CODE OF ETHICS
DEFINITIONS
· Complainant refers to the NABBR Member registering a complaint
· Respondent refers to the NABBR Member whom the complaint has been made
· Member refers to a person whose membership with NABBR is paid and in good standing
· Non Member refers to a person who is not a member of NABBR or a member not in good standing with NABBR.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
§ Cruel & Inhumane Treatment means and includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:
1. Bite Work of any type or by any name (except by trained law enforcement agency for law enforcement work)
2. Blood Sport to include but not limited to fighting, hog hunting, and the such
3. Using inhumane techniques, equipment or methods in the breeding, training or exhibiting of Boerboels
4. The standard by which conduct or treatment will be measured to determine if it rises to the level of misconduct in that which a reasonable person, informed and experienced in general accepted Boerboel breeding and exhibition procedures would determine to be cruel, abusive and inhumane.
§ Misconduct means and includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts by a NABBR Member (a) making any misrepresentation or perpetrating a fraud, requirement or regulation of NABBR, including the breeding, showing, registration, purchase or sale of Boerboels or with respect to the submission of data or other information to NABBR or any programs which may be developed from time to time; (b) violating any rules of NABBR as such rules are adopted and amended from time to time (c) violating any Bylaws of NABBR as such Bylaws are adopted from time to time. Specifically, but without limiting the foregoing, no person shall:
1. Cross Breeding the Boerboel with any breed other than a Boerboel
2. Furnish false information to NABBR
3. Issue, sell, exchange, give away or receive, or offer false or fraudulent certificate, representing the same to be genuine official certificate issued by NABBR
4. Represent as a registered Boerboel any Boerboel other than the Boerboel for which said certificate was issued
5. Conspire, cooperate or contribute with another person or persons to violate NABBR Bylaws
6. Detriment to the interest of NABBR, its programs, policies, objectives and harmonious relationship of its members.
7. Engage in any form of cruel or inhumane treatment of Boerboels; with respect to member/exhibitor conduct, fail to treat appraisers, judges and show officials with courtesy and respect
8. Direct any abusive, threatening or obscene conduct toward appraisers, judges, show officials, NABBR staff, or members
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Ethics Committee is to research and collect information regarding any alleged complaint or inquiry submitted against a NABBR Member.
COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
1. A member in good standing with NABBR shall have the right to make a complaint to the Executive Committee with respect to any member, alleging that such member has engaged in misconduct
2. A member in good standing with NABBR shall have the right to make a complaint to the Executive Committee with respect to any Non Member, alleging that such person has engaged in Cruel and Inhumane or criminal activity with regard to the Boerboel breed.
3. The Complainant shall submit two (2) written copies of the complaint to the NABBR office along with $50.00 to cover expenses of research and collection of information. One copy will be submitted to the Executive Committee and one copy to the Ethics Committee Chairman.
4. No complaint will be considered by the Executive Committee which does not set forth a plain statement or allegation of facts on which the allegation of Misconduct is based.
5. Such complaints may be received and considered strictly at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
6. In the event the Executive Committee finds a complaint to have merit, it shall require the Ethics Committee to further investigate any properly filed complaint.
INVESTIGATION OF MISCONDUCT
1. The Executive Committee is the forum within NABBR which initially receives evidence of alleged misconduct. A member may be disciplined under proof necessary to establish a rule violation in that would lead a reasonable person to believe the matter alleged in the notice is established by credible evidence admitted before the Executive Committee
2. An investigation of any misconduct shall be undertaken by the Ethics Committee.
3. The Ethics Committee may request written, oral and physical evidence from relevant individuals or entities, including the member against whom the complaint has been made (the Respondent).
4. The Respondent must be given fourteen (14) days’ notice to respond to the written complaint made against him/her. Such notice shall be deemed to have been timely and effectively given if sent to the Respondent’s address last known to NABBR via certified or registered mail, or by email, ensuring delivery of no less than fourteen (14) calendar days.
5. If such notice is provided and the Respondent shall fail to make an oral or written statement, the Executive Committee may suspend the membership privileges of such a Respondent until such time as the Respondent complies with the provisions of this section.
6. At the conclusion of the investigation provided hereunder, the Ethics Committee shall submit all of the evidence gathered during the investigation to the Executive Committee for consideration. The information shall include any and all information included as part of the initial complaint and any and all information collected during the course of the investigation process. This information shall be provided in its entirety.
7. Should the Executive Committee determine that the factual allegations made in the complaint constitute misconduct; the Executive Committee shall review with the Board of Directors for a decision as to disciplinary action of the Respondent. Any disciplinary action will require 2/3 votes of the Board of Directors.
8. Should the Executive Committee determine that the factual allegations made in the complaint constitute Cruel or Inhumane Treatment, (whether member or non-member), all information collected shall be presented to the appropriate Law Authority and the Humane Society for further action.
9. The Respondent has the right to appear in person before the Board of Directors.
10. All decisions of this Board of Directors under this rule are final and not subject to appeal.
CONFIDENTIALITY
1. Any and all complaints received shall be confidential
2. Ethics Committee shall investigate in a reasonable and impartial manner
3. Ethics Committee shall collect and research in a professional behavior
Anyone communicating (in any form) with a NABBR Member or non-member outside the Executive or Ethics Committee on a complaint received, information collected, or the outcome of the investigation, is in violation of the rules and will be subject to disciplinary action. As part of NABBR we must uphold the integrity of NABBR and its members.