Bianca Beerman

Committees

• Advertising Committee

  Purpose:
  To promote the association and its REALTOR® members through advertising and marketing efforts that highlight member expertise, professionalism, and community involvement.

  Duties:
  a) Develop and recommend advertising and marketing initiatives that increase public awareness of the association and its members.
  b) Coordinate with the Board of Directors to ensure advertising efforts align with the association’s mission, branding, and strategic goals.
  c) Identify opportunities to showcase REALTOR® involvement in community events, charitable activities, and local initiatives.
  d) Review and evaluate advertising campaigns for effectiveness and recommend improvements as needed.

  Membership:
  Chairperson appointed annually by the President; minimum of two (2) additional REALTOR® members.

  Meetings:
  As required.

  2026 Members:

  Rachel Tell – Chariperson

  Noah Roberts, Debbie Lounds-Bowers, AE

• Affiliate Advisory Committee

  Purpose: To bring our affiliates’ viewpoints to the attention of the Board of Directors.

  Duties:

  a) To report and respond to BOD regarding affiliate interaction with REALTORS® and other members.
  Membership: Affiliate members, number to be determined annually by the President.
  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  DeAnne Hawley – Chairperson
  Kristen Vella, Heather Hyliard, Karen Messer, Lucy Lamson,  Jenni Cordova

   

   

• Bylaws/Policy Committee

  Purpose: To review the association Bylaws and Policy Manual.

  Duties:
  a) To review the Bylaws and Policy Manual on an annual basis.
  b) To review and analyze any proposed amendments to the Bylaws for proper presentation to the membership.
  c) All proposed changes to the Bylaws or the Policy Manual shall be presented to the Board of Directors.
  d) To prepare and present any Bylaws changes required by the Michigan Association of REALTORS® or the National Association of REALTORS®.
  e) To ensure that the Policy Manual is in accordance with and not in conflict with the local, state, and national Bylaws.
  f) To send updated Bylaws to the National Association of REALTORS® (as required by NAR) for review and approval.

  Membership: Chairperson appointed annually by the President, minimum of 3 members.

  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  Jim Borden  – Chairperson
  Carri Foley
  Marilyn Ostrander
  Lois Keeton

• Education / New Member Orientation Committee

  Purpose: To provide ongoing educational opportunities to our members and to motivate the membership toward increased and continuing education. Develop and implement a New Member Orientation and Safety education. Educate and encourage membership in the association in the community.

  Duties:
  a) To plan and hold a minimum of one, and possibly two, continuing education class each year.
  b) To organize educational seminars for the benefit of the membership. c) Hold classes at least quarterly for all new members.
  d) Make certain all new members meet NAR qualifications for REALTOR® membership
  e) Plan safety meeting to be held each year in September and identify speakers.
  f) Present to the BOD and coordinate any activities with the C.S.E. prior to making any commitments for any functions.
  g) Work with local businesses and non-REALTORS® to encourage membership.
  h) Conduct new member orientation when necessary

  Membership: Chairperson appointed annually by the President, minimum of 3 members.

  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  Marilyn Ostrander – Chairperson
  Jami Lind
  Cathy Gordon
  AE

• Equal Opportunity & Fair Housing Committee

  Purpose: To educate the membership about equal opportunity in housing and employment. Consumer outreach on Fair Housing

  Duties:
  a) To assist and educate local offices in establishing non-discriminatory practices.
  b) To be responsible for seeing that local publishers print the required notice.
  c) To distribute required posters, etc., to local offices.
  d) Arrange a Fair Housing public outreach.

  Membership: Chairperson appointed annually by the President, minimum of 3 members.

  Meetings: As required

  2026 Members:

  Anette Booth – Chairperson
  Rachel Tell
  Cathy Gordon

• Executive Committee

  Purpose: The Executive Committee is a subordinate of the Board of Directors. It is delegated all powers of the Board of Directors, with the Board of Directors having the authority to change actions of the Executive Committee

  Duties:
  a) The Executive Committee is authorized to employ or enter into an employment contract with the Chief Executive Officer and to have an annual review of that Chief Executive Officer’s performance and responsibilities.

