Revised July 2004 – Includes All C.A.R. and N.A.R. Mandatory Language

Article I – NAME

Section l. Name. The name of this organization shall be the Placer County Association of REALTORS®, Incorporated, hereinafter referred to as the “A.O.R.” The term “Association” is used when referring to any Association of REALTORS®.
Section 2. REALTOR® Membership Mark in Name of Association. Inclusion and retention of the registered collective membership mark "REALTORS®" in the name of the A.O.R. shall be governed by the Constitution and Bylaws of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (hereinafter "N.A.R.") as from time to time amended.

Section 3: Where the term “Association” is used herein, it shall mean the corporation. Any reference to the Board of Directors shall be so indicated by saying “Board of Directors”.


Section 4. Place of Business. The principal place of business shall be located at 4750 Grove Street, Rocklin, California and said principal place of business may by changed by an amendment to the Bylaws. Authority is granted to the Board of Directors to establish such branch office or offices as the Board of Directors may from time to time deem advisable for the best interests of the corporation.

Article II - OBJECTIVES

Section 1. Objectives. The objectives of the A.O.R. are:

(a) To unite those engaged in the recognized branches of the real estate profession for the purpose of exerting a beneficial influence upon the profession and related interests. The "recognized branches of the real estate profession" include buying, selling, exchanging, renting or leasing, managing, appraising for others for compensation, financing, building, developing or subdividing real estate.

(b) To promote and maintain high standards of conduct in the real estate profession as expressed in the Code of Ethics of the N.A.R. (hereinafter “Code of Ethics”).

(c) To provide a unified medium for real estate owners and those engaged in the real estate profession whereby their interests may be safeguarded and advanced.

(d) To further the interests of home and other real property ownership.

(e) To unite those engaged in the real estate profession in this community with the California Association of REALTORS® (hereinafter “C.A.R.”) and N.A.R. thereby furthering their own objectives throughout the state and nation, and obtaining the benefits and privileges of membership therein.

(f) To designate, for the benefit of the public, those individuals within the state of California authorized to use the terms REALTOR® and REALTORS® as licensed, prescribed, and controlled by N.A.R.

Article III – NATIONAL AND STATE MEMBERSHIPS

Section l. Association Membership in N.A.R. and C.A.R. The A.O.R. shall be a member of N.A.R. and C.A.R. as defined in the governing documents of N.A.R. and C.A.R. By reason of the A.O.R.’s membership in N.A.R. and C.A.R., each REALTOR® member of the A.O.R. shall be entitled to membership in N.A.R. and C.A.R. without further payment of dues. The A.O.R. shall continue as a member of N.A.R. and C.A.R., unless by a majority vote of all of its REALTOR® members the decision is made to withdraw, in which case N.A.R. and C.A.R. shall be notified in writing at least one month in advance of the date designated for the termination of the A.O.R.’s membership.

Section 2. Ownership and Use of REALTOR® Membership Marks. The A.O.R. recognizes the exclusive property rights of N.A.R. in the terms REALTOR® and REALTORS®. The A.O.R. may use the terms while it is a member in good standing of N.A.R. The A.O.R. shall discontinue use of the terms in any form in its name, upon ceasing to be a member of N.A.R., or upon a determination by the Board of Directors of N.A.R. that it has violated the conditions imposed upon use of the terms.

Section 3. Adoption & Enforcement of N.A.R. Code of Ethics; Compliance with N.A.R. & C.A.R. Governing Documents & Policies. The A.O.R. adopts the N.A.R. Code of Ethics and agrees to enforce the Code of Ethics among its REALTOR® members. The A.O.R. and all of its members agree to abide by the Constitution, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, Code of Ethics, and policies of N.A.R. and C.A.R.

Section 4. Other Association Rules, Regulations & Policies. The A.O.R. may adopt any Rules and Regulations or policies not inconsistent with the Constitution, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, Code of Ethics, and policies of N.A.R. and C.A.R. and these Bylaws. Any inconsistencies between the A.O.R.’s Rules and Regulations or policies and the Bylaws of the A.O.R. (hereinafter "Bylaws") shall be controlled by the Bylaws.

