Bylaws: A Transformation
This communication is being archived in order to comply with the requirement of communicating to members of proposed changes. Also, note that it was approved by the NAR Board of Directors on Monday, November 15th.
A task force has been meeting for over two years exploring how Women’s Council – National can transform the nominating process. Throughout this process, the task force has recommended that the organization move from the current slating system to a credentialing system, similar to what local networks are doing and other organizations such as the National Association of Realtors®. This communication provides detail on this initiative to provide you with the background information you need to know before the Governing Board meeting scheduled on November 14, 2021, at 10:00 am in San Diego.
Why this initiative is being brought forward?
As current Governing Board members well know, National has been overhauling and refining its bylaws over the past few years, since the governance process has been relatively unchanged in its 84-year history. Previous bylaws changes have focused on COVID-related changes, outdated grammar, and harmonizing bylaws at the local, state, and national levels. This round of changes focuses specifically on nominating to credentialing. In recent years, groups like NAR have moved to a credentialing process simply because it emphasizes qualifications for office versus other factors currently emphasized, such as a single interview, supporting candidates by geographical location, or other narrow criteria and factors. A credentialing system can provide a more holistic overview for the committee, such as job qualifications, background and social media checks, and verification of other criteria. Additionally, a proposed credentialing system allows for more flexibility in the process as well. Informally, our local networks also use such a system.
An overview of the proposed changes.
An overview of the proposed changes can be found here.
The actual bylaws strikethroughs can be found here.
The next steps:
First Vice President, Chris Pelkola Lee, will present this initiative at the Regional Caucus meetings on Thursday, November 11th from 1:45 pm to 3:00 pm in San Diego. Final schedules and room locations will be distributed to all registered conference attendees.
If approved in November, the new process would go into effect immediately for anyone seeking office in 2024. A draft Candidate Review Policy for members seeking office in 2024 would be posted on wcr.org and would be put into implementation in Spring 2022. This is a draft policy and governing board members will not be voting on policy, rather on bylaws changes. This document is a supplemental piece to provide you with a full understanding of the envisioned process developed by task force members. Note, as always, any candidate interested in running for national office should get in touch with national staff, who can assist interested candidates through the process.
A special thank you to the task force members, who throughout the past couple of years have worked hard to refine this initiative and proposal brought forth to the Governing Board. These members include Christina Carroll (MD), Pamela Banks (FL), Anita Davis (MD), Kerri Hartnett (OR), Lori Muller (WI), Heather Ozur (CA), Sindy Ready (AZ), and Katie Weaver (MI). This brain trust was staffed by our very capable Director of Network Engagement, Jamie Saltman (CA), who has a wealth of expertise and insight from having served at all three levels. The proposed changes are supported by NAR, the Women’s Council leadership team, and the Executive Committee.
Any questions in advance of this meeting can be directed to First Vice President, Chris Pelkola Lee at chris@simpleehome.com.
Note, this notice complies with Article XVII of the national bylaws, which states that "bylaws may be amended at any meeting of the Governing Board by a two-thirds vote in the affirmative of the Governing Board members present and voting at such meeting, provided that a quorum is present, and provided the substance of the proposed amendments has been submitted to all members of the Women’s Council at least thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting at which they will be acted upon, and provided that no such amendment shall become effective until the same shall have been submitted to and approved by the Board of Directors of the National Association."
