News & Events

Leadership Express Newsletter

Leadership Express

Get ready to handle unexpected staff interruptions

If your association’s CEO had to leave unexpectedly, the board had better be prepared! Every association needs a CEO Contingency Plan – a set of procedures that defines how your association will continue its critical functions.

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What drives your association?

As Melynn Sight travels across North America, she sees a wide range of interpretations of the strategic governing definitions that guide an association. In this video, Melynn explains the top three elements that should drive all association decisions: mission, vision and member value proposition.

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Zillow and the Future of Technology

After his REALiTY Conference session, Errol Samuelson, Chief Industry Development Officer for Zillow Group, dropped by to talk about Zillow, how it’s looking at the Canadian market, and how app-based, smart technology is set to change the way we go about doing business in real estate.

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June

Get ready to handle unexpected staff interruptions

Read Article

What drives your association?

Watch Video

Zillow and the Future of Technology

Watch Video

May

Advice for a new board member

There’s no better advice than that from someone who has walked in your shoes. Listen to these tips from volunteers who have served on a board of directors – it’s top-of-mind advice that can help you hit the ground running as a new board member.

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Are you fulfilling your duty of confidentiality?

Board members have a fiduciary duty to maintain confidentiality. This video explains what that duty entails and what types of information board members need to keep confidential.

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The changing Ontario real estate landscape

After his REALiTY Conference session, Phil Soper, CEO of Royal LePage, dropped in to share insights about market and economic drivers we’re seeing here in our province. From inter-provincial migration to Peak Millennials, Phil talks about the prominent drivers and how they’re changing our Canadian real estate landscape.

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April

The three key responsibilities of a board of directors

Juanita Gledhill has learned about board leadership from both sides: as a volunteer on a board of directors and as a staff leader. In this video, Juanita describes the three key responsibilities of a board: stewardship, oversight and accountability.

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What to expect when joining a committee

We asked volunteers to answer the question, what surprised you most when you joined a committee? Their answers provide insights into what you might expect and how you can prepare to fulfill your role as a new committee member.

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Should you start a real estate team?

After his REALiTY Conference session, Kelley Skar, REALTOR® and CEO of Redline Real Estate Group, dropped in and shared three reasons why you should (or shouldn’t) start your own real estate team.

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March

How Committees Are Structured

Association committees, task forces and working groups each serve a different purpose. Ensure you understand important aspects of how committees are structures in this short video tutorial.

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Making and Amending Motions Job Aid

Just learning how to make and amend motions? Or do you still get mixed up when someone wants to amend an amendment? This quick reference job aid will help you make and amend motions like a pro.

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Top 10 Ways to Renew Your Volunteer Gene Pool

If your association is struggling with getting volunteers, then this is a must read blog by Ken Anderson. He shares his top 10 ways to attract engaged volunteers.

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February

Cheat sheet for meeting participants

Have you ever been in a meeting and been concerned that proper meeting procedures weren’t being followed? That can derail a meeting and waste valuable time. Even as a meeting participant, there is something you can do. Find out how you can speak up and help get a meeting back on track.

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Learn to handle conflicts of interest

When you sit on a board of directors or committee, it’s important to understand what a conflict of interest is and when you might be in one. This short video will help you identify when your interests conflict with those of the association and what to do about it.

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Elevate your status as a REALTOR®

On March 8th, elevate your status as a REALTOR® by sharpening your professional skills through OREA’s leadership courses. Leadership 200 will help accelerate your association leadership skills while Leadership 300 will strengthen your skills to become a better association leader.

Course Registration

January

Is this your year for volunteering?

Volunteering at your local real estate association is a great way to develop your skills, network with other REALTORS® and give back to your profession. Sandra Kirkland shares some of the many ways she’s benefited by volunteering – and how you can benefit too.

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The basics of amending motions

Many board chairpersons get tripped up when it’s time to address an amendment to a motion. Learn the basic steps for amending motions at a board of directors or committee meeting by watching this short animated video.

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Amending motions in action

Want to see the basics of amending motions in action? This brief demo illustrates each step as it would play out in a board or committee meeting. It demonstrates the proper procedure for handling amendments and avoiding any confusion.

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December

The Basics of Making Motions

As you head into a new year of volunteering, it’s a great time to nail down the proper procedures for making, debating and voting on motions. This short video is a great way to learn or refresh your knowledge.

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Making Motions in Action

Want to see the basics of making motions in action? This brief demo illustrates each step as it would play out in a board or committee meeting. It demonstrates how participants and chairpersons can ensure balanced discussion and following proper procedures.

