Just 3: Featuring MIBOR President Debbie Morris

Recently we introduced a new feature to the blog called “JUST 3”. Periodically we’ll pose just three questions to someone who has something insightful to say about the MIBOR Centennial and the history of the real estate industry. We hope you enjoy their perspectives. If you want share you’re JUST 3 thoughts, let us know. Email Claire Belby with your ideas! 

Today we hear from Debbie Morris, 2012 MIBOR President. Being President in this milestone year offers a certain perspective. Here’s Debbie’s JUST 3…


What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given about working as a REALTOR®?   
Treat every client as if they're your only client.

Describe a REALTOR® in three words.   
Trusted. Resourceful. Advisor    

What has been the most surprising thing about your (almost) year as MIBOR President?  
Having served as a Director and Officer, I knew that I would enjoy the Presidency, I just underestimated how much I would enjoy it. Steve Sullivan and the staff ensure that I'm prepared for the various meetings and media appearances so that I've been able to enjoy each opportunity. MIBOR Staff, the directors, and members have been so supportive during our very special Centennial Year, and I will step down in December with even more pride and respect for our association and its members than I had before!

Did you know?

MIBOR wasn't always MIBOR. In 1979, the Indianapolis Real Estate Board merged with surrounding counties resulting in a new name and logo for the organization.

Here is a look at the logo:

"Former Board President John Lewis recalled the shift, 'There was a big push from the Hamilton County Board, and that's what really made us decide to open up. Hamilton County was an attractive area to market real estate, and we wanted to be a part of that just as just as the Hamilton County Board wanted to work freely with the Indianapolis Board. So that was our first merger. From that point, it didn't really take long to realize the benefits of expansion outside all areas of Marion County. Soon we were merging with Johnson County, Hendricks County, and so on." -- excerpt from REALTORS®: Opening Doors for 100 Years.

JUST 3...

Starting today, we are introducing a new feature to the blog called “JUST 3”. Periodically we’ll pose just three questions to someone who has something insightful to say about the MIBOR Centennial and the history of the real estate industry. We hope you enjoy their perspectives. If you want share you’re JUST 3 thoughts, let us know. Email Claire Belby with your ideas. 

Today we start at the source of your association’s quintessential history, Todd Gould. Todd is an award-winning author and television producer/director. A graduate of the IU School of Telecommunications, he has produced documentaries and features for PBS, ESPN, the BBC, The Learning Channel and other national and international video distribution outlets. He is a 18-time Emmy Award winner and a six-time winner of the Indiana Film Society Award for “Best Documentary”. He is the author of REALTORS® Opening Doors for 100 Years and the producer of the video documentary of the same name (hint...available for sale in the REALTOR® Store). He is your historian and here are his JUST 3:

Did you have any professional experience telling the story of real estate or trade associations before taking on this project?

While I had done several historical projects that explored the history of the city of Indianapolis in a variety of videos and publications, I had never examined the growth of the city in such a dynamic and diverse way as when we first began doing research work on the MIBOR history project. It has been fascinating to learn how the social and cultural history of our city was shaped largely by the men and women of the real estate industry, and how cultural, social and political leaders followed this visionary blueprint for success that created the booming city and its amenities, which we all enjoy today.

What was similar about the MIBOR history to other projects you’ve worked on?

Typically with any interesting and expansive history such as this, there are a number of influential leaders and intriguing characters who share in the trials and triumphs of the industry and help chart a course for the future and shaped the who we are as Hoosiers and residents of the city of Indianapolis. The same holds true here. From James S. Cruse, the first president of the Indianapolis Real Estate Board in 1912, to other influential leaders with names like Tucker, Binford, McClain, Booth, Justus, Savage, Carr/Boyd, Graves, Hirt and many, many others, MIBOR has enjoyed a history as rich and colorful as any about which I've ever researched and published works.

What was the most surprising thing you learned about REALTORS® while writing the book or producing the video?

I was very impressed with the many, many ways in which real estate professionals played such a critical role in the development of the city. From the rise of an industrial power, to the growth of neighborhoods, to civil rights, to women's suffrage, to the rebirth of a city's identity, REALTORS® had a tremendous influence on each of these important areas of our city's growth. Their history parallels the history of all of us who proudly call Indianapolis "home." 

Then and Now...

The times may change, but some traditions live on. They just evolve. Check out this picture from a MIBOR Annual Ball of yesteryear compared to the 2012 event. Can you guess the year in our first photo?  

