Association of Online Appraisers - a society for those offering appraisals of personal property via the Internet. Ethics, Education, Standards.

Updated: June 19, 2007

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DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Each member is obligated to cooperate with the Association and its officers in all matters that affect its good name and reputation including investigation, censure, discipline or dismissal of members who are charged with violation of the Association's Constitution and Bylaws or its Code of Ethics. A member having knowledge of the act of another member which in his/her opinion is in such violation has the obligation to report the matter to the President of the Association giving full details.

The President of the Association shall refer a complaint against any member to the Chairman of the Ethics Committee who shall notify in writing the member against whom the complaint has been filed [advising him/her of the specific violation alleged and the identity of the member or person who initiated the complaint with a request that a written explanation concerning the circumstances of such complaint be submitted within 30 days.]

After considering the complaint and the member's explanation, the Association's Ethics Committee shall determine whether there is a reasonable basis for concluding that a possible violation occurred. If such a basis is found, the Chairman of the Ethics Committee shall inform the member in writing that an investigation is being initiated and shall inquire whether the member elects to be bound by the findings of the Ethics Committee or to have a hearing before a Board of Inquiry. In the findings of the Ethics Committee without a hearing, this committee will complete its investigation and make a complete report in writing with its recommendations to the President within 60 days of the member's waiver of hearing. The President shall forward a copy of the Committee's findings and recommendations to the member involved and to the Board of Directors for such action as it may deem appropriate.

In the event that the member elects to appear at a hearing, the President shall appoint a Board of Inquiry to be impaneled consisting of three senior members, one selected by the President to be Chairman of the Board, one by the member charged with the complaint and the third member selected by the first two. The Ethics Committee shall be responsible to the Board of Inquiry for the presentation of all matters pertinent to the alleged violation. The member charged with the violation shall be entitled to be present at the hearing with or without counsel and shall be given an opportunity to be heard and to present such evidence or testimony as may be deemed appropriate.

The hearing shall be held at a place, time and date to be determined by the Chairman of the Board of Inquiry within 40 days of the appointment of the Board. The Board shall notify the President of its findings and recommendations in writing, who shall in turn mail a copy to the member and to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall review the findings and recommendations of the Ethics Committee or the Board of Inquiry, as the case may be, and shall determine if the record of the complaint constitutes a finding of conduct contrary to or in violation of the Association's Constitution and Bylaws or its Code of Ethics. If three quarters of the membership of the Board of Directors present when the matter is considered shall so find, the Board may in its discretion impose one or more of the following on the member:

  1. A letter from the Board to the member setting forth its suggestions for remedying the violation and future professional conduct of the member.
  2. A letter of censure to the member.
  3. Suspension of the member's membership in the Society for a period up to one year.
  4. Expulsion of the member from the Society.
 

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