4. Grievance Procedure - Protégé or Advocate / Staff or Member of the Board.

1. Within two weeks of notification of the grievance, the member of staff or member of the Board who is a party to the grievance shall, if the advocate is not already involved, ask the protégé whether they wish the advocate to be informed and to be present at a discussion.  Within two weeks of notification of the grievance or two weeks of contacting the protégé (if relevant), the member of staff or member of the Board who is a party to the grievance shall make a time available for a meeting at which, in the first instance, the parties should discuss the matter so that all have a clear understanding of the grievance and its cause.  Any of the parties to the grievance may inform the Chairperson or ask them to take part in the discussion.  The parties should, at this discussion attempt to resolve the grievance.

2. If they cannot resolve the grievance, the person with the grievance - or any of the parties - should  inform the Chairperson of Sunshine Coast Citizen Advocacy.  The parties to the grievance may, in the first instance if they so choose, speak with the Chairperson alone and in total confidence.  The Chairperson will make a time available for such a consultation within two weeks of being informed of the grievance or, by mutual agreement, arrange a meeting for a later time.  The Chairperson will make a time available to meet and speak in confidence with the parties together within two weeks of being informed of the grievance or within two weeks of any consultation undertaken or at a later time by mutual agreement of all parties.  At this meeting the Chairperson will attempt to resolve the grievance.

3. If the Chairperson is not able to resolve the grievance, then the person with the grievance - or any of the parties - may inform the Conciliator, or may ask the Chairperson to inform the Conciliator of the matter.

4. The Conciliator will note the wishes of the persons concerned whether they wish, in the first instance, to speak to the Conciliator alone, or jointly.

5. The Conciliator shall use their best endeavours to resolve the grievance with in one month.  If that fails, the person with the grievance - or any of the parties - may ask the Conciliator to have the matter raised at the next meeting of the Board.  The Chairperson may, at their  discretion, invite the parties to be heard at the meeting of the Board.

6. In its endeavours to resolve the grievance, the Board shall act according to the Constitution of Sunshine Coast Citizen Advocacy Inc., and in the best interest of the protégé.

7. If the Chairperson is unavailable, in a conflict of interest or otherwise not able to act as specified in 4.1 to 4.5, the Chairperson or the Board of Management may select another Board member to act in their place.

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