I just came from the most difficult meeting I have attended all year, Western Wayne's last meeting.  This meeting was attended by WCR members and many local officials.  As I was driving home, I asked these questions of myself, so I thought I would share with you.  They had to close because national made rule, if you have less than 20 members you must disband.

If we all fall under the Michigan Chapter, would it have been possible for members of each chapter to rally around this group (and Greater Detroit)?  I don't know what would have changed, but it would have shown support.  A simple "What can I do to help?" by all of us.  I didn't ask, I will in the future.

Would it have been possible for the whole State Governing Board to meet with this chapter (and Greater Detroit), more heads are better than a few.  We are all made up of different chapters with different ideas; a brainstorming event may have helped.  This is neither past nor current practice; maybe we should consider changing this process in the future for various market conditions.

I am not "dogging" anyone; I just wonder if there is a better way.  Even if the chapter's still had to close, they would have received and been shown the support they deserved from all of us.  We are all in this together.  This could happen to any of our chapters.

Just something to think about for the future.  I don't know that the industry crisis is over yet, so maybe we could think about preventive plans to assist our chapters.  Perhaps a task force could be used to start preventive planning and assist in the time of crisis. There is more power and ideas in numbers.

Thanks for reading and if you have an idea for the future to share, please do.  Our members have to be there for each other to survive.

This is the follow-up: 

I can tell you that all but 2 that have responded would like to see some sort of task force.  My vision is the task force could assist the Governor.  I believe in today's changing membership that it has to be overwhelming for a Governor and Pres. to accept that responsibility with no past process and procedures in place.  At least I'm not aware of any. 

When the market was good, the current system worked.  The market is tougher therefore the Pres. and Governor have to work harder and smarter in their real estate business.  I just don't believe they have all the answers.  Successful chapter should be heard from and procedures put in place.  Sure the procedures will have to change and be tweaked, it's just a start.

The LCP's could try the process and procedures first, if that don't work then the Governor and task force could step in.  I'm just throwing ideas out there.  Number 1 on list, Communicate with every chapter Governing Board that we have a chapter in trouble. 

The responses I have received from the initial email are the most communication I've seen all year.  Many won't respond to all because they don't want anyone to be mad at them for their thoughts.  You know, that just fustrates me.  Why are our members afraid to communicate?  We are supposed to communicate.  There will never be 100% agreement; at least we can see more sides to a situation or idea by throwing it out there.

I am so glad that everything happened exactly the way it did when I arrived.  The chapter was angry with all in the state position and they more than let me know it.  The reaming I recieived for being on the state board helped me to understand better.  It made me want to change things so it doesn't happen again.

I have attended 5 or 6 different chapters this year just to see what different chapters are doing.  There are no 2 chapters alike.

Based on a response, I don't believe you'll see this change in 2009, 2010 will depend on the vote. 

Angela K. Ridley, Real Estate Counselor

www.CompleteRealtyLLC.com

mailto:  Angie@AngieRidley.com

Flint:  810 744 4600 Fax: 810 936 4395

Angie's Real Estate Corner, a little of this and that blog.         

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