DEFI Advocate Workshop
Wednesday, October 14 | 10:00am-4:00pm
This workshop includes 6 hours of CE credit (including legal and fair housing), making it a great one-and-done class for your annual CE requirements!
Become a DEFI (Diversity, Equity, Fair housing, Inclusion) Advocate!
To earn this certification you will need to:
- Attend the workshop at GRAR on October 14
- Complete Fairhaven 2.0 independently.
Those who earn the certification, by completing both steps above, are permitted to use the DEFI logo in their marketing and will be recognized at the Awards Celebration!
The workshop includes 6 hours of CE credit (including legal and fair housing) and lunch!
Sponsored by Mercantile Bank
Cost: $35.00
Staff contact: Brittany Smith
New Member Orientation
Thursday, October 15 | 8:15am-2:30pm
The new REALTOR® Member Orientation Program is comprised of three segments: classroom session (offered once per month – dates are subject to change), GRAR online comprehension exam, and online Code of Ethics training. Registrations are required to reserve seating. Lunch is provided.
Location: GRAR – 660 Kenmoor Ave SE, 49546
Staff contact: Dana Tosh or 616-940-8218
Master of Agent Principles (MAP)
You may have heard of Master of Brokerage Principles (MBP), a high-level educational certification available exclusively to DRs.
Salespersons, now it’s your turn! Earn a certification with the same high-quality education, designed specifically for you- the Master of Agent Principles (MAP) certification series.
To earn, register for the series and attend all three classes:
- Thursday, September 17 | 9:00am-12:00pm @ GRAR
Topics: Agency, Offer Strategies, Inspections, Possession, Seller Rights in Multiple-Offer Situations, Required Forms and Disclosures, Fair Housing Considerations, Coming Soon Listings, and Purchase Agreement Clauses – from both buyer and selling agent perspectives. Panelists: Brittany Arraut, Paul Bunce, Maria Kauffman & Jim King. 2 hr legal, 1 hr elective CE - Tuesday, October 6 | 9:00am-12:00pm @ GRAR
Topics: Review of common Grievance and Professional Standards complaints, complaint procedures, frequently violated Code of Ethics articles, and best practices for communication, professionalism, advertising, and handling multiple-offer and MLS-related situations. Panelists: Ingrid Nelson, Rustin Scott, Dan Steffee & Sam Sterk. 3 hour elective CE - Thursday, October 22 | 9:00am-12:00pm at Watermark Country Club
Topics: EMDs, Offer Timing, Ownership Structures, Tax Considerations, Property Tax Uncapping, PRE/PTE, Agricultural Issues, and local regulatory topics such as Zoning, ADUs, and STRs.Presenters: Steve Morren (Varnum Law), Lindsey Post (City of Grand Rapids) & Haley Stichman (Kent County). 3 hours of legal CE credit.
Pay special attention: The first two sessions are held at GRAR, with the third held at Watermark Country Club.
Those who earn the certification are permitted to use the MAP logo in their marketing and will be recognized at the Awards Celebration!
As the certification series has already in begun, registration has closed.
Staff contact: Brittany Smith
Emerge: Turning the Key on Housing Supply
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | 9:00am-12:30pm
Turning the Key on Housing Supply
This year’s event will feature a half-day program concluding with a networking luncheon and will focus on one of the most important topics facing our industry: housing supply.
We’re excited to welcome Grand Rapids Mayor David LaGrand back by popular demand as keynote speaker. Mayor LaGrand will discuss housing affordability, availability, density, and other challenges and opportunities impacting the City of Grand Rapids.
Additional presenters include:
- Laura Featherston, event emcee
- Ryan Ogle, sharing strategies for uncovering hidden inventory
- Sam Cummings, discussing mixed-use developments and commercial-to-residential conversions
- Paul Sachs, Director of Strategic Impact for Ottawa County, presenting smaller-footprint housing initiatives
- Cody Harding, presenting the 2026 YPN Emerging Leader Award
Thank you to all our amazing sponsors for Emerge 2026!
Gold Sponsors: MSHDA, PFCU, and West Michigan Community Bank
Silver Sponsors: Acrisure Title, Arbor Financial Credit Union, Choice One Bank, Dart Bank, Denali Title, First American Title, JW Inspection Services, Mortgages with Mallory, and West Michigan Mortgage.
