MAR Committees, Task Forces, and Other Groups

The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® has an active membership that participates in committees, task forces, and other groups that meet throughout the year to highlight focus areas including advocacy, education, and networking opportunities for the real estate industry. The members and staff work together to implement the strategic plan of the organization and to prepare resources to help the members in their professional business practices.

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The Association Executives Committee (AEC) provides a forum for the Chief Executive Officers from the local associations to be informed on MAR issues and procedures.  In addition, the AEC works to foster cooperation in the exchange of information and experiences among its members and between the Local Associations and the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®. As appropriate, the AEC provides recommendations to the MAR Executive Committee on issues of concern to the Local Associations.

The Audit Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the appointment of an outside auditor and acceptance of the financial audit of the Association. The Committee is responsible for reviewing the Association’s audit documents and regulatory filings. The members of the Committee include an independent, non-REALTOR® CPA that provides technical support in the review of documents.

Meetings: A minimum of 2 times per year

The Awards and Recognition Committee selects all award recipients, including, but not limited to: REALTOR® of the Year; Milton H. Shaw Award; Educator of the Year; Good Neighbor Award; Private Property Rights Award; Life Membership review; and other awards as appropriate.

The Board of Directors shall have the sole right to vote as members of MAR and shall have control over the management of the business, finances, and property of the Corporation, and the Directors are hereby vested with such management of all the powers that the Corporation itself possesses, except such as are conferred by these Bylaws or the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Board of Directors is lead by the Officers of the organization; President, President-Elect, and Treasurer.

The Capital Improvement Task Force consults and advises the President with regard to real property owned by the Association, which includes, but is not limited to, proposed leases for commercial tenants, extensions of existing leases, the value of and tenancy for commercial space offered, and other matters which shall be deemed appropriate by the President.

The MAR Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that raises funds to provide assistance to Massachusetts 501(c)3 non-profit public charities focused on housing, hunger, homelessness and disaster relief. The Foundation has given over $600,000 in grants to public charities.

Meetings: approximately 4 times per year

The purpose of the Conference Viability Task Force is to evaluate the viability of a 2024 MAR Conference.

The Consumer Awareness Task Force meets to discuss and set goals of improving consumer awareness of the contributions that REALTORS® make in their communities, in the real estate transaction, and advocacy efforts through paid and earned media. Members of the committee discuss and guide messaging and types of programs that can be used to increase awareness.

Meetings: approximately 3 times per year

The purpose of the Diversity, Inclusion, and Member Engagement Task Force is to support and engage in programs and activities of organizations and initiatives that encourage diversity in member involvement and leadership opportunities.

The charge of the Education Committee is to plan educational programming and events including but not limited to: Graduate REALTOR® Institute Programs; online Continuing Education courses, broker education, and other professional development programs.

Meetings: approximately 6 times per year

The Executive Committee is authorized to act on behalf of the Board of Directors between meetings of the Board of Directors and is authorized to take action on the creation of Task Forces, Work Groups, and Presidential Advisory Groups, amendments to the policy manual, public policy statement, and other policies and guidelines. The committee also advises on the employment and prescriptions of the functions of the CEO/EVP.

The Committee is composed of the President, President-Elect, Treasurer, Immediate Past President, Regional Vice Presidents, Four At-Large Directors, and one Local Association Executive.

The Finance Committee makes recommendations to the Treasurer, Executive Committee, and the Board of Directors regarding the financial matters of the Association. The committee’s responsibilities include budgeting and financial statement review.

Meetings: 6 times per year

The Forms Content Advisory Committee monitors and advises the MAR attorneys regarding MassForms™. The Committee discusses and implements revisions to existing forms, as well as creating new forms, when necessary. The Committee’s goal is to ensure that the MAR Forms Library contains accurate, up-to-date, necessary forms to assist REALTORS® throughout a real estate transaction.

The Committee meets approximately 3 times per year.

The Government Affairs Committee reviews current legislative and regulatory issues that have an impact on housing, land use, and business issues related to real estate. The Committee is authorized to make decisions with MAR professional staff regarding MAR positions on regulatory and legislative issues pursuant to the MAR Public Policy Statement. The Committee oversees the Private Property Protection Fund to the extent authorized in the Fund’s guidelines.

Meetings: Approximately 5 times per year.

