Dear AAR Board of Directors,

I hope this letter finds you off to a great start in 2022! I am writing to provide you with several updates from this spring and a save the date for our next AAR Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday, May 19. I hope you had a chance to read my update to the membership on February 22. In case you missed it, you can read it here.

Public Policy:

• Legislative Session: The Association has been hard at work this year advocating for our members during the Legislative Session. We have launched a second call for action in the Senate to help get the Renewal of the First-Time Home Buyers Savings Account program across the finish line. The Legislative Session is expected to adjourn by the middle of April.
• 2022 Elections: As we are seeing on television every day, election season is here, and the primary elections will be held on May 24, 2022. All state constitutional offices, legislative, judicial, and several other races will be on the ballot, along with federal and local elections. ARPAC endorsements will be released later this spring, and the Association will set up meet and greets with the ARPAC endorsed candidates in late April and May.
• ARPAC: Investments in ARPAC this year are off to an outstanding start and already exceeding last year’s record-setting year!

Professionalism:

• Leadership AAR: The Leadership AAR Class of 2022 was announced last month and will hold their first class in April.
• AHWD: I hope you will make plans to participate in the upcoming At Home with Diversity® course with Michael Lee on April 12 that is being sponsored by AAR and many local associations throughout the state. It’s an outstanding class and certification. Registration information can be found here.
• Fair Housing for All and AAR Diversity Grants: Several local associations are taking advantage of the AAR Diversity Grants and planning wonderful events for members, as well as offering the Fair Housing for All course in person. AAR legal counsel are available to teach the course at local associations and brokerages.
• GRI: The GRI calendar for 2022 has been published here. Additionally, the statewide offering of professional development opportunities at local associations can be found here.

Business & Member Services:

• Statewide Legal Forms: The updated statewide legal forms have continued to reach brokers and new members across the state. We welcome feedback and input on the forms year-round, as well as requests for new forms. More information can be found here.
• Legal Action Programs: Two programs we will begin promoting more of- the Legal Action Fund and the Amicus Brief Program- are legal action programs that are designed to assist members involved in legal actions that may be of statewide significance and impact. An overview view of these programs can be found here.
• REALTOR® Foundation: The Alabama REALTORS® Foundation has approved several requests for benevolent support for members in need, disaster relief assistance to other states experiencing hardship here, and will have announcements on the first group of REALTOR® Scholarship recipients in April.
• REALhealth: We have received renewal rates from Blue Cross BlueShield for the upcoming renewal period for the REALhealth & Wellness Insurance program. We will have more information published to the membership soon.

There are many other positive reports to share that are published each week in REA. The Newsroom on the AAR website is another great resource that can be found here. Please be sure you are following the information that is shared with our members and subscribers each week.

As mentioned above, please save the date for our next AAR Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 10:00 am at the Alabama Association of REALTORS® Building at 522 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL. Sign-in will begin at 9:30 am.

• The Association has continued to focus on the long-range strategic plan this spring and goals for 2022. Auditors are on-site and should have the annual audit completed well in advance of the May meeting. We also expect to have paid off the mortgage on the building by the May meeting and will have more information, and hopefully, a ceremony with the Board to commemorate this important milestone for our Association. We will conduct other business, share get out the vote information prior to the primary elections, and check the status of our goals for the year. More information will be published closer to time, but I wanted you to have the date as far out as possible.
• Please let us know if you will not be attending the AAR Board of Directors meeting. This meeting is for the 2022 AAR Board of Directors. Space and overflow seating will be limited. Parking will be available at the Association’s Parking lot at 502 Washington Avenue. The attire is business casual, and we will have lunch following the meeting for the AAR Directors in attendance.

Please reach out to me, President-Elect RaJane Hampton, CEO Jeremy Walker, or Sharon Callahan prior to the meeting if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.

Thank you for your leadership, support, and service on the Board! God bless you and your families.

Warm regards,