Hopefully, my story and pathway to leadership within RESA can help my fellow stagers to really think about stepping up to the plate and get involved.
January 2017, my first time at RESACON was so exciting, fun and work. What I mean by work is, we had to tune our minds into what was offered to us in preparation of having a successful business, by attending the various workshops, and listening to guest speakers that poured out their stories and experiences. I volunteered as a Door Greeter then and again in 2018. I joined my local Women’s Council of Realtors by volunteering my time to help sponsor events, and even spoke before the realtors and special guests.
In 2019 I applied for leadership within my RESA Greater Capital Area Chapter (2020 RESA Chapter Of The Year) and became VP of Membership, a role I took very serious. I helped our chapter grow by at least 14 new members that year and it was my commitment, dedication and time management to do that task and do it well. I even participated and extended leadership skills and knowledge to our newly established neighboring RESA Greater Baltimore Chapter.
To be an effective leader you must:
1) Provide a Vision for your chapter and assuring that it lines up with RESA’s Vision 
2) Establish some sort of organizational structure & communication protocols
3) Be a role model
4) Inspire & motivate
5) Having effective time management
6) If you wear the title of your position, know that you have to roll up your sleeves and do the work
If you feel you don’t have what it takes but would like the opportunity to serve within your prospective chapters, there’s always a class on leadership and management skills made available to you at your local community colleges for a small fee, or go online and there are free courses you can take. You have to invest in yourself and know you can do it. There is a whole real estate industry out there that really needs us and our expertise, so be a part of the solution and not the problem by not letting your voices be heard and how being in leadership will make a difference.
Due to my leadership role, I served as Volunteer Co-Chair of RESACON 2019 and was responsible for overseeing 40 volunteers, the largest ever, and that speaks volumes. Recently during this year’s Virtual RESACON, I was proud to be among the Real Estate Industry Most Influential and I thank all of you that voted for me. Oh, by the way my leadership within RESA has equipped me to be offered a position as Director of Membership for the Prince George’s County Maryland Women’s Council of Realtors.
Also, through my CSP certification training program, I continue to serve as a CSP Approved Mentor and Good Will Ambassador not only to my CSP colleagues, but to all other stagers and professionals, who need guidance and direction as they grow their business. So you see, leadership goes above and beyond.
I challenge each of you in your existing leadership roles if you are going to run in your same positions, or those who are stepping up, know that you can do it and make a difference. Let’s not let this pandemic get the best of us. You must strive and do all you can for your chapter, yourselves and our real estate community. The sky is the limit to what you can do!
Best of luck to RESA Leaders of the Class of 2021 and beyond. I’m available if you would like to contact me at yolanda.tillman@starpower.net and by phone at 202-309-2115.
Sincerely, Yolanda Tillman
Learn more about RESA Elections here.
- Announcing Our First RESA Ambassador - October 5, 2021
- Diversity is being invited to the party; Inclusion is being asked to dance - October 5, 2020
- An Open Letter From RESA Leader Yolanda Tillman - September 25, 2020
