Disciplinary Process

1. No disciplinary action will be taken until the matter in question has been fully investigated.
2. At every stage individuals will have the opportunity to state their case, either themselves or through a representative.
3. There is always a right to appeal against any disciplinary penalty.

Once it has become clear that an individual or group may have acted against BCA's interests, the following process should generally be followed:

1. One or more of BCA Executive will be informed.
2. The individual or group will be written to at their last known address advising them of the complaint made against them, and requesting that they state their case. A period of 30 days shall usually be given for this to occur.
3. The matter will usually be considered by either the appropriate Standing Committee or National Council depending on the nature of the matter. However, if the matter is sufficiently urgent, then it will be dealt with by BCA Executive following their normal Method of Working.
4. The individual or group will be written to again outlining the outcome of the process and giving the opportunity for appeal.
5. An appeal against a warning should be dealt with by the next National Council Meeting. An appeal against a suspension or expulsion should be dealt with by the next National Council Meeting, a Special General Meeting, or the next Annual General Meeting, depending on the wishes of the individual or group who is appealing. Until then the disciplinary action will stand.

Every disciplinary case should be considered individually. Available sanctions include:

1. a verbal warning.
2. a written warning.
3. suspension of membership (and/or certificates or awards) for a fixed period.
4. expulsion from BCA (and/or removal of certificates or awards).

1. In the case of suspension of membership, this will also include the temporary removal of membership benefits, such as insurance.
2. In the case of a club being suspended or expelled, any Club Individual Members from that club will be written to and offered either: a pro-rata refund; the option of transferring their membership to a DIM (on payment of the appropriate fee); or the chance to switch their main club affiliation to another member club. In the event of a successful appeal, BCA will subsequently refund any additional membership fees paid by an individual as a result of the above.
3. When a decision involves removing or suspending an individual's leadership or instructing award, it is important to understand that this will probably have a serious impact on their professional well-being, quite likely including an immediate loss of income. This should be borne in mind as part of the decision-making process. However this needs to be balanced against the need to maintain confidence in BCA's award schemes.