Strengthening the Profession
Professions form associations to represent the interests of their members. That’s why OREA was formed over 90 years ago, and why it is still crucial to the prosperity of the real estate profession today. At the heart of OREA and the 38 real estate boards in Ontario, are the volunteers who contribute their time to move the profession forward and advance the interests of Ontario’s 70,000 REALTORS®. Having strong leaders at every level of organized real estate – local, provincial and national – is the key to a successful, prosperous and progressive profession.
For that reason, OREA is dedicated to training our industry’s future leaders and preparing them for the challenges that await them in their roles as President, Director or Committee Chair. As strong leaders, they are able to drive change that makes a difference for REALTORS® and the home buyers and sellers that they work with.
Leadership training
At the heart of OREA and the 38 real estate boards in Ontario, are the volunteers who contribute their time to move the profession forward and advance the interests of Ontario’s 70,000 REALTORS®. These volunteers make up each real estate board’s Board of Directors, various committees and taskforces. They form a large group of leaders who must think about their members’ interests before making decisions that can have significant impacts on the profession and industry. In other words, they carry a great deal of responsibility, so they need to feel confident in their roles as Presidents, Directors, Committee and Taskforce Chairs.
That’s why the OREA Centre for Leadership Development was established 12 years ago. To develop strategic, experienced and trained volunteers who contribute to their boards and associations by making decisions that address current issues facing our industry.
Since 2006, the OREA Centre for Leadership Development has hosted over 200 events – area meetings, leadership days, professional development seminars and meetings for executive officers and board presidents. It has also created inspiring videos and audios on its leadership podcasts where volunteer leaders can listen and learn about how to deal with challenges for their board and members.
To learn about volunteer opportunities with your local board, contact your local board directly or visit https://www.orea.com/Professional-Development/Volunteering.
If you want to learn more about how to lead, visit Skills Development on OREA’s website. Categories include communication, leadership development and meetings. Read, watch or listen in the format of your choice.
With strong leadership at the provincial and local levels, real estate boards and associations are in a better position to respond and anticipate changes affecting the industry and profession.
REBBA Review
The real estate industry is changing. We see it every day. New technology, innovative business models and evolving practices have altered the landscape of the real estate profession considerably over the last 15 years. More importantly, consumers are changing. They are more informed, connected and in control of transactions than at any other point in our industry’s history. How organized real estate responds to this change is fundamental to the future success of our members – Ontario REALTORS®.
That’s why OREA is advocating to raise professional standards. Raising the bar across the profession is critical to maintaining the public’s trust and confidence in REALTORS®. The key to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism is a strong Real Estate and Business Brokers Act (REBBA) and a modern Code of Ethics.
OREA has been advocating for the REBBA Review since fall 2016. In April 2017, the provincial Government committed to the review as part of the Province’s Fair Housing Plan in April 2017. In June 2017, the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS) formally announced a two-stage review process.
In response to the review, the OREA Board of Directors struck the 2017 REBBA Review Taskforce made up of leaders from across the industry.
The first phase focused on the issue of multiple representation and solicited feedback until July 24th, 2017. OREA made a submission to the first phase which you can review here.
The second phase began in fall 2017 and will extend into 2018 looking at all aspects of the Act. OREA has launched an extensive consultation with members to solicit their feedback on this phase of the review. This feedback will help shape the new Act and the profession for years to come.
The proposals are not the official position of OREA or any other association. Instead they are intended to encourage feedback which will inform the final policy proposals that go to the OREA Board of Directors and then to the government. To provide feedback on your experiences and ideas about REBBA and the Code of Ethics, visit www.REBBAreform.ca. With your help, we can make our province a leader in North America when it comes to professional standards in the real estate industry.
It’s been fifteen years since REBBA was introduced. Modernizing the Act is an opportunity for Ontario REALTORS® to strengthen our industry and enshrine the highest professional standards in North America.
