Section 1. Grievance Resolution:
a) Any applicant, member, director, officer, or officeholder may write to the Executive Committee for resolution of any grievances or disputes other than those relating to organizational elections. If the person filing for the resolution of the dispute is not satisfied by the action of the Executive Committee, then that person may write to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors would then investigate the matter and issue a written decision.
b) Any grievances or disputes relating to organizational elections are resolved in accordance with Article XIV, section 5.
Section 2. Arbitration: Every applicant to membership of GONA and every member, Director, officer or officeholder of GONA by becoming such, agrees to arbitrate disputes arising under or relating to this membership and agrees and obligates himself or herself to abide by and perform any final award made under arbitration. The arbitration shall be conducted by the American Arbitration Association under its commercial rules at its office closest to Los Angeles, California. It shall be the duty of the arbitrators to hear and determine all cases of disputed claims or controversies submitted to it by applicants to membership of GONA and to members of GONA. Only the arbitrators may decide upon their jurisdiction. The scope of the claims or controversies that are to be arbitrated by the arbitrators is limited only by what is permitted by law. No punitive or exemplary damages shall be allowed in the award. With respect to any dispute or controversy that is made subject to arbitration under the terms of this agreement, no suit at law or in equity based on such dispute or controversy shall be instituted by either party except to enforce the award of the arbitrator. GONA and the members, Directors and officers agree to arbitration of any disputes arising out of the membership even after termination of his or her membership or office. If any party prevails in arbitration then the arbitrator shall award reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the prevailing party.