Get Involved

Why get involved with your association?

We need your insights and expertise to help shape the future of our association and industry. Your involvement in our committees, advisory groups and forums ensures that we move forward with our mission to unite all facets of the industry as a leading advocate for real estate, driving REALTOR® business success and economic development of our communities.

How It Works:

Committee members are selected in September for terms that take effect on Oct. 1, the start of our fiscal year. To successfully apply for volunteer positions you must be a CAR Member (REALTOR®, Affiliate, or CommercialForum subscriber) in good standing and willing to attend committee meetings and actively participate.

If you wish to join one of our many committees, please scroll to the below committee list which includes a brief description for each; then, apply for the position(s) that best fits your area of expertise.

Our Volunteers Organize & Host Many EVents:

Tenant Opportunity to Purchase in the 606: What REALTORS® Need to Know 
Friday, February 21 | 11:00 am
YPN Breakfast: The Art of Converting New Clients – SOLD OUT
Wednesday, February 26 | 9:00 am
Coffee With Your GAD
Tuesday, March 4 | 9:00 am
Titans of Industry: Women in Real Estate Brunch
Thursday, March 6 | 9:00 am
Commercial Kickstarter: Champion Communities and Cultivate Commercial Careers
Thursday, March 13 | 3:00 pm
CAR Office Closed – Organizational Advancement
Wednesday, March 19 | 8:00 am
Global Entry Interviews – SOLD OUT
Wednesday, March 19 | 8:00 am
Chicago REALTORS® Pop-Up
Wednesday, March 19 | 2:00 pm
The D77 Community Meetups
Tuesday, March 25 | 4:00 pm
YPN Breakfast: Save More, Stress Less
Wednesday, March 26 | 9:00 am
New Residential Development Tour
Thursday, March 27 | 8:30 am
Coffee With Your GAD
Tuesday, April 1 | 9:00 am
2024 Sales Awards
Thursday, April 17 | 6:30 pm
CAR Office Closed – Organizational Advancement
Thursday, April 24 | 8:00 am
YPN Breakfast: Mentally Managing the Real Estate Rollercoaster
Wednesday, April 30 | 9:00 am
Chicago REALTORS® Open House
Thursday, May 1 | 5:30 pm
CAR Office Closed – Organizational Advancement
Thursday, May 15 | 8:00 am
YPN Breakfast: May
Wednesday, May 28 | 9:00 am
Coffee With Your GAD
Tuesday, June 10 | 9:00 am
YPN Breakfast: June
Wednesday, June 25 | 9:00 am
CAR Office Closed – Organizational Advancement
Thursday, June 26 | 8:00 am
Coffee With Your GAD
Tuesday, July 1 | 9:00 am
CAR Office Closed – Organizational Advancement
Tuesday, July 15 | 8:00 am
YPN Breakfast: July
Wednesday, July 30 | 9:00 am
CAR Office Closed – Organizational Advancement
Thursday, August 14 | 8:00 am
YPN Breakfast: August
Wednesday, August 27 | 9:00 am
Coffee With Your GAD
Tuesday, September 2 | 9:00 am
CAR Office Closed – Organizational Advancement
Wednesday, September 17 | 8:00 am
CAR Office Closed – Organizational Advancement
Thursday, November 20 | 8:00 am
View all events

Volunteer With Us

Not sure if you can commit to a committee? Be the first to hear about our micro-volunteer opportunities.

Have Questions?

Need help determining the best opportunity for your interests? Our staff will contact you and help you through the process.

Leadership Accelerator

Applications open every fall.

Develop your leadership potential and, through various trainings, programs and projects, helps to refine and accelerate your leadership capabilities so you can make an even bigger, more effective impact.

Mentorship Program

Applications open every fall.

Apply to be a mentee or a coach! This program will also emphasize ethical behavior from REALTOR® to REALTOR®, allow network opportunities, and develop leadership skills.

Committee Application Process

  1. Submit your application.  You may apply to more than one committee. If you currently serve on a committee and your term is ending, you will need to reapply using the application below.
  2. Depending on the committee, you may be asked to come in for an interview.
  3. You will be notified between September 1 – 15, 2025 of any appointment to a 2025 – 2026 committee, and your term will begin October 1, 2025.

Applications for 2025-2026 Committees close on May 31, 2025 at midnight.

Opportunities to Volunteer at the Chicago Association of REALTORS®

Board of Directors

Separate Application Process Required

The Board of Directors is the governing body of the Chicago Association of REALTORS®. In addition to attending and actively participating in meetings, Directors promote the value of REALTORS® and the REALTOR® brand, approve and monitor fiscal and operational policies, set the strategic direction, and make recommendations to advance the association and real estate industry.

