Springfield Claims Association Constitution and By-laws
Article I - Name
The name of the organization shall be "The Springfield Claims Association."
Article II - Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be:
- To provide, promote and maintain the highest ethical practices in the field of claims adjusting.
- To unitedly and vigorously combat fraudulent claims and claims practices.
- To encourage constant observation and scrutiny of the various courts'
decisions in cases involving negligence and other related laws.
- To promote and maintain the highest degree of fellowship.
- To facilitate the dissemination of information of mutual interest to the membership.
Article III - Type
This shall be a non-profit organization.
Article IV - Membership
1. Active:
Any person whose continuing principle means of livelihood is the adjustment and/or investigation of
claims dealing with bodily and personal injury, or property damage caused by casualty or fire and who
is not engaged in any other business, regularly or occasionally, which is or reasonably could be in
conflict with the purposes and welfare of this Association, or any individual member thereof, shall be
eligible for active membership.
Any person, who has at some time in the past, met the above qualifications for a period of not less than
five years, may be eligible for active membership in this Association, even though such occupation has
not continued.
Active members, in good standing, shall be eligible to hold any office and to vote on any issue submitted
to the general membership. They shall be subject to the obligations and entitled to the privileges of
the Association as set forth in the Constitution and By-Laws. They must be in good standing to attend
any social function of the Association, as a member.
The Board of Trustees shall investigate by Committee or otherwise and pass on the qualifications of all
applicants for membership. If found eligible by the Board of Trustees, the applicant's name shall be
submitted to the membership for acceptance or rejection at the next regular meeting.
2. Honorary:
Any Active Member may submit, in writing, a nominee for Honorary Membership. Such application to become
effective must first be approved by the Board of Trustees and then receive a unanimous affirmative vote
of the members present at a regular business meeting. Honorary Members shall not pay any dues. They shall
be permitted to vote and hold office.
3. Reinstated
A former Active Member whose membership has been terminated, voluntarily or involuntarily, may be
re-admitted under the same provisions as a New Member.
4. Associate Member:
Any individual who primarily performs tasks allied with the adjusting of insurance claims may become
an Associate Member of the Association provided his or her principal means of livelihood is gained by
servicing the adjustment of claims, and he or she complies with this Constitution and shall be subject
to all the duties and privileges.
The Board of Trustees shall investigate by Committee or otherwise and vote on all applicants for Associate
Membership. If found eligible by the Board of Trustees, the applicant's name shall be published in the
next meeting notice and submitted to the membership for acceptance or rejection, of associate standing,
at the next regular meeting.
A majority of votes by the general membership shall be sufficient for rejection of either regular or
associate members.
5. All above classifications of members (1 thru 4) must attend at least four business meetings per year
and work a money-raising project in order to attend the social functions. New members that are replacing
existing/former membership, the former members attendance and/or involvement in money raising projects
shall be carried over to the new member.
Any person applying for membership in any of the above classifications on or after Sept. 1st shall be
voted on by the general membership in order to attend any social function for the remaining calendar year.
Article V - Officers
The officers of this organization shall consist of a President, a Vice-President,
a Secretary and a Treasurer, and an assistant Treasurer to hold office from the first regular meeting in
January until the beginning of the first regular meeting the following January.
1. The President will preside at all meetings, appoint committees as needed, and carry out the overall
executive duties of the organization in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws.
2. The Vice-President will preside at any meeting in the event of absence of the President. The Vice-President
will automatically become President if that post is vacated. The Vice-President will serve as program chairman.
The Vice-President will carry out any duties delegated to him by the President.
3. The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings, and with the President shall handle all correspondence
on behalf of the Association, except that which falls to the province of a duly constituted committee. He
shall keep an active register of the membership, which shall include the following information: (I) name
(2) home address and residence phone number (3) company represented with office address and phone number.
4. The Treasurer shall collect all dues and assessments. He/She shall keep a complete record of all monies
received and expended, and shall make a financial report at the annual meeting in December. The assistant
Treasurer shall, in the absence of the Treasurer, have the same power to write checks, make deposits, and
perform all other duties of the Treasurer.
5. Should any office other than President become vacant due to death, resignation, or otherwise, the office
shall be filled by the membership by way of election at the earliest possible regular meeting provided,
however, that notice of the vacancy is given at the regular meeting next preceding the regular meeting at
which the vote is taken.
Article VI - Dues
1. Each Active Member will be requested to pay annual dues.
2. The amount of annual dues shall be decided by a majority of member present at the first meeting of the calendar year.
3. All dues must be paid by the regular March meeting.
Revised - 11-30-05
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