IAABC Policies And Procedures For Handling Complaints Of Ethical Violations

General Purpose

1. The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Inc., hereafter referred to as "IAABC,” is dedicated to advocating for the professionalization of the animal training trade, promoting the professional development of animal behavior consultants and trainers, and endorsing ethical practices that align with IAABC values.
2. The IAABC, in furthering its objectives, administers the IAABC Code of Ethics, hereafter referred to as the "COE,” which has been approved by the IAABC Board of Directors (the "Board”).
3. This IAABC Policies and Procedures for Handling Complaints of Ethical Violations ("Policies and Procedure”) document provides procedures and guidance for handling and resolving complaints of ethical violations ("Complaints”) brought against Members under the COE.  It specifies the procedures for processing complaints and for the work of the IAABC Ethics Team ("Team”) and the IAABC Ethics Office ("Office”).  It sets forth: procedures for judging the ethical conduct of members, imposing sanctions as appropriate, and the appeals process. 

Jurisdiction

1. To be accepted, an ethics complaint must pertain to a "Member,” meaning an individual who:
2. Is a current member of the IAABC; or
3. Who was a member of the IAABC when the alleged violation(s) occurred.

Eligibility To File Complaints

1. The following individuals may file complaints (serve as "Complainants”):
2. Any individual(s) who has a good faith reason to believe that an IAABC member violated the COE.

Ethics Team Members

1. The Ethics Team is a volunteer team of the IAABC with six (6) to nine (9) members appointed by the Ethics Director, including one (1) Team Leader.
2. Team members are non-management members of the IAABC in good standing appointed each year by the Ethics Director.  Team members serve for two (2) year terms.  Any vacancy occurring on the Team is filled by a non-management IAABC member in good standing appointed by the Ethics Director.  Each year, one (1) Team Leader is appointed by the Ethics Director.  The Team Leader is ideally a Team member who has served at least one (1) year on the Team.
3. Team Members who have served a minimum of two (2) years on the Team will be eligible to serve on the Ethics Hearing Panel ("HP”).  HP members will only review and adjudicate complaints forwarded by the Ethics Director for an Appeal Hearing.  The HP will always consist of at least three (3) members but not more than five (5) members.    

Role, Function, And Responsibilities Of The Ethics Team Members

The Ethics Team shall have the following duties and responsibilities: 

1. Aid and support the Ethics Director in:
1. Reviewing and assessing at least annually the COE and the Policies and Procedures and recommending any proposed changes to the Executive Director and Board for approval;
2. Receiving and processing complaints of alleged violations of the COE;
3. Developing and implementing membership education as to the COE;
2. Any Complaint Review Panel ("CRP”) member or HP member, as described in more detail below, with a conflict of interest shall disclose such conflict and withdraw from participation in any case as soon as they are aware of the conflict.
3. The Team members have an obligation to act in an unbiased manner, to work expeditiously, to protect the confidentiality of Team activities, and to follow procedures to protect IAABC and the rights of all individuals involved.  

Ethics Director

The Ethics Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the IAABC Office and program.  The Ethics Director shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Implementing, overseeing and monitoring the day-to-day operations of the ethics program as documented in the COE and Policies and Procedures;
2. Investigating and acting on matters related to ethics violations in accordance with the Policies and Procedures ;
3. Maintaining all relevant records for the Office;
4. Reporting on a regular basis to the Executive Director; 
5. Appointing and managing Ethics Team volunteers;
6. Assessing the effectiveness of the ethics program;
7. Reviewing and assessing at least annually the COE and the Policies and Procedures and recommending any proposed changes to the Executive Director and Board for approval;
8. Developing and implementing COE training and education for the membership, IAABC leadership and staff;
9. Serving as a knowledge source and consultant for management, the board, staff, contractors and membership
1. Providing input on the implementation and effectiveness of IAABC ethics and internal organization culture initiatives, including training on ethical decision-making, the resolution of ethics issues, and efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace in IAABC’s hiring and staff development practices.  
2. Providing consultation to the board, staff, and management during policy development for LIMA and ethics-related initiatives.

Timelines

1. All timelines provided represent guidelines followed for the purpose of efficiency and to set general expectations. Timelines are not required or guaranteed, and the Ethics Director may approve a protracted timeline due to the complexity of the case, availability of CRP members, or any other circumstance that presents an obstacle for the Ethics Team to perform under the published time constraints. Processing of Complaints outside the published timelines does not constitute a violation of the Procedures, nor does it provide grounds for dismissal of a Complaint.

Communications

1. Any complaint regarding an alleged violation of the COE must be filed in accordance with the procedures set forth herein.  
2. Complaints shall be limited to subjects specified in the COE.
3. As described below, ethics Complaints must be submitted in writing via the electronic Complaint Form. Only Complaints submitted via the Complaint Form will be considered. We cannot accept or hear Complaints submitted in any other way.
4. Correspondence related to filed Ethical Complaints are to be addressed to the IAABC Ethics Director by email only and marked "confidential.”