NAR built its committees with good intentions, but today’s system has outlived yesterday’s market needs.
Modernizing the association must start with modernizing our governance. Following extensive surveys and audits of committee functions and member experiences, we found bloated committees, overlapping assignments and a one-size-fits-all committee selection process that was putting people with relevant expertise in the wrong rooms.
It became clear that our good intentions lacked a clear mechanism to grow and adapt the existing structure to meet modern needs.
So, what happens now? Today we take the first of many steps in reengineering NAR governance. This is necessary to be nimbler and more responsive to our members. Our governance should enable REALTORS®’ to confidently navigate an increasingly difficult transaction landscape.
NAR is eliminating eight advisory groups and committees.
- The Large State Forum; Medium State Forum; Small State Forum; State Leadership Idea Exchange Council; and Reserves Investment Advisory Board are being dissolved immediately.
- The Amicus Brief Advisory Board; Leading Edge Advisory Board; and Leadership Identification and Development Committee, will be sunset on Dec. 1. Other governing bodies will assume the work of each of these groups.
These changes are just the beginning. Members consistently call on NAR to streamline organizational governance and enhance its effectiveness. Today’s announcement is a foundational first step in a broader effort to strengthen NAR’s governance model and ensure it reflects how the real estate industry operates today.
The most important part of this process is to enhance effectiveness and not to cut for numbers’ sake. The elimination of the State Forums and Idea Exchange, for example, is proof that our shift in how NAR partners with association executives is working. That collaboration has already produced practical resources, such as state and local toolkits and an AI policy template, providing immediate value to AEs. Increasingly, we must value this type of partnership and collaboration over formalities.
We are also raising the bar for who and how we select committee members. The 2027 committee application process now requires subject matter specific questions to help ensure assignments are intentional and grounded in expertise. We recognize that relationships are important, but committee selection should ultimately serve the unique needs of each group.
The extensive research conducted continues to inform governance decisions. Members should expect their Leadership Team to act on insights that prioritize member impact, operational effectiveness and readiness for future challenges. Each step we take is part of a larger journey toward a governance model that empowers members, supports the industry and delivers value to consumers.
