Member Services Corner

Learn more about our REALTOR associations' Emeritus status programs

Emeritus status is offered by REALTOR® associations to recognize an individual's contributions and longevity to the REALTOR® community and industry. Each REALTOR® association level (local, state and national) has its own Emeritus status program with its own criteria for eligibility. If you are approved for Emeritus status through one association, it does not necessarily mean that you are granted Emeritus status through other associations.

LOCAL: GCAAR Primary REALTOR® Emeritus Status Program

GCAAR recognizes the contributions of our longest-serving members and has established the following criteria, effective for the 2022 billing cycle: • Any member who has held a membership with the National Association of REALTORS® for 40 or more years and has held a primary REALTOR® membership of GCAAR* for at least 21 years, with at least the last 5 consecutive years with GCAAR. In addition, must have proof of at least one year of service on a committee with GCAAR (this includes the Montgomery County Board of REALTORS®,

Montgomery County Association of REALTORS® and/or the Washington D.C. Association of

REALTORS®.) • Or, any member who has held a membership with the National Association of REALTORS® for 50 or more years and has held a primary REALTOR® membership with GCAAR for at least 26 years, with at least the last five consecutive years with GCAAR. No service at the local REALTOR® association is needed. Applications are due to GCAAR by July 31 preceding the fall billing cycle. If approved, local GCAAR dues will be waived for primary REALTOR® membership through GCAAR.

LOCAL: GCAAR Affiliate Emeritus Status Program

In this new program that is exclusive to GCAAR, we recognize the outstanding contributions of our affiliate members and have established the following criteria, effective for the 2022 billing cycle: • Any affiliate member who has held an affiliate membership with GCAAR for 40 or more years and has proof of at least one year of service on a committee with GCAAR (this includes the Montgomery

County Board of REALTORS®, Montgomery County Association of REALTORS® and/or the Washington

D.C. Association of REALTORS®.) Applications are due to GCAAR by July 31 preceding the fall billing cycle. If approved, local GCAAR dues will be waived for affiliate membership through GCAAR.

STATE: DCAR Primary REALTOR® Emeritus Status Program

The District of Columbia Association of REALTORS® offers emeritus status as well and has outlined its criteria, effective for the 2022 billing cycle, which you can find at gcaar.com/emeritus. Applications are due to DCAR by July 31 preceding the fall billing cycle. If approved, primary state DCAR dues will be waived as long as one maintains their primary state REALTOR® membership through DCAR.

STATE: Maryland REALTORS® Emeritus Status Program

Maryland REALTORS® recognizes REALTORS® who have held membership with Maryland REALTORS® for a cumulative period of 50 years for REALTORS® Emeritus status. For additional details, visit gcaar.com/emeritus, or see the Maryland REALTORS® Emeritus Application at mdrealtor.org/ Association/Get-Involved/Industry-Awards for more information and deadlines. Upon approval, no further payment of dues to Maryland REALTORS® is necessary.

NATIONAL: National Association of REALTORS® Emeritus Status Program

The National Association of REALTORS® has its own criteria for its Emeritus Status program. Visit gcaar.com/emeritus for the full list of criteria and additional details, and contact memberservices@gcaar.com by March 1 or Sept. 1 in order to apply. GCAAR staff will work with you to complete your application and submit it on your behalf. Upon approval, no further payment of dues to the National Association is necessary.

Show your support for our affiliate members on #GCAARAffiliateFridays

We love our affiliate members! They’re the individuals and companies who provide services to support real estate transactions, and we’re highlighting them weekly on our social media channels. Be sure to like or comment on our #GCAARAfilliateFriday social media posts to show your support! Affiliates: If you haven’t yet submitted your contact form, send it in so we can highlight you. This link will take you to the contact form: bit.ly/3eonlaM.

What to do if you or a client has an ethics complaint

Individuals who believe that a REALTOR® has violated one or more Articles of the Code of Ethics can file an ethics complaint alleging a violation(s) through the local association of REALTORS® where the REALTOR® holds membership, or participates in a REALTOR® association-owned/operated MLS. If you believe that a REALTOR®-member of the Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® (GCAAR) acted unethically in a real estate transaction, you may address the issue through GCAAR.

What is the GCAAR Ombuds Program?

An ombudsman is an individual appointed to receive and resolve disputes through constructive communication and advocating for consensus and understanding. The ombuds process is the first step to resolving ethics complaints and requests for arbitration. This is a free service offered by GCAAR and is often a faster path to resolution than the formal complaint process. Participation in the ombuds process is optional; if the issue is not resolved through an ombudsman you can still file an ethics complaint if you meet the time limitation requirements. More information on the ombudsman process can be found on GCAAR’s website at gcaar.com/professional-standards.

2 tips for stronger REALTOR® relationships

Check out these tips from your fellow REALTORS® on ways you can build better relationships with your colleagues.

Share important information with your REALTOR® colleagues about properties you've listed that may be helpful during showings. Are there pets present? Does the property have a security system? Will the sellers be there during the showing? Go the extra mile! Take the time to notify the listing agent if there appears to be inaccurate information on their listing.

See upcoming issues of Capital Area REALTOR® magazine and follow GCAAR on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter for more tips!