The 2023 Alabama REALTORS® Board of Directors met on Thursday, December 8 at the Alabama REALTORS® Building in Montgomery for their first meeting of the new year to conduct business of the Association. The Board conducted annual board training and orientation, reviewed goals for 2023, discussed economic trends affecting our members’ businesses, received important Association updates, and conducted other Association business. Following the meeting, Directors enjoyed a holiday-themed lunch and fellowship at AAR. A summary of the action can be found below:

• REALTOR® Foundation Scholarship – The Foundation launched an educational scholarship for the children and grandchildren of REALTOR® members last year. If you know of a member with an eligible child or grandchild, please be sure you share the information with them. We are all excited for the second year of this benefit and opportunity to impact the lives of our members. The application deadline is December 31, 2022!
• Board Grants and Fair Housing Education– AAR has created a grant program for our local boards and associations to enhance fair housing, bias, diversity, and awareness opportunities for their members. This is a no-strings-attached grant opportunity and gives great deference to the creativity of local leadership. AAR’s Legal Team are trained instructors to teach AAR’s Fair Housing for All course and available to teach this spring. The class is free for local associations. Contact Melissa Williams, melissa@alabamarealors.com for more information.
• 2023 Statewide Forms – AAR’s Statewide Legal Forms have been a success this year and continue to grow in usage. We are in the process of completing the forms review and updates to the statewide forms based on feedback from members across the state. The forms will be copyrighted and uploaded to the transaction management platforms in time for 2023. Current 2022 legal forms can be found here. 
• 2023 Broker Outreach – AAR’s broker outreach initiative will continue in 2023. Regional Vice Presidents will spearhead this effort within their regions. 
• NAR Litigation -- NAR is scheduled to go to trial in February 2023 for one of the class action lawsuits "Sitzer/Burnett." The lawsuit is regarding buyer broker commission. NAR is encouraging members to become familiar with the resources available here and promote the value of local market broker places. Media toolkits and other resources are available.
• AAR Strategic Plan: AAR’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2026 will for focus on six key areas: (I) Public Policy; (II) Legal; (III) Economic Development & Consumer Outreach; (IV) Financial Solvency; and (VI) Governance & Alignment.
• New Roof Design: AAR’s new roof design project will begin in spring of 2023. The current flat roof design has reached the end of its life span and has been a constant challenge to keep water out of the building since it was built. The new seamless steel roof will have a 40-50 year life expectancy, have fewer points of entry for water intrusion, and provide better value to the Association long term

Thank you to all of the Directors who made the commitment to serve and conduct the business of the Association.

Happy Holidays to all and a very prosperous New Year!