GAAR and SWMLS rely on volunteers as a vital component of our growth, strength, and success. We are currently seeking members who would be interested in volunteering for various committees at the Association. Not sure which committee you want to get involved with? We have a full list below.

If you are considering being a volunteer for a GAAR or SWMLS Committee, please email announce@gaar.com to get more information.

GAAR Standing Committees

Standing Committees are constituted to perform a continuing function and remain in existence permanently. Standing committees are created by the Bylaws.

Grievance 

  • Purpose: To determine if complaints are potential violations of the Code of Ethics or determine if matters are arbitrable.
  • Composition: The Grievance Committee shall consist of at least twelve (12) Members including a Chair and Vice-Chair.
  • Qualifications: Must be a REALTOR® in good standing for the past five (5) years on a consecutive basis with no ethics violations in the three (3) years prior to consideration for Committee Membership. No member may serve concurrently on any combination of the Grievance or Professional Standards Committees or as a Mediator or Ombuds for GAAR. All new members of the Grievance Committee must attend a Professional Standards training session targeted at their responsibilities a minimum of four (4) hours. All Grievance Committee members shall annually attend a training course related to professional standards, such as a class on Code of Ethics, procuring cause, business ethics, professionalism in real estate, mediation, etc. for a minimum of three (3) hours.
  • Appointments must be confirmed by the Board of Directors
  • Term: Three-year term

2024 Chair:  Deborah Duran
2024 Vice Chair: Tamara Petrino
Staff Liaison:  Melody Mar

Professional Standards 

  • Purpose: To hear ethics complaints and arbitrations.
  • Composition: The Professional Standards Committee shall consist of at least twenty-two (22) members to include a Chair and Vice Chair.
  • Qualifications: Must be a REALTOR® in good standing for the past five (5) years on a consecutive basis with no ethics violations in the three (3) years prior to consideration for Committee Membership. No member may serve concurrently on any combination of the Grievance or Professional Standards Committees or as a Mediator or Ombuds for GAAR. All new members of the Professional Standards Committee must attend a Professional Standards training session targeted at their responsibilities for a minimum of four (4) hours. All Professional Standards Committee members shall annually attend a training course related to professional standards, such as a class on Code of Ethics, procuring cause, business ethics professionalism in real estate, mediation, etc. for a minimum of three (3) hours.
  • Appointments must be confirmed by the Board of Directors
  • Term: Three-year term

2024 Chair:  Wayne Berry
2024 Vice Chair:  Cassandra Morrison
Staff Liaison:  Melody Mar

REALTOR® Fund 

  • Purpose: To coordinate fundraising efforts for the REALTOR® endowment fund and to make recommendations for funding to support the mission and purpose of The REALTOR® Fund.
  • Composition: 8 members, including a Chair and Vice-Chair.
  • Qualifications: Members may be REALTOR® members, affiliate members, or community leaders. Members are expected to contribute and/or raise funds to support the endowment fund.
  • Appointments must be confirmed by the Board of Directors
  • Term: Three-year term

2024 Chair:  Jean Duran
2024 Vice Chair:  Belinda Franco
Staff Liaisons:  Nick Fowler & Jane Fertig

GAAR AD Hoc Committees

Ad Hoc Committees are formed for a limited period of time to address a specific need. When the work of the ad hoc committee is completed, the committee is dissolved. An ad hoc committee may exist for less than a year or for a year or more depending on the extent of the work assigned to it.

Golf Tournament 

  • Purpose: To coordinate operations and sponsorships for the GAAR Annual Charity Golf Tournament to raise funds for the REALTOR® Fund.
  • Composition: 10‐15 members, which includes a Chair and Vice-Chair
  • Qualifications: None
  • Term: One-year term

2024 Co-Chairs:  Kim Gordon & Chris Lucero
Staff Liaisons:  Nick Fowler & Jane Fertig

Run for the Zoo 

  • Purpose: To coordinate operations and volunteers to support the Run for the Zoo event.
  • Composition: 10‐15 members, which includes a Chair and Vice-Chair
  • Qualifications: None
  • Term: One-year term

2024 Co-Chairs:  Sherilyn Lucas & Steve Cecco
Staff Liaison:  Heather Price

Leadership, Education, and Achievement Programs (LEAP) 

