Happy New Year! We begin the year with our officers – President Michael Jones, President-Elect Sue Van Woerkom, Treasurer Patti Brown Wright, and Secretary Scott Hrabcak – our Board of Directors, and your entire Columbus REALTORS® team prepared to lead our Association into 2021 and beyond.
We move into a year of new challenges, continued learning, growth, and change. We will look back and reflect and recognize all the changes we made, and will utilize the new tools, programs, and systems we created. Under the extreme circumstances presented to us, we had an excellent year as it pertains to the aggressive approach we took to protect our staff, members and affiliates striving for sustained growth and success. We had all cylinders operating at full capacity within the Association and instead of sitting back and waiting for change, we addressed each service vital to you, our members, and created a very successful action plan succeeding far beyond expectations.
Moving into 2021 armed with a very strong strategic plan, the knowledge, tools, and information created last year, we are prepared to continue in a forward-thinking direction.
By all indicators, 2021 will show strong economic growth in the central Ohio region with real estate leading the way, other than the lingering issues of affordable housing and inventory – both will need to be addressed as a high priority.
We are deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion as we continue to strengthen our commitment to action, including our Book Club, “Celebrating Culture” videos, introducing new chapters of NAREB, AREAA and LGBTQ Real Estate Alliance in Columbus, and continuing to build our relationship with REALTIST and WCR. Likewise, we are strongly committed to supporting your Area Associations.
We will stay intimately involved with all changes, stories, new technologies, and issues addressing MLS, NAR, Ohio REALTORS® and associations around North America. We will make sure, through each department, that we provide our staff directors, officers and our leadership the information needed to be prepared and proactive:
Watch for upgrades with our research and data management system (shared jointly with Columbus REALTORS®, COCIE/Commercial and the MLS), driving deeper to have as much analyzed data at our disposal needed for situations that will support our Commercial members; Brent dealing with advocacy and government affairs; Ida with CORPAC and the Foundation; Lynn with affordable housing/diversity, equity & inclusion; Kelly in education; Matt with MLS; and Marqué and Jessica helping with corporate and internal communications. You will also see an increased use of video and podcasts to elevate our communication efforts to our membership.
We continue to intimately work on governance with our task force, led by Mic Gordon. We are also in a complete by-law review, led by Andy Mills with the outside council.
We will introduce a new and vibrant membership services software platform coming in June of 2021, and as you can see, dynamic additions and changes to In Contract magazine.
Columbus REALTORS® is one of the strongest Associations in North America, as we continue to strive for your success and our commitment to private property rights for all.