  Membership: President, president-elect, treasurer, and secretary

  Meetings: As required

  2026 Members:

  John Rakocy – Chairperson
  Amber Modert
  Liza Graham 
  Maria Wyss
  Jill Bowers
  AE

• Finance Committee

  Purpose: To formulate a budget for the year and to make recommendations to the Board of Directors for expenditures.

  Duties:
  a) Review the past year’s budget, income and expenditures with the Treasurer, along with projected statistics for the upcoming year.
  b) To establish a budget for submission to the Board of Directors for approval.

  Membership: The current Treasurer is automatically chairperson. Current President, immediate past President, President-elect, at least one other member and anyone else deemed appropriate by the President.

  Meetings: In the fall to establish upcoming budgets for the Board. Mid-year for evaluation of status at that time, and to make any adjustments.

  2026 Members:

  Jill Bowers – Chairperson
  Amber Modert
  John Rakocy
  Liza Graham
  AE

• Forms Committee

  Purpose: To review and revise existing forms as necessary. 

  Duties:
  a) Work with the Board of Directors and counsel to develop new or revise existing forms.
  b) Forms Committee shall meet at least once a year.

  Membership: Broker/Owner Chairperson appointed annually by the President, minimum of 2 additional Broker/Owner members.

  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  Bruce Hauska – Chairperson
  Angie Marsh
  Lois Keeton
  Jill Vella
  Bea Wilbur
  Debbie Lounds-Bowers
  AE

• Grievance Committee

  Purpose: To review disputes between REALTOR® members or with the public, referring cases, when appropriate, to the Ombudsman or Professional Standards Committee.

  Duties:
  a) To receive complaints and provide assistance to members or public when necessary.
  b) To ascertain the facts from all parties.
  c) If deemed valid, forward the complaint and all supporting data to the Professional Standards Committee for Ethics or Arbitration hearings.
  d) Initiate professional standards complaints on behalf of the Board when the Committee deems necessary, or when requested by the Board of Directors.
  e) All meetings shall be confidential, and all committee members shall be expected to conduct themselves with utmost discretion and professionalism at all times.

  Membership: The Grievance Committee shall be a minimum of 3 members appointed by the President. Members must have been REALTORS® for a minimum of two years. Members shall attend a Professional Standards workshop at least once. There shall be a representation of both sales associates and principals.

  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  Jim Bowers – Chairperson
  Val Proctor
  Karmen Case
  Marilyn Ostrander
  Tara Hemker
  & entire membership if needed

• Legislative Committee

  Purpose: To keep abreast of current legislation or bills that affect REALTORS® and to inform and alert members to such legislation. Monitor local land use issues.

  Duties:
  a) Organize and promote a Congressional and Legislative Contact Network, made up of local members who would become direct contacts with their legislators for the purpose of giving them REALTOR® views on important legislation.
  b) When a “Call to Action” is announced by Michigan REALTORS® or NAR, the Team would contact members to encourage them to answer the call.
  c) Encourage REALTOR® involvement with local town boards.
  d) Shall report legislative updates, pending issues and Calls to Actions, as needed.
  e) Encourage REALTOR® involvement with local town boards.
  f) Shall report legislative updates an depending issues.
  g) Monitor information from NAR regarding their “Smart Growth Initiative”
  h) Develop relationships with local government and industry groups involved in land use issues.

  Membership: Chairperson appointed annually by the President, minimum of 3 members.

  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  Jim Bowers -Chairperson
  Joi Luckadoo-Villa
  Sydney Butler

• Lock Box Committee

  Purpose: Maintain and enforce the Lock Box rules and regulations.

  Duties:
  a) Monitor the lock box and key pad use, distribution and training.
  b) Monitor lock box development and use within our industry, as needed, and report back to Board of Directors.
  c) Order, repair lock boxes and key pads, as necessary.

  Membership: Chairperson to be appointed annually by President, minimum of 2 members.

  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  Debbie Lounds-Bowers  – Chairperson
  Lois Keeton
  Bruce Hauska 
  Karmen Case

• Mediator

  Purpose: Facilitate communication between parties in conflict to help them reach a voluntary resolution.

  Membership: Michigan Realtors® General Counsel – Becky Berke, ESQ

  Meetings: N/A

• Membership Committee

  Purpose: To encourage membership in the Branch County Association of REALTORS®.

  Duties:
  a) Work with appropriate local businesses, and non-REALTORS® to encourage membership.
  b) As per Article VI, Section 12 of the Bylaws, the Membership Committee will ask Brokers to certify licensees each year.