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Crazy Busy

If you’ve agreed to take on the responsibility of chairing a non-profit or community group, it’s possible you’re going to be faced with many requests for your time. Before you go crazy, read this blog post about some of the do’s and don’ts for balancing your time as a volunteer leader.

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November

Developing Authentic Leaders

If you’re responsible for developing leaders at your organization, you’ll want to listen to this interview. Teal McAteer discusses how important it is to help people become authentic leaders who understand who they are and what kind of leaders they want to be.

Listen Now

Five Myths about Parliamentary Procedure

There are many misconceptions about parliamentary procedures such as Robert’s Rules of Order. Check and see if you might be falling for some of these myths about parliamentary procedure. This knowledge might come in useful at your next board or committee meeting.

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It’s Easy to Lead When the Going is Good

But what about when conflict rears its ugly head and you’re in the hot seat? That’s when leaders rely on their skills and principles to get them through. If you want to improve how you handle discord, you might want to apply these Principles for Leading through Conflict.

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October

Bring Order to Your Meetings

There is nothing more frustrating than poorly run meetings. Associations can dial down the frustration level by implementing meeting ground rules. These are rules or guidelines that the group agrees to abide by for every meeting.

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Committee Terms of Reference

It’s important that committees and task forces are given clear direction. This short video shows how association committees and task forces are defined through their mandate or terms of reference. This is one of a four-video series of Just-in-Time Learning videos that you can use to train new committee members.

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Powerful Questions for the Boardroom

Board members may find it challenging to keep their discussions at the strategic level. It’s easy to slip into operational discussions that are best left for staff. Here’s a great tool to help directors ask the questions that really matter.

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September

7 Questions That Lead Boards to Better Decisions

If your board or committee wants to make better decisions, try considering using these 7 key questions to guide your discussions. They seem simple, but they hold the key to ensuring that your decisions are focused, strategic and carefully considered.

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A wealth of resources available on new OREA website

How do you manage conflicts? How can you build better relationships? If you’re looking for ways to be a more effective volunteer, be sure to check out the new Skills Development for Volunteers section on orea.com. A wide array of videos, interviews, articles and tools are available on some of the most common volunteer topics.

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Tough Talking: Initiating and Managing Difficult Conversations

If you’ve ever said something in anger that you wish you could take back, you’re in good company. Many of us get drawn into conflict and then blunder our way through a difficult conversation. In this short interview, Mary Byers discusses how to start and maintain uncomfortable discussions in a way that is non-threatening and leads to better understanding.

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June

Getting the message out through social media

Know your audience – this is a communication mantra for ensuring the right message reaches the right audience. This also applies to social media. But, there’s another mantra you should add to your social media communication arsenal – narrow casting. Watch the video to learn more about this new communication strategy.

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IQ gets you hired EQ gets you promoted

How well you understand and manage your emotions may determine how successful you will be in your professional and personal relationships. EQ, or emotional intelligence, is the ability to manage your emotions so you can achieve the results you want and take your career to the next level. Listen to the podcast and learn what you can do to increase your EQ.

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What’s in a name? Everything!

The truth is, Shakespeare was wrong. A name is not an artificial and meaningless convention, as Juliet told Romeo. Remembering a person’s name shortly after meeting him/her demonstrates that you are interested and were paying attention. But, some individuals have trouble remembering people’s names. Read the blog and learn five practical tips on how to forever etch someone’s name in your memory bank.

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May

Listening to improve communication

Open your ears and close your mouth – that's the first rule for becoming a better communicator. And, being a better listener means you will be a better communicator. To improve your listening skills, you will also need to know how to focus on what’s being said and not become distracted by other interferences. Watch the video to learn the top three tips for effective listening.

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Managing negative naysayers on your team

You’ve heard the saying – there’s no 'I" in teamwork. But, not everyone follows this saying. Some individuals who sit on committees enjoy being contrary or taking contradictory positions for no good reason. Read the article by Roger Turcotte, a facilitator with NAR’s REALTOR® Leadership Program, and learn four practical steps on how to remedy “contrary” behaviour.

Virtual meetings: Troubleshooting technical issues

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April

More than just minute takers

Staff liaisons are more than just minute takers. They ensure their committees function smoothly by providing orientation to and helping committee chairs execute their administrative duties. Review this resource and get to know what your staff liaison does.

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Save time with consent agendas

Committees are the lifeblood of an association such as yours. One of the key roles of a committee is to make recommendations to the board of directors. Watch this short video and learn about committee mandates and the processes committees use to make recommendations.

