The NCRA Board was presented with formal complaints against Board Member Sonntag alleging that she had violated the Board of Directors’ Code of Ethics.
In considering these complaints, the Board provided an opportunity for a written exchange of questions and answers between the persons filing the claims, the accused, and the Board in order to clarify the factual basis for the allegations. The Board also provided an opportunity for Ms. Sonntag to provide a full written response and an opportunity for both Ms. Sonntag and the complainants to be heard by the Board, in accordance with written procedures that were agreed to by Ms. Sonntag.
After duly considering all of the information and arguments presented, the Board found that Ms. Sonntag had violated the Board of Directors Code of Ethics and should be publicly reprimanded for:
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Identifying herself as the Vice President of NCRA on her firm’s website in violation of paragraph 7 of the Board of Directors Code of Ethics, which requires that directors “refrain from publicizing position/title on the Board with regard to personal business communications for promotional or marketing purposes.”;
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Making a statement of personal opinion on the NCRA Code of Ethics and its enforcement while she was in attendance at an NCRA conference in a manner that suggested she was speaking in an official capacity on behalf of the Board, in violation of paragraph 8 of the Board of Directors Code of Ethics, which requires that directors “Exercise extreme care in all statements, written or oral, to separate expression of personal opinion or belief from communications carrying the color of authority of the Association. Further, position/title on the Board will not be used when expressing a personal opinion unless acting within one’s capacity and duties as a Board member and representing the Board and the Association’s position on such issue.”;
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Disclosing confidential Board information in violation of paragraphs 13 and 14 of the Board of Directors Code of Ethics, which require that directors: “Respect the confidentiality of information acquired through Board service” and “Remain diligent and alert as to what information learned during Board service can be shared with others.”; and
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Identifying another reporter’s status as a director on the board when referring that person for work and, in addition, indicating in her signature line that she is the NCRA Vice President in violation of paragraph 7 of the Board of Directors Code of Ethics, as cited above.