Is the CAR Board setting a bad example on ethics?

The Realtor Code of Ethics requires Realtors to be truthful in their dealings with the public. One specific injunction is that they not use professional designations which they’re not entitled to use. Standard of Practice 12-13 of the Realtor Code of Ethics provides:

The obligation to present a true picture in advertising, marketing, and representations allows REALTORS® to use and display only professional designations, certifications, and other credentials to which they are legitimately entitled. (Adopted 1/08)

One of the more commonly misrepresented credentials is the ABR designation: Accredited Buyer’s Representative.

If you search the Real Estate Buyers Agent Council (“REBAC”) site for members entitled to use the ABR designation you won’t find two members of the Chicago Association of Realtors (“CAR”) Board of Directors who identify themselves as ABRs.

One of those, Mabel Guzman, is the Board President. Matthew Silver of @properties, a Director, also holds himself out as an ABR but can’t be found in the REBAC search. Silver has served on CAR’s Ethics Committee and has chaired ethics heaerings.

Is there an innocent explanation for this, or are two members of the CAR Board of Directors setting a bad example on ethics?

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