Why Respond to a “Call to Action”? - by Bridget Scanlon
Grassroots initiatives are a fast and cost effective method to generate involvement in the political process on a local level. Political organizations and associations will typically initiate a grassroots movement through letter writing, phone calling, or internet based campaigns.
Several times a year, REALTOR® members will receive requests for participation in a “Call to Action” (CTA) from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS® (PAR), or locally through the REALTORS® Legislative Alliance (RLA). CTAs are used to generate correspondence between REALTOR® members and their elected officials regarding issues and/or proposed legislation pertaining to the real estate industry. The goal of a CTA, on any level, is to inform elected officials and decision makers of the REALTOR® position within their constituency. However, the effectiveness of a CTA is predicated on the involvement of the REALTOR® Membership.
Recently, PAR initiated a call to action in support of a consumer notice amendment to the Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act. Each of the 38 members of the House of Representatives in the RLA territory-- Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties-- received at least one letter from an RLA member, with one member receiving 20. RLA members sent 54.1 percent (296) of the 547 letters delivered statewide from areas with a Government Affairs Director. The consumer notice amendment (HB 2631) passed the House by an overwhelming 197-2.
Essential to the effectiveness and involvement in Calls to Action is REALTOR® education and interest. The three tiers of REALTOR® organizations (NAR, PAR, and the RLA) maintain Action Centers, on their websites, to facilitate the CTAs and inform members of ongoing issues, candidates, and elections. To access these action centers, please visit:
The RLA is committed to educating its members on legislative and voter issues. We encourage members to take action for positive changes for the real estate industry in Pennsylvania and the nation. If you have any questions regarding legislative issues or grassroots initiatives, please call the RLA at 610-981-9000 or email jsridge@rlardirect.com.