experience in Anaheim, Calif., in November?
A new initiative called “Ignite Others” will be spearheaded and aims to put the Riding with the Brand Tour's unifying message into action, 2024 NAR President Tracy Kasper said Tuesday in Chicago. The presentation was made at the association's leadership summit. The initiative, which officially begins next year, will focus on events and programs designed to empower members to demonstrate community leadership, including sending members to local high schools to teach students about financial literacy and homeownership readiness. included.
“We have the opportunity to change the lives of an entire generation. [potential] These are homeowners who never thought they could achieve a part of the American Dream,” Kasper said of Ignite Others' high school financial education program. The program is currently accepting applications for volunteers to enroll in local public schools and charter schools. The goal is to help young people from all walks of life understand how to plan for a financial future that includes homeownership, as well as a career in real estate. “We can build a culture of inclusivity and belonging. Oftentimes, just because we say we want all voices to be represented at the table, the table doesn't necessarily change. So we can create a new It’s time to build the table.’”
Members of Kasper's 2024 Leadership Team spoke of Ignite Others' six “Points of Light,” which “help build a better, more inclusive future of opportunity for all. , ignites our fellow members, our association and our community,” Kasper said.
- Financial literacy. The goal of volunteer education programs is to empower young people to make informed financial decisions and secure a prosperous future. By preparing more young people for homeownership, the real estate profession can become more inclusive.
- A community that illuminates. The REALTOR® Association hosts events and activities that demonstrate our members' commitment to community development and support of real estate ownership. Associations can apply for grants to support these events.
- Members' financial health. The Center for REALTOR® Financial Wellness helps members organize their finances and speak authoritatively to others on the subject.
- sustainability. REALTORS® have the opportunity to educate and demonstrate to consumers how they support healthier, more vibrant, and more accessible places. NAR's Sustainability Summit in Atlanta in September is one way to learn more about its role in sustainable housing.
- future leaders. Association executives and other REALTOR® leaders can award “Ignite Others” pins to members who exemplify the philosophy and purpose of this initiative, creating a path to developing future leaders. This will also help with the association's roadmap towards diversity and inclusion.
- member success. Professionalism, education and advocacy are key ingredients to the vitality of our members' businesses. NAR offers a variety of resources to help real estate professionals achieve higher levels of customer service, including the REALTORS® Commitment to Excellence program and the Center for REALTOR® Development.
All REALTORS® who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® are leaders, whether within their families, through their brokerages, communities or associations, Kasper said. Leaders must take responsibility for everything in their world, including the impact they have on their customers and neighbors, she added. The Ignite Others initiative aims to impart leadership skills to our members. “Exercising ownership requires humility and courage. It is difficult to take responsibility for mistakes and failures. But doing so is the key to learning, developing solutions, and ultimately winning. It will be.”