The MAR Gratitude Project was created by the 2017-2018 Leadership Academy as a way to recognize the unsung heroes of the REALTOR® community. The Gratitude Project is overseen by a group of REALTOR® volunteers who screen nominees each month. Honorees of the Gratitude Project must be Massachusetts Association of REALTOR® members and must have engaged in or performed a discernible act of kindness/charity/service outside of their ordinary duties as a real estate professional. Those recognized will receive a small token of gratitude in the mail along with a personalized thank you card from the MAR President.

Meetings: 6 times per year (every other month)

Know of a REALTOR® who has helped better their community? Nominate them today.

The charge of the Grievance Committee is to review Ethics and Arbitration Complaints pursuant to the NAR Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual.

The Investment Committee acts for and reports to the Board of Directors regarding all investment activities of the Association. Guided by an independent outside professional investment advisory firm, the Committee ensures compliance with MAR investment policies.

Meetings: Approximately 4 times per year.

The charge of the Leadership Development Committee is to identify volunteers at all levels of the Association. The Committee promotes volunteer positions with an emphasis on general commitment and dedication, actively searching for potential leaders and developing leadership training. They meet with the Association Executives Committee annually to discuss mentor programs, recruitment, and training goals. The Leadership Development Committee oversees and governs the MAR Leadership Academy.

Meetings: Quarterly

The Massachusetts Real Estate Community Alliance, a nonpartisan, non-profit organization, 501(c)(4) that supports and protects property owners and the communities they help build through advocacy. The Board of Directors consists of one appointed director from each region of MAR.

The Member Benefits Committee evaluates, provides, and promotes services and products that benefit a member’s business and enhance services and value to MAR members. The Member Benefits Committee has the authority to review, approve, and terminate affinity partnerships and to provide and promote services and products that benefit a member’s business and enhance member value to its members.

Meetings: Approximately 2 times per year.

The charge of the Professional Standards Committee is to continue to provide fair, ethical, and consistent Professional Standards services through experienced and well-trained members. Members shall be available to serve pursuant to the MAR Interboard Arbitration Agreement and the Interstate Arbitration Agreement, including but not limited to: offering mediation, ombudsman, grievance, and arbitration to resolve and enforce the Code of Ethics of the National Associations of REALTORS® and commission disputes between members.

The committee meets annually and as needed throughout the year.

In 2014, MAR created an Independent Expenditure (IE) Program which allows MAR to access funds from the National Association of REALTORS® to engage in IEs in contested state-level campaigns in Massachusetts. Independent Expenditures expressly advocate for the election of a candidate without any coordination with the candidate or the candidate’s campaign.

Meetings are as needed, dependent on the election cycle.

The REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) works for REALTORS® across Massachusetts. Your contributions to RPAC support federal, state, and local lawmakers who share the REALTORS® commitment to promoting homeownership and private property rights. RPAC is administered by an autonomous group of REALTOR® trustees representing all regions of the Commonwealth. Decisions on contributions to candidates are based on an individual’s voting record and candidate’s demonstration of support for REALTORS® issues, not party affiliations.

Meetings: approx. 4-6 times per year
This is an elected position.

The RPAC Board of Trustees shall consist of eleven (11) and up to thirteen (13) members: seven (7) of whom shall be the elected regional trustees, one (1) of whom shall be designated as Chairman by the MAR President; one (1) of whom shall be appointed annually by the MAR President; one (1) of whom shall be the duly appointed Massachusetts representative of the NAR RPAC Participation Council, and one (1) of whom shall be the duly appointed Massachusetts representative of the NAR Major Investor Council; one (1) of whom shall be the duly appointed Massachusetts representative of the NAR REALTOR® Party Member Involvement Committee; one (1) of whom shall be the duly appointed Massachusetts representative of the NAR RPAC Trustees Fundraising Committee and/or the duly appointed Massachusetts representative of the NAR RPAC Trustees Federal Disbursements Committee, the names of which may be amended from time-to-time.

The Special Events Task Force selects future event site locations, plans educational programs and speakers for the annual MAR Conference & Trade Show, reviews the Awards Dinner and Installation programs, and oversees other exciting events.

Meetings: Approximately 6 times a year

As home buyers get younger and the real estate industry constantly evolves, MAR’s Young Professional Network sets out to ensure their voices and ideas are heard within the industry. The Young Professionals Network is a dynamic entry point for real estate professionals striving to become more successful in their careers and gain leadership experience. By providing this entry point, MAR is building a new, diverse generation of leaders, strengthening members’ affinity for the REALTOR® brand early in their career, and gaining a valuable perspective on generational shifts.

Meetings: Approximately 3 times per year.