5. Compliance.
5.1. Any issue arising between members or attendees at Chapter Functions should be reported to the Chapter Board of Directors in writing and shall be handled, in Executive Session, as follows:
5.1.1. The Chapter President immediately shall inform RWA’s Executive Director of the issue and ongoing status, and the Executive Director will provide assistance and potentially remove the issue from the Chapter if, in the Executive Director’s discretion, it cannot be handled at the Chapter level.
5.1.2. If the issue proceeds as a Chapter matter and it involves another member or participant from a Chapter Function, that member or participant will receive a copy of the written complaint and have an opportunity to provide a written defense in a timely manner. Both sides will have an opportunity to review any and all evidence provided in support of the other side’s claims and defenses. Neither the complaint nor any evidence may be provided anonymously.
5.1.3. After receipt of all evidence, the Chapter Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the entire voting membership of the Chapter Board of Directors, may issue a warning or reprimand to the member or prohibit the non-member participant from attending other Chapter Functions.
5.1.3.1. The Chapter Board of Directors, by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the entire voting membership of the Chapter Board of Directors, may vote to recommend the termination or suspension of a member’s chapter membership. If so, the Chapter Board of Directors will put its recommendations and the basis for the same in a written report and submit it to the national Board of Directors for consideration and further action. The Chapter Board of Directors shall not have the authority to terminate or suspend a member.
5.1.4. If the issue involves a member and rises to the level of a potential Code of Ethics violation, the issue can be brought to the RWA Ethics Committee at any time in accordance with the Code of Ethics rules and procedures. 5.1.5. Non-RWA Members who are found to be in violation of the Chapter Code of Conduct may be barred from attending future RWA conferences, and from future membership in RWA. This decision shall be made at the national level by the national Board of Directors.
5.2. Additional consequences specific to harassment during Chapter Functions.
5.2.1. Anyone asked to stop harassment at Chapter Functions is expected to comply immediately.
5.2.2. The Chapter Board of Directors, by a majority vote, may take any action they deem appropriate and necessary during a Chapter meeting, Chapter conference or Chapter event to ensure the safety of attendees, including warning the offender or expelling the offender without a refund.
6. Chapters shall not amend this Code of Conduct without prior approval by the RWA Office.