The CCMA was founded in 1977 by a small group of dedicated administrators who were committed to supporting each other and promoting public awareness of what an authentic Montessori school offers to families. Today there are more than 110 schools in the organization ranging in size from an enrollment of 30 students to larger schools of over 700 students. Toddler, early childhood, elementary and adolescent programmes are all represented within CCMA schools.

All CCMA members shall support and promote The Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA), its mission, vision, goals, and standards.

1. Conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner, reflecting a mutual respect and support for other Council members.
2. Promote the high standards of programme quality as articulated by CCMA standards, best practices and membership criteria.
3. Promote equity and justice by creating a community that fosters respect, understanding, and appreciation of differences, and affirms the dignity of each individual.
4. Shall represent its CCMA membership status with clarity and honesty to the public.
5. Publicly display its current CCMA membership certificate and have available CCMA membership criteria.
6. Refrain from knowingly misrepresenting CCMA policies and standards in public discussion.
7. Refrain from disparaging other Montessori or non-Montessori schools or teacher training centres in promoting their own merits.
8. Engage parents as partners in understanding the Montessori philosophy.
9. Encourage a successful transition for parents and their children entering and leaving their Montessori school years.
10. Refrain from soliciting applications from students of other CCMA schools or other Montessori schools, save by the usual public announcements and advertising.
11. Refrain from soliciting any staff member of another member school other than by the usual public advertising practices.  Refrain from knowingly entering into a contract whose terms conflict with an existing one with another school.
12. Respect the rights of all staff of CCMA schools as outlined by the appropriate provincial employment laws.

As CCMA members, we agree to abide by the Code of Ethics.  All Administration and Staff must be free of a criminal record.  If a breach of the ethical considerations outlined in the CCMA Code of Ethics is determined by the Board of Appeal, the offending school will be issued a written reprimand. Subsequent offences may result in withdrawal of CCMA membership.

SECTION 1

GENERAL

1.1       Purpose and Scope

CCMA is committed to open and transparent communication with its member schools, the students who attend them and their parents or guardians.  CCMA values and encourages an open and trusting communication policy that encourages a resolution of complaints within a process that is accountable and respectful of the roles of the person bringing the complaint, the school involved, and CCMA staff.  CCMA will strive to resolve complaints in the best interests of all parties directly involved in the complaint.

1.2       Confidentiality

Confidentiality of complaints shall be maintained to the extent practicable and appropriate given the circumstances between the complainant and the member school, teacher(s) and/or CCMA staff involved.  However, anonymous complaints will not be acted upon.

1.3       Definition of Complaint

A complaint is defined as an oral or written communication received by CCMA staff which expresses dissatisfaction with the application of policies, procedures, programs, services or actions of a member school (including a teacher or other employee of a member school) or an employee, director or officer of CCMA.  However, CCMA will not become involved in any issues arising from financial agreements between parents or guardians and member schools, which must be resolved exclusively with the member school in question.

SECTION 2

COMPLAINTS RESOLUTION PROCESS

 2.1       Policy

CCMA will make every reasonable effort to encourage and support resolution of complaints at the member-school level, whenever applicable.

2.2       Responding to Complaints

Responding to a complaint will be governed by the following principles and practices:

1. Complainants have a right to have their complaint dealt with in an appropriate and timely manner.
2. Complainants, member schools and their teachers, and CCMA staff shall be treated with respect and courtesy at all times during the complaint-resolution process.
3. Complainants who persist in opposing rules, routines, policies, procedures or functions of a member school or the CCMA, to the point of complaints being frivolous, vexatious or harassing of member schools, their teachers and staff, or CCMA staff, will be advised that such action will not be condoned or tolerated.
4. Anonymous complaints shall not be acted upon, unless it is believed that such complaint references illegal or abusive conduct that requires investigation by law enforcement, in which case the complainant will be referred to the appropriate governmental or law enforcement agency.
5. Except in extraordinary circumstances, complainants will be advised to directly contact the member school to discuss the concern and attempt to resolve the matter.
6. Where the complainant has dealt directly with the member school and is not satisfied with the response or the manner in which the matter was addressed, CCMA may, in its sole discretion, consider assisting in the resolution process. If CCMA decides that it is appropriate to offer assistance, CCMA will ask the complainant to document in writing: (i) the complaint, (ii) the attempts made to resolve the issue, and (iii) the responses, if any, of the member school.  This written material will be provided to both CCMA and the member school to assist in resolution of the complaint.

SECTION 3

OTHER

3.1       Role of CCMA

 CCMA does not guarantee the successful resolution of any complaint.  In certain circumstances and in its sole discretion, CCMA may assist in the resolution of issues, including by ensuring that member schools have followed appropriate procedures.  However, CCMA will not in any circumstances act as an arbitrator or mediator between a parent or guardian and a member school.

 3.2       Amendment

The Board of Directors of CCMA may amend this Policy from time to time.

ADOPTED by the Board this ______ day of ______________, 2018.

____________________________                                 __________________________

Chair of the Board                                                                Secretary