grievances

The NARI of Greater Sacramento Ethics Committee will review all eligible complaints.

Grievance Procedures

All complaints made against a NARI member, whether it be from a consumer or another NARI member must comply with the requirements contained below. The following is the structure of our program:

Step 1: Preparation/Submission of Complaint

The complaint must:

• be clearly, concisely documented and typed.
• specify the provisions of the Bylaws, Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, and/or unlawful practice alleged to be breached.
• include all pertinent details (date, time, place, individuals involved with complete contact information, supporting documentation).
• disclose the relationship of the complainant to the member.
• be signed by the complainant.
• improper or incomplete submissions may be returned and/or be delayed.

The complaint should be forwarded to admin@narisacto.org or mailed to

NARI of Greater Sacramento

P.O. Box 2582

Granite Bay, CA 95746

Step 2: Response to Complaint

In order to ensure due process, a copy of the complaint will be forwarded to the member. The member will be encouraged to contact the complainant and to resolve the complaint to the satisfaction of all parties. Regardless of the outcome, the member will be required to respond to the complaint in writing within thirty (30) days of the date the complaint was sent by NARI of Greater Sacramento. The response must clearly

address the allegations in detail and provide appropriate supporting documentation when necessary. The response must be submitted to NARI of Greater Sacramento and addressed as outlined in Step 1. In the event that the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of all parties, the complaint and the response will be forwarded to a panel of Bylaws/Ethics Committee members (3) for further review and disposition. In the event

that the matter is resolved by both parties, both parties will receive a letter of acknowledgement by NARI of Greater Sacramento and a record of the complaint will be archived.

Step 3: Bylaws/Ethics Committee Review

The Bylaws/Ethics Committee panel members (3) will review the complaint and the response. The committee may recommend a course of action for the parties involved (revocation or suspension of membership), may dismiss the case, or may request the complainant to seek further action by additional outside third-party (e.g., state licensing/registration body, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Better Business Bureau, civil court, etc.) The final recommendation of the Bylaws/Ethics Committee will be conveyed to the Board of Directors as well as to the complainant and to the respondent in writing.

Step 4: Further Action Sought By Bylaws/Ethics Committee

If the Bylaws/ Ethics Committee seeks further action by appropriate outside third-party, the complaint will remain open for further consideration until such time that the third-party takes action or makes a recommendation and is conveyed by reliable means. Depending on the outcome of third-party review, the Bylaws/Ethics Committee may determine that action by NARI of Greater Sacramento is warranted, including but not limited to suspension or revocation of membership. The complainant and respondent will be notified in writing of the decision.

Step 5: Right of Appeal

The decision made by the Bylaws/Ethics Committee may be appealed by either party to a panel consisting of a minimum of three (3) Board Members of NARI of Greater Sacramento. Notice of appeal must be received by NARI of Greater Sacramento within ten (10) days of the date the Bylaws/Ethics Committee decision was sent to the party. The panel of Board Members shall schedule its own proceedings and timetable for

appeal, and its decision shall be final.

Scope of Grievance Procedure

The Grievance Procedure is intended to apply to complaints brought against members by parties other than NARI of Greater Sacramento. Nothing herein shall limit the separate powers of the Board of Directors to take disciplinary action against members for cause – though the NARI of Greater Sacramento elects to follow the guidelines above in member-vs-member complaints.

Complaints that the NARI of Greater Sacramento Ethics Committee cannot evaluate:

• against a member company with 100 or more employees and a dedicated complaint department
• non-contractor members that are subject to the direct jurisdiction of a state regulatory agency with grievance procedures
• National Members, Members-At-Large, or Honorary Members
• complaints already filed with a governmental authority/agency or legal representation