Volunteer Committees

Make Your Mark on the Future of Mainstreet

Mainstreet is committed to your success and we rely on engaged and committed volunteers to fulfill our mission. By volunteering for committees and advisory groups you have an opportunity to help shape the future of the organization, while establishing yourself as a leader in the real estate community.

Committee applications are open in May of each year.

Committees requiring an application during the open enrollment period (May each year):

Affiliate Advisory Group

Supports the mission and goals of Mainstreet by contributing its diverse and complementary talents. Represents and promotes non-REALTOR® members who are otherwise engaged in the real estate industry by way of products and services (i.e. finance, home inspection, law, staging, etc.) and identifies and promotes membership to potential new affiliate members.

Meeting Date and Time

Second Thursday of the month (as needed), 9:30 a.m

Requirements

Committee members must be an Affiliate in good standing.

Social Media

Mainstreet Affiliates Facebook Group

Broker/Lawyer Committee

Comprised of REALTOR® Managing Brokers and non-REALTOR® real estate attorneys throughout Mainstreet’s jurisdiction; this Committee creates, reviews, and revises all of Mainstreet’s contracts and forms. The Broker/Lawyer Committee is responsible for keeping the members up to date on matters related to the Code of Ethics, the Illinois Real Estate License Act, and state and federal case law through the use of forms and contracts. Additionally, the Committee hosts and develops the Law Day Seminars each year.

Meeting Date and Time

First Thursday of the month, 10 a.m.

Requirements

Committee is open to Designated Managing Brokers, Managing Brokers, and Affiliate Member Real Estate Attorneys.

Citation Panel

REALTORS® with experience on the Professional Standards or Grievance Committee; reviews citations that are filed with the association. Determines if the citation complaint is a violation of the Code of Ethics pursuant to the qualifying violations defined in the Citation Policy and issues fines accordingly.

Meeting Date and Times

Third Tuesday of the month, 10 a.m. via conference call .

Requirements

Prior experience on Grievance or Professional Standards is required.

Commercial Alliance Committee

REALTORS® who are Commercial practitioners or who primarily work within the Commercial Real Estate industry. Built around the foundation of bringing together Commercial Real Estate practitioners throughout the Chicagoland area through seminars, networking events, education and advocacy to effectively compete in the marketplace. Also maintains the Commercial Alliance Forum for those members who wish to be involved, but not serve on the committee.

Meeting Date and Time

Second Tuesday of the month, 9 a.m.

Requirements

Commercial Real Estate should be majority or all of members business

Social Media

Mainstreet Commerical Network Facebook Group

Consumer Outreach Task Force

Works toward strengthening a direct outreach to the consumer to boost the value of using a Mainstreet REALTOR®. Helps reaffirm that Mainstreet is a reliable source for real estate information and an advocate for homeowners.

Meeting Date and Time

3-4 times annually as needed

Requirements

N/A

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee makes recommendations that will help Mainstreet achieve its vision for inclusivity and diversity. Mainstreet prides itself on a culture of inclusivity and diversity where everyone feels welcome and has a home to succeed.

Meeting Date and Time:

Meets on a quarterly basis.

Requirements:

Mainstreet strives to ensure the Committee is a reflective representation of our full membership.

Education Advisory Group

Keeps its fingertips on the pulse of the industry to respond to Mainstreet members' education needs. Identifies topics, trends and speakers to ensure Mainstreet continues to be relevant and responsive to members’ needs in the current and evolving marketplace.

Meeting Date and Time

Quarterly, 10 a.m.

Requirements

N/A

Global Committee

Fosters global growth of real estate business and broadens multi-cultural understanding within the real estate community through trade missions, training, networking and resource sharing to meet global practitioner needs. Also maintains the Global Business Council for members who wish to be involved, but not serve on the committee.

Meeting Date and Time

First Thursday of the month, 10 a.m.

Requirements

Must obtain Certified International Property Specialist Designation (CIPS) within two years of joining. Currently or previously engaged in international real estate

Social Media

Mainstreet Global Business Council

Golf Advisory Group

Consists of REALTORS® and non-REALTOR® affiliates, this advisory group assists with developing and organizing the annual golf event for members and guests. The outing provides networking opportunities for Mainstreet REALTORS® and affiliates, and raises money for the Margery Shinners Leadership Fund and scholarship program.

Meeting Date and Time

First meeting is in January, following meetings as neccessary

Requirements

N/A

Good Neighbor Award Committee

Recognizes Mainstreet REALTORS® who have made extraordinary commitments to improving the quality of life in their communities through volunteer work and charitable contributions. Any member can apply for this committee and for the annual awards. The committee works to promote the award, review applications, and choose the annual winners of the Good Neighbor Award.

