MEET NVAR’S 2020 NV/RPAC CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE CHAIR: Michelle Doherty.

Doherty, a Realtor® with RE/MAX Allegiance who also serves as a member of the NV/RPAC Trustees, has been a member of NVAR since 2015 and served the membership in a variety of volunteer leadership roles.

She was a member of the Leadership Institute class of 2018, the 2018 vice-chair and 2019 chair of the Young Professionals Network (YPN) Advisory Group, a member of the 2018 NV/RPAC Campaign Committee and its vice chair in 2019.

Doherty understands the vital role NV/RPAC plays in the support and advocacy for Realtors® in the legislative and political arena. In addition to her leadership at NVAR, Michelle also gives back to her community and was even recognized as one of Realtor® Magazine’s 30 Under 30 rising stars in 2019.

1) HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME AWARE OF THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA REALTORS® POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (NV/RPAC)?

I first became aware of NV/RPAC at one of our YPN meetings when the 2016 NV/RPAC Campaign Committee Chair came to speak. But I did not fully appreciate the strength NV/RPAC brings to Realtor® government affairs until I heard former NAR Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Chief Lobbyist Jerry Giovaniello speak about NAR’s federal advocacy agenda during the 2017 NAR Mid-Year Conference in D.C. This was the year Realtors® were visiting their Congressional representatives to get H.R. 3700, “The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act,” passed into law. As a Realtor® in Northern Virginia, I knew that making FHA financing for condominiums more streamlined and accessible would be a direct benefit to my business. The working relationships built through NV/RPAC made it possible for Realtors® to successfully pressure Congress to get the bill passed and signed into law that year.

2) YOU’VE BEEN INVESTING ANNUALLY IN NV/RPAC SINCE 2016. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE IT WAS IMPORTANT TO MAKE THAT ANNUAL COMMITMENT?

I decided to make an annual commitment because protecting our industry and our clients’ property rights MATTERS. Our legislators do not necessarily know how laws and ordinances they propose could negatively impact our businesses and our clients. NV/RPAC gives us the opportunity to have these important conversations and work with our elected officials on solutions that are mutually beneficial to everyone who has a stake in real estate.

3) IN 2018, YOU STEPPED UP TO THE STERLING R MAJOR INVESTOR LEVEL GIVING YOU INVESTOR RECOGNITION AT ALL ASSOCIATION LEVELS. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME AN ANNUAL MAJOR INVESTOR AND WHY DO YOU BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN A BENEFIT TO YOUR BUSINESS AND TO THE PROFESSION GENERALLY?

I decided to step up because I believe Realtors® are the “Architects of the American Dream,” and I feel an immense responsibility to protect and promote the dream of homeownership in this country. I also spend time with some of our NAR lobbyists and NVAR and VAR government affairs teams and watch them work tirelessly on behalf of our Realtor® family and our clients. It is truly incredible to know just how many threats to our business these dedicated professionals work to safeguard us from.

4) WHY DO YOU BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, LIKE YOURSELF, TO BECOME ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN NVAR’S GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS?

I think it is huge for our YPN members to participate in NV/RPAC because we are truly the future of this industry. Investing in NV/RPAC is our opportunity to make sure our mutual business interests will continue to thrive for years and decades to come. I also believe that a part of serving our clients includes doing all we can to protect property rights and the American Dream for them now and in the future.

5) AS CHAIR, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE 2020 NV/RPAC CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISING YEAR?

One of my key goals for 2020 is to convince more of our members how important it is when they pay dues next August that they don’t uncheck that RPAC box! Improving NV/RPAC participation among the membership is critically important. I would love to see all of our members involved in our NV/RPAC Campaign because I truly believe we are stronger together! Of course, I would love to have at least half of our membership step up and become Major Investors, but I understand that may not be possible for some. I would love to get members who are not ready to be Major Investors to invest at the $40 participation level.

6) FINALLY, HOW WOULD YOU CONVINCE A SKEPTICAL MEMBER THAT NV/RPAC IS THEIR BEST INVESTMENT IN REAL ESTATE?

I point out to them our successful track record in government affairs thanks to NV/RPAC. For example, last year our local government affairs team was able to keep directional real estate signs on private property legal in Fairfax County. Imagine how the elimination of these vital marketing tools would have negatively impacted your business. In addition, I invite members to come out to the NVAR Realtor® Lobby Day in Richmond at the end of January to experience first- hand NV/RPAC investments at work for the Realtor® Party! It is important to remember that homeownership is not a Democratic or a Republican issue; it’s a Realtor® issue, and NV/RPAC investments work to support the Realtor® Party.

NV/RPAC investments allow us to have a seat at the table with legislators and elected officials whenever real estate is discussed, and it is always better to be at the table than on the menu.


Paula Martino is the NV/RPAC development strategist.