The POWER Within
Commitee Work, Community Involvement & the MAAR Benevolent Fund
Participation, leadership, outreach and support – these words describe three key benefits of MAAR membership: committee work, community involvement and the MAAR Benevolent Fund.
Committee work is the backbone of MAAR. Through participation and leadership roles on committees, members have the opportunity to be heard within the Association as well as to offer direct, solid, experience-driven input – thus strengthening MAAR’s voice in the real estate industry. The committee selection process takes place in the fall for the coming year. About 250 MAAR members serve on various committees. In addition to the various MAAR committees, which are primarily comprised of REALTORS® and REALTOR-ASSOCIATES®, MAAR Affiliate members (mortgage lenders, appraisers, attorneys, home inspectors, insurance agents, etc.) can get involved with the Affiliate Council. This newly re-formed council is focused on networking and educating our REALTOR® and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® members. Watch this video entitled "Becoming Leaders."
By the nature of your jobs, REALTORS® are involved in the communities you work in, and it is important to MAAR and our members that the outreach programs within our community remain charged up and POWERed on. MAAR organizes volunteer opportunities for members through Youth Villages and our partner schools, Southwind Elementary and Springdale Elementary. Committee work not your cup of tea? There are lots of other ways to be involved in your Association, like helping with the Youth Villages 5K, or MAAR fundraisers such as the Wine Race and Trivia Night, in support of our community outreach programs. Watch these videos to find out more about MAAR's community involvement.
Sometimes, it’s our members who need support. Established in 1994, the MAAR Benevolent Fund provides financial assistance to MAAR members and their families due to a prolonged illness, catastrophic occurrence or an accident. The fund received its nonprofit status in 2011, which means contributions to the fund are tax deductible.
The MAAR Benevolent Fund is one of only 15 of its kind at REALTOR® Associations nationwide. A Board of Directors is responsible for promoting the existence of the fund and coordinating special fundraising projects. Since it was founded, the Benevolent Fund has given away more than $112,000 to help MAAR members in need.
Benevolent Fund gifts have been granted for some of the following circumstances:
» Help with burial expenses when there were no funds or insurance to help with the cost
» Assistance paying one month’s mortgage due to inability to work because of a serious illness
» Replacement of items lost from a devastating fire
» Payment towards the purchase of a wheelchair