The National Association of REALTORS® Midyear meetings are in full swing, with REALTORS® from across the country meeting in Washington, D.C. this week. Your ECAR leadership is attending NAR committee meetings and meeting with the entire Florida congressional delegation.

This year, for the first time ever, NAR President Moe Veissi has organized a rally to "Protect the American Dream." Florida REALTORS® will be well represented at this rally at the National Mall on Thursday, May 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. EST. Starting Wednesday afternoon, the REALTOR® Rally website will morph into a Virtual Rally site for all REALTORS® who can't be in Washington for this historic event.

You can show your support and participate online by clicking here: http://mail.ecaor.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.realtoractioncenter.com/realtor-rally/ starting during the afternoon of May 16.

ECAR members are among the best around, and we want you to be recognized among your peers across the state. Florida Realtors® is accepting nominations for their 2012 Awards. If you know of someone who fits any of these categories, submit their name to ECAR so we can help them be recognized by Florida Realtors® for their contributions. *Self-nominations are encouraged, too.*

Individual Education Achievement Award – Individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the educational needs of Association members at the local, district, state, and national levels for the past five years. Awarded by Florida Realtors at Florida Realtors Convention in August.

Realtor® Environmental Award (ENVY) – Showcases residential OR commercial developments that celebrate Florida’s natural quality of life; residential developments must have a minimum of 30 units located in Florida and be available for marketing with a model home. Awarded by Florida Realtors at Florida Realtors Convention in August.

Newcomer Award – Newcomers have been Realtor® members for 3 years or less (as of May 31, 2012) with contributions at the state association; a high level of ethics and spirit of cooperation; community service; and a commitment to professional development. Awarded by Florida Realtors at Florida Realtors Convention in August.

Humanitarian Award – The Humanitarian Award focuses on Realtor® contributions through volunteerism within the community; honorees typically dedicate their time to one project or organization. Awarded by Florida Realtors at Florida Realtors Convention in August.

Realtor® Achievement Award – Honoring the one Realtor® (broker of record, manager, or officer of a company) who contributed the most to their community, local association, state association, and national association over the past three years. Awarded by Florida Realtors at Florida Realtors Convention in August.

Commercial Realtor® Achievement – Honoring a Realtor®, based on lifetime contributions to the commercial activities of their local association, state association, national association, and contributions to the community. Awarded by Florida Realtors at Florida Realtors Convention in August.

Associate Realtor® of the Year – Honoring an Associate Realtor® (serving their company as a salesperson) based on the nominee’s lifetime contributions to the local association, state association, national association, and community. Awarded by Florida Realtors at Florida Realtors Convention in August.

Realtor® of the Year – Honoring a Realtor®, based on the nominee’s lifetime contributions to their local association, state association, national association, and community. Awarded by Florida Realtors at Florida Realtors Convention in August.

Let us know who you think qualifies for any of these awards. Submit your nominations to Michaela at michaela@ecaor.com or 850-243-6145 by June 1, 2012.