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Virtual meetings: Facilitating blindly

Facilitating virtual meetings requires special skills because there’s no face-to-face communication between the facilitator and the participants. In this third of a three-part series, you will learn the strategies on how to engage participants in a virtual environment.

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March

How committees advise the board

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Media Interviews - Don't wing it

A consent agenda saves time during meetings because it enables the board of directors to approve items without discussion or individual motions. Watch the video to learn how consent agendas work and how to incorporate these time-savers into your meetings.

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Save time with consent agendas

Whether you believe virtual meetings are a godsend or a nuisance, they are part of the current communication culture. And, while there are benefits to hosting virtual meetings, challenges and obstacles still remain. In this first of a three-part series, learn about the why, the when, and the how of virtual meetings.

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February

A REALTOR speaks out about volunteering

Steve Kotan has volunteered for committees at the local, provincial, and national level. In this blog post, he shares how he has enhanced his career through volunteering. Steve has gained both personally and professionally as he developed his skills, made important new connections, and gave back to his profession.

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Manage change successfully

If you need to manage change in your organization and want to ensure it’s successful, listen to the top three tips from Alain Rabeau, of the Intersol Group. In this short video, Alain details the three tips – (1) align policies and structures; (2) train and coach people; (3) deal with resistors – and how to implement them successfully.

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January

Preparing for your first committee meeting

Congratulations to those of you who have stepped up to volunteer to serve on a committee. Whether you’re volunteering with your local association or a community group, it’s helpful to get a sense of what will happen at the meeting and how you can prepare. This video is one in a series of short tutorials that gives you what you need to know to be an effective committee member.

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Welcome new directors!

In January, many real estate associations welcome new members onto their board of directors. If you are one of those new directors, you’ll want to read this Open Letter to the New Director. This message from an Executive Officer can help give you the focus you need to succeed, from words of advice on what you can do before your first meeting, to how you can support current and future leaders.

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December

How to control meeting discussions

It is the responsibility of the chairperson to maintain control of a meeting while ensuring that everyone can share and oppose ideas without intimidation. At times, doing that is pretty simple. At other times, it’s a real challenge. This video demonstrates how a chairperson controls debate on a motion at a board of directors or committee meeting. And it shows how that chairperson regains control when things go awry.

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Leadership lessons from our CEO

Our CEO of 16 years, Edward Barisa, retired earlier this month. Ed has sat on both sides of associations – as a board member and as the chief staff officer. In this blog post, Ed shares how he learned his most important leadership lessons.

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Tips to plan a change initiative

In our world of constant change, we’re all looking for ways to better lead change initiatives in our organizations. In this short video, Alain Rabeau with the Intersol Group shares his top tips on how to plan a change initiative. He addresses the personal side of change, taking charge of the change narrative and understanding the unique nature of change.

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November

A tool to help make good board decisions

Bus.People in Boardroom_Leadership Express_Dec 3

Making decisions at the board level is no easy feat. Diverse perspectives, various levels of risk tolerance and complicated data can make group decision making quite challenging. Here’s a tool that can help your board focus on making the best decisions possible for your members. The Group Decision Making Tool is used for making major planning, urgent or important decisions. It helps ensure due diligence and builds consensus as the group discusses options and shares opinions.

Going paperless and reaping the benefits

Do you want to use a tablet to be more effective but are hesitant to start? In this short video interview, John-Ross Parks shares how he used his tablet to move from a paper-based to a paperless business, and has never looked back. He shares his tips on how to get started and what can be gained for you and your clients. John-Ross Parks is a REALTOR® and a volunteer in the REALTOR® community.

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Your values drive your leadership decisions

Have you defined the values that drive you as a leader? That is just one of the leadership tips shared by Drew Dudley in our most recent Top 3 Tips video. Drew is the Founder and Chief Catalyst of Nuance Leadership Development Services. In this short video he also shares his approach to conflict that focuses on elevating, not escalating.

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October

Don't be afraid to ask

If you serve on an association committee or board of directors, one of your main responsibilities is to ask questions. Lots of questions. But many of us hesitate to ask questions for fear that we’ll look stupid. Here are helpful tips from governance coach Lyn McDonell on how to ask those important questions.

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Improve your association's performance

Are you striving to achieve the best value for your members? This video might help. Erin Roberts, Partner at Zzeem, discusses how an association can become a High Performance Organization (HPO). She outlines the importance of applying HPO principles and how this helps an association prepare for success.

