VILLAGE CARD CLUBCONDUCT AND ETHICS COMMITTEE
Guidelines for Committee Members

All C&E committee members are to be familiar with ACBL Disciplinary Guidelines and the VCC Standing Rules as they relate to the C&E Committee, including the VCC Zero Tolerance Policy

Steps when dealing with a complaint filed with the VCC Conduct and Ethics Committee:

1. When a complaint is received and further investigation is deemed necessary, the accused VCC member is to be contacted by the C&E Chairman or his/her designee to notify him that a complaint has been received and the nature of the accusation, and to request that they submit their account of the occurrence in writing within one week or attend a C&E committee meeting to give account verbally. The C&E chairman shall respond to all written complainants, acknowledging receipt and thanking them for their input.

2. All (or a reasonable number of) individuals reported as having witnessed the occurrence are also to be contacted to request they submit written accounts of the occurrence, or attend a meeting. Especially important to contact are the people present at the bridge table during the incident in question.

3. Total confidentiality is to be used at all times. C&E members may not discuss any issues with anyone not involved in the investigation. C&E members may not discuss private C&E discussions outside of the C&E Committee. C&E may discuss C&E team recommendations at Board meetings upon request and only in the event of a suspension or expulsion.

4. When the C&E committee has all the input from involved individuals and witnesses, a decision is reached to determine the appropriate action.

5. The findings of the committee will be communicated to the accused VCC member by letter signed by the C&E Committee Chairman, except in the case of suspension or expulsion. If the C&E Committee determines that suspension or expulsion from club games is appropriate, that decision is forwarded promptly to the Board of Directors as a recommendation. If the Board concurs, a letter is prepared by order of the Board of Directions and signed by the Secretary. In that case, the Unit must always be notified, and the ACBL when appropriate.

6. The complainant should be notified verbally that the situation has been reviewed and appropriate action taken. The specifics of the action are not to be communicated to this person or made generally public, as this is the private business of the accused VCC member.

7. In some cases it may be appropriate for the president of the VCC to attend the meeting (ex-officio) when an occurrence is being reviewed.

8. A copy of any reprimand letter sent to the accused VCC member shall also be sent to the President of the VCC.

9. The unit and the ACBL membership department must be notified and sent a copy of the notification of all suspensions. If a serious matter such as cheating, violence, etc. is established to have occurred at the club, once the club takes action pertaining to club games, then the unit and ACBL may review with possible impact to the players ability to play in unit games, tournaments and even their ACBL membership.

10. If the Board acts to suspend a player, such a suspension may or may not involve Unit and ACBL sponsored games. If it does, then, the accused VCC member may appeal to the Unit only that part of the suspension.

October 2006, Revised March 2007