STEPPING IT UP

Greivance Committee Fulfilling Duties

by Susanna Madden

Hello everyone!

The purpose of our Grievance Committee is to investigate potentially unethical conduct and arbitration requests and forward cases to Professional Standards Committee for hearings. We function similar to a “grand jury.”

We work behind the scenes and are fulfilling our duties as promised. But early on, our committee of twenty members decided to step it up and we want to share with you what we are doing.

We decided, as a group, to take the Fairhaven Challenge

“What is the Fairhaven Challenge?” you ask.

Per National Association of REALTORS®, “Fairhaven is an online, immersive simulation that uses the power of storytelling that lets learners confront housing discrimination in scenarios that feel real.”

It continues to say, “Inspired by real stories, this innovative online experience has agents work against the clock to sell homes in the fictional town of Fairhaven, while confronting discrimination in the homebuying process. Learners will also walk in the shoes of a homebuyer facing discrimination.”

Fairhaven was debuted in 2021 by the National Association of REALTORS®, and it is designed to help combat discrimination in real estate markets. There is no charge to take the course, and you get there by typing Fairhaven.Realtor into your browser. If you don’t remember your NAR username or password, you can click Forgot username or password? and reset it.

By the end of our March meeting, over 80% of our Grievance Committee had taken the course, and that number is still growing. They are all excited about it and are talking to their offices about getting their agents to do it.

Here are some takeaways:

• It takes about an hour to complete the course.

• You get a certificate of completion at the end.

• You don’t have to finish it all at once; you can spend as much or little time as you want and come back. It remembers where you were.

• You will be surprised how much you learn. It’s fun to do.

Here’s a quote from our Vice Chair Steve Medendorp: “The Fairhaven Challenge was easy and fun to participate in. As a simulation, you are thrust into different scenarios that challenge not only your knowledge but your own behaviors.”

So, what do you say? Will you step it up and take the Fairhaven Challenge?