Procedures for Handling Ethical Matters of the IAABC

A report of an alleged violation of the IAABC Code of Ethics may be filed in accordance with the procedures set forth herein. Alleged violations shall be limited to subjects specified in the IAABC Code of Ethics.

In the event that the IAABC has not designated an Executive Director, the Board President is delegated those powers and responsibilities assigned to the Executive Director below. If the complaint concerns the President of the IAABC BOD, the Vice President shall stand in.

A. Filing of a report of alleged violation

To proceed, the individual filing the alleged violation shall:

  1. Present said allegation to the Executive Director of the IAABC in writing. Once received, said report shall remain confidential on a need to know basis.
  2. The following information is necessary to process an alleged violation:
  • Names of alleged violator and complainant.
  • The specific portion of the Ethics Code alleged to have been violated.
  • A specific written description including where the violation was alleged to have occurred, who was involved, what happened, and what sections of the Ethics Code apply.

In addition, the individual alleging the violation may provide any details he/she deems to be of importance in considering the alleged violation.

B. Receipt and initial review of report of alleged violation

  1. The IAABC Executive Director will acknowledge receipt of the alleged violation without comment.
  2. The individual filing the report of the alleged violation shall be notified that all proceedings shall be kept confidential. Confidential shall mean that no information about the filer or subject or the alleged violation, or any information related thereto shall be discussed other than as noted herein. If confidentiality is breached, it may be determined to be a violation of the Ethics Code.
  3. The Executive Director shall forward the complaint to the Chair of the Ethics committee within 48 hours and notify the BOD that a complaint has been filed. The details of the complaint shall be kept confidential in order to preserve the board's ability to provide a fair hearing, should an appeal be filed.
  4. The Chair of the Ethics Committee will review the complaint to insure it is complete. If additional information is needed, the Chair of the Ethics Committee shall appoint a member to investigate and obtain needed information for a complete file. The investigator shall be not be a member of any hearing panel appointed to make a determination regarding the alleged violation and any sanctions imposed. (See C.1 below.)
  5. Once the Chair of the Ethics Committee has insured that the alleged violation report is complete with regard to required information, the Executive Director of the IAABC along with the Chair of the Ethics committee or other designated member of the Ethics Committee appointed by the chair, or in the absence of a Chair by the majority of the committee, shall review the report of alleged violation. If approved by the IAABC BOD, legal counsel may be contacted for advice.
  6. If the initial review indicates, on the face of the report, that the alleged infraction is not a violation of the Ethics Code, the individual alleging the violation shall be notified that no investigation will be pursued unless further facts or evidence come to light. Said notification shall be signed by the Executive Director and Ethics Chair and shall be confidential
  7. If additional information is needed to facilitate an initial review, the individual filing the alleged violation will be notified by the Ethics Chair of the additional information required or, the Ethics Chair will obtain said information from other sources as appropriate.
  8. If the IAABC Executive Director or Ethics Chair or designee deem that there are grounds for possible action as a result of a report of alleged violation of the Ethics Code, they shall notify the individual or group that are the subjects of the complaint and provide 30 days for the opportunity to reply. The response will be received by the Executive Director, who will forward it to the Chair of the Ethics Committee. The Chair of the Ethics Committee shall receive the reply and see to its completeness. Failure to respond to a request for information on the part of the individual or group that are subjects of the complaint shall be considered grounds for sanction, up to and including termination of membership in the association.
  9. The person filing the original report of alleged violation of the Ethics Code shall then be contacted by the Ethics Chair and given 30 days to provide additional information with regard to the reply of the person or group accused. This will be the final opportunity for both parties to provide information that they believe should be considered as the complaint is reviewed.
  10. Once all information is in, the Executive Director and Ethics Chair will review it again to determine if the complaint should go forward. If so, they shall notify the individual or group that is the subject of the complaint and an evaluation panel will be appointed as described below. If not, the process will be stopped and all parties so notified. Agreement of both the Executive Director and the Ethics Chair are needed to stop the complaint at this stage.

