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Committee Leadership Resources

I’m a Committee Leader! Now What?

Welcome to a distinguished team of NAR committee leaders! As you can imagine, there is a tremendous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, among several governing bodies, to ensure that our organization functions efficiently and effectively. To help you feel as prepared as possible heading into your year as a committee leader, this page provides everything from an overview of governing bodies, to what to expect at a Board of Directors meeting, and oversight diagrams so you can better understand the roles and responsibilities in each area of NAR. You’ll even find scripts and tips to help in the event that you need to bring a recommendation forward to Executive Committee or the Board of Directors.

Jump to:

NAR's Governing Bodies
Elected & Appointed Leadership
Preparing to Report at NAR Meetings
Organizational Charts & Processes

Also see: Required DEI Training for NAR Leaders

NAR Stakeholders Onboarding Resource Guide

View the 2024 NAR Stakeholders Onboarding Resource Guide (PDF: 2.2 MB)

Committee Leadership Camp for 2024 Chairs and Vice Chairs

Recording of the Committee Leadership Camp which took place in August 2023. This Camp is required training for 2024 Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs of NAR.

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NAR's Governing Bodies

2024 President-Elect Kevin Sears outlines changes to the composition and authority of the NAR Board of Directors and Executive Committee going into effect in 2024.

The National Association’s governing bodies are comprised of elected and appointed members serving in leadership positions.

NAR’s Governing Bodies include:

NAR's Governing Bodies

Leadership Team

The Leadership Team manages the businesses of the Association and provides direction and leadership to our membership. They also have the authority to act on behalf of the NAR Board of Directors between its two annual meetings. See the current NAR Leadership Team.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is comprised of the following:

(A) The President, President-Elect, First Vice President, Treasurer, Immediate Past President, the Past President twice-removed, Vice President of Advocacy, Vice President of Association Affairs, and REALTOR® Party Director. 

(B) Four Past Presidents appointed by the Leadership Team to serve two-year staggered terms such that two Past Presidents are appointed annually.

(C) Twelve members to serve a two-year staggered term, based on the individual having demonstrated a competency needed for the role, as such competencies are identified by the Leadership Team with input from the Leadership Identification and Development Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and Credentials and Campaign Rules Committee, and to be appointed by the Leadership Team that will be in office when these terms begin. Each Executive Committee member serving pursuant to this provision will serve a two-year staggered term such that six members are appointed annually. Appointments pursuant to this section must not have previously served as National Association President.

(D) Each Regional Vice President to serve a two-year term beginning concurrently with their term as Regional Vice President.

(E) One AE Representative and one MLS Executive Representative appointed by the Leadership Team that will be in office when these terms begin for a one-year term.

(F) One representative from each of the National Association’s Institutes, Societies, and Councils to serve a two-year staggered term appointed by the Leadership Team that will be in office when these terms begin upon recommendation of each respective Institute, Society, and Council.

(G) A principal, partner or corporate officer or management team member from five of the largest firms, partnerships or corporations in the real estate business who hold REALTOR® membership in a Member Board of the National Association and is appointed by the Leadership Team that will be in office when these terms begin upon recommendation of the Real Estate Services Advisory Group.

(H) The CEO of the National Association, a non-voting member.

(I)  Each REALTOR® Member who has served as President of the National Association and as a member of the Executive Committee for the terms aggregating twenty (20) years is appointed as Lifetime Emeritus of the Executive Committee unless sooner terminated by resignation from the Committee of the National Association.

(J) Two Distinguished Service Award recipients appointed by the Leadership Team that will be in office when these terms begin for a one-year term.

The Executive Committee has the authority to:

  • approve the NAR Strategic Plan and monitor plan progress and success of achieving NAR goals and priorities.
  • approve committee recommendations and policy with the following exceptions:
    • those that require approval by the Board of Directors, such as approving amendments to the Bylaws and to the Code of Ethics, approving the National Association budget, dues and assessments,
    • those that the Leadership Team or Executive Committee may refer to the Board for vetting and approval, and
    • those that have been referred to the Board of Directors by a petition signed by at least twenty percent of the Directors.
  • approve changes to the NAR committee structure to ensure it adequately serves the needs of NAR and will support implementation of our Strategic Plan.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors will: 

  • approve the association budget, dues, and assessments, as well as any amendments to the Bylaws or Code of Ethics.
  • be engaged in and review progress of the NAR Strategic Plan to provide critical input and to evaluate the success of NAR’s goals and priorities.
  • provide input and perspective to the Executive Committee and Leadership Team as requested on industry issues, critical trends, and NAR policy, particularly those considered so important or contentious that vetting and consensus by the broadest representation of the membership is needed.
  • elect Officers.

Delegate Body

The Delegate Body meets once a year at the REALTORS® Conference. The Delegate Body is composed of the presidents of 1,130 member boards and they have the authority to approve proposed amendments to the NAR Constitution and Code of Ethics.

Committees

The committee structure is comprised of Committees, Advisory Boards, Advisory Groups, Forums and Councils, overseeing public policy issues, advocacy efforts, diversity engagement, association management, and many more. Committee work is ongoing unless the committee requests to be sunset through the committee structure process and approved by the Leadership Team. A Committee’s Leadership can also request a change in the committee’s purpose, composition, or terms of service, subject to approval by the Leadership Team. A Committee may recommend to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors a new or change to member programs, policies, products and services.

Elected & Appointed Leadership

NAR Governing Bodies

Leadership Team

The Leadership Team is a team of 8 elected and appointed members, composed of the President, President-Elect, First Vice President, Treasurer, Immediate Past President, Vice Presidents of Advocacy and Association Affairs (appointed by the President), and CEO (non-voting).

Regional Vice Presidents

The Regional Vice Presidents (RVPs) serve as spokespersons for the National Association in his/her respective region. Regions are comprised of 54 states and territories which are broken down into 13 geographic areas.

RVP Map

The RVPs act as representatives of the President in such matters that may be assigned to them. The RVPs also work with their state associations to stimulate a team effort throughout the year, and discuss issues of concern with their State Executive Officers and report those significant issues back to the Leadership Team for review.

Committee Liaisons

The Committee Liaisons are appointed each year by the President to assist in facilitating committee issues and activities. The Liaisons facilitate communication amongst the committee chairs, vice chairs, committee members; monitor committee goals; ensure that major strategies are in place to achieve the goals; and assist in identifying and developing effective committee leadership.

Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs

The Committee Vice Chairs are appointed each year by the incoming President-elect. They will automatically rise to the position of Chair, pending confirmation by the incoming President. The Chairs and Vice Chairs set goals for their committee/advisory board/council/forum each year in order to further the overall strategic goals of the association. Almost all meet twice-yearly at the Legislative Meetings and Annual Convention, where they may bring recommendations before the Board of Directors. Some committees will meet additionally at other times of the year.

Preparing to Report at NAR Meetings

Committees provide either an action or filed report to the Executive Committee and Board of Directors at each of their twice-yearly meetings. While a filed report will just inform these two bodies of the discussion of the committee, an action report includes recommendations for new or requests for revisions to NAR policies, programs, products or services, the strategic plan, financial expenditures, and membership dues. These documents provide guidelines for writing recommendations and presenting them to both bodies.

Organizational Charts & Processes

Standing Committee and Leadership Positions:

Committees