GBRAR is accepting awards nominations starting August 1, 2025 and ending September 30, 2025. Our Awards Nomination Guidelines have been updated, and we’re asking all members to review them before submitting a nomination. This ensures every nomination meets the criteria and celebrates our REALTOR® community the way it deserves. Please submit your nomination forms here.

Celebrating Excellence in Real Estate

Here at the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS®, we firmly believe in recognizing and honoring outstanding achievements in the real estate industry. Our Award Nomination Forms serve as a platform to celebrate the professionals who continually raise the bar, exemplify the REALTOR® Spirit, and contribute to the growth and success of the real estate community in the Greater Baton Rouge area!

About

Established with a mission to unite, educate, and empower real estate professionals, the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® has been a cornerstone of the industry for years. Our organization is committed to fostering a culture of excellence, professionalism, and collaboration among our members. With the Award Nomination Forms, we extend this commitment to acknowledging those who exemplify exceptional dedication to their clients, their peers, and the industry as a whole.

How It Works

Please read through each of the sections as the GBRAR Awards Nomination Guidelines have been updated.

REALTOR® of the Year

The REALTOR® of the Year Award was established in 1959 to recognize a REALTOR® Member who contributed to the advancement of the real estate profession and the community. This award shall recognize a REALTOR® Member who strives to achieve the highest honor of GBRAR, is involved in acts of community service, and participates at the Local, State, and /or National Association level.

Eligibility Requirements FOR REALTOR® OF THE YEAR

1.      Only REALTOR® members who have been active members for at least 5 years are eligible for the award (past recipients are not eligible).

2.      Any REALTOR® or Affiliate member may submit a nomination, but is limited to nominating only one member.

3.      REALTORS® may not nominate themselves.

4.      Nomination forms must be submitted and signed by the nominator.

5.      The Awards Committee shall be the selection committee, and its decision is final.

6.      Nomination forms must be dated no later than the dates set by the committee or delivered to the Association office by 5 p.m. on the dates set by the committee.

7.      Nominations are confidential; made available only to the nominee, the nominee’s broker, the committee, and staff.

8.      The committee has the option to consider the previous year’s nominees.

9.      The winner will be honored at the awards ceremony.

Selection Guidelines REALTOR® OF THE YEAR SELECTION GUIDELINES

1.      Demonstrates REALTOR® Spirit by upholding high ethical standards, showing consistent adherence to the Code of Ethics and Association regulations, and promoting professionalism and good real estate practices among fellow brokers, agents, and the general public.

2.      Civic Activity – Local, state, and national level participation in civic and service clubs, charitable activities, political commissions, fraternal or religious groups, etc.

3.      Business Accomplishment – Recognized good business conduct, service to clients, imaginative and creative advertising program, rehabilitation work, land utilization, etc.

4.      Local Association Activity – Board offices and committee work, special assignments, seminar activity and education work, membership and offices held in local chapters of Institutes, Societies, and Councils.

5.      State Association Activity – Offices held and committee work, attendance and participation at State conventions, directors’ meetings, educational conferences, etc.

6.      National Association Activity – National offices and committee work, membership and work in Institutes, Societies and Councils, and recognized Affiliates of NAR (CRS, REBAC, CIREI, RNMI, WCR, etc.), and attendance at national conventions, etc.

Charles H. Dillemuth Humanitarian of the Year Award

The Charles H. Dillemuth Humanitarian of the Year award was first established in 1988 to honor Mr. Charles H. Dillemuth, who was one of the first recipients of the Golden Deeds Award. This award shall recognize a REALTOR® Member who greatly impacts the community in which they serve and is awarded to a REALTOR® Member who does not accept remuneration for deeds done in the regular line of duty.

Eligibility Requirements for CHARLES H. DILLEMUTH HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR

  1. Only REALTOR® members are eligible for the award (past recipients are not eligible).
  2. Any REALTOR® or Affiliate member may submit a nomination, but is limited to nominating only one member.
  3. Must not have received remuneration for work or deed, nor done it in the regular line of duty.
  4. REALTORS® may not nominate themselves.
  5. The nomination forms must be submitted and signed by the nominator.
  6. The Awards Committee shall be the Selection Committee, and its decision is final.
  7. Nomination forms must be postmarked no later than the dates set by the committee or delivered to the Association office by 5 p.m. on the dates set by the committee.
  8. The winner, if one is chosen, will be honored at the awards ceremony in January. By signing and submitting the nomination long form, he nominee agrees to be in attendance at the awards ceremony.
  9. The committee has the option to consider the previous year’s nominees.
  10. Nominations are confidential; made available only to the nominee, the nominee’s broker, the committee, and staff.