Article IV – Jurisdiction

Section 1. Description of Jurisdiction. The territorial jurisdiction of the A.O.R. as a member of N.A.R. is: All of Placer County, California which lies west of the crest of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Section 2. Jurisdictional Rights. Territorial jurisdiction is defined to mean the right and duty to control the use of the terms REALTOR® and REALTORS® subject to the conditions set forth in the Bylaws and those of N.A.R., and to protect and safeguard the property rights of N.A.R. in those terms.

Article V – MEMBERSHIP, QUALIFICATION, APPLICATION AND ACCEPTANCE

Section l. Classes of Membership.

There shall be six (6) classes of membership: (1) REALTOR® Members; (2) Institute Affiliate Members; (3) Affiliate Members; (4) Public Service Members; (5) Honorary Members; and (6) Student Members.

Section 2. Qualifications for REALTOR® Members.

2.1 REALTOR® members, whether primary or secondary, who are principals, partners, corporate officers or branch office managers of real estate firms shall:

(a) Maintain a current, valid California real estate broker or salesperson license or California real estate appraisal certification or license; and

(b) Act as a sole proprietor, partner, corporate officer of a real estate firm or office manager of a real estate firm acting on behalf of the firm’s principal(s); and

(c) Remain actively engaged in the real estate profession; and

(d) Maintain or be associated with a real estate office located within the state of California or a state contiguous thereto.

2.2 REALTOR® members, whether primary or secondary, other than principals, partners, corporate officers, or branch office managers of real estate firms shall:

(a) Maintain a current, valid California real estate broker or salesperson license or California real estate appraisal certification or license; and

(b) Remain actively engaged in the real estate profession; and

(c) Remain employed by or affiliated as an independent contractor with a REALTOR® member who meets the requirements in Section 2.1 of this Article V for any Association in California or a state contiguous thereto.

2.3 REALTOR® members may be franchise corporate officers as described below in Article V, Section 2.8.

2.4 Each firm (or office in the case of firms with multiple office locations) shall designate in writing one "Designated REALTOR®" member who shall be responsible for the conduct of individuals affiliated with the firm and accountable to the A.O.R. for all duties and obligations of A.O.R. membership, including, but not limited to, certification as set forth in Article VI, Section 9. The "Designated REALTOR®" must be the sole proprietor, partner, corporate officer or an office manager acting on behalf of the firm’s principal(s) and must have the authority to bind the firm in arbitrations and must meet all the other qualifications for REALTOR® membership set forth in Article V, Sections 2.1 of the Bylaws.

2.5 Association of Choice.

(a) Primary Membership. Licensees affiliated with a REALTOR® firm may choose as their "primary" Association any Association within California where the firm maintains a "Designated REALTOR®." If a REALTOR® is a primary member of the A.O.R., the A.O.R. pays C.A.R. and N.A.R. dues for that individual.

(b) Secondary Membership. A REALTOR® who has joined another Association as a primary member may join this A.O.R. as a secondary member. There need not be a Designated REALTOR® member of this A.O.R. for licensees to select this A.O.R. as their secondary Association. The conditions for secondary membership shall be no more stringent than for primary membership, and the privileges of membership shall be the same including the right to vote and hold office.

2.6 All persons who are partners in a partnership or officers in a corporation, and actively engaged in the real estate profession within the state of California or a state contiguous thereto or are franchise corporate officers as described below shall be ineligible for any class of membership other than REALTOR® membership. Each is required to hold REALTOR® membership individually in a local Association in California (except as provided in Section 2.7) or in a state contiguous thereto, if they meet all the other qualifications set forth in Article V, Sections 2.1, 2.2, or 2.3 of the Bylaws unless they otherwise qualify for Institute Affiliate membership as described in Article V, Section 3.

2.7 In the case of a real estate firm, partnership or corporation whose business activity is substantially all commercial, only those principals actively engaged in the real estate business in connection with the same office, or any other offices within the jurisdiction of the A.O.R. in which one of the firm’s principals holds REALTOR® membership, shall be required to hold REALTOR® membership unless otherwise qualified for Institute Affiliate Membership as described in Article V, Section 3.

