A Strategic Partnership-FAQs

Why are HRRA and VPAR considering a merger?
The goal in merging HRRA and VPAR is to better serve members by combining resources, expanding services, strengthening advocacy, and creating operational efficiencies across both associations. Throughout this process, the priorities of both boards of directors have been to: 1) Preserve our local presence; 2) Protect our financial strength; and 3) Maintain the high level of service our members have come to expect.

What are the biggest benefits of merging our organizations for members?
Members can expect enhanced services, stronger advocacy at the local and state levels, expanded networking opportunities for brokers and agents across the region, and potential cost efficiencies over time.

What was the process used to evaluate and create the merger proposal?
The boards of directors of VPAR and HRRA agreed to explore a potential merger in 2025.  They proposed a joint task force and, with the assistance of a hired merger specialist, established working groups to hammer out the details.  The boards, joint task force, and working groups for governance, finance, committees, and outreach met more than 20 times in 2025 and 2026 to complete the following:

·      Develop a proposed new governance structure, including new bylaws and policies;

·      Evaluate finances, assets, and reserves, and propose a strategic operating budget

·      Identify key committees to be retained and strengthened, including preservation of important committee programs from both areas;

·      Create talking points and communications with membership to explain and promote the merger effort;

·      Establish town-hall discussion opportunities for members to learn more about the merger proposal and get clarification of the proposal;

·      Draft a formal “consolidation Letter of Intent” that identifies all of the important issues requiring the agreement of the parties.

Both boards of directors have now approved of the Letter of Intent to Merge and are recommending approval by the membership of both organizations.  Formal votes on the merger agreement and the proposed bylaws are expected at special meetings in late May or early June 2026, with a proposed completion date by July 1, 2026. Further details of the proposed merger will be provided in the notices for those special meetings.

Will my dues increase if the merger is approved?‍ ‍

It is unlikely that dues will increase as a result of the merger.  The proposed 2027 budget does not include a local dues increase; however, please remember that VPAR and HRRA also invoice and collect dues for both Virginia REALTORS® and NAR, and local associations have no authority over whether they may raise their dues. The intention is for dues to remain competitive and provide greater value for the money paid, not to create unnecessary financial burden.  It is anticipated that dues will remain the same or potentially reduce slightly as part of a merger agreement.

Will it cost me to transfer my membership from VPAR to the newly formed association?

Please remember that in order to be a REALTOR®, you must officially be a “member” of a local REALTOR® organization.  As part of the merger, all VPAR members will be formally invited to “join” the merged organization and must “opt in” to membership. The new organization will facilitate the “transfer” process with you. As part of the merger agreement, the transfer costs and new-member initiation fees for any current VPAR Members (Designated Brokers, agents, and Affiliates) will be waived, provided they join the new organization within 60 days of the merger.

Will my membership status or designations change?
Your REALTOR® membership and any REALTOR® designations and certifications you have will remain intact, provided you continue as a REALTOR® member of the newly consolidated organization.

Will services or member benefits be reduced?
This merger has been carefully designed to maintain and/or improve existing services, not to eliminate or diminish them.

How will local representation be maintained?
Maintaining strong local representation is a priority to ensure both regions continue to have a meaningful voice.  As an example, the newly formed board of directors includes directors from both the VPAR and HRRA geographies, and for the first three years, there will be elected officers from both areas.  In addition, all committees will have fairly equal membership from both areas to ensure proper representation.

How will leadership be structured after the merger?
A transitional board will be appointed to serve the last half of 2026, followed in 2027 and 2028 by a series of elections in accordance with the merger agreement and bylaws to ensure fair representation of members from throughout the geography of both existing organizations.  A chart showing the combined leadership roles for 2026 through 2028 is included in the merger agreement.

What happens to current leadership roles?
The current leadership of both organizations will play an important role during the transition, helping guide the merged organization toward stability and success.  A board of directors with five officers and ten directors will lead the new organization.  Some current leaders will continue to serve the new board of directors, and others have agreed to step aside to create an integrated board representing the entire region.  A chart identifying the proposed leadership structure and the appointments to each role is attached to the merger agreement.

Will there be changes to policies or bylaws?
Yes.  As part of the merger agreement, new bylaws will be adopted by the memberships to reflect the merged organization.  The proposed new bylaws have been designed with fairness and member representation in mind. Members will vote on the final bylaws at the same meeting at which they vote on the agreement to merge into a single organization.  In addition, new policies have been drafted, reviewed by both current boards of directors, and will be adopted by the new board of directors if the merger is approved.

