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.
Note that
the names of the complainant and of
the member are confidential and shall
not be disclosed to any parties other
than the President of the Association
and to the Secretary of Association
who may be delegated to assist in processing
disciplinary actions. The names of
the complainant
and of the member shall be redacted
from correspondence sent to the Ad
Hoc Ethics Committee for action.
The President
of the Association shall
refer a complaint against any member
to the
Ad Hoc Ethics Committee and 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.] The
complaint as well as the member's explanation
will be forwarded to the Ad Hoc Ethics
Committee with the names of the complainant
and the member redacted.
After considering
the complaint and the member's
explanation,
the Ad Hoc Ethics Committee
shall determine whether there
is a reasonable basis for concluding
that a possible violation occurred.
If such a basis is not found, the
Chairman of the Ethics Committee shall
so inform the President and/or Secretary
(as delegated) who will, in turn, so
notify the member. If such a basis
is found,
the
Chairman
of the
Ethics
Committee
shall
inform
the
President and/or Secretary in writing
that an investigation is being
initiated. The President
and/or Secretary shall so notify the
member.
The Ad Hoc
Ethics Committee will complete its
investigation and
make
a complete
report
in writing
with its recommendations to the
President and or Secretary
within 60 days. The President
and or Secretary 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.
The Board
of Directors shall review the findings
and recommendations of
the Ethics Committee 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 two thirds of the membership
of the Board of Directors shall so
find, the Board may in its discretion
impose one or more of
the following on the member:
- A letter
from the Board to the member setting
forth its suggestions for remedying
the violation and/or for improving future professional
conduct of the member.
- A letter
of censure to the member.
- A period of probation.
- Temporary suspension
of the member's membership in the
Society for a period up to one
year.
- Permanent expulsion
of the member from the Society.
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