As BoR, I am mandated by REBBA 2002, soon to be TRESA 2002, to ensure compliance with all legislation including REBBA(TRESA) 2002, the Code of Ethics and all MLS rules and regulations. My main responsibility is to oversee the balancing and reconciliation of the KWEx’s Trust Account and Commission Trust Account. This also includes the transfer of monies between the trust accounts and bank transfers to pay our agents and Co-op Brokers. Also as FCO I am responsible for training our agents to be compliant with Fintrac and assisting them with any problems that may arise.

While this is mainly my responsibility in the eyes of RECO, what really gets me out of bed in the morning is the opportunity to assist the agents in our brokerage with any day to day challenges that frequently pop up. Most perceive the Broker of Record as some kind of policeman or sheriff, out to get them in trouble should they make a mistake. I have taken a different approach. I don’t believe that threatening punishment or fines as a way to reach compliance. I prefer to engage our agents with proper training, education and coaching to achieve compliance. I want to be seen as a resource, rather than someone to be feared and avoided. I want agents to come to me with their concerns before they become problems and give them the tools and knowledge to confidently deal with any type of difficult situation that may arise. I also feel strongly I have a duty to support our agents or “have their backs” if you will. When our agents are being treated unfairly or even bullied on occasion, I have no qualms about stepping in to support them. Our agents are a little less fearful about coming to me with issues when they know from the start I’m on their side. That does not mean if they happen to break the rules once in a while I will let them off the hook. But they do know they will be treated fairly and honestly.

Although it’s not an official role, I do what I can to make the brokerage a pleasant place to be. I try to support any “extracurricular” activities and encourage others to take an active role within the brokerage for things like fund raising activities such as RED Day, social gatherings or whatever. Some parts of the real estate business can be a bit dry, like TRESA or Fintrac. Keeping things light and easy going helps to keep agents engaged and interested. So I inject a little fun into things to try and make it a little more palatable. I try to remain approachable and maintain an open door policy. All of this I believe makes me an effective BoR that agents will feel comfortable in coming to for assistance with whatever they need.