By KELLEY R. DAUGHERTY

Special Sections Editor

Carolyn McCullough was installed as the new president for 1999 by the Fayette County Board of Realtors, last Thursday in the annual inaugural ceremony.

McCullough, who has been in real estate for the last 26 years, said she has been active with the board since 1982 when she moved to the county. Since that time, she has participated in various committees, which put her in the "leadership loop," including the education, equal opportunity, orientation, grievance and professional standards, and building committees.

"I learned the ropes by being involved," McCullough said. "It's a real asset to be involved."

Among McCullough's personal goals going into the new year are to continue education of its members and to develop programs involving new and old members.

The education classes, which began last January, are free post-licensing classes for real estate agents and brokers. Member agents and brokers attend two-hour sessions every Tuesday for 12 weeks. Non-members are required to pay, since their costs are not covered by dues.

She also hopes to put more emphasis on teaching technology, commenting on how much the business has changed.

Continuing education classes such as these are required every four years in order to renew real estate licenses. Furthermore, these classes help fulfill an overall goal of the board, that is to mentor and train new members and licensees.

McCullough plans to begin a leadership development program in February. She describes the program as "comprehensive" and one that will prepare other members to do the work of the board.

Investing time in this program, she hopes will encourage more attendance at functions.

"The more participation you have, the more you get something out of it," said McCullough.

McCullough also said she will continue to support the tremendous community involvement of the board.

The Fayette Board of Realtors, part of the largest trade organization in the Unted States, has participated in raising support for Partners in Education and the Rising Starr Complex. The board also conducted its annual Noel November celebration again and auctioned off $15,000 worth of decorated trees and wreaths. All of the funds went to the Asden Johnson Youth Protection Home in Brooks for playground equipment.

The board is also known to be active politically. McCullough said the organization was "instrumental in defeating Amendment 1" in November, a proposed enviromental law.

"We agreed with the premise," McCullough said. "But we disagreed with how it would have been imposed. Since it was imposed only on people selling houses, it would feed back to the buyer."

McCullough said she hoped the law would be proposed again, but with the monetary support spread out.

The board also supported a clause that was added to "Megan's law," that relieves liability of real estate agents from illegal activity in homes for sale.

McCullough was formerly a reporter and editor at the Atlanta Journal & Constitution before she entered real estate. She resides in Fayetteville with her husband, where they are both active in their church, Prince of Peace Lutheran church.