49 <p><strong>Professional Standards &amp; Mediation Services<br /> <br /> </strong>Professional standards provides our members&nbsp;information on&nbsp;issues relating to the NAR Code of Ethics and how KAR handles the Professional Standards Process for local REALTOR&reg; Associations.&nbsp; Professional standards makes recommendations to KAR&rsquo;s Board of Directors on policy decisions relating to many of the items listed as follows:<br /> <br /> <strong>Professional Standards Process</strong><br /> <br /> KAR abides by the Professional Standards Agreement signed by all of the 28 local boards.&nbsp; KAR handles the administrative paperwork for all Ethics Complaints and Arbitration Requests from Boards for all Option A Boards (Boards who delegate the administrative responsibilities to KAR).&nbsp; Currently 26 of 28 local boards use KAR for the process.<br /> <br /> <strong>Professional Standards Training</strong><br /> <br /> This is mandatory annual training for KAR members serving on the Professional Standards Committees.&nbsp; The training consists of approximately six hours of instruction and in three locations across the state.&nbsp; This training is necessary and mandatory for committee members to remain up-to-date on Professional Standards procedure and policy.<br /> <br /> <strong>Association Executive Professional Standards Training/Materials</strong><br /> <br /> KAR provides updated &ldquo;Ethics &amp; Arbitration Kits&rdquo; (forms to mail to someone wanting to file either an ethics complaint or arbitration request) and procedures for individuals wishing to utilize the Professional Standards process. KAR invites all AE&rsquo;s to attend the annual training session and also provides a copy of the most recent Pro. Stds. Reference Manual used in training professional standards committee members to ensure that all Association Executives have a thorough overview of the Professional Standards process.<br /> <br /> <strong>Mediation Training Course</strong><br /> <br /> The purpose of the one-day intensive training course and follow-up annual refresher courses is to train KAR members to serve in the capacity as Mediators in dispute resolution.&nbsp; It is necessary to have trained qualified mediators to offer as an option in the KAR Professional Standards process as required by NAR&reg;.<br /> <br /> <strong>Mediation Program &amp; Brochure</strong><br /> <br /> Mediation is offered as a service in the KAR Professional Standards process as an alternative to the formal Arbitration hearing and as a tool for dispute resolution for arbitration requests forwarded to a hearing by the Grievance Committee.<br /> <br /> <strong>NAR Professional Standards Training Scholarships</strong><br /> <br /> This scholarship sends two KAR members to the Annual NAR Professional Standards Training in Chicago for additional training in Professional Standards procedure and policy.<br /> <br /> <a href="/uploads/49/File/Professional%20Standards/2009%20Professional%20Standards%20Application.pdf">To download a scholarship application, click here</a><br /> <br /> <strong>Education Classes</strong><br /> <br /> We work with NAR and KREEF to provide information about educational opportunities to REALTORS&reg; on the Code of Ethics.&nbsp; NAR requires every REALTOR&reg; member must successfully complete an ethics class of at least 2 hours and 30 minutes.&nbsp; Failure to complete the required ethics training shall be considered a violation of a membership duty for which the REALTOR&reg; membership shall be suspended and membership terminated if the required training is not completed.</p> 5843 9 professional-standards true true

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