Women in real estate enjoy giving to community

In 1938, when women were first issued real estate licenses, the National Association of Realtors created the Women's Council of Realtors as an educational and networking organization for women.

Today, the 24 local chapter Realtor members, along with 20 affiliate non-Realtor members, not only benefit personally from the ongoing educational and networking programs, but take pleasure in giving back to the community.

The council's main charitable event, the Annual Down Home Picnic, is set for April 6 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church at Republic and Cox roads, according to picnic chairperson Alberta Reeves.

"The church has offered its auditorium for the event, which starts at 5:30 p.m.," Reeves said. "Items to be auctioned have been donated by local companies, and include a $1,000 savings bond from Bank of America, one year of business tax services from H&R Block, and tickets for Branson shows and gift certificates from restaurants in Springfield and Branson. Jewelry, toys, clothes and services will also be up for bid. This is our sixth year, and the goal is to raise $6,000 for the Violence Center, but beating that number is a problem we are quite willing to have."

The picnic tradition began, Reeves said, because "we were trying to figure out how to give back to our community, because of what the community gives us. Without their faith and trust in us, we wouldn't make a living. We wanted a program that would benefit women, and family violence is more prevalent than anyone knows."

When not involved in community benefit work, the council provides a variety of real estate education classes and programs for members. Reeves, who joined the organization in 1992, said she "joined because it was a place where I could network. Another thing that drew me were the good training programs. At one recent meeting, for example, several top local producers, including Ethel Curbow and Don Caudle, came and spoke about what they do that makes them successful. We've also had a lender's seminar, when a number of lenders came in and discussed their programs."

Past President and current Vice President of Membership Phyllis Netzer concurred. "The council has been a plus for me in that I needed self-confidence, and it has given me that," she said.

Current President Nikki Williams said that "being a member has been good for learning leadership capabilities and learning to speak in front of a group. We usually have 40 to 50 people at our meetings, but when I went to Chicago for Leadership Academy, I spoke to a crowd of 500. It's important as a Realtor to know how to talk to people sometimes we're unexpectedly in front of a group, such as City Council, and need to be able to stand up and let our viewpoint be heard. Being in council also helps get you involved in community and political work."

The council offers an education designation know as LTG (Leadership Training Graduates), which is comparable to the GRI (Graduate of Realtors Institute) designation earned through the National Association of Realtors. To obtain the LTG, members attend classes held in different areas of the United States.

Topics are as divergent as public speaking, learning the rules for parliamentary procedure at meetings, business e-mailing, and the how-tos of getting referrals.

Tammy Tucker, president-elect, said that the council's "primary objective is to keep Realtors and affiliates in housing up-to-date with what's going on in our industry. We want to be current on interest rates, city storm drainage, changes in real estate law every aspect of the business. We even talk about feng shui. We cover it all, and it ultimately benefits the public."

Williams said that "Realtors do a lot more than the public realizes. During real estate transactions, we must make sure all the inspections are ordered in a timely manner. We check contracts to ensure that all laws are met. And we have a strict code of ethics we must adhere to. We all work together to be sure real estate transactions are fair for both sides. The field is much more professional than it used to be."

In addition, and despite the organization's name, men are welcome to join.

The local chapter has never had any male Realtor members, according to Williams.

She hastened to add, however, that the male affiliate members, who represent businesses such as banks and title companies, are a very active and welcome part of the Women's Council.