Cost: $30 GRAR Members | $40 Non-Members
Location: Watermark Country Club
Staff contact: Steve Sochanek
Women's Safety Class
Tuesday, November 10 | 10:00am-12:00pm
Build your safety skills alongside other women!
This class will be led by Tiffany Eagles, a former FBI agent with more than 20 years of experience, including as a certified profiler with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit and an instructor at the FBI Academy in Quantico.
Drawing on her expertise in behavioral analysis and violent crime, Tiffany has customized this class specifically for female REALTORS®, addressing the unique safety risks they may encounter, from meeting clients alone in vacant homes to other potentially vulnerable situations. You’ll learn practical strategies to help you feel more confident, aware and prepared.
Attendees will receive a gift bag that includes gel pepper spray.
The class is being held in partnership with Women’s Council of REALTORS® West Michigan!
Cost: $20.00 – Gift bag with gel pepper spray keyring and 2 hours of CE (elective) included!
Location: GRAR – 660 Kenmoor Ave SE, 49546
Staff contact: Brittany Smith
New Designated REALTOR® (DR) Orientation
Thursday, November 19 | 1:00-3:00pm
A review of important issues to be covered: Office Policy Manuals, Broker Supervisory Responsibilities, Procedures for New, Inactive & Transferring Agents, Permitted Unlicensed Support Staff Activities, Benefits (including but not limited to, MLS Shareholder eligibility) and more.
Save the date: YPN Euchre Tournament
Thursday, November 19 | 2:00-4:00pm
Details are coming soon, but for now – save the date!
Staff contact: Steve Sochanek
Save the date: Annual Installation & Awards Celebration
Friday, December 4, 2026 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
We welcome and encourage all members to join us as we celebrate our volunteers, recognize many of you for your years of membership in GRAR, announce our award winners, and witness the installation of our 2027 Officers and Directors.
Details are coming soon, but for now – save the date!
Staff contact: Brittany Smith
Save the date: Ugly Sweater Bowling Party
Thursday, December 10 | 11:30am-3:30pm
To be held at Westgate Bowling. Details are coming soon, but for now – save the date!
Staff contact: Steve Sochanek
Wake Up with YPN: The Three P’s to Success: People, Processes & Platforms
Thursday, December 17 | 9:30am-10:30am
Putting It All Together
Don’t miss our final session of the year, Thursday, December 17th, where we will recap all 3 P’s of Success: People, Processes, and Platforms with some of our standout panelists returning to help us put it all together – we hope to see you there!
No registration required and you are encouraged to bring a colleague!
Location: Egypt Valley Country Club – 7333 Knapp Street Srv Rd NE, Ada, 49301
Staff contact: Steve Sochanek
Upcoming Flexmls Trainings
There currently no trainings scheduled.
Whether you’re new to Flexmls or looking for a refresher, this session will cover essential features, time-saving tips, and best practices to help you work more efficiently. There will also be time for questions and answers.
This class is available to GRAR members, at no cost. We look forward to seeing you there!
Location: GRAR – 660 Kenmoor Ave SE, 49546
Staff contact: Rick Baumann
Flexmls offers an extensive library of recorded trainings to assist you with questions you may have through their Flexmls Academy.
Forewarn Training
On-demand training
Get to know your prospects in a matter of seconds! By entering a name or a telephone number, members will be able to obtain information such as: addresses, vehicle registrations, phone numbers, property records, criminal background, bankruptcies, judgments, liens, foreclosures, and evictions.
In order to take advantage of this service, members are required to watch and complete a short online training. The session will focus on the dos and don’ts of usage to avoid liability.
Following the training, you will be asked to complete a quiz and submit a Use Agreement.
Please note: If you are already registered for New Member Orientation, you do not need to complete the online Forewarn training. This training will be included in New Member Orientation.
Staff contact: Steve Sochanek
REALTORS® Property Resource (RPR) Webinars
RPR is the nation’s largest property database, exclusively for REALTORS®. RPR puts data, tools, and reports at your fingertips so you can respond to questions and requests instantly, and position yourself as an essential part of every transaction. RPR offers everything you need to “wow” your clients and close more deals.