RPAC - Supporting REALTORS, Communities, and Your Bottom LIne
By J. Lennox Scott, Chairman & CEO, John L. Scott Real Estate

February 2005

Being a REALTOR is magical. It touches on so many areas of life from family and friends to communities, education, finances, politics, employment, and of course, home ownership. Home ownership is truly the foundation of everything. Home ownership contributes to a region’s well-being. It enhances civic, economic, business and employment stability. It also adds value in ways that are sometimes difficult to quantify. It brings families together in a shared desire to make their neighborhoods safe. It brings neighbors together as advocates for good schools. It fosters new friendships. And as REALTORS, we are the force behind making all of this happen.

Promoting housing opportunities is central to the REALTOR mission, but it’s important to understand that it represents only part of the association’s scope of services and commitment at local, state, and national levels. REALTORS also act as advocates of vital quality-of-life issues. And REALTORS are an energy source for local communities. Through our extensive governmental affairs efforts, the REALTORS’ legislative and political priorities include such far-ranging concerns as protecting private property rights and the mortgage deduction to promoting stewardship of the environment and smart growth. But none of this would be possible without RPAC: REALTOR Political Action Committee.

RPAC’s focus is to provide critical, non-partisan financial support to help elect pro-REALTOR candidates running for public office—we don’t endorse political parties, we endorse what’s in the best interest of REALTORS. We need these candidate’s voices to protect our business and the real estate industry. Therefore, RPAC supports our position as one of the largest business trade association PACs in the nation as a means to get REALTOR endorsed candidates elected.

RPAC gives REALTORS a powerful voice about issues that are important to Americans, such as economic vitality, housing opportunities, and better communities—we are the leading advocate for American homeowners. RPAC is also essential for effective and successful legislative advocacy to enhance our livelihood in real estate. It’s no coincidence that a vast majority of RPAC’s endorsed candidates are successfully elected; we are taken very seriously as a powerful association. RPAC funding, strategies, and the concerted efforts of its member-REALTORS all contribute to this overwhelming success. And by electing REALTOR endorsed candidates who support our issues, we are able to ensure ongoing legislative success. By getting involved in RPAC you directly support governmental affairs activities at the national, state and local levels; you support the ongoing success of our Housing Opportunity campaign which strives to build better communities; you stay informed on events and issues that affect your community, your business, and your bottom line.

There is a misperception that a part of your REALTOR dues dollars is directed to RPAC. The truth is, not a single cent of this dues money goes to RPAC, which is why your financial support is so vital. With only a “fair share” donation of $30.00 you can do your part to ensure that the political interests of REALTORS continue to be represented at the legislative level. For top agents and management who are interested in making a larger donation, there are other opportunities starting at the $100 level. You also have the option to become an NAR Political Action Committee Major Donator, which starts at the $1,000 level. For more information about donation levels and supporting RPAC, please contact your local or state REALTOR Association or go to www.realtor.org/rpac.

I’m proud to be a REALTOR—and I’m proud to be a financial supporter of RPAC. I hope you will join me in that support.

J. Lennox Scott is the Chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate, which was founded in 1931 by his grandfather in Seattle, WA. With over 49,000 closed transactions last year, John L. Scott grossed more than 11 billion dollars in sales volume. John L. Scott has 125 offices and over 4,000 sales associates located throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The award-winning website, www.johnlscott.com, receives over 2.5 million user visits a month producing over six million listing views.

Purchase a copy of his book "Next Generation Real Estate" at NSBAR Northbrook at 847-480-7177.