Maryland REALTORS® Online

Volunteer

By Christopher Hill

Last summer, Yolanda Muckle, as President-Elect, and I, then serving as Secretary, worked with Maryland REALTORS® staff to review every volunteer application to determine the make-up of the committees that direct Maryland REALTORS® staff and their projects.  

This process lasted an entire day, early morning into the early evening.  We sat down, examining each committee, their missions, and the members who had asked to serve on each committee.  It was a long day.  It was a bit exhausting.

But it was also very, very rewarding.  I left that day feeling like we really did something, and we certainly did: from the members who stepped up to volunteer, then examining each volunteer’s strength and capabilities, and strategically laying the groundwork for a robust 2023, it was the perfect collaboration that combined the active interest of individual members, leadership (we’re volunteers, too), and staff.  

Making it even more rewarding: last year’s number of volunteers was the highest recorded quantity in recent memory.  The number of volunteers speaks plainly about your level of engagement with our association. Thank you.

Volunteerism is the selfless act of dedicating your time and talent to your association, and I am happy to announce that Volunteer Season is upon us again.  But to make this year’s volunteering efforts a success, we need your help.  The collective efforts of our members serving on committees directs the efforts of staff.  Here are some of the recent successes coming from our committees:

• volunteers played a major role in the development of new Statewide Forms

• volunteers guided us on important legislative initiatives brought to the Maryland Legislature

• volunteers selected the affinity partners we’d work with, to provide exclusive benefits to members

• volunteers selected the theme, look, and programming for a sold-out Annual Conference

• volunteers continued to drive the success of our popular Leadership Academy

• there are so many more ways our members—volunteers—have directed the success of this organization

On pages 19 and 20 are descriptions of all the committees that provide Maryland REALTORS® a direction and purpose.  Whoever you are, whatever your personal story, no matter where you work in Maryland, I am asking you personally to volunteer. Recognizing that online and hybrid meetings are here to stay, where you work matters very little. This new hybrid/online age allows us to collect strengths from a diverse set of members in regard to culture, specialty, talent, and geography.  Take some time to review the committees while also reviewing your interests and unique talents and see which committee resonates with you.  Then, visit our volunteer page and sign up to volunteer for your preferred committees. 

Yes, your work helps Maryland REALTORS®, but as someone who has volunteered for years, volunteering helps you and your career in developing skills and relationships that will prove valuable both personally and professionally. You will be building trust with those that you volunteer with while growing your referral network. 

I sincerely hope that you will consider volunteering and bring your expertise, no matter what it is. Doing so will will make us even stronger Maryland REALTORS®.