This trip was very enlightening.  I learned associations must position themselves to be Premier Associations.  We must find out what members want and please them.  I strongly believe the associations in Michigan will combine creating regionals.   Based on the information provided, the small associations cost as much to run as the larger.  This was not stated by anyone at Michigan, this view is a result of conversations and networking with people from various states.

  During the Medium Size Association meeting a questions and discussions occurred as follows:  (and as fast as I could write)

1. Visit the President Talk List Serv, available through Internet Crusade.  This keeps boards updated about what is happening around them.  (I search, can't find, I sent an email requesting the link)
2. Get Gen Y and X'ers involved.  Create an appointing system.  They are not going to wait 3-7 years to move up.  #12 is also about Generations  (FAAR has created an appointment system.)
3. Ethic Issue, there is a multiple system that doesn't allow the agents to file Ethics Complaints on each other.  It was stated that alone is a violation.
4. Why doesn't NAR have an entertainment at Mid Year?  It was suggested and informal networking opportunity be created after the meeting sessions.
5. NAR and Association dues increase, can NAR create a payment plan for the membership?  No additional conversation.
6. A suggestion was made that NAR assist local associations to create a "Local Leadership Academy"?  No other conversation was made.
7. Members would like to know how effective the "Quadrennial Training Sessions" have been.  No answer was given at this time.
8.  An AE said his membership is getting together and requesting a pay reduction for the AE and a staff reduction.  It was suggested the AE find whys to cut cost in the budget and get creative with ways to do business.  Possibly restructure. (FAAR has already done this.)
9. Members used to be able to attend the NAR Finance Meetings by requesting an invitation.  This has stopped and a member wanted to know why.
   1. Information is really confidential.  People were giving the information to the public.
   2. People asked for invitations to get appointed to seats.
   3. Example, when NAR was looking for a building in DC, it seemed prices would jump up when NAR would negotiate.  When done with out public knowledge that NAR was looking, prices were reasonable.
10.  How associations can start creating non dues revenue?  An association said they became a Consultant the local municipalities.    
11. Pay more dues, get more education, become elite.  End of conversation.
12.  30 and under Realtors®.  When are we going to realize we can learn from them.  Associations need to seek out this group.  When NAR had a "30 and Under" session in Vegas last year, the room was standing room only.  They want to learn, current education is not challenging enough for them to want to participate.
13.   The question was raised, "How can we get more affiliate participation and membership?"  Points were made the affiliates must see value in the association.  The value is getting the affiliates with the agents and other affiliates.  (FAAR is in the process of creating an affiliates membership package.)
14.  How can the association assist to keep a level of professionalism among the agents?  An association shared this success story, the association created it's own 3 year local professional designation program.  The program included:  cell phone etiquette, dining etiquette, dress, speech and more...with a test.
15. A member said they have created "board value" by giving free con-on to members.  Another member said to assist with ‘board value" and addressing the professionalism, they pay half of the expense for any and all NAR designation class.  If a member wanted to take 3 classes, the board paid ½ of 3 classes.  Money had to be in the budget, of course.
16.  One association had to assist members with media.  The local market was healthy so they had to override the national and state news.  The association set up a breakfast for the media.  NAR has created a system called "Surround Sound".  NAR paid a media company to assist them with teaching associations about media interaction.  This training was used to teach an association's board members and then used to teach the whole membership.  From what I understand, FAAR can request this and the expense is NAR's.  http://www.realtor.org/press_room/surroundsound
17. An association attempted to figure out "who is the target market purchasing homes?"  They ran a contest that asked "Why should you have a home?"  The winner won $20,000 to put down on a new home.  See "X" below for more information
18.   A member was concerned IDX feed's were being stolen and use on other agents websites.  No conversation developed.
19. Why to assists Diversity:  Bi-lingual workshops to assist people both wanted to purchase and those attempting to save their home.  The idea of partnering up with a non-profit also was presented.  One association had an "International Night Out" party.  They had various foods; different cultures were allowed to bring items that had meaning.  The night was very successful with the public and members.  Another association had a "Lunch and Learn" session.
20.  An association took the good press that NAR is putting on their website for associations to use and added more to make the new local.  The information resulted in a press release also using an economist remarks.
21.  Associations are upset other associations are recruiting their members.  That's just fair competition.  My thought is "Did the board the member left ask what the other board is providing that they are not?"
22.  An "Out Reach Program" was created by another association.  They set up workshops in places like college, hospital and more...  They had a workshop at the board as well.  They also had a "Credit Smart Workshop"

 My head was spinning after this.  Can you imagine if we take 2 or 3 ideas a year from a list like this and slowly integrate through the years?