2.8 Notwithstanding any other provision herein, corporate officers of real estate brokerage franchise organizations with at least one hundred fifty franchisees located within the United States, its insular possessions and the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, may be elected to membership pursuant to the Constitution and Bylaws of N.A.R. (hereinafter "Franchise Corporate Officers"). Franchise Corporate Officers shall enjoy all of the rights, privileges and obligations of REALTOR® membership, including compliance with the Code of Ethics, except: obligations related to the A.O.R. mandated education, meeting attendance, or indoctrination classes or other similar requirements, if any; the right to use the term REALTOR® in connection with their franchise organization’s name; and the right to hold elective office in the local A.O.R., C.A.R., and N.A.R.

Section 3. Qualifications for Institute Affiliate Members. Institute Affiliate members shall be individuals who hold a professional designation awarded by a qualified Institute, Society or Council affiliated with the N.A.R. that addresses a specialty area other than residential brokerage or individuals who otherwise hold a class of membership in such Institute, Society or Council that confers the right to vote or hold office. Any such individual, if otherwise eligible, may elect to hold REALTOR® membership subject to payment of applicable dues for such membership.

Section 4. Qualifications for Affiliate Members. Affiliate members shall be real estate owners, and other individuals or firms engaged in activities related to the real estate profession, who do not qualify for REALTOR® membership. Affiliate members have interests requiring information concerning real estate and sympathy with the objectives of the A.O.R.

There are two classes of Affiliate membership available as follows:

Corporate Affiliate Membership: The principal partner or branch manager acting on behalf of the Corporation may join the Association. Individuals employed by the Corporate Affiliate member may enjoy the benefits and services of the Association while remaining employed with the Corporate Affiliate.

Individual Affiliate Membership: This type of memberships allows the individual to enjoy the benefits and services of the Association.

Section 5. Qualifications for Public Service Members. Public Service members shall be those members who maintain an interest in the real estate profession as employees or affiliates of educational, public utility, governmental or other similar organizations and are not engaged in the real estate profession on their own account or with an established real estate business.

Section 6. Qualifications for Honorary Members. Honorary members shall be those persons recognized by the Board of Directors as persons who have performed notable service for the real estate profession, for the A.O.R., or for the public though not engaged in the real estate profession and has completed two of the following:

(a) Nominee must have been a member of the P.C.A.R. for a minimum of 10 years.

(b) Nominee must have been active in the community and have contributed substantially to the operation and welfare of the community.

(c) Nominee must have been active in the Association’s affairs and have contributed substantially to the operation and welfare of the Association.

(d) Nominee is a Past President of P.C.A.R.

(e) Recipients of the Honorary Membership shall not pay local P.C.A.R. dues and shall retain their voting privileges in the Association. If an Honorary Member chooses not to pay the N.A.R. and C.A.R. dues assessment, they shall not be considered members in good standing of C.A.R. and N.A.R.

Section 7. Qualifications for Student Members and Retired Members.

Student members shall be students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an institution of higher education with a specialization or major in real estate, or who are seeking to obtain a real estate license or appraiser’s license but who are not eligible for REALTOR® membership.

Retired Members:

(a) The member applying must not be actively engages in the real estate business.

(b) The candidate must have been a member of an A.O.R. for at least 10 years and a member of P.C.A.R. for at least 5 years.

(c) If the member has been participating in a specific health insurance program offered through P.C.A.R. for at least 1 year, and is actively participating in a specific plan at the time of retirement, they would continue to be eligible for these programs as a retired member. They would continue making their premiums in the normal manner and would be terminated from the program under the same criteria as any other member.

(d) If a retired member chooses not to pay the N.A.R. and C.A.R. dues assessment, they shall not be considered members in good standing of C.A.R. and N.A.R.

Section 8. Membership Application.

