Investigation Procedure and Rights

Investigation

All relevant matters, including suspected but unproved matters, will be reviewed and analyzed, with documentation of the receipt, retention, investigation and treatment of the complaint. Appropriate corrective action will be taken, at the discretion of the SCORE Board of Directors, and findings will be communicated back to the reporting person. Investigations may warrant investigation by an independent person such as auditors and/or attorneys.

Reasonable care should be taken in dealing with suspected misconduct to avoid:

• Baseless allegations
• Premature notice to persons suspected of misconduct and/or disclosure of suspected misconduct to others not involved with the investigation
• Violations of a person’s rights under law

Rights and Responsibilities

Because of the important yet sensitive nature of the suspected violations, effective professional follow-up is crucial. Chapter leaders, while appropriately concerned about “getting to the bottom” of such issues, should not in any circumstances perform any investigative or other follow-up steps on their own. Accordingly, a reporting person who becomes aware of suspected misconduct:

• Should not contact the person suspected to further investigate the matter or demand restitution.
• Should not discuss the case with attorneys, the media or anyone other than the Secretary or the Chair of the Board.
• Should not report the case to an authorized law enforcement officer without first discussing the case with the Secretary or the Chair of the Board.