  Membership: Chairperson appointed annually by the President, minimum of 2 members.

  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  Carri Foley – Chairperson
  Tanya Welch
  Jill Vella

• Michigan Regional Information Center (MichRIC)/Specifications Committee

  Purpose: To represent BCAR at MichRIC Meetings and events

  Duties:
  a) Attend MichRIC Meetings / Specs Committee Meetings as a voting manager
  b) Report activity to BOD

  Membership: Chairperson to be appointed annually by President, minimum of 2 MichRIC Managers and 2 Specs Committee Members.

  Meetings: Seven scheduled meetings annually per MichRIC. Specs Committee meetings as needed.

  2026 Members:

  John Rakocy (MichRIC Manager)
  Jim Borden (MichRIC Manager)
  Rachel Tell (MichRIC Manager)

  JIm Bowers (Specs)
  Val Proctor (Specs)
  Jim Drews (Specs)
  AE

• Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Committee

  Purpose: Oversee the multiple listing service (MLS). Represent BCAR at Michigan Regional Information Center (MichRIC) meetings and events. Maintain and enforce the Lock Box rules and regulations.

  Duties:
  a) Review and revise the LS rules and regulations in conjunction with Michigan REALTORS® and NAR.
  b) Enforce MLS rules and regulations and hear MLS complaints.
  c) Make adjustments in MLS procedures as needed to make the MLS a more productive and beneficial service.
  d) Monitor the lock box use, distribution and training.
  e) Monitor lock box development and use within our industry and report back to BOD.
  f) Order, repair lock boxes and keypads, as necessary.
  g) Attend MichRIC Managers meetings and report back to the BOD any upcoming changes or new programs. 2 members assigned.
  h) Attend MichRIC Specification meetings as needed and report to the BOD any RESO compliance or changes. 2 members assigned.

  Membership: Chairperson to be appointed annually by President, minimum of 5 members.

  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  Jessica Dirschell – Chairperson
  Val Proctor, Karmen Case, Lois Keeton, Jim Bowers

   

• Nominations/Realtor & Affiliate of the Year Committee

  Purpose: To oversee any and all elections and special elections. To select at least one candidate for each office. Oversee REALTOR® of the Year and special awards voting.

  Duties:
  a) Provide members with a description of each office and the responsibilities that go with it.
  b) Seek nominees for all vacant positions.
  c) Shall meet at least by the end of July to select the slate of candidates for Board of Directors.
  d) Mail the recommended slate to the membership at least 3 weeks prior to the annual meeting.
  e) Encourage membership to nominate worthy members for ROTY/AOTY.
  e) Review ROTY/AOTY applications
  f) Select 3 nominees to be placed on the ballot.
  g) Realtor® and Appraiser members vote by secret ballot. Ballots shall be counted by three members appointed by the President and results given to the Chief Staff Executive.

  Membership: Current BOD, Chairperson shall be the Past President.

  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  John Rakocy– Chairperson
  Amber Modert
  Liza Graham
  Maria Wyss
  Anette Booth
  Carri Foley
  Jill Bowers
  Noah Roberts
  DeAnne Hawley
  AE

• Ombudsman

  Purpose: To review disputes between REALTOR® members or with the public when appropriate.

  Duties:
  a) Complete training available at NAR.
  b) Maintain confidentiality when dealing with issues.
  c) Attempt to resolve issues.
  d) Prepare a written report for the chair of the Grievance committee.

  Membership: The President shall appoint two members as Ombudsman. Members must have been REALTORS® for a minimum of two years. Members shall attend a Professional Standards workshop at least once.

  Meetings: As required.

  2025 Members:

  Sharon Atkinson
  Jami Lind

• Professional Standards Committee

  Purpose: To conduct hearings on all grievances directed to them by the Grievance Committee.

  Duties:
  a) The committee chairperson shall appoint a hearing panel for each hearing and shall be responsible to coordinate procedures with the Chief Staff Executive to assure that the exact procedure is followed, as prescribed by the NAR Professional Standards Manual, and that due process is achieved.
  b) The committee shall hold hearings on both arbitration and ethics complaints. Should a complaint involve both arbitration and ethics, arbitration shall be heard first.
  c) All hearings shall be confidential, and all panel members are expected to conduct themselves with discretion and professionalism.

