A few weeks ago, my friend and fellow Realtor Steve Champion installed me as the 2023 president of Greater Chattanooga Realtors. After he made very kind remarks about me, I had the opportunity to take my place amongst all the former presidents of our association.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with so much collective knowledge and leadership was truly humbling. I’m thrilled to assume this position, having been elected by my peers in real estate. Over the years, I’ve learned that any time you assume a new position, it’s a great opportunity to set your sights on what you hope to achieve.
For example, Derek English, 2023 immediate past president, set a great example to all in a position of leadership at our association. During his tenure as president, he kept us focused and moving forward.
Listening to his recap of 2022 certainly drove home all the goals he and others accomplished, including supporting Wreaths Across Chattanooga, our Scholarship Program and providing numerous services to our Realtors at no additional charge that help with their business and safety.
Now that I’m president of Greater Chattanooga Realtors, it’s my turn to serve the home buying and selling needs of our community. So what’s my plan? Well, I’ve learned that sometimes the most important part of accomplishing a particular goal is simply to show up.
Does this mean you show up and let someone else do all the work? Certainly not. To me, “showing up” means putting in the time, day in and day out. It means being present.
This doesn’t apply to just real estate. It also applies to your family and friends. It means that when you’re spending time with your family, you’re there in the moment with them. You’re not distracted.
It means when you work with clients and customers, you’re present to what their needs are. This mentality has ramifications in any kind of work one might do, whether you’re in real estate, teaching or health care.
One such example is that our association recently laid out a goal of helping drive conversations with our local officials. As Realtors, we have a unique perspective on our community, and we often have data that can help drive decisions that might have intended and unintended consequences.
Greater Chattanooga Realtors will strive to help make decisions, write policies and execute plans that will shape our business and our area for years to come.
Regardless of a person’s profession, each of us are blessed with a variety of skills and talents. When people don’t show up with all their gifts, talents, ideas and efforts, the world is a worse place. So, for everyone in your life, show up.
My vow for 2023 is to show up for my clients, friends and family – as well as the more than 2,700 Realtors who serve this great city and community every day. I challenge all who might be reading these words to do the same.
Realtors show up and show out every day. That’s Who We R.
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is the voice for real estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with more than 2,700 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors serves Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations and boards of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors owns and operates a Multiple Listing Service that is one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and services more than 3,000 MLS users. Local association membership consists of Realtors servicing the Greater Chattanooga area and specializing in a variety of disciplines, including appraisal, commercial, industrial, land, multifamily, property management and residential. Affiliate members who represent related industries work alongside these Realtors, including mortgage lenders, home inspectors, title and closing services, pest inspection and control services and insurance providers.