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Volunteers gain while they give

Throughout the REALTOR® community, boards and associations are seeking members to volunteer on committees, work groups and task forces. REALTORS® tell us they reap many rewards when they volunteer, including expanding their network, advancing their skills and making a difference to the industry they love. If you’re not convinced, watch this.

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September

3 Tips for Successful Presentations

We’re excited to launch a new video series with tips from leadership experts. In this first ‘Top 3 Tips’ video, Brin Sharp shares his advice for making your presentations engaging and on-target. It’s all about the 3 Ps: purpose, people and process.

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A Volunteer Speaks Out About Recruitment

As autumn approaches, our minds focus on the recruitment of new volunteers for next year’s committees and boards of directors. If you are going to be approaching others with the idea of volunteering, here is some valuable advice from a longtime volunteer.

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When a motion isn't worthy

Most motions require a seconder before they can be discussed at a meeting. At times, a motion is made that no one at the meeting thinks is worthy of discussion. So, what does a board member do? Second the motion just to support the motioner? But that could waste everyone’s time. Here’s what you can do instead.

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June

Handling amendments to motions - first things first

It’s easy to get confused when voting on amendments to motions. If an amendment is defeated, what happens to the main motion? If an amendment is passed, does that mean the main motion is passed as well? To get many of your questions answered, watch this video (2:33) on the proper order for handling amendments.

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One piece of advice for real estate association leaders

Listen to three association leaders as they share their one piece of advice for real estate association leaders (4:58). Jack Shand, Brad Quinn and Erin Roberts discuss the need to adopt future thinking, understand financial forecasting and the importance of raising the bar.

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When leadership gets stuck in the weeds

Directors are elected to lead, be visionary and place the organization in a position that prepares for the future. So when directors get overly focused on the details of the day-to-day operation of the association, they stray from their responsibilities. In this blog post, Bill Shepherd, Executive Director OREA Centre for Leadership Development discusses the impact when leaders get into the weeds.

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May

Listening to improve communication

Watch Video

Managing negative naysayers on your team

Virtual meetings: Troubleshooting technical issues

Read Article

April

More than just minute takers

Read Article

Save time with consent agendas

Watch Video

Virtual meetings: Facilitating blindly

Read Article

February

A REALTOR speaks out about volunteering

Read Article

Manage change successfully

Watch Video

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News & Events

Leadership Express Newsletter

Leadership Express

Get ready to handle unexpected staff interruptions

What drives your association?

Zillow and the Future of Technology

Get Our Newsletter

Past Issues

Get ready to handle unexpected staff interruptions

What drives your association?

Zillow and the Future of Technology

Advice for a new board member

Are you fulfilling your duty of confidentiality?

The changing Ontario real estate landscape

The three key responsibilities of a board of directors

What to expect when joining a committee

Should you start a real estate team?

How Committees Are Structured

Making and Amending Motions Job Aid

Top 10 Ways to Renew Your Volunteer Gene Pool

Cheat sheet for meeting participants

Learn to handle conflicts of interest

Elevate your status as a REALTOR®

Is this your year for volunteering?

The basics of amending motions

Amending motions in action

The Basics of Making Motions

Making Motions in Action

Crazy Busy

Developing Authentic Leaders

Five Myths about Parliamentary Procedure

It’s Easy to Lead When the Going is Good

Bring Order to Your Meetings

Committee Terms of Reference

Powerful Questions for the Boardroom

7 Questions That Lead Boards to Better Decisions

A wealth of resources available on new OREA website

Tough Talking: Initiating and Managing Difficult Conversations

Getting the message out through social media

IQ gets you hired EQ gets you promoted

What’s in a name? Everything!

Listening to improve communication

Managing negative naysayers on your team

Virtual meetings: Troubleshooting technical issues

More than just minute takers

Save time with consent agendas

Virtual meetings: Facilitating blindly

How committees advise the board

Media Interviews - Don't wing it

Save time with consent agendas

A REALTOR speaks out about volunteering

Manage change successfully

Preparing for your first committee meeting

Welcome new directors!

How to control meeting discussions

Leadership lessons from our CEO

Tips to plan a change initiative

A tool to help make good board decisions

Going paperless and reaping the benefits

Your values drive your leadership decisions

Don't be afraid to ask

Improve your association's performance

Volunteers gain while they give

3 Tips for Successful Presentations

A Volunteer Speaks Out About Recruitment

When a motion isn't worthy

Handling amendments to motions - first things first

One piece of advice for real estate association leaders

When leadership gets stuck in the weeds

Listening to improve communication

Managing negative naysayers on your team

Virtual meetings: Troubleshooting technical issues

More than just minute takers

Save time with consent agendas