What Is NAR's Board of Directors?

What do they do?

The Board of Directors represents members of NAR and oversees the development and modification of policy including constitutional amendments and changes to the Code of Ethics, as well as the administration of the funds of the Association for over one million members. 

The Board of Directors makes decisions that help ensure members' financial success and promote private property rights within the United States and throughout the world. They consider the specialized needs of practitioners in many areas including appraisal, auction, commercial, counseling, international real estate, land development, property management, residential, and resort.

Who are they?

NAR's Board of Directors is composed of over 900 men and women who represent different geographic areas and specialties within the real estate industry. The Board reflects the broad scope of the Association with members drawn from a wide variety of groups including the institutes, societies and councils, state and local associations, commercial and real estate specialties, firms and franchises, as well as external and internal organizations.

When do they meet?

During their term, Board members participate in two national meetings a year, the REALTORS® Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo in May and the REALTORS® Conference and Expo in November. From time to time, special meetings may be called.

Directors are encouraged to attend their regional caucus, which generally meets the evening before the Board of Directors' meeting. Also, they are expected to serve on at least one NAR committee to which they can bring their industry experience and insight.

Did you know?

NAR Presidents use a gavel (or mallet) to begin and end meetings and signify major decisions by the Board of Directors. At the end of the annual director's meeting in November, the outgoing President hands off the gavel to the incoming President.

In 1911, president Samuel S. Thorpe of Minneapolis was presented with the mallet pictured above by J. L. Head, a REALTOR® from Havana, Cuba (part of NAR's territory at the time). The mallet, according to Head, was carved from pieces of the captain's desk on the U.S.S. Maine, the battleship destroyed in Havana Harbor on Feb. 15, 1898, during the Cuban revolt against Spain.

The mallet still shows marks where worms and other sea creatures bore into it. It was used by Thorpe and succeeding presidents to conduct association business until it was finally retired in the early 1920s.

Want to learn more?

See who is currently serving on the Board of Directors (M1 log-in required).

Read more about the Role of the Director.