Will education and events change?
Education offerings are expected to expand as part of the merger, with access to a broader range of classes, speakers, and professional development opportunities.  Education will occur in a variety of venues, both north and south of the water, as well as in virtual and hybrid delivery.

What will happen with the Awards Ceremonies?
The budget for the merged associations reflects the need to maintain two regionalized awards programs to account for production variances across the entire marketplace.

How will committees be handled?
Committees will likely be restructured to reflect the larger organization, providing more opportunities for member involvement.  It is anticipated that most committees will have strong representation from both areas and may include co-chairs (one from each area) for the initial phase of the merger.

How will this impact advocacy and lobbying efforts?
A combined association will have a stronger, more unified voice when advocating for REALTOR® interests at the local, state, and national levels.  There are both strong similarities and distinct regional differences in politics, advocacy, and public policy, so the merger task force has suggested holding a strategic planning session in mid-August, after the merger agreement, to ensure all advocacy needs and strategic objectives are met. The planning session will specifically address the regional differences and common strengths to preserve the local relationships already in place and create a stronger, more vibrant advocacy program.

How will committees like Public Policy, Government Affairs, RPAC, and Affiliate be structured to ensure equal representation on both sides of the water?
REALTOR® public policy and governmental affairs efforts take many forms throughout the region, so effective advocacy will require broad-based working groups with experienced local voices, diverse ideas, and strong relationships across all areas of the new organization.  RPAC fundraising will also require region-wide representation and will be structured to expand our combined membership’s engagement in supporting candidates who are friendly to REALTORS® and their policy needs.  And because our Affiliate members are strong supporters of both organizations, the Affiliate committee will be structured to fully represent business collaboration on both sides of the water.

Did you consider including neighboring associations as part of the merger?
VPAR and HRRA have always been open to expanding and improving resources, programs, and services for our memberships; however, for the present, the two boards feel that a successful merger between VPAR and HRRA will deliver the greatest practical benefits to our combined members.

Will this merger impact my MLS access or the MLS rules?
MLS access and rules are not associated with membership in either HRRA or VPAR.  Brokers will remain free to participate in the MLS of their choice, and agents will continue to have access to MLS services when their broker is also a participant.

What will happen to existing staff?
The approved 2027 budget fully staffs both offices.  Jim Wetzel will be retiring effective May 31, 2026, but the remainder of the VPAR staff will continue to serve.  The VPAR board has appointed Cindy Anderson to serve as interim CEO after Jim’s retirement and through the completion of the merger.  After the merger, Dr. Dawn Kennedy will serve as CEO for the combined organization and will manage the combined staff.

Where will the new association be located?
Both associations currently own their buildings, and as part of the consolidation, all assets will be combined and held for the ongoing benefit of all the members.  It is expected that the current office locations will continue after the merger, and that appropriate staffing will be present in both locations.

How will communication be handled during the transition?
Members will receive regular updates through email, meetings, and official channels to ensure transparency throughout the process.  On May 13 and 14, town hall-style sessions will be held in person to answer questions and provide more details about the proposal.  Those meetings will be recorded and available for later viewing by those who could not attend.

What is the timeline for the merger?
After the two in-person town halls on May 13 and May 14, the general membership of both associations will be asked to vote on the merger and the new bylaws, consistent with current requirements, likely sometime in late May or early June 2026.  If the members approve, we will begin a transition period and expect to wrap up this summer.

How can members provide input or ask questions?
Members are encouraged to attend one or both town halls, submit questions directly to their local association president or CEO, and engage with leadership throughout the process.  HRRA has a link on its home page to submit town hall questions in advance.

Will the association's name change?
The merged organization will have a new name that better reflects the geography it serves; however, name changes must be approved by the contiguous boards and NAR.  Several ideas for a new name are being vetted and will be submitted to NAR to meet their requirements.  Any proposed name change is subject to completion of the merger approval by both memberships.

What happens if the merger is not approved?
While it will be extremely disappointing to those who have worked hard to bring a quality proposal to the REALTORS® in our area, if the merger is not approved by both memberships, the two associations will continue to operate independently as they do today, each individually responsible for its own finances, governance, staffing, and operations.

Why should I vote in favor of the merger?
The merging of VPAR and HRRA offers a unique opportunity to build on the strength, history, and legacy of two strong Virginia REALTOR® associations.  In an environment of challenging economics and industry upheaval, voting to combine these two organizations will provide a powerful voice for members throughout the region – in advocacy, professionalism, and REALTOR® value.   Voting in favor of the merger is a vote to strengthen the combined association’s future—enhancing services, expanding influence, preserving prestige, and creating long-term sustainability for members and the public, both now and into the future.