June 2009: Leadership and Success Leave Clues
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Meeting Photos
One of the greatest opportunities we have when serving as National President of the Women’s Council is to visit and interact with members from across the country. This blog is a way for me to share those experiences with you, the members, so that you are aware of the fabulous things your fellow members and leaders are accomplishing.
UNBELIEVABLE is the best word to describe the recent Women’s Council Midyear Meeting in Washington, D.C.! Excitement filled the corridors as members from across the nation reconnected with longtime friends and made new acquaintances. Referrals were being exchanged among members throughout the meetings, and everyone who attended went home rejuvenated and enthusiastic about the future.
If you were not able to make this meeting, please know that you were missed and we hope to reconnect with you in San Diego at our National Conference in November.
The most exciting highlight of the conference has always been the Awards Banquet, where we recognize local chapters for excellence in their business plan and programming from the previous year. This year was no exception and included the exciting addition of four $1,000 scholarship awards presented by our strategic partner Wells Fargo to four local chapters who offered top-notch programming in 2008 to their members.
This year, the aptly titled Wells Fargo Inspire. Educate. Enable. AwardsSM, were presented by Wells Fargo Executive Vice President Susan Davis to the following chapters: Marin Chapter, CA (New Chapter Category); Flagler County, FL (Small Category); San Francisco Chapter, CA (Large Category); and Houston 1960 Chapter, TX (Mega Category). If you are looking for program ideas for your own chapter, these four chapters could probably give you some great ideas!
We want to extend our sincerest thanks to Wells Fargo for their generosity as our strategic partner for the conference and for providing such a wonderful benefit to our chapter winners! They’re already committed for next year’s Midyear Meeting, so make sure your programming is top-notch and maybe your chapter will be one of the lucky winners in 2010!
A private reception was held in the presidential suite for local chapter presidents to have time to interact with one another, as well as with the national leadership team. This year’s event was generously sponsored by Pulte Homes - Gulf Coast Region and included champagne toasts from Women’s Council to Pulte and from Pulte to the local chapter presidents and the Women’s Council organization. We are honored to have Pulte Homes - Gulf Coast Region as a strategic partner and appreciate their involvement during the national meetings, as well as at the local level in many cities that are served by the Pulte brand of home building. Christy Stratton, a former LCP herself and now Gulf Coast Regional Marketing Director for Pulte, understands what it takes to make a local chapter viable and wants to work closely with chapters on programming in the future.
No meeting is complete without myriad educational offerings, and this year came through with some outstanding programs. Not only could our members attend and interact in their choice of four Strategic Forums, but they also gained industry knowledge and experience to help their businesses and personal development. Check out the “Faces of WCR” recruiting video developed by the Member Network Forum and continue to visit WCR.org as our Midyear page is updated continually with photos and more.
Thanks to the members who facilitated the Learning Labs and to the national speakers who participated in our General Sessions. Women’s Council is all about empowering our members to be entrepreneurs and industry leaders, and all of this year’s programming brought each of us closer to realizing that mission.
Several of our members also participated in the legislative visits, which where coordinated by NAR. This is always a tremendous opportunity to get face to face with our legislators and discuss issues that are relevant to the REALTOR® community, as well as private property ownership rights. I encourage you to get involved and respond whenever NAR has a Call to Action. It’s imperative to all our businesses!
Colin Powell is quoted as saying, “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.” Set priorities for your business and stay focused each day on first attending to and handling those things that generate the majority of your business. Consider volunteering in your community to expand your influence and create more business opportunities!
Becky Hill, ABR, PMN, SRES
National President
Women’s Council of REALTORS®
Broker Associate
Keller Williams Realty, Houston, TX
Becky@BeckyHill.com