To Our Valued Members, As we reach the halfway point of the year, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished together and thank you for your continued involvement in our association. The first half of the year has been filled with member engagement, advocacy, education, community support, and important conversations about the future of our industry. NCCBOR’s strength comes from our members, volunteers, affiliates, leadership, and staff, and I am grateful for the work being done across every part of our organization. We began the year with Installation at Chesapeake Inn to recognize those stepping into service and leadership within our REALTOR® community. It was an honor to celebrate NCCBOR’s leadership team and to begin the year with a shared commitment to service, professionalism, and the continued success of our association. In April, we gathered at Riverfront Events for our annual Awards Brunch, a beautiful day dedicated to honoring the professionalism, service, and dedication of our members. Each year, this event gives us the opportunity to recognize those who go above and beyond for their clients, their colleagues, their communities, and our industry. Congratulations again to all who were recognized. These awards represent some of the highest honors within our association and reflect the very best of NCCBOR: professionalism, leadership, service, integrity, and a deep commitment to the REALTOR® community. This year, NCCBOR was proud to support Battle of the Brokers as an event sponsor. The event had a great turnout and helped raise important funds for Nemours, reminding us how much impact our REALTOR® community can have when we come together for a meaningful cause. We also introduced a new take on our traditional Picnic by hosting the Summer Social at Brew Works North. The event brought members together for great food, raffle baskets, a cornhole tournament, and plenty of networking. It was wonderful to see so many members, affiliates, and industry partners connect in a relaxed summer setting. Through the generosity of our attendees, sponsors, and raffle supporters, we were also proud to raise funds in support of the Sunday Breakfast Mission’s Back-to-School Rally. Events like these are an important reminder that NCCBOR is more than a professional association. We are a community of people who care about giving back, supporting one another, and making a positive difference in New Castle County. Advocacy has remained a major priority for NCCBOR throughout the year. Our bus trip to Washington, D.C. allowed members to participate in Hill visits during NAR’s Midyear Legislative Meetings, while also completing a Module 7 course on the way down. This journey offered a unique blend of education and advocacy, helping members understand legislative issues and strengthen their skills. In D.C., they engaged with lawmakers, advocating for real estate and property rights. The experience highlighted the importance of staying informed and involved. Conversations on the return trip were filled with reflections and new ideas. This trip reinforced our collective voice and the power of community impact. At the local and state level, NCCBOR continues to remain engaged in conversations that impact real estate, housing, property rights, and our communities. Through ongoing Public Policy efforts, leadership involvement, and communication with elected officials and community leaders, we continue working to ensure that REALTOR® voices are represented when important decisions are being discussed. Looking ahead, our upcoming Meet the Candidates event will provide another opportunity for members to hear directly from local candidates and leaders on issues impacting New Castle County and the real estate industry. Events like this help keep members informed, connected, and engaged in the future of our community. RPAC outreach also continues to play a key role in strengthening REALTOR® advocacy and helping protect the future of our industry. We are looking forward to continued RPAC engagement through upcoming events, including our Taco ’Bout RPAC Pickleball event, as well as sushi and farm-to-table events later this year. Membership continues to be at the center of NCCBOR’s work. As an association, we are always evaluating how we can best support members through resources, programming, education, advocacy, communication, and access to tools that help them do business. One important operational update this year is the requirement that all primary members have a keycard. This update is part of our continued effort to improve SentriLock access and create a smoother, more consistent experience for our members. Another valuable addition this year has been FOREWARN, now available at no additional cost to all primary members. This member benefit provides REALTORS® with an added layer of confidence by helping verify the identity of prospective clients before meeting in person. As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering meaningful member value, we continue to invest in resources that not only help members grow their businesses but also support their safety and peace of mind while serving clients. As our industry continues to evolve, providing tools like FOREWARN is another way NCCBOR is working to equip members with the resources they need to succeed. We know that member value is not defined by one program or one event. It is built through every interaction, every resource, every advocacy effort, and every opportunity we provide for members to stay informed, connected, and supported. One of the most significant projects completed this year has been the full overhaul of the NCCBOR website. While much of the same important information remains available, the site has been redesigned, reorganized, and refreshed to create a more useful and accessible member resource. The updated website features improved navigation, more detailed and organized content, refreshed design elements, and a stronger overall user experience. We have also begun creating more robust event detail pages that provide members with clearer information, easier access to registration details, and a more interactive way to engage with upcoming programs and opportunities. This project reflects our continued commitment to improving communication, modernizing member resources, and making it easier for members to find the information they need. Building for the Future Much of this year has also been focused on building for the future of NCCBOR. Through Board of Directors meetings, committee work, member feedback, leadership conversations, and ongoing staff efforts, we are continuing to evaluate how our association can grow, adapt, and remain a strong resource for members in a changing industry. Our goals remain focused on improving communication, increasing committee engagement, strengthening affiliate involvement, enhancing our public policy presence, modernizing member resources, increasing event participation, and creating more opportunities for transparency and connection between leadership and membership. Our General Membership Meeting on September 9 will provide another important opportunity to bring members together, share updates, and continue meaningful conversations about the future of our association. We are also pleased to welcome Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist with Bright MLS, who will provide valuable insight into the market and the economic trends impacting our members and the real estate industry. Our Affiliate members continue to be essential partners in NCCBOR’s success. Their involvement, sponsorship, event support, and continued engagement help strengthen our association and provide valuable connections for our REALTOR® members. We are grateful for the ongoing work of our Affiliate Council and for every affiliate partner who continues to invest time, energy, and resources into NCCBOR. From event sponsorships to networking opportunities, our affiliates play an important role in helping us create meaningful programming and valuable member experiences. Looking ahead, we are excited for several Affiliate Council opportunities, including the upcoming Happy Hour at Crooked Hammock, as well as future events. These programs give our members and affiliates a chance to connect, build relationships, and continue strengthening the community that makes NCCBOR so special. Looking Ahead As we move into the second half of the year, there is still so much to look forward to. We will continue focusing on advocacy, membership value, RPAC engagement, public policy, professional development, affiliate partnerships, and opportunities for members to connect. The months ahead will bring more events, more conversations, and more opportunities to build on the momentum we have created together. I encourage every member to stay involved, attend upcoming programs, participate in committees, support advocacy efforts, and take advantage of the resources available through NCCBOR. Thank you for your continued membership, participation, and trust in NCCBOR. Whether you attended an event, served on a committee, supported RPAC, sponsored a program, participated in advocacy efforts, or simply stayed engaged, your involvement matters. I am proud of what we have accomplished so far this year, and I look forward to what we will continue building together.