How even the smallest town's citizenry supports the arts, its churches, and its public facilities like parks has always been of great importance to how the community grows and sustains itself.
One of the primary reasons churches, for an example, don't pay property taxes is to encourage them to become a part of the community. One of the first things a prospective newcomer will ask is where his church will be; not that all ever really plan to become active members, but because they feel if the church is there, that is a significant indication that the town is morally viable.
How a town supports its arts, churches and public facilities is directly proportionate to how viable its real estate market is. Real estate professionals frequently take the contributions of these programs and facilities for granted.
In my view, that is a huge mistake.
One of Dallas' most spectacular facilities is the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. It was designed by I.M. Pei and built in downtown Dallas in 1989 as the home of the Dallas Symphony.
Ross Perot made a sizable donation and asked that when it was built that it would be named after his sidekick at EDS, Mort Meyerson.
But in reality, the amount of public funds and personal, foundation and corporate donations that were made to the Myerson are what guaranteed it would be built. And it is the continuing public donations that guarantee that it will remain viable.
As we do every Christmas Season, Patty and I and our friends, Cindi and John Burnside, recently went to the Meyerson for the Dallas Symphony's Christmas program.
As I looked through the printed program, all of the significant donations that had been made were listed.
What interested me was that of all of the real estate brokerage firms in Dallas, and of all of the "power agents" who claim to sell multi-millions of dollars worth of homes every year, and insinuate that their earnings are as much as a million dollars, I found only one firm that was listed as a donor. And it was the firm that almost every Dallasite would expect to find listed there.
That is a very significant statement.
Real estate agents and companies should consider supporting the arts, tithing at their church, and helping fund community events before they budget for their vanity ads in magazines and newspapers.
It's a moral cost of doing business. For without those community affiliations, we would not be successful in our business.
It's odd how few of us seem to grasp this concept.
BILL CHERRY, REALTORS
DALLAS
Our 44th Year Selling America
214 503-8563
Copyright 2008 - William S. Cherry
First, what a beautiful building! I would assume the the acoustics are something to behold!
I agree with your thoughts about the arts. Here in Sacramento, many assume, since our nickname is the "Cowtown" (although we haven't had cows here for over 3/4 of a century), that we are "hicks". Nothing could be further from the truth. We have the Sacramento Ballet, the Music Circus (kind of a Broadway in the round), the California Theater, the B Street Theater, the Crocker Art Museum (which I am going to do a post about)...and on and on. I have had clients come into town and one of their biggest concerns is whether we have the kind of culture they are looking for. They are always pleasantly surprised. We need to support these experiences for the good of the city and our business.
Hi Bill, You have a very good point. Supporting your church and the arts shows that you are an integral part of your community.
Miss Paula --
I've been to Sacramento many times. Used to have a client there. The pseudo-reputation is total nonsense, as you pointed out. And I hope you do a whole series of posts about Sacramento. It's time has come!
And thanks to you and Shirley for joining in and aupporting this idea that Realtors have a community obligation, and it isn't just to sell houses and drive Lexuses.
Bill
It's EDS not EDI.
Tracy G.
You're right. Thanks for reminding me. I made the change. How'd you like the rest of the piece? Was it a bust, too?