In the FVREB Professional Standards Department (PSD), we often hear from members who act professionally, who are frustrated with other members who they encounter who they feel are not in compliance with the FVREB Bylaws (Bylaws), the Rules of Cooperation (ROC) or the REALTOR® Code (Code). This is, of course, understandable.
Every member is no doubt aware of their own obligation to uphold professional standards by adhering to the Bylaws, the ROC and the Code.
If professional standards issues, with respect to fellow members, are not reported to the FVREB, the FVREB, the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC), and Managing Brokers, cannot gain insight into issues and education gaps within the Membership and formulate strategies to address those matters. Reporting unprofessional behaviour is a way to raise the professionalism of members as a whole.
As a reminder, Section 3.6 of the Bylaws requires each member to assist in the enforcement of the Bylaws and “to promptly report any actual or alleged misconduct or violation of said rules by any fellow member to the Board for appropriate action.” Therefore, a failure to report could, in and of itself, be a breach of the Bylaws.
Some members think that it takes too much time and effort to report an issue. However, the hands of the FVREB, the PCC and Managing Brokers are tied without such reporting. By reporting conduct concerns, members not only comply with the Bylaws, the professional standards of all members and the real estate industry improve.
This, in turn, will enhance the public perception of the real estate industry.
Source: Professional Standards