Wednesday, November 1, 2023

For many years, members have demanded a higher level of professionalism from their profession and from each other. We’ve passionately debated the subject together time and again. 

We’ve said, “We need to be more professional;” “I want my colleagues to be more professional;” “We’re not happy that many Canadians think we could be more professional.” 

This long debate has included possible solutions, like more stringent licensing requirements, harsher sanctions, and a multitude of other suggestions.

"Rules and punishment are important tools, but, in the end, it really comes down to commitment on the part of individuals. How can we collectively commit to professionalism on a deeper level?"

Think of the New Year’s resolutions we make every January. These are promises to ourselves. They’re often commitments to do things that improve body, mind, or finances. For example: “I’ll eat better and exercise more”; or “I’ll lose an inch around the waist”. 

When March comes, however, these good intentions are often abandoned with little achieved. Old habits die hard, as they say. 

Why does this happen year after year? 

One reason may be that we weren’t serious about our resolutions in the first place. We didn’t write them down or, perhaps most importantly, we didn’t share our resolutions with others. 

A tried and tested way to add accountability to our commitments is through public declarations. 

Think wedding vows made in a church, the Pledge of Allegiance students make in the U.S., or the citizenship oath that new Canadians make. These are done in rooms full of people to make you feel more responsible for the promises you make.

Earlier this year, your Board published its Professionalism White Paper. The paper recommended the writing and adoption of a member oath in support of professionalism. 

This oath could, for example, be taken by new members and re-affirmed by all members at our Annual General Meeting and other gatherings.

By taking the oath, we would be making a public commitment to each other and to the people we serve. 

With these goals in mind, here is the Pledge of Professionalism that we have developed.

These words commit REALTORS® to act with integrity and champion a culture of accountability. 

Alone, this oath won't bring about the positive change we seek for the profession. It'll, however, place greater responsibility on all of us, as professionals, to live up to and uphold these standards. It'll then be up to all of us to deliver on this promise and speak out against actions that run counter to its purpose.

You’ll hear more about this oath, and how we intend to incorporate it at member gatherings, in the weeks ahead. I hope we can count on your support as we move this forward.

Bouquet

Congratulations, Kevin Banno, Dexter Properties, Vancouver!

Banu Foroutan, MacDonald Realty, Vancouver, is sending you a bouquet. 

Here’s what Banu told us:

"I recently missed out on a lovely listing of Kevin’s in Vancouver. However, Kevin didn’t just say well too late, it sold. Instead, he went to the trouble of finding another similar listing, smaller but adequate for my client and he texted me the name and number of the listing agent before the property came on the market. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such co-operation and even though I thanked Kevin via text, I think his kindness and help to an old REALTOR® should be acknowledged. I’ve never met Kevin which makes his kindness even more worthy of acknowledgment."

Way to go Kevin!