  • Purpose: To investigate, recommend and provide resources for programs and processes that grow leadership in the Association and support the professional development and recognition of members. Specifically, the committee plans and develops Broker/Member Forums; creates programs for the professional development of the REALTOR® in conjunction with REALTOR® week; supports the planning and execution of the Leadership Development Program for emerging Association leaders; secures sponsors for the GAAR Awards Gala, and oversees the selection and presentation of GAAR Awards, and helps identify the professional development needs of all members.
  • Composition: 10‐15 members, which includes the Chair and Vice-Chair
  • Qualifications: None
  • Term: One-year term

2024 Chair:  Steve Cecco
2024 Vice Chair:  Christine Marin-Taylor
Staff Liasons:  Laura Harris & Emy Saavedra

GAAR Networking & Specific Membership Committees

Advancing Belonging, Community & Diversity (ABCD)

  • Purpose: To provide guidance and support to diversity initiatives that will create cultural shifts and increase the sense of belonging among members and the community. Identify and help reduce the barriers to homeownership for all.
  • Composition: Any active GAAR member is welcome
  • Qualifications: None
  • Term: Three-year term, staggered

2024 Chair:  Adrian Reyes
2024 Vice Chair:  Jasmin Sanchez
Staff Liaison:  Heather Price

Affiliates

Purpose: To provide a forum that enables Affiliate Members to network and exchange ideas and information, develop programs/processes that provide industry information to REALTOR® members, recruit new affiliates, and create opportunities for developing business partnerships. Expected outcomes of the Committee:

  • Plan and develop quarterly Affiliate Forums with Q & A’s on timely topics of interest to real estate professionals.
  • Provide current company marketing materials for distribution at New Member Orientation programs.

Additionally, the Affiliate Committee will work with other GAAR members and committees to sponsor and volunteer, and/or recruit sponsors and volunteers to support special member recognition, charitable, community and/or other types of unique projects and events.

  • Composition: Chair and Co‐Chair, any active Affiliate Member; all Affiliate Members will be notified of meeting dates.
  • Qualifications: Active Affiliate Members of GAAR
  • Term: One-year term for Chair and Co‐Chair

2024 Chair:  Antoinette Baca
2024 Vice Chair:  Martha Maldonado
2024 Secretary:  Shelby Ponzio-Fay
Staff Liaison:  Nick Fowler

Appraiser

  • Purpose: To provide a forum for appraiser members to interact with other appraiser members of GAAR and share common ideas and information with each other.
  • Composition: Chair and Vice-Chair and any Appraiser Member
  • Qualifications: Chair and Vice-Chair should be Appraiser Members
  • Term: One-year term

2024 Chair:  Randall Pratt
Staff Liaison:  Richard Gibbens

GAAR Ambassador Program (GAP)

  • Purpose: The purpose of the GAP Program is to support the association by helping brokers become aware and embrace the tools they need to help them be successful. The success of our members creates a positive experience for the community agents live in and the consumers they serve. 
  • Composition: Any GAAR REALTOR® is welcome
  • Qualifications: None
  • Term: None

2024 Chair:  Shane Dolinski
2024 Chair-elect:  Melissa Moya
Staff Liaison:  Ariel Langford

Young Professionals Network (YPN)

  • Purpose: YPN gives new REALTORS® and Affiliates an opportunity to get involved in their profession, and association, and build their leadership skills.
  • REALTOR® associations. Pursue leadership roles with their local, state, and national associations. 
  • Real estate industry. Take an active role in policy discussions and advocacy issues; be informed about the latest industry news and trends.
  • Peers. Network and learn from one another by attending events, participating in online communication, and seeking out mentoring opportunities.
  • Community. Become exceptional members of their community by demonstrating a high level of REALTOR® professionalism and volunteering for causes they feel passionate about.
  • Composition: Chair and any active REALTOR® and Affiliate Member
  • Qualifications: Any REALTOR® and Affiliate member is welcome. There is no age limit for YPN.
  • Term: None

2024 Chair:  Jen Hernandez
2024 Vice Chair:  Nick Purdy
Staff Liaisons:  Emy Saavedra & Gabe Baca

Other GAAR/CARNM Committees

Real Estate Community Political Action (RECPAC)

