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Committee Report
Are you aware of what’s going on politically?
By Louise Potter, REALTOR® Chair
Governmental Affairs Committee
Is there anyone who has not discussed
politics lately? From healthcare on the
national level to local issues, awareness
has definitely risen.
The Columbus Board of REALTORS®’
Governmental Affairs committee has also
set its sights on raising that awareness.
This year we have set some new goals
and are utilizing programs available to us
through our associations to make us the
leader of policy in central Ohio.
In this mid-term election year, the presence
of Gavin Blair as CBR’s Governmental
Affairs Director is helping us move
quickly toward that goal. Gavin works
closely with the CBR, OAR and NAR on
the political front and is in constant contact
with the statehouse, Capitol Hill and
the candidates who we support through
our CORPAC efforts and donations.
Your dues and contributions do make a
difference. One example of this is that
Gavin is currently working closely with
the City of Columbus on their vacant
housing legislation which, in its present
form, would be highly detrimental to
property owners, investors and the real
estate community in general. NAR has
a program called the Land Use Initiative
which Gavin is using to assist the city.
By working with NAR attorneys and staff
as well as with the city, they are close to
drafting more viable and fair legislation.
All of you should be a part of NAR’s
REALTOR® Party and Action Center. If
you have not yet joined, you need to do so
today! It is as simple as going to RealtorActionCenter.com
and signing up. It is
free, easy and very important. We can and
do make a difference.
Our local political network took on new
importance with Gavin’s trip to Washington
D.C. late last year. With NAR’s
Get Active program, we can drill down
and create a REALTOR® Call to Action
on even the most local level – alerting
REALTORS® in specific areas when
issues of interest or concern need addressed.
We as a committee are also looking to
identify the REALTOR® leaders in all
our central Ohio communities to help
us monitor important issues that affect
property rights and are good policy, while
noticing candidates of either party that
support the mission of the Columbus
Board of REALTORS®.
Other action items include a Governmental
Affairs Steering committee. This
group, approved by the Board of Directors,
is comprised of an appointed mix of
leadership, committee chairs, residential
and commercial REALTORS®. The role
of this committee is to act on issues of immediate
concern, increasing our responsiveness
and, therefore, effectiveness.
In addition, our meetings will be informative
and timely. They will include presentations
by our REALTOR® members who
currently hold office as well as updates
from OAR and NAR lobbyists, commercial
issues, mortgage industry updates and
topics that affect us and our industry.
At our first meeting we were fortunate to
include a very informative session with
our own Ted Celeste, who represents
Ohio’s 24th District.
We look forward to our next meeting in
May where we will be bringing back the
latest from Washington following the
NAR Mid-Year Legislative Meetings.
Governmental Affairs is also looking to
increase its support and presence with
CORPAC. These funds are critical in creating
and supporting good public policy
and REALTOR® friendly candidates.
If you have not yet given to CORPAC,
please do so and attend the upcoming
Auction on May 27 at the new Audubon
Center on the Whittier Peninsula.
It should be a great evening of fun in a
beautiful setting for a worthwhile cause!
Call CBR for details or register online at
ColumbusRealtors.com.
And, last but not least, is our fall Legislative
Reception on October 14 at the Capital
Club. This is one of the most popular
events in central Ohio political circles.
Our goal this year is to increase attendance
by both the invitees and by our own
members who are hosts for the evening.
It is always something to look forward to
and a great way to personally meet those
who represent us on every level.
The role of the Governmental Affairs
committee is growing and taking on a
new importance. It is an exciting time and
we encourage you to join us. Come and
play a part in making our industry and
community the best it can be. We are well
on our way to our goal as policy leader in
central Ohio.
www.ColumbusRealtors.com • In Contract Magazine • May/June 2010 • 17