Participation on GBAR committees not only affords you the chance to become part of the association decision-making process, but also provides plenty of opportunity to network with REALTORS® throughout the Greater Boston Real Estate Board’s
jurisdiction. It is an ideal activity for those looking to help shape the future of the real estate industry and the REALTOR® organization, as well as those looking to give back to their profession.
The 2024 Committee Application Process has closed.
Committee Descriptions
Awards Selection: Reviews and selects recipients for annual member recognition awards. Meets 1-2 times per year.
Charitable Grants: Administers the association’s Housing & Homeless Assistance Grant and Placemaking Grant programs. Reviews and recommends industry-related non-profit 501c3 organizations to receive financial assistance from GBAR. Also reviews and recommends local community improvement projects to be nominated for grants from NAR through its Place-making Micro Grant program. Meets twice, once in spring and once in autumn.
Community Service: Identifies and implements opportunities to volunteer within the GBAR region. Community service opportunities are categorically housing-related. Meets approximately 2-3 times per year.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion –To identify and recommend to the GBAR Board of Director policies, program initiatives, and strategies to support a culture of inclusion and diversity of ideas within association’s membership and governance structure; raise awareness and educate members on best practices to address issues of bias, discrimination, and inequality in the housing market and real estate industry; and promote business opportunities and career growth for real estate professionals from communities of color.
Forms: Reviews content and design of standard forms and contracts in the GBREB Forms Library and considers revisions in language and layout to existing forms, as well as development of new forms and addendums to address new laws and regulation or changes in industry practice as warranted. Committee and subcommittees meet multiple times throughout the year.
Global: Identifies programs, activities and resources that GBAR should consider helping members take advantage of business opportunities with international and immigrant home buyers and sellers. This task force also will be asked to consider ways to increase the diversity of the association through active involvement by agents and brokers representing minority groups and other significant segments of the Greater Boston population. Meets as needed.
Government Affairs: Promotes government affairs activities, which include public policy advocacy, and political activism on real estate industry-related issues. A limited number of seats are available for GBAR members on the Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB) Government Affairs Committees. Meets approximately 6 times a year.
Grievance: Reviews and considers all ethics complaints and arbitration requests for official professional standards hearings. To participate on this committee members must first complete a full-day professional standard training program. Meets in person and by conference call throughout year as warranted.
Membership: Promotes value of REALTOR® membership, develops and implements member recruitment and retention programs, and identifies member benefits program providers. Also considers revisions to membership policies and dues and oversees the association’s new member orientation program. Meets 3-4 times per year.
Nominating: Reviews and certifies applicants and recommends candidates for all elected leadership positions for the association, including GBAR officers and directors, at-large directors to the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, and seats on the Massachusetts and National Associations of REALTORS® Boards of Directors. Meets 3-4 times a year.
Professional Standards: Impanels ethics and arbitration hearings to provide fair, ethical, and consistent decisions in transactional matters. Also implements and assesses performance of the mediation and ombudsmen programs to promote timely processing of cases. To serve on the committee, members must complete a full-day professional standard training program and have prior service on the Grievance Committee. Meets as caseload warrants.
RPAC : Identify and implement strategies and initiatives that will enhance communication and outreach to members on the influence and past successes of the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) in the legislative and political affairs arena. Also, helps promote attendance at RPAC Major Investor Receptions, as well as coordinates other fundraising events. Meets a minimum of 3-4 times per year.
Sustainability– Plans, promotes and identifies professional development programs and business opportunities for the association to increase member awareness and understanding of green-building, high-performance homes and energy sustainability initiatives in the real estate sector. Also explores, reviews and implements projects and procedures that encourage resource and energy efficiency within the association and for members and member firms, as well as the creation and availability of lending products that support responsible energy use and conservation. Meets 3-4 times per year.
Young Professionals Network: Coordinates programs, services and activities designed to promote networking opportunities for new and younger members of the association, as well as enhance association’s communication channels, delivery of education, and connection to this same segment of the membership. Meets 3-4 times a year.