​Before You File

The allegations made will be taken seriously and could affect the career of the accused. Therefore, consider carefully the action you are about to take. It is expected that you have attempted to work out any conflict you have with the designee (or the company) prior to initiating the complaint.

It is important that the alleged violation not be confused with action required by the designee as a directive of the association's board of directors. For example, if a Reserve Specialist appears to have violated the code of ethics, but was following a directive given, it may not be a violation. The same situation may apply to a manager. The manager’s role is to enforce the Rules and Regulations appropriately adopted by the board and the governing documents of the community. A disagreement with the manager over their interpretation of a policy, rule or regulation of the board is not in and of itself a violation of the code of ethics.

If the allegation is criminal in nature (i.e., theft, embezzlement) appropriate authorities should be notified and information on the submission or outcome should be included with this form. Review of the complaint may be suspended until judgment has been issued by a court.

Filing the Complaint

To file a complaint, find out if the service provider holds a CAI designation and if so review the CAI Code of Ethics. Download and complete the complaint form against the designee and identify the article (or codes) you are alleging the designee to have violated. Compile a narrative summary and evidence to support your allegations. Please review the process and FAQ in this section before filing the complaint.

For the complaint to have merit, it must fit precisely into one or more of the ethical standards. Documentation should point clearly to the standard being violated. It is important that proper supporting evidence accompany the complaint with clear and concise documentation identifying what makes it a piece of evidence. Statements that are alleged to be made verbally by a designee without collaboration of a third party or recorded will not be considered as evidence. An exhibit should only be submitted once, and may reference several places in the complaint. Please do not submit the same piece of evidence multiple times. A lack of evidence could cause the complaint to be rejected. Consideration of the complaint will only begin after all pertinent information is received.

If you are collaborating with others in this complaint, only submit one complaint form. If complaints are received from multiple people submitting the same complaint that have the appearance of having been in collaboration, only one submission will be considered. Having multiple submissions does not add to the evidence. Complaints filed on behalf of a board must be accompanied by a signed resolution by a majority of the board stating the intent to file the complaint.

All areas of the form must be completed. If an area is to be left blank, enter the word "None" or "Not Applicable" so that it is clear to the committee that the part was not missed.