The Newport County Board of REALTORS® received its’ charter from the National Association of REALTORS® on May 27, 1958. For over 50 years, NCBR has united those engaged in the recognized branches of the real estate profession in Newport County for the purpose of exerting a beneficial influence upon the profession and related interests.

“The purpose of the Newport County Board of REALTORS® is to enhance the ability and opportunity of its members to conduct their business successfully and ethically, and to promote the preservation of property values by defending the right to own, lease, use and transfer real property in a free enterprise system.”

The objectives of the Newport County Board of REALTORS® are: to promote and maintain high standards of conduct in the real estate profession as expressed in the Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS®; to provide a unified medium for real estate owners and those engaged in the real estate profession whereby their interests may be safeguarded and advanced; to further the interest in home and other real property ownership; to unite those engaged in the real estate profession in Newport County with the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS®, thereby furthering their own objectives throughout the state and union; and obtaining benefits and privileges of membership; and to designate, for the benefit of the public, these individuals within its jurisdiction to use the term “REALTOR®” as licensed, prescribed and controlled by the National Association of REALTORS®.

The administration of the Board is conducted by the Board of Directors and the Executive Vice President (an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors). Officers and Directors are elected annually. Officers are elected for terms of one year and Directors are elected for terms of three years. Elections are held at the Annual Meeting in October. Nominees for President or President-Elect must be REALTOR® Members for at least five years and have served a term as Secretary, Treasurer or Director. Director nominees must be REALTOR® Members for at least two years and have served on a committee(s) for two years.

The Newport County Board of REALTORS® is open to the public from 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The Board office is closed on Wednesdays as staff is at RIAR.  You can reach by phone or email.  Office is closed on all holidays.

The Annual Meeting of the NCBR is held in October. Monthly membership meetings are held on the first Friday of every other month. Board of Director meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month. Board of Directors meeting observers includes both REALTOR and Affiliate members. Observers are not permitted to address the Board of Directors, any of its individual members or any of its meeting’s participants. Prior to attending a meeting a member must receive from the Association Executive a written confirmation by email that there is sufficient room capacity for them to attend. All requests to observe a meeting must be submitted by email to the Association Executive at ncbr@newportrealtor.com no later than 2 business days prior to the meeting. Observers may be asked to leave a meeting before it’s adjourned if the Board of Directors must convene an Executive Session to discuss confidential information.

Article 17 of the Code of Ethics requires that “In the event of a contractual dispute between REALTORS® associated with different firms, arising out of their relationship as REALTORS®, the REALTORS® shall submit the dispute to arbitration in accordance with the regulations of their Board or Boards rather than litigate the matter.” However, Article 17 does not require REALTORS® to arbitrate in those circumstances when all parties to the dispute advise the Board in writing that they choose not to arbitrate before the Board. The obligation to arbitrate mandated by Article 17 also includes arbitration requests initiated by the REALTORS® client. The cost for Arbitration is $250 and both parties submit the fee.

As an alternative to arbitration, members can have their contractual dispute mediated by one of the Board’s Mediation Officers. Mediation is voluntary and participation in Mediation does not take away the Member’s right to full arbitration. There is no cost for mediation.