Foundation Board of Trustees

Separate Application Process Required

The Chicago Association of REALTORS® Foundation provides REALTORS® with educational scholarships to enhance their businesses and professionalism, fosters careers in real estate, and engages in charitable giving related to the real estate industry and housing in the Chicagoland community.

Audit Committee

The purpose of the Audit Committee is to oversee the integrity of CAR’s financial accounting process and systems of internal control regarding finance, accounting and use of assets. The Audit Committee should take an active role in the prevention and deterrence of fraud, as well as an effective ethics and compliance program.

Casino Royale Advisory Group

The purpose of the RPAC Casino Royale Advisory Group is the planning and organization of the annual Casino Royale black-tie fundraising event. This work group focuses on encouraging member attendance and garnering sponsorships and RPAC contributions for the event.

CommercialForum Committee

The purpose of the CommercialForum is to create a community of Chicagoland commercial real estate professionals to increase the likelihood of their success through education, networking, business services, advocacy programs, research and action.

Diversity Committee – “The 77”

The Diversity Committee, affectionately known as “The D77”, is a committee comprised of diverse real estate leaders to positively impact the real estate industry and the city of Chicago. The D77 four impact areas are: Education, Resources, Policy and Community Outreach. Each committee member will serve as a designated CAR representative in their community and will tackle topics like Fair Housing and economic development, as well as engage with local chambers of commerce and quasi-governmental bodies.

Finance Committee

The purpose of the Finance Committee is to provide oversight of the financial management and reporting function of the Association.

Forms and Contracts Committee

The purpose of the Forms and Contracts Committee is to review and update all approved CAR forms and contracts on a regular basis, as well as develop any forms and contracts that will enhance members’ businesses.

Global Real Estate Council

The purpose of the Global Real Estate Council is to support CAR members who do business with global markets (inbound and outbound transactions and/or consultancy) through education and networking activities, information sharing and involvement with select global real estate organizations. The forum also fosters strong relations with local organizations representing diverse ethnic and cultural communities in Chicagoland.

Golf Outing Advisory group

The purpose of the Committee is to focus primarily on the strategy and execution of generating sponsorship revenues for the event, as well as engaging members to attend. May assist staff with planning and organizing as requested.

Grievance Committee

The purpose of the Grievance Committee is to review complaints received from the public and members to determine if the complaint has sufficient substance and merit to warrant an ethics or arbitration hearing.

Inaugural Gala Advisory Group

The primary focus of the Inaugural Gala Advisory Group is to plan and execute table sales and generate sponsorship revenue for the event. The advisory group may also assist staff with the event planning and organization. The Inaugural Gala, an annual CAR signature event, features the installation of the association’s newly elected directors and officers, in addition to honoring the recipients of the Hall of Fame and REALTOR® of the Year awards.

Member Care Task Force

The Member Care Task Force aims to optimize the membership experience for all members. To personalize and develop relationships between the association and REALTOR® members in order to enhance member satisfaction.

Professional Development Advisory Group

The purpose of the Professional Development Advisory Group is to identify professional development topics, classes, events and new programs which would be of value to the members of CAR and the greater Chicagoland real estate community. Further, the advisory group is to promote the offerings of REALTORS® Real Estate School and the programs of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® Scholarship Fund.

Property Management Forum

The purpose of the Property Management Forum is to provide an open setting for speakers, member involvement and information sharing related to property management and leasing matters.

Professional Standards Committee

The purpose of the Professional Standards Committee is to hear and make decisions on matters of alleged unethical conduct by Board Member or to provide arbitration, as requested.

Sales Awards Advisory Group

The primary focus of the Sales Awards Advisory Group is to encourage member attendance and generate sponsorship revenue through strategic planning and execution for the Sales Awards, an annual CAR signature event.

Sustainability Work Group

The Sustainability Work Group provides industry-leading education, networking and resources on sustainability and “green” real estate practices. We seek to establish Chicago REALTORS® as a ‘go-to’ resource for the Chicagoland community and elected officials looking for best-practices on sustainable building upgrades, sustainability topics and trends, marketing materials, how-to guides and real property-focused policies and advocacy.

Young professionals Network Advisory Board

The CAR Young Professionals Network (YPN) is a growing group of career-minded real estate professionals who want to stay abreast of the latest tools, resources and networking opportunities available to them as REALTORS®. The YPN strives to help real estate professionals excel in their careers by giving them the tools and encouragement to become involved in REALTOR® Associations (all levels), take an active role in policy discussions and advocacy issues, create a cooperative community to share ideas with their peers and give back to the community through outreach initiatives.