From RASCW President, Melissa Bjerke Markgraf:
A Special Membership meeting was held on May 17, 2023, and I am thrilled to report that amendments to RASCW Bylaws were adopted unanimously. The Board of Directors put forth recommendations that would update the Board composition to increase leadership diversity within our organization, and modify Membership ability to vote to respond in real-time to issues while helping us to meet the goals outlined in our Strategic Priorities.
Article XII – Section 2 – Clarifies that Director absences occur within a calendar year and removes the need to provide an excuse for the Board to approve or deny. Policies have been adopted to provide notice in advance of resignation as well as an appeal process, as circumstances may vary.
Article XVI – Sections 1 & 2 – RASCW’s Strategic Priorities call for providing applicable technology to increase Member engagement and meet Members where they are. The current Bylaws were drafted before electronic voting was available. This proposal adds the ability for amendments to be approved electronically, which the Board believes will:
-Make action more accessible and democratic, by making the voting process easier;
-Increase the number and percentage of Members who vote and participate in Membership decisions;
Article XI – Section 1 – Modifications were approved to what is considered a small and large brokerage, as well as the minimum number of Board positions for an agent/broker in those categories. Now four Board seats for REALTOR® Members will be chosen based on important factors like business model, experience and/or background, and our diversity objectives. Competency based Boards are better suited to adapting to the needs of Membership and allow a variety of voices to be heard.
Thank you to all who participated in the meeting. These changes would not have been possible without your voices. We hope to continue to grow as an Association and strive to meet YOUR expectations.