(a) Each applicant for membership shall submit an application in such manner and form as may be prescribed by the A.O.R. Board of Directors (hereinafter "Board of Directors") and give his or her consent that the Board of Directors, through the A.O.R. Membership Committee (hereinafter "Membership Committee") or otherwise, may obtain information about the applicant from any member, other persons or Associations and that any information furnished to the Board of Directors by any member, person or Association shall not form the basis of any action for slander, libel or defamation of character. The Board of Directors, through its Membership Committee or otherwise, may consider the following in determining an applicant’s qualifications for membership: (1) all final findings of N.A.R. Code of Ethics violations and violations of other membership duties in any other Association within the past three (3) years; (2) pending ethics complaints or hearings; (3) unsatisfied discipline pending; (4) pending arbitration requests or hearings; (5) unpaid arbitration awards or unpaid financial obligations to any other Association or Association Multiple Listing Service ("MLS").

(b) Applicants for membership shall be familiar with and agree to abide by the Bylaws and Rules and Regulations of the A.O.R., the Bylaws of C.A.R. and the N.A.R. Constitution, Bylaws and Code of Ethics, to the extent they are applicable, and pass such reasonable and nondiscriminatory written examination thereon as may be required by the Membership Committee. Applicants must also attend an orientation program as may be required by the Board of Directors, its Membership Committee, or otherwise.

(c) Applicants who are sole proprietors, general partners, corporate officers, or branch office managers (Article V, Section 2) of a real estate firm shall certify: (1) they have no record of official sanctions rendered by the courts or other lawful authorities within the past three years for violations of (i) civil rights laws; (ii) real estate license laws; or (iii) other laws prohibiting unprofessional conduct; and (2) that they have not been suspended or expelled from an Association the past three years for violations of the N.A.R. Code of Ethics.

(d) Applicants who are sole proprietors, general partners, corporate officers, or branch office managers (Article V, Section 2) of a real estate firm must disclose: (1) whether they or their firms are subject to any pending bankruptcy proceedings; and (2) whether they or their firms have been adjudged bankrupt within the past three (3) years. If the applicant is party to pending bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or has been adjudged bankrupt within the past three (3) years, the applicant may be required to pay cash in advance for A.O.R. and MLS fees for up to one year from the date that membership is approved or from the date that the applicant is discharged from bankruptcy, whichever is later. If the Board of Directors determines that such prepayments will not protect the interests of the A.O.R. or its members, such applications may be rejected.

Section 9. Prior Membership Records.

The A.O.R. may consider information received from other Associations in determining whether an applicant satisfies the A.O.R.’s membership requirements. The A.O.R. may request from any Association where the applicant held prior membership, minimum "core" information including:

(a) All final findings of Code of Ethics violations and violations of other membership duties within the past three (3) years;

(b) Pending complaints alleging violations of the Code of Ethics or alleging violations of other membership duties;

(c) Incomplete or (pending) disciplinary measures;

(d) Pending arbitration requests (or hearings); and

(e) Unpaid arbitration awards or unpaid financial obligations to the Association or its MLS.

Section 10. Application Review and Acceptance.

The procedure for acceptance to membership shall be as follows:

(a) The Membership Committee shall determine whether the applicant is applying for the appropriate class of membership. If one or more of the REALTOR® members object to the approval of the application, basing such objection on lack of qualification as set forth in the Bylaws, the Membership Committee shall invite any objecting member to appear and substantiate his or her objections. Objections which are not substantiated shall be totally disregarded. The Membership Committee must: (1) inform the applicant in advance, in writing, of any objections and identify the objecting member; and (2) give the applicant an opportunity to appear before the Membership Committee and establish his or her qualifications. The Membership Committee may also request "core" information as defined in Article V, Section 9, from any Association of which the applicant was previously a member. The Membership Committee shall thereafter make a written report of its findings. The Membership Committee shall conduct all proceedings with strict attention to the principles of due process and compliance with the Bylaws.

(b) Within twenty (20) days, the Membership Committee shall report its recommendation to the applicant and Board of Directors in writing. If the recommendation is to reject the application, the reasons shall be specifically stated. If any member of the Membership Committee submits a dissenting recommendation, it shall also be reported to the applicant and Board of Directors. The applicant shall also be notified of his or her right to appear before the Board of Directors.

