To document a complaint: ___Determine whom you're filing the complaint with, and document accordingly ___Develop a plan for documentation ___Research all necessary background information ___Obtain the basic facts ___Describe in writing exactly what the complaint is about ___Describe in writing, as clearly as possible, exactly what happened for as many incidents as possible ___Record conversations, in exact words where possible ___Document the consequences of each incident or policy and/or of the overall series of incidents or policies you're complaining about ___Provide as much actual proof of the substance and details of your complaint as possible ___Present your complaint, with its documentation Other considerations: ___Your documentation establishes you as a credible witness ___You established your concern by paying attention to and recording the details of the situation ___You have determined whether or not your complaint is taken seriously ___You have used the proper documentation so that it might make a difference as to whether or not the complaint can be acted on by a regulator or court ___You know how you want the complaint acted on and have the proper documentation to support that action ___Your documentation will protect you against libel or slander charges if you make public accusations ___You established the moral advantage through the use of your proof ___You encouraged anyone who has a complaint to document it, and did so yourself ___You asked experts in the field to document the situation ___You asked people directly affected by the actions or policies at which the complaint is directed o document the situation ___You asked people on the inside of the entity at which the complaint is directed to document the situation ___You asked community leaders or other respected individuals to document the situation