  Membership: The chairperson shall be appointed annually by the President, minimum of 3 members. It is suggested that the new members shall have previously served on the Grievance Committee. Members shall attend a Professional Standards workshop at least once. There shall be a representation of both associates and principals.

  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  Jim Borden – Chairperson
  Bea Wilber
  Amanda Case
  Bruce Hauska
  Ralph Beerman
  Sharon Atkinson
  & entire membership that has 2 years minimum membership, if needed

• Programs Committee

  Purpose: To plan programs and luncheons for the year, keeping in mind that the purpose of the meeting is to broaden REALTOR® participation and knowledge. Plan a program to install new officers in conjunction with the annual Christmas party. Promote the BCAR, its office and its members to the general public in an informative and positive manner to increase public awareness and recognize REALTOR® accomplishments on a local level.

  Duties:
  a) To encourage attendance by affiliate and REALTOR® members.
  b) Solicit program ideas from the membership, other committees and the Board of Directors.
  c) Arrange for programs to include coordinating location and meals for monthly membership meetings at least 4 times per year. (Amended 12/7/17)
  d) Responsible for preparing written thank-you letters to all speakers and guests, where appropriate.
  e) Coordinate all activities with the C.S.E. before making final commitment for any function.
  f) Contact caterers, hotels, etc., to plan dinner menu and price for party.
  g) Arrange with brokers and affiliate members to contribute items for door prizes and charity auction.
  h) Take pictures at events, note key items and outline news releases for approval by the BOD and posting to the website.

  Membership: Chairperson to be appointed annually by President, minimum of 5 members.

  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  DeAnne Hawley & Karen Messer –  Co-Chairpersons
  Carri Foley
  Jill Bowers
  Cathy Gordon
  Marilyn Ostrander
  Jenni Cordova
  Corey McGowen
  Brandee Pabian
  Meagen Hoag
  Sharon Atkinson

   

• Safety Committee

  Purpose: To monitor information passed down from MR and NAR and report back to the Board of Directors and the membership.

  Duties:
  Make recommendations as necessary.

  Membership: Chairperson appointed annually by the President, minimum of 2 members.

  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  Rachel Tell – Chairperson
  DeAnne Hawley, Joe Ward

• Scholarship Committee
  • SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

              Purpose: Assist in selection process.

              Duties:
  a) Scholarship applications are reviewed and scored using the Scholarship Form.
  b) Students awarded are dependent on the amount of funds in the scholarship fund.
  c) Highest scores will be awarded from each school.
  d) Each student is awarded $500, any student who does not pick up their award within 6 months will be returned to the scholarship fund.
  e) Present scholarship certificate awards to students at their awards ceremony.
  f) Recipients will send copy of enrollment / college schedule to C.S.E.
  g) C.S.E will have check prepared for distribution upon receipt of schedule and arrange for presentation.

  Membership: Chairperson shall be the Past President. Other members to be appointed annually by the President, minimum of 3 members.

   Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  Debbie Lounds-Bowers – Chairperson
  Jessica Dirschell
  Eric Ellison
  Jill Bowers
  Angie Marsh
  John Rakocy
  Liza Graham
  Rachel Tell

• RPAC Committee

  Purpose: RPAC Task Force will promote participation and encourage contributions from the membership to ensure that the association meets its annual goal.

  Duties:
  a) The Task Force will provide the organization with communications, information and education necessary to reach the annual goal.
  b) Provide appropriate recognition to supporters.

  Membership: Chairperson appointed annually by the President, minimum of 3 members.

  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  Angie Marsh – Chairperson
  Anette Booth
  
  
  

• Technology Committee

  Purpose: Advise the Board of Directors regarding technology issues. Help maintain BCAR website, Facebook and Twitter accounts.

  Duties:
  a) Review input from Board and general membership regarding real estate technology for MLS, communications, and website
  b) Make recommendations for purchase and implementation.
  c) Assist the C.S.E. in maintaining the website, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
  d) Advise on programs that will improve communication with the membership.

  Membership: Chairperson to be appointed annually by President, minimum of 3 members.

  Meetings: As required.

  2026 Members:

  Jim Bowers – Chairperson
  Jim Drews
  John Rakocy
  AE