Serving Venice and Surrounding Communities

2011 Committees, Task Forces, Councils and Forums guidelines

Bylaws Committee- reviews bylaws of board and MLS to ensure compliance with the recommendations of the National Association of REALTORS. Any changes are forwarded to the Board of Directors, NAR and then the general membership for final approval. Also reviews any changes suggested by the members. Submits bylaws annually to NAR for review. Compliance ensures E&O coverage.

Special Events/Fundraising Committee – Encourages member participation at Board events and meetings, etc. May Prospect for and promote new membership. Plans fundraising and social events such as Happy Hours, annual volunteer recognition, Board picnics, Hot Dogs for Habitat, etc. Coordinates community volunteer programs (clean the beaches/paint a house, habitat fundraising), etc.

Public Relations/Media Subcommittee – develop public relations, media relations, marketing campaign support and implementation; to protect and enhance the use of the term REALTOR®, and to increase public awareness of and member participation in the programs, services and activities of the Venice Board of REALTORS®.

Finance Committee - reviews and may revise the budget prepared by the Executive Vice-President. Presents budget to Board of Directors for final approval. Budget is approved at the Directors meeting in October. Meets to review financial reports and recommends changes in dues structure, fees, etc. when appropriate. Recommends investments and method for accumulation and maintenance of a reserve fund. The Board Treasurer serves as Chairman. The Finance Committee should also be composed of the previous Treasurer and members who have served before. Will coordinate an outside review by an accounting firm every 5 (five) years or sooner if deemed necessary by the Finance Committee. An internal financial review committee will be appointed by the President with members of the Finance Committee and Board of Directors ineligible to serve.

Golf/Scholarship (special committee) - plans and implements the annual Student Scholarship golf outing and other fundraising scholarship events. Responsible for soliciting door prizes, sending thank-you notes and coordinating all events at the tournament. Awards scholarships to graduating high school students.

Grievance Committee - investigates possible violations of the Code of Ethics, bylaws, MLS rules and regulations and any other alleged violation of membership in accordance with the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics/Arbitration manual. Composed of ten members - at least two but not more than 5 should be salesperson licensee members. No two shall be from the same office.

Mediator - appointed by President to mediate disputes or complaints filed with the board concerning arbitration (commission disputes) between Brokers.

Data Services Committee - Meets as needed to review and monitor services offered to the members (Mid-Florida Regional MLS, MLS Alliance, MLS Advantage, Lockbox, etc.). Coordinates Data Services education for rules and regulations and system training. Investigates other data services to offer to members. Candidates for My Florida Regional Directors shall appear before the Nominating Committee for a recommendation to the Board of Directors. Recommends members for committee volunteer positions in the Mid-Florida Regional system. MFR Committee members serving on MFR Committees should have current or past service on Data Services.

Nominating Committee – At least two months before the annual election a Nominating Committee of six Members (one shall be a past president, two shall be REALTOR® Members with Broker or Broker-Sales Associate status and two shall be REALTOR® Members with Sales Associate licenses and one Member at-large) shall be appointed by the President with confirmation by the Board of Directors. The President-Elect is ineligible to serve. A maximum of two current Directors may serve. Appointees may serve no more than two consecutive terms. Committee members must be present for all interviews to vote. The Nominating Committee shall select at least one candidate for each office and at least one candidate for each place to be filled on the Board of Directors. The report of the Nominating Committee shall be distributed at least three weeks preceding the election to each member eligible to vote.

Political Affairs/Legislative/Government Affairs Committee  - Provides political education and encourages political involvement by members. Encourages voter registration. Keeps informed of and reports to the membership legislation affecting the industry. Responds to urgent calls for action from FAR and NAR. Studies proposed legislation and organizes and leads unified board task force to combat undesirable legislation and support that which is favorable to the profession.

Candidate Screening Task Force - interviews candidates to determine philosophies with regard to private property rights, free enterprise and recommends candidates to the Board of Directors for a written recommendation and/or an endorsement (funding). Presented to the board of directors for final approval before they are presented to
the district trustee for final action. The board of directors shall approve all requests for funding. No requests for funds shall be approved by the Board of Directors prior to the filing deadline.

Professional Development/Education Committee - Schedules and coordinates educational programs for members. Recommends acquisition of new materials for board library based on needs of membership and budget. May purchase or lease materials within the budget.

Orientation Subcommittee - divided into two subgroups to teach the board's membership orientation program - bylaws - code of ethics and MLS. Reviews teaching material annually. Orientation is scheduled monthly. Each group should review the material they teach as well as the test questions.

Professional Standards Committee - composed of ten or more members - at least two should be salesperson licensees with a maximum of five. Members should, when possible, have prior experience on the Grievance Committee. Continuity is of utmost importance in serving on this committee. Conducts hearings for alleged ethical violations and for
arbitration. No two panel members should be from the same office. Renders impartial decisions relating to complaints. Procedures are described in the National Association of REALTORS Code of Ethics/Arbitration manual. Must attend a Florida Association of REALTORS training class in the district.
 
REALTOR Political Action (RPAC) Committee- educates the membership and raises funds for candidates and issues supportive to the philosophy of the real estate industry. Promotes and implements fund raising programs and projects.

Strategic Planning Committee - develop proposed future strategies for the board. May devise and study member surveys for input. Recommends long range plans. Identify major issues and trends affecting the industry. Develop and monitor a strategic plan. Chairman is the board's president-elect.

Selection Task Force - selects REALTOR of the year and other award recipients according to established criteria. A confidential committee composed of the Executive Vice-President, Board President, TWO past recipients of the REALTOR of the year award, 4 additional REALTORS. follows guidelines outlined in policy for selection process.