Chairman’s message: A personal invitation

By Russell Berry

March 01, 2022

I extend my personal invitation for you to get involved. Come to meetings at your local association and here at Texas REALTORS®.

You might assume I set my sights on a leadership position in our association many, many years ago. After all, how else do you become chairman? But that is not my story. When I was a new member, I gave little thought to who was leading our local and state associations, what those people got out of it, or how I could join their ranks. Instead, I was focused on learning the business and gaining more clients.

So how did I get here? My path looks like many other association leaders’ journeys: While attending an event at my local association, a more experienced REALTOR® pulled me aside and said, “I think you should come to a Texas REALTORS® Conference.” So I tagged along.

I saw firsthand how our association is driven by volunteer members. I witnessed their passion and commitment to supporting REALTORS® in our businesses. I saw how members came together to discuss ideas that would shape the MLS, professional standards, business practices, and real estate laws.

I attended more meetings and legislative visits and soon volunteered to serve on a committee. Then another. And so on.

The more involved I got, the more I personally benefited. I learned so much about our industry. I have made many new business contacts—people I can ask for advice and learn from their experiences. Volunteering in the REALTOR® organization has been one of the best moves in my career.

Just as I once was asked to participate, I now extend my personal invitation for you to get involved. Come to meetings at your local association and here at Texas REALTORS®. (I hope to see you in Fort Worth in September at this year’s Texas REALTORS® conference.) I also encourage you to volunteer for a committee assignment. Signups for Texas REALTORS® committees open at the end of April. Local association committee signups usually happen toward the end of the calendar year. We should all give back to our profession by volunteering to serve.

If you’re already involved, I have a special request: Ask another REALTOR® to participate with you. Together, we will share this journey of personal growth and professional success, all while making our association the strongest it can be!

Russell Berry is 2022 chairman of Texas REALTORS®.

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