Selection Guidelines for CHARLES H. DILLEMUTH HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR

  • Civic Improvement/Community Betterment
    • Civic and Service Clubs Memberships (do not list social clubs). Outline accomplishments.
    • Special services rendered through organizations such as United Way, Cancer Society, Camp Fire Girls, Fund for the Arts, Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, Speech, etc.
  • Fraternal/Religious – Outline participation and accomplishments.
  • Service and/or accomplishments rendered outside any club, organization, or religious group – outline specific deed and/or accomplishment.

Most Cooperative REALTOR® of the Year

The Most Cooperative REALTOR® Award was established in 1972 under the REALTOR® Associates Organization (RAO) to honor a REALTOR® who has an exceptional cooperative and helpful attitude toward other REALTORS®, while serving the industry and organization. This award shall recognize a REALTOR® Member who exhibits a high level of cooperation with fellow REALTOR® Members, the community, and/or real estate partners. Knowledgeable of real estate practices and adheres to the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you) in all their business practices.

Eligibility Requirements for MOST COOPERATIVE REALTOR® of the Year

  1. Only REALTOR® members are eligible for the award (past recipients are not eligible).
  2. Any REALTOR® or Affiliate member may submit a nomination, but is limited to nominating only one member.
  3. REALTORS® may not nominate themselves.
  4. Nomination forms must be submitted and signed by the nominator.
  5. The Awards Committee shall be the Selection Committee, and its decision is final.
  6. Individual Stats of Team Members will be considered.
  7. Nomination forms must be postmarked no later than the dates set by the committee or delivered to the Association office by 5 p.m. on the dates set by the committee.
  8. The winner, if one is chosen, will be honored at the awards ceremony in January. By signing and submitting the nomination long form, the nominee agrees to attend the awards ceremony.
  9. The committee has the option to consider the previous year’s nominees.
  10. Nominations are confidential; made available only to the nominee, the nominee’s broker, the committee, and staff.

Selection Guidelines for MOST COOPERATIVE REALTOR® of the Year

The following attributes will be considered by the Awards Committee in determining the Most Cooperative REALTORS®:

Webster defines Cooperative as “marked by a willingness and ability to work with others”.

The following standards should be considered in selecting the Most Cooperative REALTOR® of the Year:

  1. REALTOR® Spirit – High principles, faithfulness to laws and regulations of the Greater Baton Rouge Association of REALTORS® and the Code of Ethics, and works towards the furtherance of good business practices within the real estate profession.
  2. Cooperative and Helpful Attitude – Examples:
  • Pleasant and positive attitude.
  • Willingness and ability to work with others involved in transactions (appraisers, lenders, etc.).
  • Respects the dignity and rights of others.
  • Keeps all parties and cooperating agents informed of the status of every transaction.
  • Freely gives of time and expertise to assist others.
  • Goes the extra mile for other REALTORS®, clients, and/or affiliate members.
  • Good communicator.

3. Local, State & National Involvement – Demonstrated a willingness to serve the industry on local, state, and/or national level (offices and committee work, membership and work in Institutes, Societies, Councils, and Affiliates of NAR (REBAC, CIREI, RNMI, WCR, etc.).

Ben R. Downing, Jr. Affiliate of the Year

The Ben R. Downing, Jr. Affiliate of the Year award was first established in 1990 after Ben R. Downing, Jr. Downing was the GBRAR’s legal counsel for many years and always went above and beyond the call of duty. This award shall recognize a non-REALTOR® Member who exemplifies high principles, abides by the laws and regulations of GBRAR, and works to further good business practices within the profession and towards REALTORS and the public.

