Yet another association misrepresented the financial position of a neighboring association in an attempt to get members to flee. Considering these reports, we categorized the scenarios into seven unacceptable behaviors. Associations are now banned from engaging in any of the specified unacceptable business practices, and face possible disciplinary actions if found guilty of violations. The issue of enforcement was next. Mediation was preferred because it is less adversarial than litigation or arbitration.
Mediation enables associations to work together toward a fair and equitable resolution of conflicts.
NAR's Leadership Development Department will receive mediation requests, and NAR staff may first attempt to resolve the issue through informal means. After we determined what associations should not do, we wanted to create a document describing what they should do. These standards are positive statements that, if adhered to, assure confidence in the integrity and service of associations. At the 2000 Midyear Governance Meeting in Washington, D.C., the NAR Board of Directors ratified both the Unacceptable Business Practices and the Standards of Conduct. Knowing what not to do Education to increase awareness and understanding of the Standards of Conduct and Unacceptable Business Practices is a critical element to the successful elimination of behavior that breeds conflict.