(c) The Board of Directors shall review the qualifications of the applicant and the recommendations of the Membership Committee and then vote on the applicant’s eligibility for membership. If the applicant appears, he or she may be represented by counsel, call witnesses on his or her behalf and make such statements as he or she deems relevant. The Board of Directors may also have counsel present. If the applicant receives a majority vote of the Board of Directors, he or she shall be declared accepted as a member and shall be advised by written notice. An application for Institute Affiliate Membership shall be acted upon by the Board of Directors within forty-five (45) days from the date of application for membership.

(d) If the Board of Directors determines that the application should be rejected, it shall record its reasons. If the Board of Directors believes that denial of membership to the applicant may become the basis of litigation and a claim of damage by the applicant, it may specify that denial shall become effective upon entry in a suit by the A.O.R. for a declaratory judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction of a final judgment declaring that the rejection violates no rights of the applicant.

(e) The Board of Directors, through its Membership Committee or otherwise, may grant "provisional" membership to an applicant in instances where ethics complaints or arbitration requests or hearings are pending in other Associations or where the applicant for membership has unsatisfied discipline pending in another Association, provided all other qualifications for membership have been satisfied. Provisional members shall be considered REALTORS® and shall be subject to all of the same privileges and obligations of REALTOR® membership. The Board of Directors may reconsider the membership status of provisional members when all pending ethics and arbitration matters and related discipline have been resolved or if such matters are not resolved within six (6) months from the date that provisional membership is approved. At the time of reconsideration, if the Board of Directors determines that the individual has not satisfactorily resolved the pending ethics or arbitration matter, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, membership may be terminated. Any dues paid by the provisional member shall be prorated from the date of application to the date of termination, and the remaining dues shall be returned to the terminated provisional member.

(f) If a member resigns from another Association with an ethics complaint or arbitration request pending, the Board of Directors may condition membership on the applicant’s certification that he or she will submit to the pending ethics or arbitration proceeding, in accordance with the procedures of the A.O.R., and will abide by the decision of the hearing panel.

Section 11. New Member Code of Ethics Orientation. Applicants for REALTOR® membership and provisional REALTOR® members (where applicable) shall complete an orientation program on the Code of Ethics, meeting the minimum criteria established by N.A.R. for new member ethics training. This requirement does not apply to applicants for REALTOR® membership or provisional members who have completed comparable orientation in another Association, provided that REALTOR® membership has been continuous, or that any break in membership is for one year or less. Failure to satisfy this requirement within 180 of the date of application (or, alternatively, the date that provisional membership was granted), will result in denial of the membership application or termination of provisional membership.

Section 12. Continuing Member Code of Ethics Training. Every four year period, starting with the period from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2004, and for successive four year periods thereafter, each REALTOR® member of the A.O.R. shall be required to complete a course on the Code of Ethics, meeting the minimum criteria established by N.A.R. for quadrennial ethics training. This requirement will be satisfied upon presentation of documentation that the member has completed such course of instruction conducted by this or another Association, C.A.R., N.A.R., or any other recognized educational institution. REALTOR® members who have completed training as a requirement of membership in another Association and REALTOR® members who have completed the New Member Code of Ethics Orientation during any four year cycle shall not be required to complete additional ethics training until a new four year period commences. Failure to satisfy this requirement shall be considered a violation of a membership duty for which REALTOR® membership shall be suspended until such time as the training is completed.

Section 13. Status Changes.

(a) REALTORS® who change the conditions under which they hold membership shall be required to provide written notification to the A.O.R. within thirty (30) days. A non-principal REALTOR® who becomes a principal in the firm with which he or she has been licensed or, becomes a principal in a new firm which will be comprised of REALTOR® principals, may be required to satisfy any previously unsatisfied membership requirements applicable to principal REALTOR® members. During the period of transition from one status of membership to another, such members shall be subject to all of the privileges and obligations of a principal REALTOR® member. The Board of Directors, at its discretion, may waive any qualification which the member has already fulfilled in accordance with the Bylaws. If the REALTOR® does not satisfy the requirements established in the Bylaws for the category of membership to which they have transferred within thirty (30) days of the date they advised the A.O.R. of their change in status, their application for change of status will terminate automatically unless otherwise so directed by the Board of Directors.

