MAR can help you prepare for the recommendation process
As the winter sludge gives way to spring, many state and federal legislators are gearing up for a crucial election year. On the state level, the Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, all 110 State House seats, and 38 Senate seats are up for grabs.
As you may know, the interview and endorsement process for the Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State races will be handled at the state level by your duly appointed RPAC Trustees. However, the interview process for each seat in the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate is up to the local associations.
This year, the filing deadline for candidates wishing to run for state House and Senate is
May 11th. Candidates then have three days to decide if they would like to withdraw their name. Often times this happens when people file and then realize that their chances of winning are quite slim based on who the other candidates are or after spending several months trying to raise money and not being successful. Shortly after these deadlines have passed, local association leadership or the association executive can contact each of the candidates via letter or phone call, inviting them to an interview with the candidate selection/government affairs committee, which is established based on the prerogatives of each local association.
Several factors are then weighed, including the candidate’s voting record (if they are an incumbent seeking re-election), their overall philosophy on the role of government in real estate related matters, willingness to work with us on important policy issues, and the general likelihood of them being elected in November. The selection committees within your local (government affairs committee, etc.) then make their recommendations of who to support and how much RPAC money to contribute to their campaigns. These recommendations are forwarded to the local board of directors, who, after approving or rejecting the committees’ choices, send them off to the state RPAC Trustees for consideration, approval, and disbursement of funds. Most of the time, the endorsements carry through to the general election and a second interview is not needed. However, on the somewhat rare occasions when a local association picks a candidate who loses in the primary, they are encouraged to meet with the winner and find common ground for support in the general election.
The MAR has sent out an updated ‘
Candidate Interview Manual’ via a webpage link
to all Association Executives.
Please contact the MAR Public Policy staff for any questions that may arise in starting the interview process. The MAR is more than happy to work with each local association to ensure a smooth and painless election season.
The Broker Summit early registration rate of only $119 ends today April 20, 2010. In communications with your broker members today, please alert them of this deadline, and the value the event offers Michigan brokers. The Broker Summit, being held April 27 at the Inn at St. Johns in Plymouth, is offering a cutting edge knowledge lineup, and the opportunity to receive 6 continuing education credits in just one day. View the
Schedule of Events here.
If your association has a Facebook or Twitter page, take the time to mention this deadline and link to the Broker Summit web site in your next status update or tweet. As always MAR appreciates your feedback in promotion of MAR events.
Broker Summit Web site
The Michigan Association of REALTORS® is looking for better ways to assist our local associations in presenting the GRI Program to the membership. In an effort to gather additional information we have prepared a short 4 question survey. Your participation would be greatly appreciated. The survey will close this Friday, April 23.
Take the GRI Survey
The MARST administers two scholarship funds, the Russel A. Pointer and the Barney Harkins Scholarship and Educational Fund. Applicants are automatically considered for financial assistance from both funds.
The scholarships are intended for full time college students who have reached at least junior status and who intend to pursue a real estate-related career upon graduation. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 and are distributed over two semesters.
Completed application forms for consideration of the 2010-2011 academic school year must be submitted to the Michigan Association of REALTORS® by
July 1, 2010. The application form can be found on the
MAR Web site.
If you have any questions, please contact Andrea Bates at abates@mirealtors.com. Tax-deductible contributions are also accepted by MARST.
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