LERN Program
Leadership, Education, Referrals, and Networking

When someone asks you “What is WCR?”, can you tell them what we are all about? In 2006, the acronym “LERN” was developed to help you have an easy and concise way to remember and explain the benefits of WCR. The LERN initiative is made up of the following components:

Leadership
WCR promotes Leadership. This not only includes Chairing or Co-Chairing a committee or assuming a leadership role in an activity, but also participating in committees and taking part in various meeting responsibilities. All of these encourage you to develop skills that enhance your leadership ability.

Education
WCR promotes Education. Each month at our local chapter meeting, we provide an educational program that will add to your knowledge of the industry and help you grow as a professional.

Referrals
WCR promotes Referrals. Through the people you meet at local chapter meetings and at state and national, you develop meaningful contacts and relationships, which often grow into referrals and business. For national members, the referral roster is also available as a handy index for giving and receiving referrals outside the local chapter.

Networking
WCR promotes Networking. Our membership is made up of REALTORSÒ and affiliates connected with the industry, which provides an excellent source of qualified resources for networking with others specifically in the real estate community. To facilitate this, we have begun offering an informal “networking power hour” before each of our chapter meetings. Networking activities are provided so you can take advantage of this opportunity to get to know others and discover ways to do business together.

In 1924, the California Real Estate Association formed a Women's Division after members founded the idea on a train ride home from the National Association's convention in Washington, D.C. Fourteen years later, Joseph Catherine, the 1938 president of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (then called the National Association of Real Estate Boards) encouraged the formation of the Women’s Council after being impressed by the California group and the immense potential of women in real estate.

At the time, NAR was already 30 years old and most decisions were still made at the Local Board level. Unfortunately, most Local Boards were still resistant to women. However, the National Association was ready to recognize women in real estate and a positive vote resulted in the formation of a women's division at the Annual Convention held in Milwaukee in November of 1938. Thirty-seven ambitious women represented nine states at that meeting, resulting in WCR’s inception.

Through the decades, WCR's membership growth reflected the vast number of women choosing a career in real estate. Women began to recognize the immense benefits of careers in real estate combined with a WCR membership, including:

• Salaries equitable to men's since "commission is commission".
• Flexible work schedules allowing REALTORS® the ability to raise a family and have a career instead of choosing one or the other.
• A support system of women in the same field garnering many friendships, networking capabilities and referrals.
• Gaining confidence through association with other professional women REALTORS®.
• Recognition for their own achievements and success as well as inspiration and courage to strive for greater successes.

In 1984, WCR established the Leadership Training Graduate (LTG) designation. Courses covering communication, personal power, group dynamics, meeting management, leadership, public speaking and technology were part of the program, which fostered leadership and professionalism in career and personal life. In 1989, WCR established the Referral & Relocation Certification (RRC) and in 1994, the RRC was incorporated into the LTG program. In November 2005, the LTG designation was replaced with the Performance Management Network (PMN) designation.

1998 saw the creation of the annual WCR Leadership Academy. The Academy provides over 200 local chapter presidents-elect with in-depth chapter management training so that they embark on their year truly equipped to lead their chapters with confidence.

In 1999, the Council approved a Statement of Diversity: The Women's Council of REALTORS® empowers its members to embrace and celebrate diversity in the marketplace.

WCR - METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS CHAPTER PAST PRESIDENTS