Volunteer

Influence from collaborating among REALTORS®, local government, and the community is one of the many ways CAAR is your gateway to more!

Learn more about how you can increase your sphere of influence by signing up to volunteer on a Committee or Project Team.

Both REALTOR® and affiliate members are welcome to volunteer. A Committee is a long-term commitment (6-9 meetings per year for 60 -90 minutes in-person or via Zoom; occasional email communication between meetings). A Project Team is a short-term commitment (1-5 meetings per year, meet as needed).

Read below and get a better idea of what each Committee does. Project Teams are created as needed, per Committee. 

Communications
Responsible for the distribution of CAAR’s message to both the members and to the public. Areas of responsibility include:

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI)
Responsible for:

• Create and preserve an unwavering focus on policies, procedures, and practices that uphold the values of DEI
• Build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive Association that spreads across leadership by removing barriers to access and opportunity
• Provide a DEI lens and offers feedback and insight on issues impacting the Association and/or local real estate industry
• Bring influential speakers to broaden our mindset and change the way we think or approach issues and situations

• MLS systems and policies
• MLS data collection
• MLS data sharing and distribution
  
  

Emerging Technologies
Responsible for working with staff and leadership to investigate, evaluate, and recommend new tools and technologies for the benefit of CAAR members. This group’s activities often support the work of other Master Groups and result in collaborative projects. Areas of responsibilities include:

• Technologies that improve our business
• MLS/Data services
• Evaluating business trends
• New member benefits

• Budgeting
• Volunteer leadership recruitment/recommendations
• Maintaining CAAR governing documents (e.g., Bylaws, Policy Manual, etc.)
• Oversight of professional standards, mediation and arbitration procedures

• Monitoring risk issues
• Providing CAAR members with continuing education & single track post licensure classes
• Designation course selection
• Professional networking within the membership
• Affiliate services and spring/fall education events

Public Affairs
Responsible for many aspects of the Association that involve public policy or real estate market conditions. Areas of responsibility include:

• REALTOR^® Political Action Committee (RPAC) & candidate review
• Free Enterprise Forum partnership
• Local issues advocacy
• State issues advocacy (including REALTOR^® Day on the Hill

Professional Standards Committee (REALTORS® only – no webpage available)
*Please note – The Professional Standards training is hosted by Virginia REALTORS® in January – Mid-March. If you complete a Volunteer From after Mid-March, then you will have to wait until next year to serve this group.
Responsible for enforcement of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Committee members serve on Grievance review, Ethical and Arbitration complaint hearing panels. Each committee member is required to attend one Professional Standards Road Show training session a year to maintain panel member status. Road Shows may provide CE credit for RCE designation or toward re-certification. This committee is a year-long commitment but will only meet when needed. REALTOR® members only for this committee. No meeting minutes available.

REALTORS® Political Action (RPAC)
RPAC is key to protecting the real estate industry. The committee will create, promote, build awareness, support, and encourage participation for RPAC programs, events (e.g., Major Investors dinner), and contributions. This committee is a year-long commitment but will only meet when needed. No meeting minutes available.

Young Professionals Network (YPN)
Responsible for 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. This group is also responsible for planning, promoting, and executing YPN events and charity activities (e.g., securing YPN sponsors, etc.).