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GRAR Volunteer Opportunties
Find Your Place. Make an Impact.
Serving in a GRAR volunteer group is a rewarding way to…
- Shape our Association, community, and industry
- Enhance your professional development and leadership skills
- Build lasting professional and personal connections
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Advocacy Groups
Re-Imagine Roc Housing
This group of community, business, and government partners develops solutions for the housing shortage in our region. Working directly with local officials, our mission is to improve accessibility to affordable, safe housing by removing bureaucratic obstacles to real estate development. Meets quarterly for 1-2 hours.
REALTOR® Bar Committee
Chair: Evelyn Garcia
Vice Chair: Rich Orczyk
Staff Liaison: Jane Sweetland
Composed of REALTORS® and Monroe County Bar Association attorneys, the committee reviews industry laws and regulations, updates GRAR contracts and forms, and conducts joint educational programs. Meets monthly for 1.5 hours.
Ethics Committees
Equitable Opportunities in Real Estate Committee
Chair: Charles Flynn
Vice Chair: Kurt Engebrecht
Staff Liaison: Jen Pierson
Promotes equitable opportunities in real estate through fair housing education, advocacy, inclusive community development, and support for diverse leadership. Advances the association’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. Meets quarterly for about 1.5 hours.
Professional Standards Committee
Chair: Nina Malatesta
Staff Liaison: Gayle Gallo
Serves as the pool for ethics and arbitration hearing panels, upholding the Code of Ethics. Members must complete annual NYSAR Professional Standards training. Time commitment varies; typically 3–5 panels per year, 4–7 hours each.
Caucus Groups
Black Caucus
Advances Black leadership in real estate across Greater Rochester by supporting Black REALTORS® at all career stages and recruiting new members. Promotes awareness of structural racism in housing and advocates for equitable housing and economic development to build thriving communities.
Hispanic Real Estate Professionals of Rochester (HREP-ROC)
Chair: Orlando Rivera
Staff Liaison: Jen Pierson
HREP-Roc serves the Hispanic community in Greater Rochester through homeownership education and financial literacy, aiming to increase Hispanic homeownership and promote housing as a key wealth-building tool.
Pride Caucus
The Pride Caucus educates the community on LGBTQ rights and fair housing, serving as advocates and resources for agents, buyers, sellers, and investors. Promotes inclusivity, professional best practices, and community outreach to uphold high industry standards for inclusion.
Veterans Caucus
Chair: Austin Moyer
Staff Liaison: Jen Pierson
Supports veterans in purchasing homes with VA loans by providing guidance, resources, and tips for the homebuying process. Promotes awareness of the benefits of accepting VA loans in home sales.
Professional Development Committee
Chair: Brittney Spurling
Vice Chair: Jason Mancuso
Staff Liaison: Jen Pierson
Develops new educational courses and programs for the GRAR Real Estate School, ensuring member needs are met. Promotes awareness of in-person, live-streamed, and on-demand learning options. Meets monthly for 1.5 hours.
Technology Committee
Chair: John Bruno
Vice Chair: Jennifer Zilnik
Staff Liaison: Jane Sweetland
Serves as technology ambassadors by promoting and supporting member use of GRAR tools and new technologies. Tests new product features, encourages members to adopt tech tools and build tech skills. Meets monthly for 1–2 hours.
Event Task Forces
Beyond Awards Task Force
Co-Chair: Clair Catillaz
Co-Chair: Angie Flack-Brown
Staff Liaison: Crystal Bengier
Plans and executes GRAR’s annual Beyond Awards event by reviewing award nominees, conducting interviews, securing sponsors, promoting the event, and assisting on-site. Meets monthly for 1-2 hours; frequency increases as the event approaches.
REBOOT Conference Task Force
Plans and executes GRAR’s annual REBOOT technology conference, featuring national speakers, partners, keynotes, workshops, and competitions. Tasks include selecting presenters, securing partners, promoting the event, and assisting on- site. Meets monthly for 1–2 hours.
State & National Committees
NYSAR Volunteer Opportunities
The New York State Association of REALTORS® has more than 30 committees, forums, working groups, and foundations for members to participate in and offer guidance and support for the organization as a whole.
NAR Volunteer Opportunities
The National Association of REALTORS® offers several committees, forums, and advisory boards for members at various levels of their careers.
