The proposed amendment has been prepared by the Governing Documents Committee and supported by the MAAR Board of Directors for presentation to the membership.
Proposed Change to Standing Committees
The proposed amendment would revise the list of Standing Committees specifically established in the MAAR Bylaws to include the following:
- Awards Committee
- Budget and Finance
- Governing Documents
- Governmental Affairs
- Member Services Committee
- MLS Information Network
- Nominating Committee
- RPAC Fundraising
As part of this proposed change, the following committees and groups would be moved from the Bylaws to the MAAR Policy Document:
- Community Development Committee
- Fair and Affordable Housing Committee
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
- Young Professionals Network
These committees and groups would continue to be part of MAAR and provide opportunities for member involvement. The proposed change relates to where they are established within MAAR's governing documents and would provide greater flexibility in how they are structured moving forward.
Why is this change being proposed?
The proposed change is intended to provide greater clarity regarding which committees are established by the Bylaws, and which can be established through MAAR policy.
Moving additional committees to the Policy Document is not intended as a means to more easily eliminate committees or reduce opportunities for member involvement. Rather, the goal is to empower MAAR's elected leadership and committees to be positioned for success as the needs of the Association and its members evolve.
This structure would give the President and Board of Directors greater flexibility to evaluate committee responsibilities, address overlapping areas of work, create new opportunities when needed, and realign committee structures such as transitioning committees to multiple project-based workgroups or taskforces allowing members more options to get involved with shorter commitment requirements or more targeted opportunities. Any changes would be made in alignment with MAAR's mission and strategic plan, but without requiring a membership vote each time an operational adjustment is needed.
The proposed amendment maintains key governance committees within the Bylaws while allowing MAAR to be more responsive and intentional in how other committees are structured to best serve our members and advance the Association's priorities.
A quorum of 10% of REALTOR® members is required to conduct the vote.
We encourage all REALTOR® members to review the proposed Bylaws amendment in advance and make plans to attend the MAAR Annual Meeting on September 10 at 10 am to participate in this important Association business. If you have questions regarding the proposed changes, please reach out to Jason Gaia at Jason@JasonGaiaTeam.com or CEO Amanda Creel at amanda.creel@maar.org.
View the proposed Bylaws amendment
Register for the MAAR Annual Meeting
If the proposed Bylaws amendment is approved by the membership, the four committees removed from the list of Standing Committees will be formally established in MAAR’s new consolidated Policy Document. MAAR policies are typically developed or reviewed through the Governing Documents Committee or another appropriate committee and recommended to the Board of Directors for consideration and approval, ensuring that changes continue to go through a thoughtful governance process.
Proposed Policy Language is included below. Final policy will be approved by Governing Documents Committee and the Board of Directors if the proposed Bylaw Amendment Passes.
Committees Established by Policy
MAAR's committee structure includes both Standing Committees established by the Bylaws and committees and groups established by policy. Standing Committees are specifically established in the MAAR Bylaws and may only be changed in accordance with the amendment provisions of the Bylaws. Committees and groups established by policy are authorized by the Board of Directors and may be modified by the Board as needed to support MAAR's mission, strategic priorities and evolving member needs.
In addition to the Standing Committees established in Section 6 of the MAAR Bylaws, the Board of Directors establishes the following committees and groups by policy:
- Community Development Committee
- Fair & Affordable Housing Committee
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
- Young Professionals Network
These committees and groups are established to support the mission, strategic priorities, programs and services of MAAR and to provide meaningful opportunities for member engagement and leadership.
Purpose and Structure
The purpose, responsibilities or objectives, composition and activities of each committee or group shall be determined by the Board of Directors and may be further defined through committee charters, annual objectives, strategic plans or other policies approved by the Board.
Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws or Board policy, committee members and chairs shall be appointed in accordance with MAAR's established committee appointment process.
Board Authority
The Board of Directors may establish, combine, rename, restructure or discontinue committees and groups established by policy when it determines that doing so will better align MAAR's committee structure with the Association's mission, strategic plan, operational needs and the evolving needs of its members.
In considering changes to committees established by policy, the Board should seek to preserve meaningful opportunities for member involvement and ensure that committee resources and volunteer leadership are structured to support the greatest possible impact and success.
Committees and groups established by policy shall remain subject to the authority and oversight of the Board of Directors and shall operate in accordance with the MAAR Bylaws, policies and any applicable committee charters or charges adopted by the Board.