Where were YOU last night?

A Nice Day for A Boat Ride

As you made your way to the proud antique Paddle Boat – Vivian Hannah, you couldn’t help but say “This day was made for a boat ride..”  The weather was perfect, the sun was high above and the water was still & serene.  Yesterday, several Realtor-members and Affiliate-members meet at Stan Palavoda’s boat in King George and embarked on a boat ride (I know – you’re hearing the theme song to Gilligan’s Island replay over and over in your head ‘? A three hour tour….A three hour tour?’).  There was live music, wine, bear and a great destination – Captain Billy’s Seafood restaurant in Pope’s Creek Maryland.  The picture above was taken while we all left laughing and (believe it or not) enjoying the company of other Realtors leaving a fantastic dinner.

But I’m with Realtors All Day!

Now, many of you know me and know that I love being social on-line, but Social Media only goes so far until you need to get with REAL people IRL (in real life).  Yes, I know you’re with Realtors all day…  There is just something different when connecting socially on these events.  I honestly laughed so hard that my face hurt.  I got the chance to talk a little shop, get to know some new people and then eat some great food.  I think Realtors can overdo the social stuff – there is no way that I can make every mixer or event that the Association puts on, but special things like a boat ride with my wife and some friends is refreshing and I highly encourage you to consider it next year.  I think Agents should be cautioned as to how much involvement they have outside of family and client engagement; but an occasional social event is a very valuable business and personal tool.

All THEY Want is My Money

Yes, the point of RPAC events is to raise both money and awareness.  I think far too few Realtors understand how protected our industry is because of the work of many volunteers and staff.  Realtors are largely ignorant of day to day legislative issues that could effect them and their clients and that often times RPAC is the only defense against these issues.  Do I sound like a commercial?  Maybe, but I’ve actually seen the benefits…  This video below, created by the VLA Class of 2007, bullets just a few of the recent victories that RPAC had at the time.

 

You Can Hide All You Want

Too many Realtors shrug their responsibility to causes larger than themselves because they do not see the self-interest.  Imagine a world where people who didn’t deal with real clients in real estate situations were the only ones with a seat at the table when the laws that governed that industry were being created…  The request for contributions are small, I would recommend you consider it for you own benefit and that of your clients.

Here is a FAQ from the VAR website:

All your RPAC questions are answered here

What is RPAC of Virginia?
RPAC of Virginia is a voluntary political action committee whose membership consists of Realtors® and others interested in actively and effectively protecting the real estate industry and the dream of home ownership by participating in governmental affairs at the local, state and federal levels.

How does RPAC of Virginia protect the real estate industry?
RPAC of Virginia helps protect the industry by funding those candidates for elective office who best represent the concerns of this industry.  In this way, RPAC of Virginia impacts key issues in the General Assembly (like defeating transfer taxes and impact fees and protecting Realtor® interests).  Many other issues of importance to the membership of the Virginia Association of REALTORS® are also affected by RPAC of Virginia’s activities.

Who decides what issues will be funded and what candidates will be endorsed?
On the national level, the National Association of REALTORS® RPAC Trustees make those decisions. On the state level, the RPAC of Virginia Trustees make those decisions, and on the local level, each local association makes those decisions or has a committee that does so.
If all three levels of government are involved in RPAC of Virginia, where does my money go?
Thirty percent of your RPAC of Virginia investment goes to NAR, which uses your dollars to participate in very costly federal elections.  Seventy percent stays in Virginia to protect the industry at the state and local levels.

Isn’t giving PAC money equivalent to buying a candidate’s vote?
No.  At the federal level, there are strict PAC spending limits set for each election. At the state level, RPAC of Virginia bases the amount of money contributed on how costly the candidate’s race should be based on opposition and media markets.  On average, RPAC of Virginia contributions to candidates are modest, ranging between $500 and $2,500.  That’s hardly enough to “buy” a vote.

What are some of the factors considered before the RPAC of Virginia Trustees make a donation to a General Assembly candidate?
If the candidate is an incumbent, the Trustees look at how well the candidate has worked with the local Realtors® he/she represents, how he/she voted on key issues and worked with VAR lobbyists, what committees he/she serves on, and what his/her chances are for re-election.  If the candidate is not an incumbent, then the Trustees rely heavily on answers to candidate questionnaires and local association input from candidate interviews.

Is RPAC of Virginia affiliated with either major political party?
No.  RPAC of Virginia is not affiliated with the Republican or the Democratic Parties, and does not support one candidate over the other because of party affiliation.  RPAC of Virginia supports only those candidates who have indicated or demonstrated that they are interested in pro-Realtor® or pro-business issues.

How can I support RPAC of Virginia when it funds candidates with whom I disagree?
Again, RPAC of Virginia only concerns itself with the voting record a candidate has on Realtor® issues.  As a member whose livelihood depends on many factors related to the buying and selling of homes, all members should support RPAC of Virginia in order to help improve the business climate for the real estate industry.

Do RPAC of Virginia Trustees ever fund both candidates in a House of Delegates or Senate race?
While the Trustees have “dual”-funded many elections in the past, they now recognize that this often results in wasteful spending.  The Trustees encourage Local Associations to interview all candidates for state offices and make a recommendation to RPAC of Virginia based on the interview process.  While the Trustees can “dual”-fund a race, it takes the approval of three-quarters of the voting Trustees present at any meeting to do so.

What is the position of the RPAC of Virginia Trustees concerning funding of “REALTOR®” candidates?
While the RPAC of Virginia Trustees do want to promote Realtor® candidates, it is important to note that just because the candidate is a Realtor®, it does not mean he/she will receive a RPAC of Virginia endorsement.  Like the National RPAC Trustees, the RPAC of Virginia Trustees are guided by a number of factors that hopefully will lead to a decision that is best for the overall good of the Association.

How can I get involved?
RPAC of Virginia involvement can take the form of a monetary commitment or a commitment of one’s time.  Since the RPAC of Virginia Campaign and the political process is ongoing, both forms of commitment are needed.

What are the giving levels of RPAC of Virginia investors?
There are several annual giving levels of RPAC of Virginia contributors. They are:

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      99 Club represents investing between $99-$249
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      Capitol Insider Club represents investing between $250-$499
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      Governor’s Club represents investing between $500-$999

Major Investors include:

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      Sterling R represents investing between $1,000-$1,499
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      Crystal R represents investing between $2,500-$4,999 [$1,500 to sustain]
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      Golden R represents investing at least $5,000 [$2,000 to sustain for those investors on or after January 1, 2002; $1,000 for investors on or before December 31, 2001]

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