Meeting Date and Time

2 - 3 times a year as needed

Requirements

N/A

Government Affairs Committees

Mainstreet has four different Government Affairs Committees (GACs), based on geography, each charged with reviewing and advocating for or against specific positions on legislation and local real estate public policies that affect Mainstreet REALTORS® and private property rights. Members are encouraged to attend the annual Capitol Conference in Springfield in April. Members should apply for the GAC where they live and work.

Government Affairs Central

The Government Affairs Central committee covers DuPage County. All meetings are held at 10 a.m. in Downers Grove, 6655 Main Street on the first Wednesday of the month.

Requirements

N/A

Government Affairs Lake

The Government Affairs Lake committee covers Lake County. All meetings are held at 1:30 p.m. in Libertyville, 1580 S. Milwaukee, Suite 312 on the second or third Thursday, typically every other month.

Requirements

N/A

Government Affairs North

The Government Affairs North committee covers Northwest Suburban Cook County. All meetings are held at 2 p.m. in Rolling Meadows, 3701 Algonquin Road, Ste. 650. the first Wednesday of the month.

Requirements

N/A

Government Affairs South

The Government Affairs South committee covers South Suburban Cook County. All meetings are held at 9:30 a.m. in Tinley Park, 16345 S. Harlem Ave., Ste. 200 on the second Tuesday of the month.

Requirements

N/A

Grievance Committee

Member Benefit Advisory Group

Professional Standards Committee

Comprised of REALTOR® Members; this Committee is broken down into Hearing Panels that are assigned to hear ethics complaints, SentriLock complaints, or arbitration requests that have been forwarded from the Grievance Committee. The function of the Hearing Panel is to conduct a full due process hearing with sworn testimony, witnesses and evidence. After conducting the hearing, the Hearing Panel decides whether there was a violation of the Code of Ethics, SentriLock User Agreement, or alternatively, which REALTOR® is entitled to the disputed commission. In an ethics or SentriLock hearing, the Hearing Panel then determines the discipline to be imposed on the violator.

Meeting Date and Time

As needed for hearings

Requirements

Minimum 5 years experience in the business

RPAC Committee

Comprised of REALTOR® Members; the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) is committed to educating, raising awareness, and raising support of RPAC initiatives. This includes promoting the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates that help protect the real estate business and private property rights.

Meeting Date and Time

2-3 times annually as needed

Requirements

N/A

Senior Services Committee

Comprised of REALTOR® Members maintaining the Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) Designation and Affiliate Partners with a senior business niche. Its goal is to support seniors and their communities – and provide members with information, education and tools to serve this demographic effectively. Organizes Mainstreet’s Senior Expo events for the general public and is a part of a larger community of members called the Senior Services Forum. The forum is for members who wish to be involved with Senior Services, but not serve on the committee.

Meeting Date and Time

First Monday of the month, 9 a.m.

Requirements

SRES Designation is a plus, but not required

Social Media

Mainstreet Senior Services Forum

Young Professionals Network (YPN) Committee

Consists of REALTORS® and affiliates; the Young Professionals Network (YPN) Committee’s goal is to coordinate opportunities for newer real estate professionals of all ages to connect with valuable, timely education, cutting-edge resources and strategic relationships that will help them grow in their career and succeed in business. Strives to identify, connect and develop future leaders. This committee is part of a larger community of members called the Young Professionals Network (YPN). The network is for members who wish to be involved with YPN, but not serve on the committee.

Meeting Date and Time

Third Wednesday of the month, 10:30 a.m.

Requirements

N/A

Social Media

Mainstreet Young Professionals Network (YPN)

Committees by presidential appointment or other criteria:

Audit/Finance Committee

Consists of the Executive Committee, one or two past presidents and members with a financial background; meets with the independent auditor to discuss the results of the annual audit, review any key financial data, issues or disclosures, as well as the annual IRS 990 return. Also meets annually with the managers of the long-term investment funds. Reviews and adjusts the investment policy, intended restrictions of the association’s financial reserves, and discuss any issue that has a financial impact on Mainstreet.

Leadership Development Committee

Nominating Committee

Reviews candidate applications for Mainstreet Board of Directors positions to determine which candidates meet the criteria and qualifications. Identifies the best candidates and slates them for open positions on the board. Service on the Nominating Committee is by presidential appointment.

REALTOR® of the Year Committee

Reviews and evaluates all applications submitted for the annual Mainstreet REALTOR® of the Year Award. Identifies the one person each year who stands out above all others, committed to excellence and has made significant contributions to the real estate profession. Service on the Mainstreet REALTOR® of the Year Committee is by presidential appointment.

Strategic Planning Committee

Consists of the Mainstreet Board of Directors and key staff; participates in an annual planning process that envisions the industry’s and the association’s future, and focuses on the right things to continue to ensure members’ ongoing success and provide an association home where all Mainstreet REALTORS® and affiliates belong.