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LEGISLATIVE Scoop

KEEPING OUR MEMBER S C URRENT ON THE NE WEST INDU STRY L AWS AND P O LIC IES NATIONWIDE .

Get Involved Locally


It is a new year with new opportunities and, most can get more attention which can aid in several areas
importantly, new legislative issues. So the question is: of NARPM® (mainly membership).
Are you governmentally minded? And, why should The first step in participating in these groups is
you be involved and what can you do to help? to define the agenda of issues that are important to
Participation in government issues is a necessity for pursue. Establishing guidelines will help decide how
all those who share in a democracy. We are not run- to approach future issues/topics. They can be broad
Deb Newell has been a ning for office, but we can all participate in our local topics or specific topics such as:
real estate investor and government.
property manager for over What I have discovered is that NARPM® mem- • Rental license rules/regulations
nine years, and is sole bers are very generous in sharing knowledge. We • Legislative laws that impact REALTORS® and how
owner of Real-Time Leasing care about the success not just of our own business, business can be affected.
in Burnsville Minnesota. but also the business of others. What has been very • Lead-based paint issues
She received her Bachelor’s helpful as I read the business list serves is the amount • Foreclosure issues
degree in Political Science of knowledge others have to share about the laws/
from the University of Colo- statutes of their community and state; some of which Now, how do we convince the local government or
rado at Denver where she flow over to federal laws and information for us to statewide government to listen?
also taught first year Poly/ use to expand our knowledge and share with our
Sci courses. Deb has pos- owners, which reminds them why they should choose • If you have topics of concern/interest that have
sessed a life-long passion a NARPM® property management company versus been expressed by others in the industry, start
for governmental affairs and those who ”fly by the seat of their pants.“ with letters written by each member to the local
participates in a variety of My favorite tribute to my business is the education government. You can even help by writing a
auxiliaries, such as NARPM®, I receive from fellow members and articles written. standard letter where they input their name. The
dedicated toward encour- I feel a step ahead of the game in this industry and more letters/phone calls you flood to your rep-
aging local and national realize that these are invaluable lessons we should resentative, the more he/she cannot ignore the
citizenship participation. pass on. So, how do we break in? issue at hand.
• Write letters to your local newspapers and radio/
ATTEND MEETINGS OF DECISION-MAKING BODIES TV stations. No one likes a topic to discuss more
(i.e., your local NARPM® chapter). Now, for some than property management issues that are a con-
states there isn’t a chapter (much like our lovely and cern and are not being addressed. This pushes
cold state of Minnesota); however, we have formed the “big guys” to listen and hopefully take action.
a group of local members (some NARPM® members, Remember, it all begins with one.
some not). When you attend these meetings, you will • Talk with your local representative introducing
find areas of interest (governmental affairs, member- you and your business. This alone can go a long
ship, communications, and more) where you know way. It also gives business a boost, and enables
enough to participate or even where you have a you to be seen as the industry expert.
desire to learn more. • Always follow up with a phone call.

BECOME INVOLVED WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT In the end, it is important for each one of us to
and issues that pertain to your business/industry. This educate ourselves, our staff, and our owners on the
can produce a variety of benefits beyond having an legislative issues within our state. We are the profes-
impact on legislation or regulations. These include: sionals; we are the ones that make a difference in our
increased visibility, credibility, and recognition for community and provide better, quality living for our
members. By getting involved, your industry/chapter tenants and a sense of comfort for our owners.

16 | February 2010 Issue | Volume 21 | Number 2

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