Get Involved: Make an Impact

Committees help bridge the gap between the association and our members – allowing us to work together to meet the needs of GCAR’s membership. As a volunteer leader, your input helps enhance the member experience, and your dedication is instrumental to the success of Capital Region Realtors®.

2025 Committees

Broker/Owner/Manager Council
Provides opportunities for Brokers, Owners, and Managers to share information on issues and practices. Develop educational programs and events that would be of particular interest to broker-owners and office managers.

Community Relations Committee
Have direct involvement in activities that benefit the community GCAR members serve by planning participation in the scheduled programs of the not-for-profit community and/or GCAR stand-alone events.

Develop programs for GCAR participation in community, civic, and charitable programs.

The committee also recommends distributions from the GCAR Community Outreach Fund.

Education/Member Services
Increase awareness by planning and coordinating skill training programs, educational seminars, community outreach seminars, and continuing education courses for the membership.

Trade Show Committee
Plans and coordinates aspects of the GCAR annual Trade Show: seminars, speakers, and sponsorship for the event. Have some fun while working on this premier event!

Grievance Committee
Review requests for arbitration and ethics complaints to determine if a hearing is appropriate. Limited appointments for three-year terms are available. Appointees must have been REALTORS® for at least five (5) years and complete the required training.

Legislative Affairs Committee
Act with the RPAC Committee and participate in state lobbying events and activities. The committee shall stay abreast and act on local, state, and federal government issues; shall establish and maintain a good working relationship with elected officials, and shall advocate for actions and outcomes that are of direct benefit to the association’s members and the real estate industry.

Professional Standards Committee
Members serve on arbitration or ethics hearing panels. Limited three-year appointments are available. Appointees must have been REALTORS® for at least five (5) years and complete the required training.

RPAC Committee
Develop programs to increase the participation of GCAR’s membership in the REALTORS® Political Action Committee. Seeks to meet assigned goals in fundraising, membership participation, and legislative advocacy programs.

GCAR Board of Directors

About the BOD

The governing body of the Association shall be a Board of Directors which, as of January 2020, will consist of 11 members as follows:

1. the three (3) officers of the Association;
2. Seven (7) elected Realtor® Members of the Association; and
3. the immediate past president of the Association

The seven (7) elected Directors shall be elected to serve for terms of three years, except that at organization, one-third of the elected Directors shall be elected for terms of one, two, and three years, respectively, or for lesser terms as may be necessary to complete the first fiscal year. Thereafter, as many Directors shall be elected each year as are required to fill vacancies.

How to Get on the BOD

At least two (2) months before the annual election, a Nominating Committee of 5 Realtor® Members will be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the immediate past president of the Association as Chairperson and 4 other Realtors®. The Nominating Committee shall select one candidate for each office and one candidate for each place to be filled as a director of the Association. The report of the Nominating Committee shall be provided to each Member eligible to vote at least three (3) weeks preceding the election.

Additional candidates for the offices to be filled may be placed in nomination by a petition signed by at least 10% of the Realtor® Members eligible to vote. The petition shall be filed with the Chief Staff Executive at least two (2) weeks before the election. If the petition is completed properly and contains the necessary number of valid signatures, the Chief Executive Officer shall post the additional nominations. The Chief Staff Executive shall send notice of such additional nominations to all Members eligible to vote before the election.

No other candidates for office may be placed in nomination other than by the Nominating Committee or by petition as set forth above.

The election of Officers and Directors will take place at the annual meeting. Election will be by ballot; provided, however, in the event that no candidates are placed in nomination by petition then the Secretary may cast a single vote for each nominee placed in nomination by the Nominating Committee and thereupon each candidate shall be duly elected to the office to which they were nominated.

Candidates for a GCAR Officer position must have served on the GCAR Board of Directors or another board/association of REALTORS® board of directors and/or an MLS Board of Directors for a minimum of three (3) years. Combined service is permissible.

The deadline for applications is September 1, 2024.

Serving on the BOD

Help set high standards for one of the largest Realtor® Associations in New York.

As a director of one of the most prominent Realtor® Associations in the state, GCAR leadership members are recognized throughout the Capital Region for the difference they make in the lives of the more than 3,000 members through the decisions they make and the standards they set.

Board member responsibilities include:

• Attendance at GCAR board meetings (6 bimonthly meetings per year).
• Directors may not miss more than one board meeting to remain active on the board.
• Attendance at the annual NYSAR Leadership Conference.
• A commitment to invest in RPAC.
• Service as an ambassador of the Association promoting the Association, GCAR’s products, tools and services and information to your firm, the membership at large and the community throughout the year.
• Participation in GCAR events throughout the year.