FLY CASTING EDUCATION PROGRAM (FCEP)
ADJUDICATION POLICY
A fair and adequate review of any allegation that a member of the FCEP engaged in unprofessional conduct is important to Fly Fishers International (“FFI”), the FCEP, the Certified Casting Instructor Program (“CICP”), the CICP member involved, the complaining person, and to the public. Consequently, a claim of unprofessional conduct will be investigated and resolved in compliance with the procedures established in this policy.
1. Any person may report conduct (“complainant”) of a member of the FCEP (“subject of the complaint”), which he or she considers unprofessional by providing a written statement to the Chair of the FCEP Leadership Team. The statement must include the conduct, the date and time it occurred, the event at which it occurred, the identity of the subject of the complaint, and the name and contact information, if known, of any other individuals present.
2. On receipt of the complaint, the Chair of the Leadership Team will forward the complaint to the Professional Conduct Team (PCT) for investigation. From the point at which the complaint is received by the Chair of the Leadership Team to the point at which the PCT has rendered its opinion and recommendation, the investigation and its results are confidential.
3. At the outset of the investigation,
- the PCT lead will assemble a team of no less than four FCEP members (five total with the lead) to objectively review the complaint as below.
- the subject of the complaint will be notified of the complaint by a member of the PCT, provided with a copy of the complaint, and advised in writing of his or her right to respond to the complaint.
4. The PCT will conduct a thorough investigation of the facts related to the allegation by contacting all persons with information about the events, including the complainant, the subject of the complaint, and any other people who may have been present. Interviews may be conducted by phone, e-mail, or other forms of communication as circumstances require.
5. The PCT will designate a member to prepare a report, which summarizes the evidence gathered for use by the PCT.
6. The PCT will hold a meeting in person, or by telecommunication as circumstances require, to consider the report, determine whether a violation of the Code of Conduct occurred, and recommend corrective action. The report must be approved by a majority of the members of the PCT. This report remains confidential, shared only with the FCEP Leadership Team Chair, the PCT members. The FFI Board of Directors Executive Committee may be included if necessary.
7. The PCT will forward its report and recommendations to the Chair of the Leadership Team. Recommendations may be for corrective action as outlined below or dismissal of the complaint. The Chair of the Leadership Team will determine the appropriate action based on the report and its recommendations.
8. Corrective action may take the form of one of four options: (i) a warning that the conduct complained of may result in corrective action if it were to occur again; (ii) a letter of sanction; (iii) a temporary suspension from the CICP and FCEP and all the privileges of certification; and (iv) permanent suspension from the CICP and FCEP and all the privileges of certification.
9. The sanction of temporary or permanent suspension from the CICP and FCEP and the privileges of certification requires consultation with the legal counsel of the FFI. After the Chair of the Leadership Team has determined that temporary or permanent suspension is appropriate, the Chair will contact the FFI Board of Directors Executive Committee (“ExCom”) for review and approval. If the ExCom approves this request after review, it may delegate the matter to the Business Management Committee for action.
10. A person who loses the privileges of certification may not: (i) qualify for any further certification examination; (ii) use the FFI name or logo in connection with qualifications or services; (iii) participate in or present a FCEP or CICP workshop; (iv) make a submission to the Loop; or (v) hold any offices or serve on any teams of the FCEP.
11. The Chair of the FCEP Leadership Team will inform the complainant of the decision in writing within 7 days of the date of the decision. The Chair of the FCEP Leadership Team will also inform the subject of the complaint of the decision, including an explanation of sanctions, if any.
12. The decision of the Chair of the FCEP Leadership Team is final and concludes the issue.
Fly Fishers International
Fly Casting Education Program
Approved by FCEP Leadership Team
16 January, 2025