I got installed as President of the Sedona Verde Valley Association of REALTORS® last Thursday. They made me write a speech, and then I didn't give it because everybody who went before me said everything that I had planned.
But it's a good speech! So here it is.
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We were talking about this installation around our dinner table a few weeks ago. My 4 year old grandson was tearing through the kitchen just as Mike said that I would get sworn in. JackJack screeched to a halt and said “Grandma! No swearing!”

I was conflicted about this installation. Kim and Jamie were asking me questions and wanting my participation and I was resisting. I had a problem, but I hadn’t figured out exactly why I had a problem.

This is a huge honor. I will do my best to do a good job. You all know that and we didn’t need to get you all together to hear me say it.

We were in an education meeting a couple of months ago and I blurted out, “I’m cancelling the installation!”

Kim got big eyes and then pointed out that this is important. We need to recognize the award winners, the Board of Directors and I need to be sworn in, we’ve got a new MLS Chair to introduce, and a lot of the members really like to have a party. She asked me why I was being stubborn. “Carol Anne, this is your moment! We’re trying to make this special for you!”

And there was my problem. This Association is not about me. SVVAR is about you. I am one of 713 REALTOR® and affiliate members. I had a hard time about asking our members to come watch “my installation” when we are here to serve you.
We decided to do a free breakfast, and Jamie and our affiliate members agreed to cook.

Then Kim tells me that I have to make a speech. “But it’s breakfast. No speeches at breakfast.” She pointed her finger at me like she was JackJack.

OK. Speech.

For about the first 10 years that I was licensed I went about my business, listing and selling real estate. I never thought about the Association, except to pay my dues so that I could have MLS. “They” ran SVVAR and “They” were doing a fine job and it never occurred to me that “They” could use some help.

I did figure out pretty quick that being a REALTOR® means a lot. Then I noticed that as a member of AAR and NAR and SVVAR we get some really awesome perks. I get convenient and outstanding education, I get access to Professional Standards instead of going to court, the webinars and podcasts and articles are wonderful, and we are a force to be reckoned with in politics. Everywhere you look is a reason to be a member of SVVAR, besides MLS. Then they put me on the Board and the world opened up. Y’all should try it.

When we go to the National conventions, I realize that Arizona is the elite as far as state associations go, and SVVAR is regarded as one of the best Arizona associations. People look at my name tag and say, “Ooh – Sedona.” I say, “Yeah, can’t get enough of those Red Rocks.” They say, “No. Youse guy’s Association. We use youse guys as our model.” They’re 5 or 10 years behind us. We belong to the elite, and we have Holly and Ron and Kim and Beth to thank for that.

So how do we stay there? We stay there by not being stagnant. We stay there by inviting and entertaining new ideas.

My wish list is that more members would get more involved. It used to be that if you raised your hand to volunteer around here you were committing yourself to years of servitude on a committee. Not anymore – Beth changed that with the Quick Response Teams – the QRTs. Now it‘s safe to raise your hand. That’s what I’m asking for from you. Raise your hand. Talk to me. Talk to your Board members. If you’ve got an idea, share it. If you’ve got a gripe, share it. We want to and we need to hear from you.

Every time I write my Bits n Pieces I get feedback. I love your comments! It’s human to think something positive (“Ooh! I like that!” and then go on.) but to say the negatives (Ooh! She made a mistake! And grab the phone.) Occasionally I’ll get disgruntled when I feel picked on, but that’s OK – I can take it.

I have an old friend who is one of our REALTORS®. Robert never hesitates to criticize at me, and I never hesitate to swear at him. I treasure Robert’s input because we need to know what you guys are thinking and he never hesitates to tell me.

That was my wish list. Now I want to take a moment to thank all of the volunteers here. A lot of people don’t know that what we do, we do for free. I especially want to thank Beth Adams and Jacque Weems, and we certainly need to point out Holly Mabery and Ron Volkman and all of the other past Presidents that have served you on your Board. By the time you get to be a past President you have donated literally thousands of hours to our Association. That’s a huge contribution, and it is appreciated. Thank Tahona Epperson and Tod Christenson, our President-Elect and Secretary-Treasurer.

Will anyone who has served on the board or on a committee, either for SVVAR or AAR or NAR please stand up? Next year I hope to be able to recognize a gigantic group of new volunteers.

I also need a moment to thank Kim and Mary and Linda and Diane, our staff. Everything that happens is due to their efforts. Without these 4 women the whole shebang would just fall apart. We take it for granted that when we pick up the phone or shoot out an email to SVVAR our question or problem gets taken care of. We have the best staff in the state, if not in the nation. I know this because whenever we go to a conference the other associations try to steal them from us. I shudder to think of trying to operate without them. Let’s also thank Lisa and Jack Frost, who have forgiven me for some rash words that I spoke once and came to play for us.

There you are – the speech. Done. Please get involved, please talk to us, and please remember to say “Thanks!” when one of your staff helps you. Especially, be proud that you are a member of the Sedona Verde Valley Association of REALTORS® because we truly are the best of the best.