In 2001, the Johnson County Board of REALTORS® and Metro KC Association of REALTORS® merged to form the Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS® (KCRAR). This year marks the 20-year anniversary since its formation, but the process of creating KCRAR began years ahead of its inaugural year.
Representatives from each board worked together for the two years leading up to the merger on what was called the Design Team, with the goal of merging the two associations to form one large local association for the Kansas City Region.
“We had two of everything,” said Jeff Carson, Design Team member and 2002 President of KCRAR. “Two receptionists, two lockbox systems, two CEOs, two of everything. And many of our members were paying board dues to belong to both sides of the state line.”
The Design Team knew that merging these two local boards could not only save members in dues, but could also allow for even more resources and benefits for REALTORS® in the Kansas City region.
“It was very unique that two large associations came together and said, ‘We can do this,’” former KCRAR CEO Diane Ruggiero said. “’We don’t have to. We can stand on our own for a long time. But we know this would be the better thing to do for serving members.’”
The process of forming KCRAR not only took the cooperation and collaboration of the Design Team, but it also required an all-member vote, which ultimately finalized the decision to form KCRAR.
In the video below, Ruggiero and members of the Design Team who are still active members of KCRAR today share their memories of the process of forming KCRAR.
Angela Korbin • February 5, 2021 at 8:28 pm
What a Great video! It’s so Awesome to see our roots. It’s just my opinion, but I think we have the best REALTOR Association in the country. And its all because of our founders, thank you.