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When I walked into the same modest classroom in Prague, I
had an immediate flash back to my earlier visit in 1994. Just as then, I
was conducting a three day seminar on the principles of association management
to association executives from countries who once were know as the Soviet Union.
18 association executives, four of whom had been in my first class, sat ready
and eager to take notes, ask questions and soak up any words of wisdom or
advice, my colleague Belton Jennings, CAE, and I could throw at them. The project of introducing the development of the real
estate profession into Eastern and Central Europe was funded by a grant from
USAID to the National Association of REALTORS. NAR then formed the Eastern
European Real Property Foundation who accepted the grant, designed the work and
implement dozens of programs. The cornerstone of the program was the development
of national and regional associations, with full time executives, who would be
trained in this new profession by the foundation. Teaching the principles of association management to people
who are unaware of our profession in the States in a challenge enough, by try
doing with people who have never lived in a free market economy. The task
became overwhelming at times. What these new association executives motivated
against terrible odds, was their keen desire to be part of a economic revolution
that had the potential of reforming the one of the most basic needs in
life, a decent place where to live, a home. Achieving the dream of home
ownership and serving as the champion of private property rights is the
mission of the NAR. This lofty mission is just as powerful and motivating in
Poland, as it is in America. The seminar we taught included as the basis skills like,
developing standards of practice, a strong government affairs program, a public
relations campaign, recruiting and retaining members. The challenge was not the
subject matter but transcending it into a world where the state government owned
and controlled everything. It was easy for us to forget this as we explained the
value of grass roots lobbying and the
There has been frustrations, failures and phenomenal
success in the growth and development of a free economy in Eastern Europe over
this past decade. There are times when I felt as discourage as my students when
I saw the look of pain and frustration on the faces of Russians after the
financial crisis of 1998. But I also remember the excitement and pride one
executive from Bulgaria shared with my recent class. The national association of real estate brokers in Bulgaria
spent the past two years lobbying for the licensor of real estate professionals.
They emphasized the need to protect the public with standards of conduct and
continuing education. The lobbying effort was so successful that not only
did the licensee law pass but the regulation also included mandatory membership
in the Bulgaria real estate association! The result has been a surged in
membership and a desperate cry for access to more continuing education classes,
not to mention credibility of the real estate profession. When I get asked questions about the role of staff and volunteers or try to mediate disputes between regional and national associations, I'm reminded that the challenges of association management are universal.
I have found my work as volunteer and consultant with the Eastern European Real Property Foundation richly rewarding and gratifying. It reminds me of the valuable role associations play in the quality of life we live and the formidable task ahead, as we strive to reach around the globe and share our good fortune with others. |
