I spent 52 minutes in a delightful conversation with Cliff Long, CEO of the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association.
Entire session Link to 52 minute interview. We’ve broken down the full program into shorter segments below.
Cliff is using the strengths of the association today, its “assets,” to create programs to better serve the association members of today, while carving out and insuring its relevance in the future, for the benefit of future members. Real Estate Associations have a Perpetual Life, and a continuum of membership.
An example of parlaying the associations assets into something bigger, is the recent launch of Florida Real Estate TV. It is about time the industry took advantage of the many stories that can be told around MLS, and what takes place in the day of the life of REALTORS, their listings, and their clients. MLS TV! Why let other entities tell “our stories?”
Florida Real Estate TV Proof of Concept has been completed and will be available soon. Cliff sees this as a program that has the potential to go nationwide as a Cable TV program, with all profits going to the local associations. His Association has created a “For Profit” subsidiary and a governance structure that lends itself to this type of enterprise.
Building programs for the future of the organization.
As the future of real estate sales, associations, and MLSs gets murkier, it is time for local associations of REALTORS to take back their future. According to Cliff, Local Associations can no longer wait for NAR programs to satisfy the many needs of their members. Paraphrasing the words of President John F. Kennedy, Cliff says: Ask not what NAR can do for you, ask what you can do for NAR.
He also reminds us of a story once told to him by a friend and pastor…” Don’t let anyone get between you and the Lord, because if you do, they will be closer to the Lord than you are, his pastor gently admonishes…and Cliff echoes that concept when he says, don’t let anyone get between you and your members, because if you do, they are closer to your members than you are.
Another program instituted by Cliff earlier this year is one that he created to bring positive energy and encouragement to his members in these trying times. It is called Uplift and it has been well received.
And some final words. Our conclusion is that the people of Orlando, REALTORS and plain old citizens alike, are lucky that Cliff is in Town.
