UPCOMING EVENT!  Communicating with Style

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THE MISSION OF THE WOMEN'S COUNCIL OF REALTORS®

We are a network of successful REALTORS® empowering women to exercise their potential as entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

Our Vision

Through our influence as successful business professionals, women will effect positive change in the profession and in the broader community.

Our Long-Term Goals

• To be the source of education and business tools focused on the needs of women REALTOR® entrepreneurs at all stages of development.
• To be a dynamic, accessible network, linking resources and member expertise to drive business success.
• To build, support and promote strong leaders for the industry and the broader community who are advocates for property rights and homeownership.
• To be the voice for the achievement and impact of women in real estate.
• To be sought after as a partner with other organizations to advance common objectives.
• To be a network of strong chapters that consistently deliver value and provide a collaborative, trusted, welcoming environment in which members can achieve their business goals.
• To be a magnet for career-focused REALTORS® with diverse backgrounds and a high level of professionalism.
• To be a strong organization with the resources and infrastructure necessary to fulfill our mission and realize our vision.

The Power of Relationships

Success in business today is achieved through positive, productive relationships. The Women's Council of REALTORS® provides an environment of collaboration in which members can form, build and maximize relationships for business and personal success. When members share their time, talent and experience, the entire industry is advanced.

Professional Credibility

Members of the Women's Council of REALTORS® are established career professionals. We operate based on a shared value system of integrity, respect, consistency and a commitment to excellence and continuous development.

Diversity

The membership experience is enriched through the celebration of and active outreach to the full diversity of our industry. At the same time, the strength of the organization lies in what unites us all - our shared values.

Participation

Active participation increases membership value. Participation in the Women's Council of REALTORS® is the opportunity to contribute to change, and to be changed, personally and professionally.

Success

Success in business brings credibility, influence and greater opportunity. For women, especially, wealth creation through business success also leads to long-term financial security, greater independence, and more quality of life choices.

Influence

Positive change will come from the greater inclusion of the women's perspective in positions of influence in the real estate industry and in the broader community.
 

HISTORY OF WCR

 
In 1924, the California Real Estate Association formed a Women's Division after members founded the idea on a train ride home from the National Association's convention in Washington, D.C.

Fourteen years later, Joseph Catherine, the 1938 president of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (then called the National Association of Real Estate Boards) encouraged the formation of the Women.s Council after being impressed by the California group and the immense potential of women in real estate.

At the time, NAR was already 30 years old and most decisions were still made at the Local Board level. Unfortunately, most Local Boards were still resistant to women. However, the National Association was ready to recognize women in real estate and a positive vote resulted in the formation of a women's division at the Annual Convention held in Milwaukee in November of 1938. Thirty-seven ambitious women represented nine states at that meeting and WCR's inception.

Through the decades, WCR's membership growth reflected the vast number of women choosing a career in real estate. Women began to recognize the immense benefits of careers in real estate combined with a WCR membership, including:

• Salaries equitable to men's since "commission in commission."
• Flexible work schedules allowing REALTORS® the ability to raise a family and have a career instead of choosing one or the other.
• A support system of women in the same field garnering many friendships, networking capabilities and referrals.
• Gaining confidence through association with other professional women REALTORS®.
• Recognition for their own achievements and success as well as inspiration and courage to strive for greater successes.
• In 1984, WCR established the Leadership Training Graduate (LTG) designation. Courses covering communication, personal power, group dynamics, meeting management, leadership, public speaking and technology were part of the program, which fostered leadership and professionalism in career and personal life.

In 1989, WCR established the Referral & Relocation Certification (RRC) and in 1994, the RRC was incorporated into the LTG program.

1998 saw the creation of the annual WCR Leadership Academy, which in its very first year won the prestigious Leadership Development Trophy in Chapter Relations from the American Society of Association Executives. The Academy provides over 200 local chapter presidents-elect with in-depth chapter management training so that they embark on their year truly equipped to lead their chapters with confidence.

In 1999, the Council approved a Statement of Diversity: The Women's Council of REALTORS® empowers its members to embrace and celebrate diversity in the marketplace.

WCR publishes Connections and the Referral Roster.  Connections is particularly unique in that it offers articles on business and personal growth topics specifically targeted to real estate professionals, especially women. The Referral Roster is a critical resource for WCR members, which lists the entire membership and provides links for referrals. WCR's Web site, launched in 1996, is an additional referral tool with daily updates to all member records and over 20,000 active hotlinks to members' e-mail addresses and Web sites.

At the 2003 National Conference in San Francisco, WCR launched the Performance Management Network Designation.

It's a next-generation REALTOR® designation designed from the ground up to bring you real-world skills that will keep your business out front and on top of a dynamic real estate market. The first course in the new curriculum, Effective Negotiating for Real Estate Professionals, premiered at the National Conference with record-breaking turn out. With 330 students, it was the most highly attended initial offering of any WCR course to date.

Today, with more than 280 Chapters and 18,000 members, WCR is the 12th largest U.S. Women's professional organization and has one of the most successful communication networks in the NAR family. Chapters include men and women who support the objectives of WCR and are interested in serving the industry, the community and fellow REALTORS®.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

WCR has been making a difference in the lives of its members for over sixty years. We think the following quotes from WCR members through the years demonstrates the value of this growth experience.

My whole viewpoint with respect to real estate has changed. Not only do I make more commissions . I get more pleasure out of my work. (1938)

Helps me think like a man, conduct myself like a lady and work like a dog. (1959)

A great mirror in which I may take a look at myself, a full-length look, and from which I can go with self-confidence. (1963)

A bond of tribal knowing. It is not clear to me what we women know, but it is a great source of support and power. (1972)

Besides the newsletter, education, friendships, ideas and information, it really jacks up my enthusiasm to see others doing well. (1975)

All those women, all that energy, all those brains and all that imagination; what a powerhouse! (1978)

An amazing mix of professional relationships, dynamic friendships and deep-rooted strength, integrity and caring. (1997)

The recognition, support, encouragement and role models I need to trust and believe in myself. (1997)

Place where top producers are willing to share information and techniques, to brainstorm, and just be friends. (1997)

A safe area to learn and connect with the pros, to stretch and stumble with my peers and to accelerate my professional and personal life. (1997)

I'm no longer the mouse in the corner. When somebody "moves the cheese" I go find more! Through my involvement in WCR, I have become a stronger, more confident person, able to achieve things that I never thought of. (2001)

1978 WCR National President Vivian Osborne reflecting on her early experiences in real estate (1999):

"I was a little uncomfortable because I was the only woman in my [real estate licensing] class. I think I surprised them when I ended up with the highest grades. The instructor suggested I go for my broker's license, which I did.  The builders would give a one percent commission to the brokers, mostly men, and I would get a 69-cent bottle of wine. One day I got tired of it. After a sale a builder said to me, "I've got a nice bottle of champagne for you." I said, "I don't want a bottle. I want a check." And I got one.  In my 50 years in real estate, on the whole I'd say I've had a very satisfying career." 

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