We know you may have some questions and we are fully transparent. Please find our FAQ’s below.
Why Real Pride Network?
Who you associate with in real estate speaks to how you run your business. Real Pride Network is a public charity, committed to the principles of democracy, accountability, transparency, and good governance. If you share those principles, you can be proud to associate yourself with Real Pride Network.
Why do I have to pay for membership?
A survey of our Facebook group indicated that one of their top priorities was an online, searchable public directory of members. While a Facebook group is free to join, building and maintaining a website is not. The volunteer Board of Directors created this attractive and functional website in response to member consultation. A reasonable annual membership fee helps offset the cost of a public listing in our online directory and gives members a stake in the organization.
What do I get for a $250.00 Founding Sponsorship?
Donors gifting $250 or more during 2020 are recognized as Founding Sponsors. Their names will be acknowledged as such on our website for the foreseeable future. Founding Sponsors may promote that status on their own personal marketing materials.
Will I have to pay for referrals from Real Pride Network?
As a public charity, Real Pride Network will never provide referrals in exchange for fees. Not only would this be unlawful, but it would stand in sharp contrast to our guiding principles. Members who make their own referrals through our network are at liberty to make their own referral agreements in accordance with their own local regulations. RPN plays no part in those arrangements. Also, RPN will never provide leads to particular members on any kind of preferential basis. Such activity would be unethical, because all our members share equal status in our member-driven organization.
Are you planning events in the future?
A survey of our Facebook group indicated that members want events. Post Covid-19, we expect to organize a signature event, such as an annual educational conference and general meeting. This would be held in varying geographic locations. Until then, we will host online events. The substance of our events will continue to be based on our guiding principles and in consultation with and planning by members.
You have said that you will run this very democratically, and transparently. Can you elaborate on what makes RPN different?
Real Pride Network is a fresh start for the LGBTQ2+ real estate community. We seized an opportunity to build a transparent and accountable organization where any member may pursue a leadership role and shape the future of the organization. We are entrenching the values of accountability, transparency, and good governance in everything we do. For example, our corporate documents are all available for members to view on our website, including monthly financial statements. The Directors of Real Pride Network will never be compensated for their work and are expressly prohibited from having conflicts of interest. Members will have an annual vote for their leadership starting with our first election.
How did you choose the current Board of Directors?
The founding Board of Directors created Real Pride Network organically out of the necessity and desire to have an organization with integrity representing LGBTQ2+ people in real estate. While none of the founding board members had the ambition to start a new non-profit organization, they felt it was their duty to lay the groundwork for an organization truly representative of a diverse population of LGBTQ2+ people in real estate. The founding Board of Directors role is an unpaid one and, as required by our bylaws, interim in nature.
What is the timeline to transition to new elected board members?
Our Bylaws mandate an election within one year of the creation of the Real Pride Network Facebook group. While the founding Board of Directors seek a rapid transition, an election today would be premature. We need some time to gear up our organizational capacity to have a truly meaningful and representative election by large and diverse membership. Members who may wish to run for a Director position should consider involving themselves with these efforts by joining one of our working committees.
Will RPN have local chapters?
Members have stated that their priority is connecting with members in real estate markets other than their own. Since we are building RPN’s structure based on the needs and wants of members, we will look different than previous or other LGBTQ2+ real estate organizations. In substantive consultation with members, we will further consider whether local branches or chapters are desired. We will create them if most of our membership finds value in them. All members will continue to have an equal voice in RPN regardless of whether chapters exist.
Would chapter heads be voted in?
If members decide they want local chapters or branches, we would ensure that local leadership and activities are consistent with our values of democracy, accountability and transparency. This would include local elections.
Why did Real Pride Network decide to obtain a 501c3 status instead of 501c6 with the IRS?
We carefully considered the two IRS structures in relation to our activities and it was clear that 501c3 was most appropriate. RPN is focused on connecting people, educating, and giving back. Our members expect us to be able to issue tax receipts for donations. Many of our sponsors expect us to have 501c3 status and do not expect us to be endorsing specific political candidates or hiring paid lobbyists. Moreover, lobbying is not a substantial part of our activities. Our advocacy efforts are related to housing equality for LGBTQ2+ people, and, when members decide we should pursue specific law reform efforts, such efforts will be volunteer led.