C. Determination by panel

  1. Once the individual or group that is the subject of the report of alleged violation of the Ethics Code is notified that the complaint will proceed, the Executive Director and Chair of the Ethics Committee will appoint a Hearing Panel to investigate and make a determination. The panel shall consist of five members, at least two of whom will be drawn from the BOD and at least two from the Ethics Committee. If a board member or ethics committee member is involved in filing the complaint or is the subject of the complaint, he/she shall not be involved as a member of the Panel. The sitting members shall designate a member of the Ethics Committee as Chair of the Panel.
  2. The Panel will be presented with all information and evidence presented by the individual filing the report of alleged violation, the results of any additional investigation and the information and comment provided in response by the individual or group that is the subject of the alleged violation of the Ethics Code.
  3. The Panel shall conduct its review and provide a determination based solely on the information in the file, within 90 days of formation of the panel. Deliberations shall be private.
  4. The Panel may continue to gather information from any source deemed pertinent and may ask for additional information or comment from either the individual filing the report of alleged violation or the subject(s) of the alleged violation report.
  5. The Panel may consult with legal counsel with approval of the BOD
  6. If, in order to provide for a fair determination, the Panel needs more than 90 days to make a determination, the Panel will notify all parties that an extension will be needed. The Panel will state the length of the extension
  7. The Panel will make a determination by a majority vote of those participating.
  8. The Panel will notify the Ethics Chair, the Executive Director and the BOD of its determination. The Ethics Chair and Executive director will notify the complainant and the subject(s) of the complaint. Said notices will contain only the determination that an ethics violation has occurred or has not occurred.
  9. If the Panel determines that a violation of ethics has occurred, the panel shall determine and establish appropriate sanction. Said sanction shall be communicated to the Ethics Chair and the Executive Director, who will forward it to the subject of the complaint, but otherwise remain private. The Ethics Chair is responsible for ensuring that a record of the finding is maintained.
  10. Sanctions may include:
    • Advisement: Containing advice for future action.
    • Reprimand: Containing admonishment for infractions.
    • Probation: From one week up to six months; may be combined with Reprimand.
    • Suspension: From one week up to six months may be imposed.
    • Exclusion: Termination of membership privileges and removal of certification may be imposed.

    Any member whose membership is suspended or terminated as a result of an ethics violation shall not be entitled to a refund of membership dues.

  11. A member or members sanctioned will be notified of their right to appeal at the same time as they are notified of the decision of the panel.

D. Appeal or Referral to the IAABC Board of Directors

  1. If an individual or group sanctioned wishes to appeal the decision of the Panel, 30 days will be allotted for them to appeal to the full BOD and to provide their reasons why the BOD should reconsider the panel's decision. They should address the appeal to the Executive Director, who will forward it to the BOD for consideration. A copy shall be provided to the Ethics Chair for the official record.
  2. If a member or members request an appeal to the IAABC BOD, all materials considered by the Panel will be given to the BOD. If an error in evaluation or procedure is deemed to have occurred, the board may send the case back to the Panel or the BOD may overturn or modify the decision of the Panel.
  3. The BOD shall make its determination within 30 days of receiving an appeal or a notice that the Hearing Panel could not reach a majority decision. If the BOD determines that more than 30 days are required to make a fair determination, said deadline may be extended by the BOD with notice to all parties.
  4. The BOD may confer with legal counsel as deemed necessary throughout the appeal process.
  5. The decision of the BOD shall be by majority vote and shall be final.

E. Confidentiality

  1. Confidentiality shall be maintained throughout the process. Once a determination has been made, the parties involved will be notified that a determination has been made. Details of the determination shall remain private except as provided in C. 9. above.
  2. Violation of confidentiality by any party may be considered a violation of the Ethics Code.

F. Alleged Violation of Ethics Code by the BOD as a body

  1. Common practice when membership is not satisfied with the actions of a governing board is to elect new members.
  2. If an individual or group believes replacement of board members is not an appropriate solution for dissatisfaction with board action and wishes to file a report of alleged violation of the IAABC Ethics Code by the IAABC Board of Directors as a body, said complaint may be filed in the appropriate state court.

G. Ineligibility of members of BOD or Ethics Committee to Participate

  1. If a board member or ethics committee member is involved in filing the complaint or is the subject of the complaint, he/she shall not be involved as a hearing officer or decision maker at any level in this process.

H. Definitions

  1. BOD - Board of Directors
  2. EC - Ethics Committee
  3. IAABC - International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

Adopted: 10/03/2010

©2012 International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

Forgot Password?