Looking Forward...on Public Education

This year, as we celebrate our centennial, we have had the opportunity to look back on our years of service, on the evolution of the real estate industry, on economic development, neighborhood development and the overall growth of our region.  Through this blog, we have reflected on our achievements, on the challenges we have faced and on the role we have played in our communities.

However, we aren’t just looking back this year – we’re also looking forward. What will the next 10, 50 and 100 years bring? What will our role be as our region continues to grow and change?

A few days ago we launched the MIBOR Membership Survey, which is conducted twice a year and provides valuable member feedback on the services provided to members. We use the results to evaluate performance and guide resource allocation for each budget cycle. For the current survey period, we have streamlined the questions and have for the first time we’ve included questions about an important and timely issue – public education. The questions are focused on member opinions related to public education and MIBOR’s role in advocating in this area. We know that education is critically important to your customers and their housing decisions, and we are eager to know your thoughts.

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take the time to fill out the membership survey, which has already been sent to your inbox.

We also welcome you to share your thoughts by posting a comment on this blog. Below are two of the questions that are included in the survey.

1) On which sources do you believe buyers rely for information about schools? 

               1.  REALTOR®           4.      Co-workers / Employers

               2.  Family members     5.      Other sources

               3.  Friends                6.      DON’T KNOW

2) To what extent should MIBOR be involved in the area of education policy?

            1.      Extremely involved     4.      Not very involved

            2.      Very involved            5.      Not at all involved

            3.      Somewhat involved    6.      DON’T KNOW

Answer these questions and provide any other thoughts by clicking “comments” below!

Then and Now...

With the release of the iPhone 5 today, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at one of the first ‘mobile’ phones. 

Remember this?

Wow, we've come a long way, haven’t we?

From paper listing cards to the BLC® Listing Service, from bag phones to smart phones, and so much more - REALTORS® have embraced the many changes in the technology world over the years. 

Did any of you carry a bag phone with you in your early years in the industry? What other changes in technology have impacted the way you do business? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 

Looking Back at the Evolution of Giving Back

In 1984, the REALTOR® Foundation was established as the philanthropic arm of the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTORS® (MIBOR) to provide real estate professionals in central Indiana opportunities to give back to the community that has continuously supported our industry.

Last week’s REALTOR® Foundation Awareness Week gave us an opportunity to look back at the impact so many dedicated volunteers have made. It’s inspiring to think about the individuals and families who have been helped — and in turn helped themselves — to achieve a better life through assistance from organizations like the REALTOR® Foundation. A culture of giving back defines central Indiana, and the real estate community is honored to be a small part.

The foundation’s early efforts focused on neighborhood revitalization and beautification, including an annual event remembered fondly among area REALTORS® called Brighten Up Indy. We also worked with Indy Parks for several years rebuilding and revitalizing neighborhood parks throughout the city. But it was a conscious choice made a decade ago that has created lasting impact.

By 2001, the foundation had reached a plateau, both in fundraising and member engagement. We knew then we had to find a new mission that would re-energize and engage real estate professionals to make an even greater impact in the community.

A United Way presentation on homelessness came at just the right time. We were all touched after learning about the many different segments of the homeless population, especially children aging out of the foster care system. Around that same time, then-Mayor Bart Peterson released the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention’s “Blueprint to End Homelessness,” and a concentrated effort to end homelessness in Marion County solidified.

Our new mission was clear.

A decade ago in the fall of 2002, we dedicated our fundraising efforts solely to the issue of homelessness and began educating ourselves on the complexities of the issue and the needs of the homeless population.

That same year, we gave our first two $25,000 grants to organizations that were — and still are —impacting the homeless population in Marion County, Sheltering Wings and Interfaith Hospitality Network.

Organizations like these have been our greatest resource in learning about homelessness. It’s easy to believe that we see the face of homelessness every day in the men and women on the street. The truth is we don’t see the full picture.

One of the largest segments of the homeless population over the last few years has been families. Just a few months ago, the Foundation celebrated its most successful fundraising effort, one with truly lasting effects. The Building a Living Legacy project, in collaboration with the Super Bowl Host Committee, provided homes in St. Clair Place to 32 homeless families.

While an amazing achievement, it only launches us into the next question: What more can be done to transform neighborhoods and help families on their journey to escape homelessness? As we look to the next decade, we’re excited to continue to be a partner in diminishing homelessness in central Indiana.

Bill Hacker
REALTOR® Foundation Board of Director
Chair, Building a Living Legacy Campaign