State Political Coordinator
Applications will be open October 15th – November 15th – email will be sent to all members with link to apply.
Program Purpose
In order to assist CAR’s legislative advocacy efforts, the State Political Coordinator (SPC) program has been created. It is a grass-tops network establishing one REALTOR® as a SPC for each Colorado State Legislator. SPCs will be activated and called upon at strategic moments to help influence state legislators on issues impacting the Colorado Association of REALTORS®. CAR’s political power stems from our tens of thousands of members across the state, re-launching the SPC program will advance CAR’s advocacy efforts as a unified voice at the Capitol.
What is a State Political Coordinator (SPC)?
A State Political Coordinator is a REALTOR® who serves as grass-tops liaison between a member of the Colorado General Assembly and the Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR). The SPC will build and strengthen a relationship on a year-round basis between themselves and the state legislator so they become a trusted source of information about CAR positions, issues that affect the real estate industry, market dynamics and conditions, and other important topics.
The SPC is a voluntary (non-paid) position that will serve under the direction of the CAR Government Affairs Staff. CAR staff will not assign REALTOR members who did not apply to be an SPC without discussing with respective local association and realtor member.
What are the Responsibilities of a State Political Coordinator?
Roles and Responsibilities of a State Political Coordinator
- Build and strengthen a professional relationship with the assigned State Representative or State Senator and their staff year-round. An SPC can do this by:
- Exchanging contact information with the assigned legislator to establish two-way communications and for the legislator to contact the SPC.
- Sending the legislator CAR marketing materials (newsletter, stats, market updates, On Common Ground magazine, etc.).
- Meeting with the assigned legislator at least quarterly, if not more often.
- Acknowledging key birthdays, anniversaries, and important personal dates of the assigned legislator if known.
- Attend and support political events (i.e., roundtables, town halls, fundraisers, etc.) for the legislator in the district.
- Inviting them to local board events in coordination with the local association (general membership meetings, installations, legislative town halls, etc.).
- Speak with a unified voice in support of CAR’s bill positions, mission statement, and strategic plan.
- Participate in Training/Monthly Check-Ins as Required
- All SPCs must complete the required training. Newly appointed SPCs will participate in the new member training. Training opportunities will be available throughout the year through webinars and in-person sessions.
- Monthly Meetings will be held routinely.
- Time commitment:
- At least four hours per month during the legislative session (January – May) and two hours per month outside of the legislative session reaching out to the assigned legislator to continue relationship building.
- Provide quarterly reports on SPC activity.
- Assist in engaging local members to participate in Calls for Action (CFAs).
- Learn and observe activities related to real estate in the Legislator’s district.
- Become an advocate in the Legislator’s district for issues important to REALTORS® (property rights, smart growth, land use, etc.).
- Establish and reinforce CAR and the local REALTOR® board in the district as the experts in real estate information (stats, housing trends, economic data, smart growth/land use resources, local market perspectives, real estate related public policy around the state/country, etc.).
- Attend CAR meetings when appropriate.
- REALTOR® Day at the Capitol
- Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) Meetings (attend in person or virtually)
- Monthly SPC Info Sessions (likely virtual meetings)
- Contribute to RPAC. Though not mandatory, an annual investment in RPAC by the SPC demonstrates their belief in the efforts of CAR’s advocacy program.
- Act as spokesperson for CAR only when specifically directed by CAR Government Affairs staff.
- Sign and Return Pledge Form
- The Pledge is an agreement between the appointed SPC and CAR. By signing the form, the SPC agrees to carry out their duties to the best of their ability and acknowledges they can be removed for failure to fulfill the role.
- Care about their industry
- Want to be active in advancing our public policy goals
- Can separate their own personal views if and when they differ from CAR’s positions
- Are willing to be active in the legislator’s campaign for reelection
- Are willing to build relationships, even if they don’t previously know the elected official
- Have the support of their local association of REALTORS®
Having a relationship already with the legislator is a plus, but not a requirement. Similarly, you don’t need to be the same member of the legislator’s political party, but it is an advantage. The best SPCs are those members who:
How Will CAR Train and Support State Political Coordinators?
CAR conducts periodic training for SPCs. This training will focus on:
- Contact management training similar to REALTOR®/client management techniques
- Tailored education (when necessary) of a SPC’s assigned official and their legislative district (market data, personality of the official, current political climate, past public policy wins and losses, etc)
- How policy is made at the state level (State Legislative “Civics 101”)
- Specific tools and resources available from CAR and NAR to the SPC and to public officials (SPC Manual, CAR annual reports, LPC positions, etc.)
- REALTOR® public policy goals and talking points regarding upcoming issues
- “Spokesperson Training Lite” to assist a Key Contact with preparing and delivering testimony when necessary
- Information on where and how to look for relevant information on public websites/agendas/public emails/etc.
