02.29.24 OMA Board Book

f. Complaints can be made by sending a written statement of complaint that includes detailed complaint information via email to the OMA Executive Director. c) Examination - a. The Executive Director will acknowledge receipt of the complaint, and forward it to the Committee. b. The Committee shall determine whether the complaint will be examined and will inform the Executive Director and the OMA Counsel of that decision. The Executive Director and the OMA Counsel may consult with the Committee regarding such a decision. The complainant will be informed whether or not the Committee will open an examination into a complaint. c. If the Committee determines to conduct an examination, the accused shall be informed of that fact, be provided with the exact wording from the complaint (or summary thereof if determined by the Committee for good cause), and offered an opportunity to respond to the complaint and provide written evidence to the Committee. The accused shall be provided: (i) not less than 60 days prior written notice of a possible expulsion or suspension and the reasons therefor, and (ii) an opportunity for the accused to be heard, orally and/or in writing, not less than 30 days before the effective date of any Committee decision. Any written notice given by mail must be given by first-class or certified mail sent to the last address of the accused shown on the OMA’s records. d. It is sometimes the case that the complainant is seeking an apology from (or discussion with) the accused, and is willing to drop the complaint if an apology or discussion is offered. If the Committee believes this to be the case and subject to the discretion of the Committee, reasonable effort should be made to pursue this course of action so as to bring expeditious resolution to the matter in appropriate cases. The Committee, in its discretion, may schedule a hearing, at which the accused may appear in person or by telephone or videoconference. a) Decision – Decisions regarding resolution of a complaint shall be determined by majority vote of the Committee; however any finding and recommendation to suspend or expel an OMA member requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote of a quorum of the Committee members present and voting.