NARI - Grievance Procedures

The Core Purpose of the Metro DC Chapter, as a chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), is to advance and promote the remodeling industry's professionalism, product and vital public purpose. As a Core Value, NARI Metro DC is committed to being professional: ethical, honest and committed to high standards. This grievance procedure was established to assist NARI Metro DC and its members uphold the integrity of its Code of Ethics. This procedure governs complaints against a member of Metro DC Chapter, whether made by a member or non-member.

Step 1. Preparation/Submission of Complaint

The complaint must:

1. be clearly, concisely documented and typed;
2. specify the provisions of the Code of Ethics, and/or unlawful practice alleged to be breached;
3. include all pertinent details (date, time, place, individuals involved with complete contact information, supporting documentation);
4. disclose the relationship of the complainant to the member;
5. be signed by the complainant;

The complaint should be forwarded to:

Executive Director
Attention: Complaint
NARI Metro DC
9707 Key West Avenue
Suite 100
Rockville, MD 20878
(240) 404-6505
execdirector@narimetrodc.org

Improper or incomplete submissions may be returned and/or delayed. If the complaint does not meet the above requirements, the Executive Director, with assistance from the Ethics Committee, will follow up with the complainant to help them provide the necessary information.

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 required to respond to the complaint in writing within thirty (30) days of the date the complaint was forwarded to the member by NARI Metro DC. The response must clearly address the allegations in detail and provide appropriate supporting documentation when necessary. The response must be submitted to NARI Metro. Copies of the complaint and the response will be forwarded to the NARI Metro DC Ethics Committee as soon as they are received.

Step 3: Ethics Committee Review

The Ethics Committee will review the complaint and response. The Ethics Committee may name a lead investigator who shall take all reasonable steps to investigate the complaint, which may include a visit to the project. The lead investigator, at his or her discretion, may request additional information from the complainant and/or the member, in which event the complainant and/or member must respond as specified by the lead investigator, but not to exceed within thirty (30) days. Failure to respond in a timely manner may result in either party being bound by all negative inferences from the lack of information.

The purpose of the Ethics Committee investigation is to gather information from both parties to determine whether or not the member company has violated NARI Metro DC's code of ethics, and, if so, whether or not the violations warrant action by the Board of Directors.

After the committee concludes its investigation, the committee will make a recommendation on the action to be taken by the NARI Metro DC Board of Directors including, but not limited to dismissal of the complaint, suspension of membership, or revocation of membership.

During an Ethics Committee review, there will be no communication about the complaint between Board members and the member or complainant. Should a Board member contact any representative of the member or complainant about the matter during the investigation, that Board member will not be eligible to vote on any Board decisions regarding the matter.

Step 4: Board Action

The NARI Metro DC Board of Directors will consider the case at its next regularly scheduled meeting (or special meeting), provided they can give at least thirty (30) days notice to the member. Once the Board is satisfied that it has sufficient information, the Board will vote on the recommendation and any action will be communicated in writing to the complainant and the member.

Step 5: Request for Reconsideration

Either party has the right to request the reconsideration of the Board's decision, which will be heard at the Board's next regularly scheduled meeting. The reconsideration will be heard by the entire Board of Directors. Requests for reconsideration must be filed with Executive Director within 10 days of the receipt of the Board's decision.

If the Board decides to hear the case, the Board will set up a procedure for the re-hearing.