Ethical Concerncs

Direct communication is essential in resolving ethical concerns. Members are strongly encouraged to work out ethical problems themselves. If issues cannot be resolved by the involved parties, the Executive Director and a three-member MTNA Ethical Concerns Committee may assist in their resolution. Grievous cases may be referred to the MTNA Board of Directors. Procedures for handling ethical concerns are outlined below. Each step will be followed in a timely fashion with the utmost tact and confidentiality. Communication with others beyond the parties involved will take place only when necessary or required by law.



A.   Submission of a Concern


1. A member may report an alleged ethical infringement by another member to the Executive Director/CEO. An issue reported first to a member of the Ethical Concerns Committee will be referred to the Executive Director/CEO.

2. The Executive Director/CEO will send the reporting member an outline of ethical concerns procedures and a request for written documentation, which must contain the specific charges, supporting evidence, and the reporting member’s address, phone number, email address, and signature.

3. The Executive Director/CEO may stop the process at any point, finding that the issue does not constitute a clear code violation warranting intervention.
4. 
The Executive Director/CEO may be able to expedite a resolution.  The member charged with the alleged infringement, if contacted, will be given the opportunity to respond to the reported concern.  The reporting member will be made known to the reported member if deemed necessary to facilitate a resolution.

5. When ethical concerns cannot be immediately resolved, the Executive Director/CEO will send the submitted documentation to the MTNA Ethical Concerns Committee, along with any response from the reported member.



B.   Ethical Concerns Committee


1. Upon receipt of the ethical concern documentation, the committee will conduct communication with the reporting member and the reported member in an effort to resolve the issue.
2. 
The reporting member will be made known to the reported member if deemed necessary to facilitate a resolution.

3. The committee may stop the process at any point, finding that a resolution is not forthcoming and further intervention would not be productive.

4. Concerns Committee reports to the Board of Directors will not contain names of the involved members.



C.   Referral to MTNA Board of Directors


1. Particularly grievous ethical offenses may be referred by the committee to the Board of Directors.

2. The Board will send a written notice to the reported member of his/her ethical infringement, possible consequences, and the right to comment or a hearing.
3. 
The hearing, if requested, will take place at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors, and the member may have legal representation.  All costs are the responsibility of the member.
4. 
The Board may exonerate the member, determine that certain conditions should be met in order to maintain MTNA membership, or terminate membership according to the MTNA Bylaws, Article III/2.
5. 
If certain conditions should be met in order to maintain membership, the Board will set a deadline for the submission of a report showing that those conditions have been met.