Dues FAQs

What do I get for my dues payment of $449?
 
Why should I make a contribution to RPAC?

How can I change my voluntary RPAC contribution?

What if I forget to change the RPAC contribution amount and I want a refund?

When is the last day I can pay my dues to avoid a late charge?

Why do I have to belong to PRO and pay dues?

What is included in membership dues?

Which credit cards are accepted by PRO's Online Payment Center?

Can I make monthly payments instead of paying the annual dues all at once?

I don’t have a credit card to use for online payment, how can I use the online payment center?

Why do I have to enter my driver's license number when using the TeleCheck option?

Where can I read the 2012 Dues Billing Disclosure?

1. What do I get for my dues payment of $449?
   The payment that you are making to PRO includes dues for NAR ($155); FR ($126) and PRO ($168).
   
   
   The value of your PRO membership is worth $2,628 if you took advantage of all that is offered to you by the association.  The basic principle of providing you the necessary tools and resources to help build your success serves as our guiding light, and is at the core of the products and services created by PRO.
    
   
   
   
   For 2012, we urge you to make the most of your investment. Participate in education and training events, learn about new technologies, educate sellers with the help of marketplace statistics reports, stay tuned to important updates on government actions, and explore all the materials, tools, and information available to you at http://pinellasrealtor.org.
   
   On your behalf we’ll continue advocacy and media relations efforts, facilitation of dispute resolution, ongoing member support, education and information.
   
   Please know that we value your continued membership and rest assured we’ll remain diligent as we weather the challenges of today’s economy, and work hard to give you innovative solutions that will prepare you for a prosperous future.
   
   Every member of the leadership team and PRO staff remains committed to providing quality products and services that will help members grow their businesses and sustain financially.
   
   

2. Why should I make a contribution to RPAC?
   The Realtors® Political Action Committee (RPAC) is your best investment to protect your real estate career. Through your voluntary contribution, you join thousands of your peers across the state and the nation in influencing long-term growth and stability of the real estate profession. RPAC supports and educates pro-Realtor® candidates on legislative issues that impact your business most. It is also used to support or defend against ballot issues important to Realtors®. RPAC ensures the Realtor® position is heard and that you have a seat at the table. If you are involved and supporting RPAC, you help prevent bad legislation, crippling regulations, and rules that put unreasonable demands on your business. Join the team and support RPAC today.
   

3. How can I change my voluntary RPAC contribution?
   In the PRO online payment center the amount in the voluntary RPAC contribution field can be changed. Let’s say that you want to contribute at the Sterling R level by giving $1,000. When paying your dues online in the payment center, you will click on the word "Change Contribution Amount" to the left of the $99/$25, the next screen will let you make the change, (there could be a slight delay) Highlight the $99/$25, delete the $99/$25 amount, enter $1,000 and tab down to the total field. You will see the amount change on the next screen. The new contribution amount will be included in the amount charged to your credit card or checking account.
   

4. What if I forget to change the RPAC contribution amount and I want a refund?
   Once the transaction is processed, the RPAC contribution is sent to FAR. PRO does not have the ability to refund RPAC contributions.
   

5. When is the last day I can pay my dues and avoid a late charge?
   2012 Membership Dues are due on December 1, 2011 and become delinquent on December 31, 2011.
   

6. Why do I have to belong to PRO and pay dues?
   Membership to PRO is voluntary and based on the membership of the broker that you are affiliated with. When your broker joined PRO he or she agreed that every licensee who affiliates with him/her will also join PRO. If as an affiliated licensee you decide not to be a member, your broker’s dues obligation will be increased to reflect the addition of a non-member licensee. Refer to the PRO bylaws, Article X Section 3B.
   

7. What is included in membership dues?
   The dues invoice includes annual dues for NAR of $155; FAR of $126 and PRO of $168. In addition, there is the opportunity to make a $99/$25 voluntary contribution to RPAC.
   

8. Which credit cards are accepted by PRO's Online Payment Center?
   PRO's Online Payment Center accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.
   

9. Can I make monthly payments instead of paying the annual dues all at once?
   The bylaws for NAR, FAR and PRO do not have a provision for monthly payments. Article X Section 3A of the PRO bylaws states that “dues for all members shall be payable annually in advance on the first day of December.”
   
   

10. I don’t have a credit card to use for online payment, how can I use the online payment center?
    The online payment center accepts checks. Go on to the online payment center, select the invoices you want to pay, click on “Choose Payment Options” and you can choose either “Credit Card” or “TeleCheck” as your payment option. Follow the instructions for using the TeleCheck option.
    

11. Why do I have to enter my driver’s license number when using the TeleCheck option?
    The driver’s license information is used for security purposes. It is used to verify your identity and to protect you from check fraud. PRO does not retain any of your checking account information in its system. Each time you use the TeleCheck option, you will need to reenter all of your account information.
    

12.  Does PRO accept online payments from my bank?
    PRO is not set-up to receive online payment from your bank. You can make online payments through PRO's online payment center. Click here to access PRO's online payment center.
    

13. Where can I read the 2012 Dues Billing Disclosure?
    The 2012 Dues Billing Disclosure appears below:
    
    2012 Dues Billing Disclosure
    
    To comply with applicable tax rules and regulations and to comply with USPS second class postage permit requirements for FAR’s Florida Realtor® and for NAR’s Realtor® magazine, it is necessary for Associations/Boards to include the following disclosures on their 2012 member dues billing:
    

    • Portions of your dues used for lobbying purposes that are not deductible on federal income tax returns are: Florida Realtors (23% or $27) and National Association Realtors (31% or $37).
      
      
    • Contributions to RPAC are voluntary and will be used for political purposes and support of state, local, and federal candidates and political parties and in issue initiatives. Making a contribution is not a condition of membership in the Association and a member may refuse to contribute without suffering any reprisal. Seventy percent of each contribution is used by RPAC-Florida and RPIC Florida to support state and local candidates and state and local issues. Consult your local Association /Board for the exact percentage going toward each. The balance is sent to National RPAC and is charged against your contribution limits prescribed by 2 U.S.C. 441a. Contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.
      
      
    • Payments to the Association/Board of Realtors® are not deductible as charitable contributions.  Such payments may, however, be deductible as ordinary and necessary business expenses.
      
      
    • Dues include a $3.50 allocation to Florida Realtor® magazine and a $6 allocation to NAR’s Realtor® magazine.
      
      
    • Your 2012 dues includes a $35 mandatory assessment by the National Association of Realtors® for all Realtors® and Realtor-Associates® to fund a nationwide public awareness campaign that includes TV network and cable ads highlighting the value a Realtor® brings to a transaction and stressing the importance of using a Realtor®.
      
      
    • Your 2012 dues also include a $10 mandatory, non-pro-ratable assessment by the Florida Realtors® for the advocacy fund.

    
    
    
    
    back to top