Immigration:  NAR approved "Immigration Statement of Principles".  In simple text, NAR supports legal immigrants owning real estate.  NAR also supports borders controls to stop illegal immigration.

Election process changes:  Too many to type, please see www.Realtor.org for details.  This doesn't really affect us at the local level.             2009 National Association of Realtors® Leadership:
            President: Charles McMillan, Irving, Texas
            President-Elect: Vicki Cox Golder, CRB, Tucson, Arizona
            First Vice President: Ronald Phipps, GRI, CRS, Warwick, Rhode Island
            Treasurer: James L. Helsel, Jr., CCIM, CPM, CRE, GRI, SIOR, Lemoyne, Pennsylvania
            For Regional Vice President:
            Region 1 Sharon Steel, Providence, RI
            Region 2 Joseph L. Canfora, East Islip, NY
            Region 3 Dale Ross, Potomac, MD
            Region 4 Jayne Cox, Lancaster, KY
            Region 5 Russell E. Grooms Jr., Jacksonville, FL
            Region 6 Cathy Sherman Bittrick, Grand Rapids, MI
            Region 7 Stan Sieron, Belleville, IL
            Region 8 Scott Louser, Minot, ND
            Region 9 Doug Smith, Little Rock, AR
            Region 10 Connie Kyle, Baton Rouge, LA
            Region 11 Keith Kelley, Las Vegas, NV
            Region 12 W. James Johnson, Pocatello, ID
            Region 13 Toby S. Bradley, Santa Barbara, CA  

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are no longer redlining areas because of declining market status.  NAR has been working with Fannie and Freddie on this issue since it first happened.  This became nationally know Friday May, 16, 2008.

 NAR position in limiting loans areas.

1. 1. NAR was been having conversation with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.
   2. These discussions are confidential.
   3. NAR would like to eliminate needing at least 3% down for FHA loans.
   4. A big announcement is suppose to be made May 16^th that will cause us to never have this conversation again.  Update:  the announcement was made, Fannie and Freddie will no longer declince a loan because of "Declining Market" status.  Yeahy...
2. Credit Union Update: 
   1. The charter of 1200 pages was submitted. 
   2. Expecting approval with in 2-3 months
   3. Goal is to announce the opening at NAR in November this year.

(I have asked the question is NAR wants to keep banks out of real estate, why is NAR starting a credit union?  I am waiting for a response.)

1. Insurance for Realtors® update:  
   1. Coalition was made
   2. Bill is proposed
   3. Realtors® have great support
   4. All past objections have been research and met
   5. Bi-Partism bill
   6. All in favor except the "Insurance Committee"
2. All would like to see more contested races among the leadership.  This is from the local level to the national level.  It is happening; members just don't see it because people drop out from running so quickly.
3. The question was asked, "If an agent wants to join a neighboring MLS, does the broker have to join too?"  Answer from the floor, "Agent can't belong to any MLS that the broker does not.  The agent subscribes under the broker."
4. NAR's Travel Housing Bureau is not recording all information correctly, this will be looked at.
5. How do we protect the ethics and professionalism of agents selling in areas they are not familiar with?  Mr. Gaylord was quick to say, "Shouldn't we just beef up the criteria to be a Realtor®?"
6.  A Tampa association asked if NAR could do something to assist them with advertising while the Superbowl is in the area.  NAR is looking into that.  NAR is putting a float in the Rose Bowl Parade.
7. After the "Buy Now" campaign, NAR will start a campaign about inspections.