The Bay East Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs Program helps Bay East members succeed as real estate professionals by:
- Protecting Bay East members ability to conduct real estate transactions;
- Communicating the message that REALTORS® are the voice for real estate;
- Participating in political campaigns to ensure REALTOR® issues are understood by elected officials; and
- Promoting the REALTOR® image.
Government Affairs Program activities include:
- Tracking real estate-related legislation at the federal, state and local level;
- Monitoring real estate-related regulations and keeping members informed;
- Mobilizing members to actively participate in the development of local public policy that impacts real estate transactions and private property rights;
- Interviewing and supporting candidates for elected office; and
- Facilitating involvement in political campaigns.
Two volunteer committees serve as the foundation for The Local Government Relations Committee is the foundation for all Government Affairs activities. The Committee consists of REALTOR® members and meets monthly. They review local government policies, ordinances and programs that impact real estate transactions and advise the Bay East Board of Directors regarding official Bay East positions on these issues.
The Local Candidate Recommendation Committee interviews candidates for local elected offices, advises the Bay East Board of Directors regarding candidate endorsements and provides support for candidates who understand and support REALTOR® issues.
What are REALTOR® issues? The Bay East Association of REALTORS® Housing Policy Statement articulates those principles which guide the Associations Government Affairs program. You can review the Housing Policy Statement by clicking here.
The Bay East Government Affairs program is supported by full-time Bay East staff that provides administrative assistance to the Local Government Relations Committee and Local Candidate Recommendation Committee. Bay East staff also attends various city meetings, actively participate in local chambers of commerce and foster strong partnerships with other trade and community organizations.
For more information about the Bay East Association of REALTORS® Government Affairs program including how to get involved, please contact David Stark, Public Affairs Director, at (925) 730-4068 or davids@bayeast.org.
Who is my state representative?
Simply enter your zip code in the box below and press go!
Where do my political contribution dollars go?
All political contributions go directly to one of the political action funds (PACs). The Bay East Association has two funds, the BORPAC, which supports candidates and the IMPAC, which supports/opposes issues. The state Association, CAR, also has two political action funds that are supported by member contributions. There is a state IMPAC, similar to the local as far as what the funds are used for, and CREPAC, which is similar to the local BORPAC and supports state candidates to legislature. At the National level, there are similar PACs. There are programs for contributions from $49 to $5,000. How the contributions are allocated to the various funds is dependent on the level of contribution. The local association is responsible for interviewing candidates for city, county, and state positions to identify the candidates whose philosophy towards real estate related issues best parallels that of organized real estate.
What elements are important to the success of a Government Affairs program?
There are several areas that are important when evaluating the success of a government affairs program.
- Issues Tracking and Evaluation - It is important to follow the issues and decisions being made at all levels of government regarding real estate and land use that will affect our members and protect their ability to do business.
- Education - The more understanding members have of changes in the laws, the better members will be professionally.
- Member Mobilization - When an important issue arises that will have a particularly positive or negative affect on real estate, it is essential that the members are informed and act. Individual members contacting their government officials on an issue has a strong impact.
- Developing Partnerships - Coalition building is a valuable tool in working with individual officials or other organizations. Most issues have many perspectives that need to be considered to reach the appropriate balance for a community. We strive to be recognized as the voice of organized real estate. Relationships that are built on an ongoing basis allow everyone to approach difficult issues with a common trust.
- Fund Raising - To be able to support or oppose important issues or candidates takes money. The money raised through our political fund raising is used through the PACs to accomplish our goals as stated above.
