VAR Committees
One of the most valuable benefits of being a Vermont REALTOR® is the opportunity to serve on a committee. VAR Committees provide an opportunity to enhance your leadership skills, network with fellow REALTORS® from across the state, and help shape the future of the real estate industry. Each committee plays a vital role in the Association’s governance, our community involvement, and our mission to cultivate the best member experience for all Vermont REALTORS®.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Composition: One or more active REALTOR® members selected from each local association when possible. A minimum of three members will serve on the committee at all times.
Responsibilities: Assist the VAR Education Director in determining potential course offerings for virtual and in-person opportunities based on the educational needs of the membership. Additionally, the committee will evaluate existing offerings and instructors based on surveys and other methods of member outreach.
2026 Chair
Sean Dye
Email
2026 Vice-Chair
Robbi Handy Holmes
Email
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Composition: VAR Treasurer and two additional VAR directors.
Responsibilities: To review the monthly financial statements along with the CEO and make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the annual budget. In addition, the Finance Committee will manage the financial plan for VAR to include the proper allocation of specific equities into short, medium, and long term funds and will conduct an annual review of these investments to ensure that the reallocation plan is executed on a timely basis in accordance with established policy.
2026 Chair
Steve Foster, Treasurer
Email
2026 Vice-Chair
David Raphael
Email
FORMS WORK GROUP
Composition: Three or more active REALTOR® members.
Responsibilities: To review VAR statewide forms regularly to incorporate changes made necessary by the Vermont Real Estate Commission edicts and changes in REALTOR® Standards of Practice. Committee should solicit input from Local Associations, VAR Legal Counsel, and the membership.
2026 Chair
Claudia Harris
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2026 Vice-Chair
Amey Ryan
Email
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Composition: At least one representative nominated by each Local Association President from the Local Association’s membership.
Responsibilities: To represent the interests of all REALTORS® at National, State and Local levels of government. Maintain constant communication with members on important issues. Conduct periodic membership surveys to establish issue priorities. The Government Affairs Committee shall prepare and present for approval by the Board of Directors, a comprehensive Government Affairs Strategic Plan, which expresses the position of the association on various legislative and regulatory issues affecting private property rights, real property ownership, land use and the real estate industry in general. The purpose of this Plan is to provide broad policy statements of the association, within which the government affairs committee may be guided when reviewing legislation affecting the real estate industry. This statement shall be prepared and updated to coincide with the biennial sessions of the Vermont Legislature.
2026 Chair
Peter Fina
Email
2026 Vice-Chair
Chris Cummings
Email
GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
Responsibilities: Reviews arbitration requests as well as ethical complaints submitted by REALTOR® members and the public to determine whether the complaint and/or request should proceed to the Professional Standards Committee for a hearing.
2026 Chair
Dora Dernavich
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2026 Vice-Chair
Mark Montross
Email
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Composition: One or more active REALTOR® members selected from each local association when possible.
Responsibilities: The Member Engagement Committee’s mission is to strengthen the connection to and participation in VAR’s activities, events, and member benefits. The committee achieves these goals by strategizing new methods to increase member engagement, evaluate existing activities, and enhance the member experience across the state.
2026 Chair
Sandy Reavill
Email
2026 Vice-Chair
Megan Quinn
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PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS COMMITTEE
Responsibilities: Conducts hearing panels for potential Code of Ethics violations and arbitration matters.
2026 Chair
Carolyn Weaver
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REAL ESTATE COMMISSION COMMITTEE
Composition: Three or more active REALTOR® members. The VAR Vice President serves as the Co-Chair.
Responsibilities: The REC Liaison Committee shall attend all Vermont Real Estate Commission meetings and meet in person or electronically on a regular basis throughout the year to discuss any issues of relevance to the VAR membership. They shall make a report at each Board of Directors meeting. The REC Liaison Committee may take positions on industry matters and speak for the membership provided positions are consistent with the VAR Strategic Plan. The Board of Directors retains the right to modify or reverse those positions taken. In the event there is not existing policy on a particular issue, it is incumbent on the committee to develop a recommended policy for consideration.
2026 Chair
Brian Armstrong
Email
2026 Vice-Chair
David Raphael
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