  • Purpose: To participate in public policy development by governmental and regulatory bodies to preserve and protect private property rights and the business environment in which REALTORS® work, promote awareness of RPAC, and raise funds to meet state and national goals.
  • Composition: 9 Trustees (6 GAAR Members/3 CARNM Members) which includes the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Treasurer. The current President of GAAR and CARNM shall serve as non-voting ex officio members. No more than two voting Trustees may be affiliated with any one firm. Regular meetings shall be open to all RECPAC Members in good standing. RECPAC Membership is available to any member who contributes $25 or more annually to RECPAC. Non-Trustee Members may be recognized to speak at the discretion of the Chair. Confidential portions of the meetings shall be attended by Trustees only.
  • Qualifications: Trustees must be politically active and astute on current political events and issues.  Trustees must act in a non-partisan manner and be able to analyze political issues and situations with the interest of the REALTOR® in mind. The Board of Trustees shall have general supervision and control over the affairs and funds of RECPAC and shall establish and carry out all policies and activities of RECPAC. Trustees are required to be active fundraisers, raise awareness of RECPAC and RPAC, and meet the goals established by the Trustees.  
  • Term: 3-year staggered terms

2024 Chair:  Amanda Champine
2024 Vice Chair:  Josh Price
2024 Treasurer:  Daniel Kearney
Staff Support:  Kent Cravens & Laura Harris

SWMLS Standing Committees

Policy 

  • Purpose: To maintain and update the SWMLS Rules and Regulations and to work with the Compliance Committee to ensure compliance with the Rules and Regulations.
  • Composition: A Chair and Vice-Chair with no less than 9 members. The Chair of the committee and the Past Chair are non‐voting members. All other members are voting members. The Vice‐Chair is appointed by the Vice President and will succeed the Chair when his/her term expires. The committee shall include at least one appraiser and at least two Subscribers or Participants.
  • Qualifications: At least one appraiser and two Subscribers or Participants must have more than five (5) years of experience in the business. All other committee members must have been in the business for a minimum of one (1) year.
  • Term: Three-year term staggered terms. The Chair, Vice‐Chair, and Past‐Chair shall serve for one (1) year terms.
  • Ex‐Officio Members: The President of the SWMLS is an ex‐officio member.

2024 Chair: Susan Blackwell
Staff Liaison: Richard Gibbens

Compliance 

  • Purpose: To review alleged violations of the Rules and Regulations and conduct hearings as required and take such action as needed.
  • Composition: A Chair and Vice-Chair with no less than 9 members, which shall be representative of the various sizes of offices in the Service and shall consist of both Subscribers and Participants. All members of the committee shall be voting members including the Chair, Vice-Chair, and the Immediate Past Chair, however, the Chair of the committee shall vote only in case of ties. The committee shall include at least one appraiser.
  • Qualifications: All members of the committee shall have at least three (3) years of experience in the real estate business.
  • Term: three-year term, staggered terms. The Chair, Vice‐Chair, and Past‐Chair shall serve for one (1) year terms.

2024 Chair:  Camille Victour
Staff Liaison:  Richard Gibbens

Emerging Trends and Technology 

  • Purpose:   The Committee shall review, research, or vet new MLS products and services that could benefit SWMLS Participants, Subscribers, MLS staff, and Affiliate users. Acting as an advisory group the Committee would be expected to make recommendations to the SWMLS Board of Directors on applicable products that are deemed to be an important benefit.    The Committee may also discuss emerging trends in real estate technology, and at the request of the BOD or MLS Executive Committee, review new companies or individuals requesting data license agreements for MLS data.    During times of an MLS system review, the committee may also act as an advisory task force for the Board by reviewing alternative MLS systems.
  • Composition: All members of the committee shall be voting members and include a Chair and Vice-ChairThe number of members to serve shall be at the discretion of the President with no less than (8) persons selected. A vice-chair will be appointed by the Vice President and will succeed the Chair when his/her term expires. 
  • Qualifications: All members of the committee shall have at least two (2) years of experience in the real estate business.
  • Term: Two-year term staggered terms. The Chair, Vice‐Chair, and Past‐Chair shall serve for one (1) year terms.

2024 Chair:  Becky Perry
Staff Liaison:  Richard Gibbens