Eligibility Guidelines for BEN R. DOWNING, JR. AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR

  1.  Only individual Affiliate members are eligible for the award. Corporations may not be nominated (past recipients are not eligible).
  2. Any REALTOR® or Affiliate member may submit a nomination, but is limited to nominating only one member.
  3. Affiliates may not nominate themselves.
  4. The nomination forms must be submitted and signed by the nominee. The form must be complete to be considered by the Awards Committee.
  5. The Awards Committee shall be the Selection Committee, and its decision is final.
  6. Nomination forms must be postmarked no later than the dates set by the committee or delivered to the Association office by 5 p.m. on the dates set by the committee.
  7. The winner, if one is chosen, will be honored at the Association’s Installation and Awards ceremony in January.
  8. The committee has the option to consider the previous year’s nominees.
  9. Nominations are confidential; made available only to the nominee, the nominee’s broker, the committee, and staff.

Selection Guidelines for BEN R. DOWNING, JR. AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR

  1. Shall be a non-REALTOR® who exemplifies:
    • REALTOR® Spirit High principles, faithfulness to the laws and regulations of the REALTOR® Association, and the Code of Ethics,
    • Works to further good business practices within his/her profession, toward REALTORS® and with the general public.
  2. Cooperative and helpful attitude toward REALTORS®.
  3. Local Association Involvement:
    • Service on Committees – provides quality service.
    • Attendance at Association functions
    • Participation in Association projects
  4. Business Accomplishments – recognized good business conduct, service to clients, and general excellence in chosen profession.

The Kyle Jackson Rising Star of the Year

The RISING STAR award was established in 2010 to recognize a REALTOR® member who has been an active licensee for no more than 3 years while showing an exceptional degree of business development, participation in Local, State, and/or National REALTOR® activities, a pursuit of continuing education and professional designations, and an overall reflection of activities that foster professional success.

In 2021, this prestigious award was renamed, The KYLE M. JACKSON RISING STAR OF THE YEAR Award, in honor of Kyle Jackson. Kyle graduated from the GBRAR Leadership Program in 2019 and was elected to the Board of Directors for the 2020-2021 term until his tragic and untimely death during the second year of his term.  This award shall recognize a REALTOR® Member who shows an exceptional degree of business development, participates at the Local, State, and/or National Association level, and pursues Continuing Education and Professional Designations.

Eligibility Guidelines for KYLE M. JACKSON RISING STAR AWARD  

  1. Only REALTOR® members are eligible for the award (past recipients are not eligible).
  2. Any REALTOR® or Affiliate member may submit a nomination, but is limited to nominating only one member.
  3. REALTORS® may not nominate themselves.
  4. The number of transactions will be considered.
  5. Nomination forms must be submitted and signed by the nominee.  The form must be completed to be considered by the Awards Committee.
  6. The Awards Committee shall be the Selection Committee, and its decision is final.
  7. Nomination forms must be postmarked no later than the dates set by the committee or delivered to the Association office by      5 p.m. on the dates set by the committee.
  8. The winner, if one is chosen, will be honored at the awards ceremony in January.  By signing and submitting the nomination long form, the nominee agrees to be in attendance at the awards ceremony.
  9. The committee has the option to consider the previous year’s nominees.
  10. Nominations are confidential; made available only to the nominees, the nominee’s broker, the committee, and staff.

Selection Guidelines for KYLE M. JACKSON RISING STAR AWARD

The following standards should be considered in determining the RISING STAR of the Year:

  1. REALTOR® for 3 years or less, as of the deadline date set by the Selection Committee.
  2. Number of transactions.
  3. REALTOR® SPIRIT – High principles, faithfulness to laws and regulations of the        Code of Ethics and local Association, and furtherance of principles of good real estate practices among other brokers, salespersons, and the general public.
  4. BUSINESS INITIATIVE – Utilization of business tools, personal marketing, and participation in general business-building activities.
  5. LOCAL, STATE & NATIONAL PARTICIPATION – Board offices, committee work, attendance and participation at meetings, conventions, and general activities.
  6. EDUCATION – Pursuit of Professional Designations, completion of Continuing Education, and REALTOR® education beyond the annual minimal requirements established for licensure.

Awards Nomination Form

 

Past Award Winners

REALTOR® of the Year Past Recipients

Most Cooperative REALTOR® of the Year Past Recipients

Rising Star Past Recipients

Humanitarian of the Year Past Recipients

Affiliate of the Year Past Recipients