I am the Newsletter Editor, not a Board Member, so I had the simple assignment to observe and record. I received the scholarship that is awarded to a member, like me, to offer a perspective on what this organization is about at the national level. I cannot imagine how anyone could grasp the scope of WCR without this opportunity.

Chapter President, Kaeti Bancroft, State President, Kim McKinley, along with members of the Pikes Pike Chapter and I dedicated five days to governance and educational meetings. Our team performed efficiently while taking advantage of the wealth of information and networking. We programmed time to include lunch hour power discussions and late night brainstorming sessions.

First stop was to mark our territory on Capitol Hill in briefings with our Colorado legislators; Michael Bennet, Mark Udall, John Salazar, Mike Coffman, Doug Lamborn, and Betsy Markey. These representatives offered up their views of the real estate industry and how recent lawmaking would affect the future of our economy. All voices were in agreement that Realtors® are the backbone of our country’s financial future.

The National Association of Realtors® was concluding their meetings as we were coming into town, but we caught the Colorado Caucus presentation. I had a surreal reaction to seeing our CAR leadership in action outside of the familiar local state environment. They are doing their work away, while we are at home.

Their discussions ranged from political lobbying on realtor specific issues to the plea for contributions to support the effort. Kay Watson, NAR Director, offered her allegiance to Mile High WCR during introductions. We are represented and respected as participants among the leaders of our industry. I understand now how we do have a voice and that voice effects how we can protect our business.

The next two days were scheduled with back-to-back Learning Labs along with Governing Board meetings. I was privileged to attend the education sessions with other professionals from all over the country. The material was similar to what we are exposed to locally, but the comments and insight were national. Here was a chance to hear what was happening in Nevada, Montana, Maine or Florida from real practitioners, not from spin doctors.

Celebrations were also on the agenda. The Gala Event on Friday was to honor the work and accomplishments within the local chapters. My conclusion is that Realtors® are a competitive bunch. Awards and accolades drive us to achieve. Kaeti accepted our well-deserved Gold Level (1st place) recognition for Mile High Chapter excellence.

This whirlwind weekend left me lingering in my new found sense of power and responsibility. It takes time and commitment to be a part of something BIGGER than me. I am sad that I cannot be complacent, allowing someone else to do my work for me. What do we bring to our party?

THE ANSWER …
My work is our work as a collective group. Real Estate embodies an odd combination of philosophies that I watched manifest in action while in Washington. We are competitive, as noted, but cooperative in the nature of how we do our business. No solo performance possible, only team effort is effective! WCR is the team where the best and brightest stars come to play.

I have had seven days now to process my initial reaction to the “long weekend” conference. I am proud to have participated in that game. It wasn’t all pretty! I discovered that it takes conditioning and commitment to the goal. But I was on the field, with the women and men who are nurturing and protecting the business of Real Estate.

WCR is a professional force that can influence the momentum of the economy. We are teachers, mentors, leaders, and mothers. How painful to bear the social weight, but we picked our poison when we signed our license to do business! I intend this summary to be a rallying cry for the national and local message to embrace this charge. Be active, be involved, be a contribution somehow, someway that lets the world know who you are and what you want!

Start your ball rolling by attending the June 8th Business Resource Luncheon. Check in with the Mile High Chapter website for information and registration, http://milehighwcr.org/ and please spend some time at http://www.wcr.org/ to appreciate all that WCR is creating for us. Experience the Power that comes from Knowledge and the Knowledge that comes from Experience.

Thanks to the Board for sponsoring my vision quest to WCR in Washington. May I inspire fellow and prospective members to ask “What have you been Missing?”. Do you know? I didn’t, I do now!