Empower, Educate, Unite: Inside EPBR's Membership Engagement Week
- marysol64
- May 5
- 3 min read
For most of the year, the Eastern Panhandle Board of REALTORS® had been quietly building toward something its leadership kept coming back to: a single week of programming organized around three words — Empower. Educate. Unite.
The week had arrived. Six days. Six events. One vision. Here is what had been on the calendar and how every EPBR member had been able to plug in.
Saturday: Chili Cookoff and Tailgate at the Shepherdstown Train Station
The week had kicked off with a chili cookoff and college football tailgate at the Shepherdstown Train Station, benefiting RPAC (the REALTORS® Political Action Committee) and REALTOR® Relief.
Tastings. Attendees paid at the door to sample chili and vote for their favorite. Extra votes had been available for purchase.
Entries. Participants with a secret chili recipe had paid to enter and let the room judge.
College game day atmosphere. TVs had been tuned to games, cornhole boards were set up, and the room had filled with REALTORS® and affiliates starting the week on a high note.
"It'll be a big college game day. Come watch football, play some cornhole, network, hang out, and have fun, and see who has the best chili recipe."
Monday: Coffee Talk + Committee Speed Dating
After a day off on Sunday, the week had resumed Monday at the EPBR board office with two back-to-back programs.
Coffee Talk (9 to 10 a.m.). Tom's coffee truck had arrived for an hour of casual networking. Members stopped by, grabbed coffee, and caught up.
Committee Speed Dating. Representatives from every EPBR committee had been present. Members sat down, asked questions, and explored where they could get involved.
WVR Leadership Academy info. A representative had been available to discuss the West Virginia REALTORS® Leadership Academy for those interested in advancing at the state level.
Food truck lunch. Attendees stayed, ate, and continued conversations with committee members.
For newer members or those who had not yet joined a committee, Monday had been designed as the ideal entry point.
Tuesday: United Way Day of Caring at Horses with Hearts
Tuesday had focused on community service. EPBR had participated in the United Way Day of Caring by sending a team to Horses with Hearts, the local equine therapy nonprofit that had previously hosted EPBR volunteers.
Event timing and meeting details had been shared through EPBR social media. For anyone interested in volunteering, this had been an easy way to get involved.
Wednesday: Lunch and Learn, Trusts and Estates with Kate Ridgeway
Midweek had been dedicated to education. Kate Ridgeway had presented a lunch and learn on Trusts and Estates, a topic relevant for REALTORS® when clients raised questions during transactions.
Lunch had been provided, and registration had been available through the EPBR website.
Thursday: Annual Membership Meeting
The cornerstone of the week had been the annual membership meeting, free for all EPBR members.
One bylaw vote had taken place as part of official board business.
Speakers had included representatives from the National Association of REALTORS®, local economic development leaders, and the West Virginia Real Estate Commission.
One attendee had won a full year of EPBR dues through the annual drawing.
Complimentary headshots had been provided by SC Studios for members needing updated professional photos.
The meeting had brought together local, state, and national perspectives into a single event.
Friday: Mixer at Blackdraft (4 to 6 p.m.)
The week had wrapped up with a mixer at Blackdraft from 4 to 6 p.m. It had been a casual, social setting where members connected and strengthened relationships built throughout the week.
The Vision Behind the Week
EPBR leadership consistently returned to three guiding principles: Empower. Educate. Unite.
Each event had supported that vision:
The chili cookoff had empowered industry advocacy and relief efforts.
Committee events had educated members on involvement opportunities.
The Day of Caring had united the board with the community.
Educational sessions had strengthened professional knowledge.
The membership meeting had brought together all levels of the industry.
The mixer had reinforced personal connections.
"If you can make at least one of those, try for all."
For members whose involvement had primarily centered on closings and continuing education, the week had served as a reminder that EPBR was also a community, a resource hub, and a professional network.
How to Sign Up
Each event had included its own registration process where applicable. The full calendar of upcoming EPBR events had provided a central place for details. For non-members, the first step had been to become an EPBR member and begin engaging with the board.
Six days. Six opportunities to connect. One week that reshaped how members experienced their board.
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