VAR Advocacy Groups
There are four advocacy groups with 16 members each to govern the Association's major program areas, including:
Public Policy -
The Public Policy Advocacy Group oversees VAR's legislative efforts,
including lobbying, grassroots, and regulatory actions. The Group works
on a regular basis with the Virginia Real Estate Board and the Real
Estate Appraiser Board. The RPAC of Virginia provides you with the
opportunity to fund legislative issues and support pro-REALTOR®
positions and pro-business candidates.
Information Management
- The Information Management Advocacy Group is responsible for
Commonwealth magazine and other VAR communications; member research and
surveys; member services (discount programs); marketing and event
promotion; technology and the VAR websites; and new member outreach.
Professional Development -
The Professional Development Advocacy Group is responsible for
oversight of the Virginia REALTOR Institute (GRI) Program and GRI
designation, the annual Legislative and Education Conference in
February, and the Plugged In convention in the fall. The PDAG also
oversees the Broker/Manager Executive Conference, Leadership
Development Workshop and Instructor Training workshops. This Group also
oversees the VAR member recognition program.
Risk Management -
The Risk Management Advocacy Group oversees VAR's professional
standards curriculum and training, legal action and the VAR Legal
Hotline, mediation and arbitration, and VAR's standard forms. VAR
provides substantive training on Code of Ethics precepts and
enforcement procedures, and trains hundreds of instructors each year to
extend this education on to even more members.
Advocacy Groups are empowered to take any action they deem appropriate
to accomplish the goals for their areas of responsibility, as assigned
by the Policy Board, within budget and policy guidelines of the
Association. To get the work done, they establish ad hoc working
groups, task forces, etc. of volunteers on an ongoing or one-time basis
to accomplish the necessary work with specific tasks, responsibilities,
authority and time frames.
How do you get involved in a VAR Advocacy Group? First, we have to know you're interested through your completion of the Member Survey. Second, it's a good idea to tell your Local Association
Executive Office of your interest and discuss your volunteer goals with
that person. There are lots of ways to be involved - get started today!