The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) has announced the first phase of governance updates aimed at improving efficiency, modernizing its committee structure and better aligning with member needs and industry priorities—specifically, “sunsetting” a handful of committees, groups and forums.
The changes follow member feedback and an internal review process, according to NAR, and are part of a broader effort to strengthen NAR’s governance model and ensure it reflects the way the real estate industry operates today.
“These member-led updates are grounded in what we’ve heard from our members,” said 2026 NAR President Kevin Brown. “Realtors® have been clear that our governance system must evolve, becoming more focused, more effective, and more responsive. These changes mark an important first step.”
NAR has promised extensive changes to its budgeting, governance and priorities in the wake of the commission lawsuits, and CEO Nykia Wright has acknowledged that “arrogance” resulted in membership and brokers losing trust in the organization. NAR previously made significant changes to its MLS handbook and streamlined its budget, even as big brokers have called for more changes.
The recommendations stem from a multi-source review conducted as part of NAR’s Committee Excellence Program, a key initiative within the association’s 2026–2028 Strategic Plan. The review included member surveys, leadership input and a full audit of more than 95 committees, forums, councils and advisory groups.
According to NAR, findings pointed to declining confidence in committee effectiveness, overlapping responsibilities and opportunities to better utilize both member and staff time.
In response, NAR’s Leadership Team approved a series of targeted “sunset” recommendations to streamline the current structure by eliminating select committees and advisory groups whose functions were considered duplicative or better suited to other channels.
The following groups will be sunsetted as part of this initial phase:
Effective April 1, 2026:
- Large State Forum
- Medium State Forum
- Small State Forum
- State Leadership Idea Exchange Council
- Reserves Investment Advisory Board
Effective December 1, 2026:
- Amicus Brief Advisory Board
- Leading Edge Advisory Board
- Leadership Identification and Development Committee
NAR stated that these changes are expected to reduce structural redundancy, decrease appointment volume, and redirect member and staff resources toward committees and engagement opportunities that deliver the greatest strategic value.
The association emphasized that this is part of an ongoing process, with continued input from members, volunteer leaders and stakeholders expected as additional updates are evaluated.
“This process is following a deliberate, data-driven approach,” Brown added. “We are continuing to audit the system, follow the feedback, and identify where additional improvements can and should be made. These initial actions will inform further changes.”
