NGO Disciplinary Procedure
December 1999
The National Gamekeepers' Organisation is very conscious of the danger posed by incidents or individuals bringing the gamekeeping profession, or the NGO itself, into disrepute. As the lead body for gamekeeping, the NGO has a responsibility to discourage such actions and, if they take place, to distance itself from them.
The NGO National Committee agreed the following clear policy for disciplinary procedures at its meeting on 12 December 1999. Disciplinary matters are dealt with by the Disciplinary Sub-Committee of the NGO.
1. The NGO will act swiftly and firmly to condemn, in public if appropriate, anyone or anything proven to have brought the profession of gamekeeping, or the NGO itself, into serious disrepute.
2. The NGO defends and promotes gamekeeping within the law and therefore automatically condemns any illegal gamekeeping practice.
3. The NGO is a sponsoring body of the Code of Good Shooting Practice and likewise condemns any activity in breach of that Code.
4. The NGO Constitution gives the NGO National Committee the right to expel any member whose conduct is not felt to be in the best interests of the Organisation. The National Committee has set up a Disciplinary Sub-Committee to investigate allegations of such conduct and to make recommendations to the National Committee.
5. Well-founded allegations of misconduct by members will be investigated as soon as is reasonably practicable by the NGO Disciplinary Sub-Committee which will determine:
(a) If the action(s) alleged relate to gamekeeping. It is not for the NGO to make comment or to take action against individuals operating other than in a gamekeeping capacity.
(b) If the gamekeeping actions alleged have a proven basis in fact. In this regard, the verdict of a Court of Law may be accepted as clear proof, provided no appeal is pending. So too will be an admission of guilt on the part of the offender. Other very clear evidence of misconduct (eg film of misconduct taking place) may also be taken as conclusive.
(c) If the proven gamekeeping actions bring the profession and/or the NGO into serious disrepute. This is a matter for the judgement of the Sub-Committee.
6. Where the Disciplinary Sub-Committee finds against an individual on all three counts in paragraph 4 above, the National Committee will invariably act to suspend or expel the member concerned from the National Gamekeepers' Organisation.
7. The NGO Constitution does allow any member so expelled to appeal, and it sets out the procedure for their so doing.