Are the Directors a cross-section of the membership?

A question I have been recently asked at a broker outreach session was "How can we be sure the boards are really representative of the membership?"

First, the best way to be sure that the directors share your mind set is to vote at the September election. Elections are now held online and in person at the September GMM so there really is no reason to not vote. Each year all the members running for office post biographies on the board website which run for 45 days prior to the election- read before you vote.

Second, any member can petition for a write-in slot on the ballot.

Third, I believe the nominating committees of both boards work hard for diversity. The bylaws also REQUIRE that a certain percentage of both boards have seats that are filled by brokers. Brokers tend to represent the mindset of those working for them. Here are a few highlights of the diversity in our leadership:

Our OKCMAR president is an independent broker whose office is in Edmond- (Redbud Realty is what we considered up north to be a "boutique brokerage" under 25 associates)

Our past president is an Edmond office managing broker with a large independent office- Paradigm Advantage

President-Elect is with one of the largest OKCMAR franchises Coldwell-Banker Select with an office in the southern part of the city.

Sec- treasurer- large Edmond independent
Vice President- Large Franchise- C21 AllPro- South OKC

Others: Broker- one of the largest independent and alternative business model OKC
Broker small independent in Piedmont
Edmond REALTOR
Broker of NW OKC large franchise- Keller-Williams
Commercial REALTOR in South OKC
Affiliate Member
Broker OKC RE/MAX
REALTOR NW OKC Prudential
Broker OKC small independent
Broker Coldwell Banker Carousel in Moore
Broker C21 All Pro South OKC
Broker- Keller Williams (offices in Edmond, Guthrie, Midwest City & Norman)
Associate- MetroMark Realty OKC

MLS is represented by:

Midwest City Broker- small independent
OKC Commercial Broker- small independent
Edmond managing broker- large independent
Edmond broker- mid size independent (ex-officio seat)
OKC managing broker- large alternative independent
Edmond managing broker- large independent
South OKC managing broker- large franchise
Norman Broker- midsize independent
Piedmont Broker- small independent
South OKC managing broker-large franchise

Note that the majority of MLS participation membership is small- to mid-size independents therefore it is the largest segment of the MLS directors and that last year an appraiser finished his term. Appraisers represent approximately 20% of the MLS participants (not users.subscribers). Only the Participants (defined by NAR as broker or appraiser principals) belong to the MLS- access is leased from the broker to his associates.

Both boards represent a large cross-section of the membership they serve and their votes on your behalf should be representative of the greater body.