Governmental Affairs Director

Winston-Salem Regional Association of REALTORS®, Inc.

Reports to: Executive Officer of the Association

Government Affairs

Nature of Position: Provide professional service, coordination of advocacy efforts, and government affairs representation for the Winston-Salem Regional Association of REALTORS® (WSRAR), including mobilizing and educating members on real estate issues.

Job Summary

The Governmental Affairs Director serves as the monitor of and advocate to local government bodies in Forsyth, Surry, Stokes, Yadkin, Wilkes, Davie and Davidson counties. This position monitors local government activities for real estate industry issues of a legislative or regulatory nature that impact REALTORS®. The Governmental Affairs Director serves as an advocate for the association’s position on issues as established by the board of directors.

The Governmental Affairs Director also serves as a primary media contact and, as necessary and appropriate, spokesperson to further the mission and goals of the association as the “Voice of Real Estate.” Additionally, this position serves as a resource to the membership and a liaison to the state and national associations on state and Federal issues of interest to REALTORS®, particularly issues with a strong local impact.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. REALTOR® PAC and Political Coordination

•Serve as point of contact between NC REALTORS® PAC staff and local association

•Assist local RPAC chair in building RPAC culture through developing an annual RPAC Strategic Plan to reach fundraising goals

•Serve as staff liaison for local RPAC Fundraising Committee

•Coordinate with NC REALTORS® PAC staff on local events to ensure compliance with campaign finance law

•Facilitate RPAC candidate funding process for local and state elections including candidate surveys and interviews

2. Grassroots Advocacy Coordination

•Assist local associations in developing and implementing an advocacy plan to address Advocacy Core Standards and government affairs programming

•Support formation of Government Affairs/Legislative Committee

•Recruit REALTORS® as Local, State, and Federal Political Coordinators

•Coordinate with NCR on grants and programs to address local community engagement and advocacy goals

•Coordinate with NCR on development of advocacy training opportunities for general membership

3. Governmental Affairs

Local Government Monitoring and Attendance

•Attend meetings of local government, including but not limited to all counties throughout our region

•Pay particular attention to activities of the board of County Commissioners in each county, their planning boards, and municipalities in the defined area of interest which have local zoning and land use authority

•Give priority to communities with significant pressure for growth over other areas

Meeting Coordination and Calendar Management

•Maintain a comprehensive calendar of meetings of all local government bodies

•Monitor boards and commissions for special meetings, meeting changes and agenda items that require member attention and participation

•Coordinate with CEO to ensure the association is represented at all meetings of interest to REALTORS® when scheduling conflicts arise

Relationship Building

•Build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with local government officials

•Foster an atmosphere of cooperation and reconciliation on legislative and regulatory matters that protects and preserves the business interests of REALTORS® while aiding in the achievement of community goals for regulating growth and development

Member Mobilization System

•Develop and manage a Key Contact System that facilitates the involvement of members in local government matters

•Utilize the Key Contact System to involve members in locales and on issues where they will be of greatest effectiveness

•Serve as a rapid mobilization system when members are needed to act promptly on critical government issues

4. Member Service and Communication

Governmental Affairs Committee Support

•Make recommendations on positions and actions of the association

•Develop or facilitate development of all necessary materials and resources to aid in the advocacy of association objectives

•Report and brief the CEO and Board of Directors, in writing and personally, at least monthly on all issues and matters of substance to the interests of the association

Member Communication

•Write a monthly column for the association’s member newsletter addressing issues of importance to REALTORS®

•Write and develop the monthly “Watch Dog Report,” focusing on local government matters of interest to REALTORS®, and facilitate its distribution to members

•Provide weekly written updates to the CEO pertaining to local advocacy initiatives and/or progress updates on local projects

•Contribute local Government Affairs updates to association newsletters and websites

•Present at association meetings as requested, including at New Member Orientations, Board of Directors meetings, etc.

•Report as needed at the general membership meetings of the association, and to the various council and division meetings

•Report as needed in writing and personally to the board of directors of the association, and to the boards of directors of the divisions and councils

5. Media Relations

Media Database and Relationship Management

•Maintain a database of media contacts that may be employed by the association to meet association missions and objectives

•Develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with members of the media that serve the interests of both the association and the media

Media Monitoring and Documentation

•Read various business and general circulation publications in the association’s area of interest and monitor them for coverage of issues of relevance to REALTORS®

•Monitor various broadcast outlets as necessary for coverage of relevant issues

•Clip and record coverage as necessary to maintain files and archives for use in position development and advocacy activities

Media Spokesperson Duties

•Serve as primary media contact to the association and serve as spokesman as necessary, particularly on governmental affairs matters

•Facilitate the assignment and preparation of members who may serve as spokesman in matters where a member, such as the association’s President, would best serve the association’s interest

•Ensure association president serves as spokesman for the association as much as is practical

6. Issues Management

Industry Research and Trend Analysis

•Read and study industry trade publications and other resources to remain current on issues and industry trends that may aid in furthering the missions and goals of the association

•Maintain files on various industry trends for use in the advocacy activities of the association

•At all times be cognizant of current events and issues that may impact the real estate industry

•Attempt to anticipate trends in legislative, regulatory, and other public actions that may impact REALTORS®

7. Other Duties

Administrative Responsibilities

•Develop and submit to the Board of Directors a budget for the Government Affairs Department of the coalition partners

•Manage budget adequately to ensure that budget limitations are observed, or adjustments are made to the budget to ensure a strong position in the community for the coalition partners

•Perform such duties, as requested by the CEO that are reasonably necessary to fulfill the spirit and intent of the position

Governmental Affairs Director Qualifications

Education

•Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, public relations, journalism, or other related area, or a combination of education and experience that adequately prepares the candidate for the position of Joint Governmental Affairs Director.

Special Skills Required

•Accomplished writer

•Competent public speaker

•Computer literate

Personal Attributes

•Organized and self-starter

•Able to manage a complicated and demanding schedule of events and meetings that include frequent evenings and occasional weekends

•Travel is primarily in the Piedmont Triad region, but includes occasional trips to Raleigh, Washington DC, Chicago and other cities in the United States

•Infrequent trips out of state for up to a week at a time are also common

Winston-Salem Regional Association of REALTORS®

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Governmental Affairs Director