At NVAR, we take seriously the role of providing a voice for real estate – and Realtors®. In this issue of RE+VIEW magazine, you’ll find many examples of ways that NVAR and our volunteer leaders serve our members by providing representation at every level of the Realtor® organization.

Our annual Legislative Reception, covered on page 28, illustrates the scope of Realtor® influence among our local and state elected officials. More than 30 legislators made it a priority to attend this year’s event – spending time speaking with our members about issues that matter the most.

As part of the National Association of Realtors® Midyear Legislative meetings, NVAR served as local host to Realtors® from across the country and around the world. Our members and staff shared highlights of our local region and information about unique NVAR programs and opportunities. You can read about our participation during the NAR Midyear Legislative Meetings on page 7.

Reflecting our members’ deep commitment to the people and charitable causes in this region, the association also serves as an example of corporate responsibility and compassion within the Northern Virginia Community. Our hands-on NVAR Cares Committee meets each month to make decisions about how we can support worthy organizations. This year, I’m pleased that we became a media sponsor for the Habitat of Northern Virginia’s ‘Over the Edge’ fundraiser. Read about that on page 34, and see how two of our members literally rappelled over the edge of a building in support of affordable housing!

This past April, I was invited to be interviewed for Federal News Radio’s “What’s Working in Washington” podcast, where I shared information about, among other topics, how Realtors® lobbied to limit the impacts of tax reform on home ownership. You can find the link, together with other examples of members in the news, on our website at NVAR.com/realtors/news. As you’ll see, NVAR ensures that our members are the go-to real estate experts when the media call.

Also in April, I was a presenter at the sold out Regional Fair Housing symposium, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act. Our association was instrumental in planning this event and contributed as Fairfax County’s biggest sponsor. I explained my point of view about the importance of fair housing compliance by all of us. It was my privilege to share the stage with Senator Tim Kaine, who was the keynote speaker. The fact is, fair housing is a 24/7/365 practice that all of us must understand and deliver. That was the message from that luncheon, but it is also in our Code of Ethics.

And finally, I’m pleased that during our first “Broker IDEA-X” session in April, discussion centered around Realtor® professionalism. Our second session, scheduled for July 13, will explore that topic in greater detail.

I’m proud to be a member of this great organization that positions us all at the center of the real estate transaction, news story, legislation and more. I hope that you are, too! Please share your thoughts with me at chairman@nvar.com.