Committees
Volunteer members are the backbone of the association and when you choose to serve on a committee, you open up a world of possibilities for networking, professional growth, and career opportunities while serving your association.
This is your chance to make positive changes in your communities, government and the industry – shaping the future of real estate in the South Bay.
Affiliates in Action
Affiliates in Action is your resource group dedicated to serving the real estate community by providing valuable products and services while establishing lifelong relationships.
Meeting Date: Second Monday at 9am
Committee Chair: Joanne Galin – Orange Coast Title
Staff Liaison: Nikki Vasquez
Budget and Finance
The Budget and Finance is responsible for the development of the association’s annual budget, for monitoring its performance to that budget, and making recommendations to the Board of Directors for actions required to achieve the association’s financial goals and objectives. As requested by the Board of Directors and its leadership, the Budget and Finance Committee may be tasked with the responsibility for developing specific financial and investment policy directives for the association, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
Meeting Date: Third Monday at 9:30am
Committee Chair: Tom Nickl – RE/MAX Estate Properties
Co-Chair: Theresa Bruno – Vision Realty Co.
Staff Liaison: Pat Cornils
Commercial
The mission of the Commercial Committee is to promote professionalism, provide educational opportunities and offer access to commercial real estate tools. In addition, the committee will offer our membership a variety of networking opportunities with other commercial REALTORS® to improve their business and market their inventory.
This committee is designed to be a mastermind brainstorming group. It is a core group of commercial agents that will help bring commercial resources to members. This committee is specifically not meant to be a training ground.
Meeting Date: Third Tuesday at 12:00pm
Committee Chair: Banu Simrose – RE/MAX Estate Properties
Staff Liaison: Nikki Vasquez
Community
The Community Committee’s mission is to promote a sense of community among the members of the South Bay Association of REALTORS®. The committee will involve our membership in cooperative efforts with South Bay elected officials and residents to learn about and improve the communities in which we work.
Meeting Date: Second Tuesday at 9:30am
Committee Chair: Venest Henry-Evans – Evans Realty & Property Mgmnt
Co-Chair: Irma Vasconcelos – Irma Vasconcelos, Broker
Staff Liaison: Nikki Vasquez
Diversity & Inclusion
Meeting Date:
Committee Chair: Janet Palacio – The Real Estate Group; Novelette Witt – Morgen Real Estate, Inc.
Co-Chair:
Staff Liaison: Kathy Kelly
Global Real Estate
The mission of the Global Real Estate Committee is to promote, develop, and provide educational and business building resources for the real estate community. The committee recognizes the definition of Global Real Estate as inbound, outbound and local multi-cultural real estate transactions.
Meeting Date: Second Wednesday at 2:00pm
Committee Chair: David Potter – King Harbor REALTORS®
Co-Chair:
Staff Liaison: Nikki Vasquez
Government Affairs
The vision of the Government Affairs Committee is that members are free to conduct their business without excessive government influence. Coherent, supportable policy statements are written and readily available. All members understand and appreciate SBAOR government affairs activities and an effective communications system is in place. Members are involved in an active grassroots network. SBAOR has an effective government relations program that has built strong alliances and partnerships with other real estate-related organizations. Legislators and regulators regard SBAOR as the authority for real estate in the South Bay area.
Meeting Date: First Tuesday at 9:00am
Committee Chair: Cheryle Ushkow – RE/MAX Estate Properties
Co-Chair: Mina Semenza – Ken Nakaoka Co.
Staff Liaison: Julie Tran
Grievance
The function of the Grievance Committee is to give initial consideration to allegations of unethical conduct or a violation of MLS rules and determine whether a complaint should be the subject for a hearing in its claim and presentation.
Meeting Date: Third Tuesday at 10:00AM
Committee Chair: Mercedes Van Pelt – Compass
Co-Chair:
Staff Liaison: Nikki Vasquez
MLS
The mission of the MLS committee is to ensure that REALTORS® remain the primary source for information regarding real estate. To interact with local Association-owned MLS/Regionals to enhance, promote and implement policies regarding technology and changing information and promote and adopt model MLS Rules and policies that comply with legal requirements and N.A.R. policy.
Meeting Date: Second Monday at 2:00pm
Committee Chair: Rita Gerace – Compass
Co-Chair:
Staff Liaison: Eric Acquino
Professional Standards
The mission of the Professional Standards Committee is to provide education to members as to the function and purpose of Professional Standards, to foster a clearer understanding of the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and the MLS Rules and to provide trained members for ethics and arbitration hearing panels.
Meeting Date: Case by Case Basis
Committee Chair: Bruce Blumberg – Dolphin Realty
Co-Chair:
Staff Liaison: Nikki Vasquez
Young Professionals Network
The Young Professionals Network Committee offers a platform for young, professional REALTORS® to exchange knowledge, establish meaningful business relationships and discuss the latest innovative trends and ideas.
Meeting Date: First Tuesday at 11:30am
Committee Chair: John Defterios – RE/MAX Estate Properties
Co-Chair:
Staff Liaison: Patrick Le
To get involved with or for more information about the SBAOR Committees, please email the staff liaison.
Committee Meetings Schedule
Join a South Bay Committee
Joining a committee has always been a great way to make new contacts, learn about new trends in our profession and have a voice in shaping the Association’s direction. Members can apply to serve on one or more committee based on their interests. Some committees have requirements for membership while others have waiting lists.
If you are interested in becoming a committee volunteer, please fill out the form to your right.