SCARA’s REN gives fresh energy to networking for Realtors old and new
August 20-26, 2018
By Becca Bona
When Heather Higgs of iRealty Benton first became a Realtor in 2015, there was a lot to take in – obtaining proper certification, joining the South Central Arkansas Realtors Association (SCARA), and much more.
“I wasn’t on a whole lot of committees [with SCARA] through that first year because I was just learning,” she remembers.
After getting involved with the Christmas committee her second year, she decided she wanted more. At the time, Debbie Collins was also finding footing as SCARA’s new executive director.
“We had a standing committee known as YPN – Young Professionals Network – but it wasn’t very active,” Collins notes.
Nevertheless, Higgs wanted to get it off the ground. “I like a challenge,” she says. Thus, she went to work interviewing seasoned members on why they thought YPN was not successful. “I’ve roped Debbie in with me since day one, and she’s been my right hand,” laughs Higgs. “We thought about what didn’t work in the past and what we could do to change it up. One of the first things we discussed together was changing the name.”
Part of the reason YPN had gone inactive was due to an accidental exclusivity. SCARA members assumed that YPN was only for new Realtors. In 2017, however, REN (Real Estate Network) began with a new identity and new energy from Higgs and her committee.
“We started out in the first of 2017 with just the committee members coming to events,” Higgs recalls. But, as the year went on, more members began to show up. The monthly events take place at the Riviera Maya in Benton, with affiliates and Realtors alike engaged in games, food, and drinks amidst a themed gathering.
A bit like speed-dating, the events are set up for what Collins calls, “speed-networking.”
Higgs explains, “The sponsors each have to bring a stack full of cards and we number them. Each person that comes to the event has to get one of the sponsor’s cards, meaning that they have to physically talk to the sponsor. It gets the sponsors in front of people, and it gives people cards, which is how they win giveaways.”
Nowadays, 50 people or more come out to events, and there’s a waiting list for sponsors.
When REN became active, the committee chose Hearts & Homes of Arkansas, Inc., as their charitable organization. Hearts & Homes is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that was established in 2009 through the Arkansas Realtors Association to assist citizens across Arkansas who have lost their home, their office, their ability to pay for their home and/or their livelihood through a natural disaster or other catastrophic events.
You do NOT have to be a Realtor to receive money from Hearts & Homes, which is partly what attracted REN to it. “Debbie is actually the one that came up with the Hearts & Homes idea. After some research, we decided it was just the best fit for us,” says Higgs.
Last year REN raised $1500 for the organization and is on track to reach $2000 by the end of this year. Beyond events, REN sells t-shirts ($20) and beach towels to raise funds for Hearts & Homes.
To keep the events regularly fun and entertaining, Higgs relies heavily on her committee members. “I’ve got a great team. They step up 100 percent every month and do what they need to do,” she says.
Collins adds, “I would like to stress that this committee is a great cross section of representation in SCARA – it’s not just any one realty office participating.”
On Monday, Aug. 13, REN met at the Riviera Maya in Benton. Not only did the group raise $250 for Hearts & Homes of Arkansas, they also brought school supplies to be donated to area schools.
For more information on Hearts & Homes visit: https://arkansasrealtors.com/our-philanthropy/hearts-homes/.
PHOTO CAPTION:
SCARA’s REN meets the second Monday of every month for networking, food, and fun, as well as to fundraise for Hearts & Homes of Arkansas. On Monday, Aug. 13, REN raised $250 as well as collected donated school supplies at the Riviera Maya in Benton. (Photo by Becca Bona)
