Introducing the newest
delegate … you!

You can–and should–be a participant in your local precinct convention.

by Pat Nix   When it comes to politics and the legislature, the Texas Association of REALTORS® is arguably the strongest trade association of its kind. But have you ever stopped to analyze why? The answer is simple. Our strength comes from a unique combination of our political action committee (TREPAC), our aggressive legislative lobby team, and our political affairs grassroots programs all working together—and all equally important—to champion the real estate industry and to protect the rights of private-property owners in Texas.

Most folks understand the PAC and the lobby activities; however, our political affairs grassroots efforts often need a little clarification. I’d like you to know why our association places so much emphasis on these activities.

All of our political affairs activities encourage REALTOR® involvement and participation in the political process. By promoting grassroots involvement, candidates and elected officials get a first-hand view of just how important the political process is to Texas REALTORS®. Furthermore, TAR’s political affairs programs foster strong and lasting relationships between REALTOR® members and their elected officials. These relationships are invaluable when key issues affecting our industry are being debated at city hall, the state Capitol, or in Washington, D.C.

One of the most effective political affairs programs we have is the TAR Delegate Program. This effort encourages member involvement in political party conventions and provides a guideline for maximizing benefits to the real estate industry.

To be successful, though, involvement must begin with you at your neighborhood’s precinct convention. The precinct convention takes place at your polling location after the polls close on primary election evenings. All you have to do is show up at the convention at the precinct voting location with a voter registration card confirming you voted in that party’s primary election. The purpose of this convention is to elect delegates to the county/senatorial conventions and adopt resolutions that will help formulate the party’s platform. Sample resolutions favorable to the rights of private-property owners in Texas will be made available to TAR Delegate Program participants prior to the conventions.

If elected as a delegate or alternate to the county/senatorial convention, you then can attend at this level to work for TAR-backed resolutions and get elected delegate or alternate to the state convention.
At every level of this process, you will come in contact with elected officials and candidates. This is an excellent opportunity to promote REALTOR® issues, showcase TAR political involvement, and establish relationships with public officials. Furthermore, TAR will host special events at both the Democrat and Republican state conventions honoring REALTOR® state convention delegates, alternates, and all elected officials attending the convention.

I encourage you to get involved in the TAR Delegate Program. You can sign up online by visiting the Political Affairs pages of TexasRealtors.com. Also, if you would like more information about this or any of our other grassroots political affairs programs, please contact the TAR Governmental Affairs Department at 800/873-9155.

The more of us who participate in the political process, the stronger our association will be.

Pat Nix is chairman of the Texas Association of REALTORS® Political Affairs Committee.

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