Association promotes high standards of professionalism
Sun
Last year signaled many significant landmarks for the real estate profession. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) and its member boards contributed to those landmarks. Among the most noteworthy of BCREA’s achievements was the adoption of a new Strategic Plan, which guides the governance and operation of the Association. BCREA’s focus supports the commitment to high standards of professionalism and personal pride already put forward by real estate boards and REALTORS across the province.
Another milestone was the creation of an Economics Department, beginning with the addition of Cameron Muir as Chief Economist in November 2006. As part of BCREA’s commitment to being recognized as a trusted source of credible information, the new department provides timely research, analysis and information on economic factors affecting BC and its housing markets.
The department looks to build on its recently released, semi-annual Housing Forecast, the first of its kind for the Association, which was very well received by the media and the profession. The efforts of the Economics Department will go a long way to helping the Association achieve its long-term goal (that is, 10-30 years) of becoming THE voice of real estate in BC.
In a recent BCREA report, President and REALTOR, Andrew Peck said, “I see minimum standards as the starting point, not the destination. To me, that’s part of what it means to be a REALTOR.”
“I take great pride in this profession, and I hear the same thing from REALTORS around the province. We take responsibility for ourselves and the services we provide our clients. Every meeting and every transaction goes one step further toward public recognition of our value. One of our responsibilities is fulfilling the requirements of the Professional Development Program.
REALTORS are committed to high standards and, in this dynamic
environment, that commitment is
significant.
I’m also proud of BCREA’s use of the Quality of Life philosophy. The five principles aren’t an end on their own, but they are an excellent way to establish common ground among groups with different points of view and similar interests. It was the Quality of Life approach that led us to ask the provincial government to develop a comprehensive water action plan to ensure an adequate supply of safe drinking water and minimize flood risks. The philosophy also made it possible for BCREA and the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver to work with the Vancouver Board of Trade to plan several public Dialogues, each focusing on one principle and actions that can be taken to improve quality of life.
With more than two-thirds of BC’s 17,000 REALTORS active as community volunteers, we have yet another good reason to celebrate our contributions.
It’s easy to shrug off this work as our duty as good citizens, but that’s outweighed by the importance of demonstrating to the public and to decision makers that we’re committed to this province, not just to our bottom lines.
We are community and business leaders, as a profession and as individuals.
It’s time to embrace this reality and say: “I’m proud to be a REALTOR!”
