A New Way to Report Ethics Concerns
Speaking up shouldn't come with a cost. Our new ethics reporting process gives every member a confidential channel to raise concerns, knowing their identity and their voice are safeguarded.
The Barbershop Harmony Society is committed to maintaining integrity and the highest standards of ethical conduct. Barbershop Harmony is built on trust, on and off the risers.
We're announcing a new BHS Ethics Manual, which establishes a uniform, impartial, and confidential process for receiving, reviewing, investigating, and resolving alleged violations of the BHS Code of Ethics. Allegations will be addressed promptly, fairly, consistently, and confidentially.
The Ethics Violation Complaint Reporting and Resolution Procedure in the Ethics Manual replaces our previous policies with a single, consistent process, overseen by the Society Ethics Committee under the CEO.
If you experience or witness a violation of our Code of Ethics, there are four ways to submit an Ethics Violation Report. An Ethics Violation Report must be submitted through one of the designated reporting channels set forth below:
Preferred method: File online anytime through our confidential or anonymous portal, available 24/7 in English, French (Canada), and Spanish (Mexico, USA, Canada).
- File by phone: Use the appropriate phone number below to submit an Ethics Violation Report:
English (USA & Canada): 833-214-2442
French (Canada): 855-725-0002
Spanish (USA & Canada): 800-216-1288
Spanish (Mexico): 800-681-5340
File by email: Print the Ethics Violation Report Form, complete it, and email it to ethics@barbershop.org
File by mail: Print the Ethics Violation Report Form, complete it, and mail it to:
Barbershop Harmony Society
ATTN: Ethics Complaint- Confidential
110 7th Ave North
Nashville, TN 37203
This isn't red tape. It's how we take care of each other. Read the full Ethics Manual at barbershop.org/code-of-ethics, or reach out to ethics@barbershop.org with questions.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do I have to be a BHS member to file a report?
No. Any person, or someone representing an aggrieved person, can file a report regardless of their membership status. Parents or guardians can also file on behalf of a minor member.
Can I report anonymously?
Yes. Reports can be submitted confidentially or fully anonymously. If you report anonymously, the online system still provides you with a report number and PIN, allowing you to check for updates without revealing your identity.
What are the ways to file a report?
Four options: online (preferred), by phone, by email, or by mail. Step-by-step instructions for each are posted at barbershop.org/guide-to-bhs-ethics-procedures.
Will I be protected from retaliation?
Yes. Retaliation against a Reporter or a Witness is treated as its own separate ethics violation and is reviewed independently.
Who reviews and decides my report?
The Society Ethics Committee handles investigations and makes recommendations on the most serious outcomes; the CEO holds final decision-making authority. Chapters and Districts can assist with fact-finding and handle chapter-level membership matters, but Society-level decisions are made at the Society level, so the standard is the same everywhere.
How long does the process take?
Initial review happens within 14 days of filing, and the CEO completes review of the Committee's recommendation within 14 days after that. These are targets, not guarantees. Complex cases, witness availability, holidays, conventions, or a parallel legal matter can extend timelines, but you'll be kept informed of any change.
Is there a deadline for filing a report?
No formal statute of limitations exists. That said, the longer the delay, the harder it can be to investigate effectively, so timely reporting helps the process work best.
What if the conduct might also be a crime?
Report it to local law enforcement as well. The BHS ethics process is administrative, not a substitute for reporting a crime, and it can proceed alongside a law enforcement matter.
What if I witness, or am the target of, abuse on social media?
Our Code of Ethics applies whether we're standing on the risers or posting online. BHS can't monitor every private post or platform, and public and private social media groups are still governed by their own moderators and terms of service, but using social media to harass, threaten, or falsely malign a fellow member is a violation of our Code of Ethics and can be reported the same way as any other concern. If you ever feel threatened or unsafe, contact local authorities right away.
Can a decision be appealed?
Yes, but the rules differ by party. A Respondent may appeal a Major Outcome decision. A Reporter may appeal any final determination, including a dismissal or a Minor Outcome. Both must show new, material evidence or a demonstrable procedural error; appeals are not a chance to relitigate the facts.
Is this a legal proceeding?
No. It's an administrative process that evaluates conduct against the Code of Ethics and determines suitability for continued membership and participation. It does not determine legal guilt or innocence.
Where can I ask more questions?
Email ethics@barbershop.org, or review the full Ethics Manual and interactive process guide at barbershop.org/code-of-ethics.