(b) If the licensed status of any member is terminated, his or her membership in the A.O.R. shall terminate automatically. If any member ceases to meet any other ongoing qualification of membership, his or her membership may be terminated by the Board of Directors. Each member shall have the affirmative duty to notify the A.O.R. of any changes in their licensee status.

(c) Any application fee related to a change in membership status shall be reduced by an amount equal to any application fee previously paid by the applicant. Dues shall be prorated from the first day of the month in which the member is notified of acceptance by the Board of Directors of his or her change in status and shall be based on the new membership status for the remainder of the year.

Section 14. Resignation. Resignations of members shall become effective when received in writing by the Board of Directors, provided, however, that if any member submitting the resignation is indebted to the A.O.R. for dues, fees, fines or other assessments of the A.O.R. or any of its services, departments, divisions or subsidiaries, the A.O.R. may condition the right of the resigning member to reapply for membership upon payment in full of all such monies owed.

Article VI - Privileges and Duties of Membership

Section l. Member Compliance with Bylaws, Policies, Rules and Regulations. It shall be the duty of every member of the A.O.R. to abide by the Bylaws, Policies and Rules and Regulations of the A.O.R. Any member of the A.O.R. may be reprimanded, fined, placed on probation, suspended, or expelled by the Board of Directors for a violation of the Bylaws or the Rules and Regulations of the A.O.R. If a hearing is required it shall be held in accordance with the California Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual.

Although only REALTOR® members are subject to the Code of Ethics and its enforcement by the A.O.R., all members are encouraged to abide by the principles established in the Code of Ethics and conduct their business and professional practices accordingly. Further, any non-REALTOR® member may, upon recommendation of a hearing panel of the Professional Standards Committee, be subject to discipline as described above, for any conduct, which in the opinion of the Board of Directors, reflects adversely on the real estate industry or the terms REALTOR® or REALTORS® and for conduct that is inconsistent with or adverse to the objectives and purposes of this A.O.R., C.A.R. or N.A.R.

Section 2. Member Discipline.

(a) Any Member of the Association may be reprimanded, fined, placed on probation, suspended, or expelled for sexual harassment of an Association employee after a hearing in accordance with the established procedures of the A.O.R. The decision of the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken shall be made by the investigatory team comprised of the President, President-Elect and one member of the Board of Directors selected by the highest ranking officer not named in the complaint, upon consultation with counsel for the A.O.R. If the complaint names the President or President-Elect, they may not participate in the proceedings and shall be replaced by the Immediate Past President or, alternatively, by another member of the Board of Directors selected by the highest ranking officer not named in the complaint.

(b) Any REALTOR® Member of the A.O.R. may be disciplined by the Board of Directors for violations of the Code of Ethics or other duties of membership, after a hearing as described in the Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual of the Association, provided that the discipline imposed is consistent with the discipline authorized by the Professional Standards Committee of the N.A.R. as set forth in the Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual of the National Association.

Section 3. Resignation with Pending Arbitration or Disciplinary Hearing. If a member resigns from the A.O.R. or otherwise causes membership to terminate with a disciplinary complaint pending, that Board of Directors may condition the right of the resigning member to reapply for membership upon the applicant’s certification that he or she will submit to the pending disciplinary hearing and comply with any sanction imposed. If a member resigns or otherwise causes membership to terminate, the duty to submit to arbitration continues in effect even after membership lapses or is terminated provided that the dispute arose while the former member was a member.

Resignations of Members shall become effective when received in writing by the Board of Directors, provided, however, that if any Member submitting the resignation is indebted to the Association for dues, fees, fines, or other assessments of the Association or any of its services, departments, divisions, or subsidiaries, the Association may condition the right of the resigning Member to reapply for membership upon payment in full of all such monies owed.

Section 4. Voting Rights and Eligibility for Elective Office. Only REALTOR® Members, whether primary or secondary, in good standing whose financial obligations to the AOR are paid in full shall be entitled to vote and to hold elective office in the AOR.

Section 5. Privileges and Duties of REALTOR® Members.

