Formed in 1955, Brainstormers is an organization whose members are owners or chief executive officers of independent, multi-office, primarily residential real estate companies located throughout the United States. Members meet in a non-competitive environment to compare, share, and explore proven methods or innovative concepts to improve individual brokerage internal operations or marketing strategies.

Brainstormers are all independents who do not belong to conflicting networking groups other than relocation associations. The group meets twice a year, possibly at the hometown of one of the members or in conjunction with scheduled national industry conventions. Activities usually begin with a get-acquainted cocktail party and dinner. A tour is taken of the area and the office of the host member. Often many management executives and agents will attend the social events.

Depending on the location, a guest speaker may address the group on a timely and mutually interesting topic. At the work sessions, each group member discusses his or her firm’s activities concerning sales trends and the competitive framework in which we operate. In addition, specific concerns such as recruiting, office configuration and size, agent compensation vs. company income, advertising, etc., may be selected as discussion topics.

The organization’s experience has been that members place an extremely high priority on attending all meetings. Absences can be excused by advance request to the chairman and approved by a majority vote at the scheduled meeting. Two unexcused absences will cause the member to be dropped from membership.

Brainstormers' officers are elected for one-year terms. The positions of chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary/treasurer are progressive, with eventual advancement to chairmanship. The chairman appoints standing committees each year and may also choose to establish other committees on areas of special interest, such as long-range planning, computerization, mortgage technology, training, relocation, recruiting, etc.

On average, expenses associated with being a Brainstormer are about $1,500 per year. Most of the costs are for food and accommodations (usually two nights), with the largest variable being transportation to and from the various meeting locations. Spouses are welcome to the social functions, and members are billed accordingly.

Newly nominated members will not be accepted if they are in competition with an existing member's present or anticipated expansion area without the existing member’s approval. By the same token, existing members who expand into another member's territory are subject to expulsion; however, membership may be retained by a unanimous vote of the voting membership.