She's an active BP member - I would reach out to her and ask if she's still taking on new clients for 2017. 

Does anyone know if there are active groups in Harford County, MD? 

The question is whether or not all parties will be actively involved in the deal (JV/partnership) or if there will be one lead/sponsor/general partner and the rest will be passive investors with expectations of return on their money (syndication).

If they are invited guests of an existing tenant it gets a little more complicated.

Charge the fee to the beginning of the lease and serve a eviction notice if another animal appears at the property (guest or tenants) in the future.

It doesn't matter how "passive" or "active" you are in completing these activities, they'll be taxed as I indicated in the previous two sentences.Now, the number of hours of active investing DOES apply to your status as a "real estate professional." 

While doing this you need to be actively networking.

Going forward, I don't intend on being an active agent buying & selling homes, so my question is, short of giving up my license, is there any option to not pay all the quarterly board dues & broker office fees, E&O, etc., but keep the license in some "reduced" status, so I can still possibly reap the benefits of the real estate professional status for real estate investing.

I want to be an active part of the boots on the ground team until I know that I am working with the right people.

So I would suggest getting in touch with as many active MUF brokers that you can connect with just so you get the off market properties.