(a) It shall be the duty and responsibility of every REALTOR® member of this A.O.R. to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws of C.A.R., the Constitution and Bylaws of N.A.R. and to abide by the Code of Ethics as set forth in Article VI, Section 1 of these Bylaws.

(b) REALTOR® members have the primary responsibility to safeguard and promote the standards, interests and welfare of the A.O.R. and the real estate profession.

(c) REALTOR® members may use the terms REALTOR® and REALTORS®, which use shall be subject to the provisions of Article VIII.

(d) If a REALTOR® Member who is a sole proprietor, principal in a firm, partner in a partnership, officer of a corporation, or branch office manager is suspended or expelled, his or her firm, partnership or corporation shall not use the terms REALTOR® or REALTORS® in connection with its business during the period of suspension or expulsion and the membership of all other principals, partners or corporate officers shall suspend or terminate during the period of suspension or expulsion, unless: (1) the disciplined member severs his or her connection with the firm, partnership or corporation; or (2) the disciplined member relinquishes management control of the firm.

The membership of REALTORS® who are employed or affiliated as independent contractors with the disciplined shall suspend or terminate during the period of suspension or expulsion unless: the disciplined member severs his or her connection with the firm, partnership or corporation; (2) the disciplined member relinquishes management control of the firm; or (3) the non-principal REALTOR® member elects to sever his or her connection with the disciplined member and affiliates with another REALTOR® member in good standing in the association. If a REALTOR® member other than a sole proprietor in a firm, partner in a partnership, officer of a corporation or branch office manager is suspended or expelled, the use of the terms REALTOR® or REALTORS® by the firm, partnership or corporation shall not be affected.

Removal of an individual from any form or degree of management control must be certified to the A.O.R. by the disciplined member and by the individual who is assuming management control. The signatures on such certification must be notarized.

The foregoing is not intended to preclude a suspended or expelled Member from functioning as an employee or independent contractor, providing no management control is exercised.

(e) In any action taken against a REALTOR® Member for suspension or expulsion, notice of such action shall be given to all REALTORS® employed by or affiliated as independent contractors with such REALTOR® Member and they shall be advised that the provisions in Article VI, Section 6 shall apply.

Section 6. Privileges and Duties of Institute Affiliate Members. Institute Affiliate Members shall have rights and privileges and be subject to obligations prescribed by the Board of Directors consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Section 7. Privileges and Duties of Affiliate Members. Affiliate Members shall have rights and privileges and be subject to obligations prescribed by the Board of Directors. Affiliate Members in good standing whose financial obligations to the Association are paid in full shall be entitled to vote for Affiliate Director in Affiliate Director election only and to hold elective office as an Affiliate Director in the Association.

Section 8. Privileges and Duties of Honorary Members. Honorary Membership shall confer only the right to attend meetings and participate in discussions.

Section 9. Certification by Designated REALTOR®. Designated REALTOR® shall certify to the A.O.R. during the first month of each fiscal year, on a form provided by the A.O.R., a complete listing of all individuals licensed or certified under California law, with the REALTOR® firm(s), and shall designate a primary association, if any, for each individual. These declarations shall be used for purposes of calculating dues under Article IX, Section 2 of the Bylaws. Designated REALTOR® members shall also notify the A.O.R. of any additional individuals(s) licensed or certified with the firm(s) and of any individual whose affiliation with the firm was severed within thirty days of the date of affiliation or severance of the individual(s).

Section 10. Sexual Harassment. Any member of the Association may be reprimanded, placed on probation, suspended or expelled for sexual harassment of a Association or MLS employee after a hearing in accordance with the established procedures of the Association. The decision of the appropriate disciplinary action to be taken shall be made by the investigatory team comprised of the President, and President-elect and one member of the Board of Directors selected by the highest ranking officer not named in the complaint, upon consultation with counsel for the Association. If the complaint names the President, President-Elect, they may not participate in the proceedings and shall be replaced by the Immediate Past President or, alternatively, by another member of the Board of Directors selected by the highest ranking officer not named in the complaint.

Article VII - Professional Standards and Arbitration

Section 1. Professional Standards and Arbitration. The responsibility of the Association and of A.O.R. members relating to the enforcement of the Code of Ethics, the disciplining of Members, and the arbitration of disputes, and the organization and procedures incident thereto shall be governed by the Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual, as published and from time to time amended by C.A.R., which by this reference is made a part of these Bylaws.

