Matt; I think that NAR leadership was sensitive to the daunting application process, and thats why they’re reaching out as they are. I am so excited that so many new faces will be in the mox, and will have the opportunity to participate- and I look forward to NAR leadership working in the direction that that have been working on through Presidents Gaylord and McMillan and our incoming President Vickie Cox-Golder (all of whom have been instrumental in this process of change and engagement.

Bill – Perhaps one of the things NAR could do to improve volunteerism is to push this new idea as well as making the committee sign up seem a little less daunting. I wanted to give committee membership on the national level a try, but unfortunately it seemed that the cards were stacked against me in terms of experience on the state and local levels. I can see why NAR would prefer someone with some experience in these areas (much like being President, it’s obviously preferred if you’ve done some government work on state or local levels before you get there). That’s why I didn’t volunteer this year, but instead worked to move into state and local. I’ll be curious to see if the national work I do gives me a boost to the other two (I would suspect it would).

As for the Ethics issue regarding Jim’s comment, I would like to see the questions become a little tougher. I took my quadrennial online class and found it to be pretty easy. Ethics is a difficult area and perhaps we should be tested at a higher level in order to raise the ethics to a higher standard. Perhaps if you fail, they can push for a mandatory class that you must take or a more in depth class lasting longer and covering more points of ethics would be made available to help strengthen those skills for the future. I would gladly welcome a change like that.

Jim – I admit, I’m not a huge fan of the online courses overall after having taken one. I found it to be a little too easy. I do see Bill’s point though that admitting to it (whether bragging or not) on a public forum doesn’t look good. Instead of laughing at it and mocking it, perhaps you can speak with Bill about things to do to make it better. I know Bill listens to a lot of ideas and he’s one of those that would love to see the Realtor® public come away better, smarter, and more ready to take on the world of real estate.

Look forward to seeing you at the national meetings –

Jim; Why would you brag about avoiding the quadrennial ethics training? During your 8 years in the Association, there have been lots of changes to the code of ethics- In fact I am in Chicago this weekend working with a sub-committee that crafts those changes and discuses them with the Professional Standards committee during the annual meetings. So why is avoiding that requirement something that you would boast of in a comment? Don’t want to pick a fight about it, but if you’re proud of being a professional (as you seem to be) why wouldn’t you want to be current on those things?

Jay – I’m sure I’ll talk your ear off in Vegas about it (which by the way, I can’t wait for). I asked most of those questions in the rhetorical sense. I knew what I thought, but of course, having just been asked to join I was a little on the biased side. I was also curious to hear from the people that have more or less helped make me the agent I am today.

Missy – That’s awesome that she will be there too. At least now I know I won’t feel too new, as I’ll at least have someone to talk to on day one with a common link.

Benn – I definitely think there is always something to be learned from both sides of any coin. I read blogs that I disagree with all the time and then go back for more. Why? To understand why someone might see if from that side. Sometimes, my opinion shifts because I read something I may not have thought of before. (Go see my comment on your post about social media strategy – having fluidity is useful in many places in life.)

Jim – I’m going to guess you’re not a big fan of the Ethics course then. I took mine last year and was pretty shocked at how it was done. Education is constantly debated here (and everywhere else) and I hope perhaps some of those that wind up on the committees affecting education (and ethics) might be vocal about that. If we’re going to get the respect we clamor for as Realtors®, I think this would be a huge task to take on to help improve upon that.

Rob – There is certainly no waffling here. I did want this. And I’m going to take it and see where it leads. I’m chomping at the bit to learn and know more already. I’m very thankful for NAR picking me (and some of the others they’ve picked as well) and more than happy to do my best and tell others about my experiences.

Dave – In my limited experience with the Association itself, I have always thought that the problem may not lie within what it wants to do, but rather with what it takes to get it done. That’s not to say that every choice they make is going to be stellar (especially since we all have so many differing opinions), but perhaps if the process is improved, along with good ideas going in to change/create/adapt policy we might come out the other side with a amazing Association.

Clint – When I saw your name, I was pretty sure of what I would read. I know you’re big on the idea of new ideas, strange ideas, and taking chances (that are calculated risk). You’ve never been one to act as if someone’s lack of experience should stop them – instead, it should fuel them.

Tim – I have often “spoken out” on the subject of experienced vs. inexperienced and what it means. Of course since I am a new more-inexperienced agent (in terms of years and transactions), it often sounds like I’m just defending my newness I think. Although I am, I also disagree with the idea that only a well-experienced agent can perform this or that task. To me, the best thing I have is the ability to come to the “experts” and ask them questions so that I can a) get the answer I need to perform a task and b) learn.

Bob – I think bloggers are always seen as wanting everything quicker, but only because they’re the first ones to react in a (large) public manner. Because I can write a blog post the minute an announcement is made, I am capable of being the “thought leader” on a topic, while those who don’t blog are probably having the same thoughts, but can’t get them into the public view without sending them out via Pony Express.

Tina – One thing I’ll be curious to see is how some of the tech-solutions might affect future NAR meetings. At the speed with which a tweet can spread, will they need to control it in order to be sure that the correct facts get out there? Remember how bad the twitter-spread of the changes to the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit (saying they were allowing it to be used as downpayment) were? In one day, we caused more problems than we solved. HUD and NAR both had a headache on their hands and a lot of agents had some explaining to do.

Drew – Well congratulations to you as well! What committee will you be on?

Daniel – What committee did you get @LilZebra on? Seriously, since you were one of the people that helped make this happen, I thank you. Forward thinking by others may be the catalyst to more new thinking. I like that. One of the things I wonder is what will be the effect of people being brought in instead of people working to get there. Will the “selected” members have a different sense of purpose? Will they take on the task with a different view? For me, it was a goal, but not for a few years (after I had built up some experience at the local and state levels), but because I’ve been given the chance, it becomes less of a goal and more of an honor. Because of this, my purpose in being there seems more important to me than had I worked towards it if that makes sense. I don’t know the committee members that are out there in the system already, but is it possible that some of them are doing it for career more than purpose (I wouldn’t dare suggest that all of them have that goal), but since there was a group selected, we might feel that we have to “perform” in order to honor the privilege of being asked to serve. Just a thought that popped into my head.

Todd – Well I’d most certainly like to thank them all, as well as you and anyone else that was involved in this idea. Obviously, I benefit from this decision, but I must say even if I hadn’t been selected, I’d be applauding this move. I hope that it proves to be a good one for NAR so that it might continue.

Susie – Thanks. I hope I can offer something new and learn a lot. I’m really excited by it and can’t wait to get started!