Award Criteria

2025 REALTOR®, Rookie, Affiliate & Good Neighbor of the Year Nominations

Each year, the Association recognizes members for our most prestigious awards: REALTOR® of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Affiliate of the Year and Good Neighbor of the Year. The Leadership Evaluation & Selection Committee is looking for members who are involved in the Association and the community, whose ethical and professional behavior makes them role models for others in the industry. The ideal candidate is active and well-rounded in both, real estate and community. Candidates may be nominated for more than one category, but only considered for one category.

Candidates are asked to complete a questionnaire detailing their real estate, education, and community involvement and to provide references for such activities. Recipients are announced at the annual Inaugural gala, local newspapers, all Bay East publications, and the Bay East website.

Nominations for 2025 awards are open through October 31, 2025.

REALTOR® Rookie Affiliate Good Neighbor

REALTOR® of the Year

  • Minimum qualifying criteria:
    • Active REALTOR® member in good standing.
    • Served on a Bay East Committee, Work Group, or Task Force for the year they are being nominated. Member must have met committee attendance policy.
    • No Teams.
    • Bay East President and previous year’s award winner are considered ineligible.
    • Applicants must contribute to the REALTOR® Action Fund at the minimum of $148, the “True Cost of Doing Business” at least once in the last thee (3) years to include the current year.
  • REALTOR® of the Year may be given to a REALTOR® who has served not only their profession but also their communities as in the following examples:
    • Full-time Agent / Broker
    • REALTOR® Spirit – high principles of integrity, adherence to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and furtherance of the principles of good real estate practice among brokers, agents and the general public.
    • Civic Activity – participation in civic and service clubs, charitable activities, political commissions, fraternal or religious groups.
    • Business Accomplishments – professional business conduct and service to clients.
    • Local/State/National Association Activity – leadership positions held and committee work, special assignments, seminar activity and educational work, membership and leadership positions held in chapters of Institutes, Societies, and Councils.
    • REALTOR® of the Year Nominees may also qualify for Good Neighbor of the Year, but will only be considered for one category.

Affiliate of the Year

  • Minimum qualifying criteria:
    • Platinum Affiliate member in good standing.
    • Serve on a Bay East Committee, Work Group or Task Force for the year they are being nominated. Member must have met committee attendance policy.
    • The previous year’s award winner is considered ineligible.
  • Platinum Affiliate of the Year may be given to a Platinum Affiliate member who demonstrates a combination of the following:
    • Civic Activity – participation in civic and service clubs, charitable activities, political commissions, fraternal or religious groups.
    • Local/State/National Association Activity – leadership positions held and committee work, special assignments, seminar activity and educational work, membership and leadership positions held in chapters of Institutes, Societies and Councils.
    • High professional standards and cooperation with other members.

Rookie of the Year

  • Minimum qualifying criteria:
    • Active REALTOR® member in good standing.
    • Newly licensed and joined Bay East within 24 months prior to nomination period.
    • Served on a Bay East Committee, Work Group, or Task Force for the year they are being nominated. Member must have met committee attendance policy.
    • The previous year’s award winner is considered ineligible.
  • Rookie of the Year may be given to an individual who is a newly licensed, full-time active REALTOR® Member of Bay East Association and demonstrates a combination of the following:
    • REALTOR® Spirit – high principles of integrity, adherence to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and furtherance of the principles of good real estate practice among brokers, agents, and the general public.
    • Civic Activity – participation in civic and service clubs, charitable activities, political commissions, fraternal or religious groups.
    • Business Accomplishments – professional business conduct and service to clients.
    • Active in Association Activities (Committee, Marketing Groups, Women’s Council, etc.)
    • Rookie of the Year Nominees may also qualify for Good Neighbor of the Year, but will only be considered for one category.

Good Neighbor of the Year

  • Minimum qualifying criteria:
    • Active REALTOR® member in good standing.
  • Good Neighbor of the Year may be given to a REALTOR® member who has made exceptional contributions to improve the quality of life in their local community. This award brings to the forefront the positive difference REALTORS® make in giving back to their communities. The Good Neighbor of the Year receives a $1,000 donation to the charitable organization they work with. To receive the donation, the organization must be classified as a 501(c)3 and align with Bay East Core Values and Culture. *Good Neighbor of the Year Nominees may also qualify for REALTOR® of the Year and/or Rookie of the Year, but will only be considered for one category.

Member Recognition Awards