Editorial
Front Page - Friday, February 12, 2010
TN9rs membership drive, Web site unveiling in March
Stephanie Coward
Bobbi Noreen
Members of the Women’s Council of Realtors who want to take advantage of yet another benefit can do so in March after the membership drive for the TN9rs kicks off at the state conference in Murfreesboro.
 Chereé Dumas
According to the Tennessee Women’s Council Web site, the bylaws for the TN9rs state, “Each member will be entitled to a presence on the state chapter Web site referral network, preferred seating at all meetings and public recognition at all meetings and programs.” The member also receives a pin so that she is always recognized as a TN9r.
“Referrals are an incredibly important part of Women’s Council,” said Tennessee State Governor, Bobbie Noreen.
Dumas echoes Noreen’s statement, “I refer to WCR members because that is where my heart is.”
The individual benefits do not end there, however, as the TN9rs’ dues have the potential to take the place of many smaller fundraisers and a member’s free time is increased. That was the initial goal of the program. Noreen said that when she was council president in 2005, she and others were discussing possible avenues to raise funds for the council. Then, her daughter spoke up and asked Noreen to just tell her how much she needed from her annually so she would no longer need to attend fundraisers – and just like that, the idea was born. Some organizations are always trying to raise money, but Women’s Council has a unique mission to “train and raise up leaders,” Noreen said. It’s a training ground to “give women the support they need” and to train them to be leaders, both within and outside the organization. The council also needs funds to send its members to national governing boards, training camps and other events.
“The education and leadership skills that I’ve learned (through WCR) are incredible,” Dumas said. Five years ago, she said she never would have gotten up in front of a crowd or taken on a leadership role. “I’ve gained a lot of confidence.”
As the group discussed an affordable amount that would compensate the organization just as well as the smaller, tedious fundraisers had, it was decided that $109 was an accurate price. So, the name derives from the cost of membership; it was also serendipitous that Tennessee begins with the first two digits of the price. To join, a Realtor must pay $109 annually, but, the fee is only paid for the first five consecutive years of membership. After that, the Realtor is a life member and she never has to pay the dues again – although she still receives all the immense benefits. This will be the first year that any of the members will be eligible for that incentive, since the program began in 2005. Noreen said that network creation is the main value of the program, while also supplementing fundraising.
There was not a first member to join upon its creation, but rather all five members of the state governing board joined at once. “More so now, than I think ever, we rely on each other,” Noreen said during a speech on the benefits
of referrals at the January Chattanooga Women’s Council meeting. “I think there is something about being connected to people in a similar environment, where you feel you have a camaraderie spirit.”
The Women’s Council of Realtors began 85 years ago, in 1924, and has constantly provided an educational and support system for female Realtors. Many say they only attended one meeting before they were hooked. Both Noreen and Dumas were instantly inspired at the first council meeting they attended and both joined immediately. That says something about the dynamic leadership training, educational and networking opportunities that council provides to its members.
“I was just asked to go and I loved it,” Dumas said. She also said the education the group members receive is incredible and the friendships made across the nation are phenomenal. “I feed off of the energy of other members.”
The TN9rs membership drive and its Web site unveiling will begin at the state conference in March, held at the Embassy Suites in Murfrees-boro. “My goal is to bring it back to the forefront,” Noreen said.
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