Democracy is very much alive and well in the upcoming CREB^® board of directors’ election. We have 17 candidates running for six positions. You will have your work cut out for you when voting starts on Thursday Nov. 9 at 3 p.m., but you will have a week to do a little research to learn more about your options. 

The candidates have put in a lot of effort to arrive at positions and prepare their materials. Honour that dedication by giving them your consideration – and then get on CREB^®Link and vote. 

This year we are trying something new and launching voting week with our inaugural Voting Day. The event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 9 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in CREB^®’s atrium. Voting opens at 3 p.m. so you can come and casually visit with the candidates, learn more about volunteer opportunities and then vote. Can’t make it? No problem! Members may vote on CREB^®Link. 

To learn more about your candidates, please review their bios and survey answers and then reach out to them if you have further questions. We all know this must be more than a popularity contest and a week (Nov. 9 to 16) to vote should give you plenty of time to make your decision. But don’t forget, once you submit your ballot you cannot change it.

Due to some by-elections in the past couple of years, we have six of 10 director positions open. From memory, these are probably both records and the only way to follow that up is with a record voter turn out. Please invest some time in the process to elect your representative. Your board of directors will work hard on your behalf to set the direction of our organization.

When you learn more about your candidates, I am sure you will be impressed by their broad experience and thoughtful approach to our challenges and opportunities.

Over the years, many members have asked me who to vote for and my answer is always the same: select the leaders who demonstrate an understanding of the role of a director, starting with how their job is not to direct so much but to govern. I am constantly impressed by the dedication of our directors and their ability to keep their eyes high on the many challenging issues they address. 

You may see names of people you respect for their business skills as a REALTOR^®, but you need to consider your options from the perspective of our Board Development and Leadership Committee. The skills needed to be a great REALTOR^® are not the same as those needed to be an effective leader. Great leaders in our business have both skill sets and you are about to be confronted with a pleasantly tough decision. As it should be.