Section 2. Member Compliance with N.A.R. and C.A.R. Constitution, Bylaws, Policies, Rules, Regulations and Code of Ethics. It shall be the duty and responsibility of every REALTOR® Member of this A.O.R. to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws and the Rules and Regulations of the A.O.R., the Constitution and Bylaws of C.A.R., the Constitution and Bylaws of N.A.R., and the Code of Ethics including the duty to arbitrate controversies arising out of real estate transactions as specified by Article 17 of the N.A.R. Code of Ethics and as further defined and in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual as from time to time amended by C.A.R. By becoming and remaining a member, every REALTOR® member agrees that he or she and the corporation or firm for which he or she acts as a partner, officer, principal, or branch office manager, will submit to arbitration through the A.O.R. all disputes with any other member or member of the public subject to the conditions set forth in the California Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual.

The Association and Association members are also responsible for the enforcement of the Code of Ethics, the disciplining of members, the arbitration of disputes, and the organization and procedures incident thereto, consistent with the cooperative professional standards enforcement agreement entered into by the Association, which by this reference is made a part of these Bylaws.

Article VIII - Use of the Terms REALTOR® and REALTORS®

Section l. Use and Control of REALTOR® Membership Marks. Use of the terms REALTOR® and REALTORS® by Members shall, at all times, be subject to the provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws of the N.A.R. and to the Rules and Regulations prescribed by its Board of Directors. The A.O.R. shall have the authority to control, jointly and in full cooperation with the N.A.R. use of the terms within its jurisdiction.

Section 2. Jurisdictional Limits on Use of REALTOR® Membership Marks. REALTOR® Members of the A.O.R. shall have the privilege of using the terms REALTOR® and REALTORS® in connection with their places of business within California or a state contiguous thereto so long as they remain REALTOR® members in good standing. No other class of members shall have this privilege.

Section 3. Use of REALTOR® Membership Marks Dependent on Status of Firm Principals. A REALTOR® Member who is a principal of a real estate firm, partnership, or corporation may use the terms REALTOR® and REALTORS® only if all the principals of such firm, partnership, or corporation who are actively engaged in the real estate profession within California or a state contiguous thereto are REALTOR® Members.

(a) In the case of a REALTOR® member who is a principal of a real estate firm, partnership or corporation whose business activity is substantially all commercial, the right to use the term REALTOR® or REALTORS® shall be limited to office locations in which a principal, partner, corporate officer or branch office manager of the firm, partnership or corporation holds REALTOR membership. If a firm, partnership or corporation operates additional places of business in which no principal, partner, corporate officer or branch office manager holds REALTOR® membership, the term REALTOR® or REALTORS® may not be used in any reference to those additional places of business.

Section 4. Institute Affiliate Members Ineligible to Use REALTOR® Membership Marks. Institute Affiliate Members shall not use the terms REALTOR® or REALTORS®, nor the imprint of the emblem seal of the N.A.R.

Article IX - Dues and Assessments

Section 1. Application Fee. The Board of Directors may adopt a reasonable application fee for membership in the A.O.R. The application fee for REALTOR® membership shall not exceed three times the amount of the annual dues for REALTOR® membership. The application fee shall be required to accompany each application for membership in the A.O.R. and shall become the property of the A.O.R. upon final approval of the application.

Section 2. Dues.

(a) The Board of Directors shall determine annually the amount of annual dues to be paid by each class of membership.

(b) The annual dues of each Designated REALTOR® Member shall be a base amount plus an amount multiplied by the number of real estate licensees and and licensed or certified appraisers under California law to which he or she certified under Article VI, Sections II, and who (1) are employed by or affiliated as independent contractors, or who are otherwise directly or indirectly licensed or certified with such REALTOR® Member, and (2) are not REALTOR® Members of any Association within California or a state contiguous thereto or Institute Affiliate Members of this A.O.R.. In calculating the dues payable to the A.O.R. by a designated REALTOR® Member, non-memb