Dallas Claims Association
Bylaws - July 2003
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of the Association
shall be the Dallas Claims Association.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
Section 1: To promote harmony
and cordial business relations among members, to exchange information
concerning matters of interest, to discuss common problems and to
develop a high standard of ethics to promote the general welfare of
the companies represented.
Section 2: To insure through
cooperation of its members, such administration of casualty claims as
will result in a prompt and just settlement of meritorious claims.
Section 3: To promote plans for
cooperation in vigorously resisting collusion, deception and false or
fraudulent claims and losses and promptly to discourage and expose
dishonest, unscrupulous and unethical practices, whether indulged in
by professional men and women.
Section 4: To agree that
everything discussed in meetings of the organization or committees
shall be held in strict confidence unless otherwise agreed. Further,
that the knowledge gained through membership in the Association shall
not be used against the interest of any individual member or any
company having a fully accredited representative in the Association.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Active membership
shall be limited to those companies who are engaged in the handling
of insurance claims and losses.
Section 2: Associate membership
shall be limited to companies who are engaged in related lines to the
insurance industry, such as the vendor/support services.
Section 3: Dues for active
Company membership is $100.00 per company per year. Such dues are
payable as of September 1, the beginning of the fiscal year.
Section 4: Dues for active
individual membership shall be$25.00 per year. Such dues are payable
as of September 1, the beginning of the fiscal year.
Section 5: Dues for associate
membership shall be $65.00 per company per year. Such dues are
payable as of September 1, the beginning of the fiscal year.
Section 6: Upon the
recommendation of an active member any eligible company or individual
may become a member by filing an application for membership with
dues. The application for membership must be read twice, once at the
next Executive Board meeting, and the second and last reading to the
membership at large. The membership at large will vote on the application.
Section 7: Any company member or
individual member may be expelled from membership for just and due
cause by a two-third majority vote of the members present and voting
at a regular meeting. Notice must be give in writing to the members
at least thirty (30) days prior to such review by the membership at large.
Section 8: Any company member or
individual member in arrears with dues after October 31 shall
automatically be dropped from membership.
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES
Section 1: The officers shall be
a President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary
and Treasurer who are elected to serve one year.
Section 2: These offices shall
be installed at the July meeting of the Association.
Section 3: The president shall
be the Executive Officer, shall preside at all meetings of the
Association and the Executive Board, shall report on the work of the
Association at the final meeting of the year, shall appoint chairman
of all standing committees as provided by the Bylaws. The President
shall be a member ex-officio of all committees except the Nominating
Committee. The President shall also appoint any special committee chairmen.
Section 4: The Vice Presidents
in their order shall assume the duties of the President in the
absence of the President. The First Vice President shall serve as the
Chairman of the Membership Committee. The Second Vice President shall
serve as Chairman of the Program Committee.
Section 5: The Secretary shall
keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all regular meetings,
special meetings and the meetings of the Executive Board. The
Secretary shall notify members of meetings. The Secretary shall
provide a copy of the minutes of all meetings to the auditor for
his/her use in auditing the Treasurer’s records.
Section 6: The Treasurer shall
be the custodian of the funds of the Association, such funds to be
deposited in a bank designed by the Executive Board. All checks are
to be signed by the Treasurer and the President, in the absence of
the President, any one of the elected officers.
All checks must have two
signatures to be valid. The Treasurer shall present a written report
to the Association at each meeting.
Section 7: All officers upon
retiring from office shall deliver to the President all accounts,
record books, papers or other property belonging to the Association.
ARTICLE V: EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1: The Governing body of
the Association shall be an Executive Board, consisting of the
officer and two immediate past presidents. Meetings of the Executive
Board will take place upon the request of the President.
Section 2: The Executive Board
shall meet at least once a month to handle the affairs of the
Association on the third Thursday of each month or as designated by
the President at a location designated by the President.
Section 3: The President may
authorize up to $100.00 in expenditures on non-budgeted items. The
Executive Board may authorize up to $500.00 in expenditures of
non-budgeted items. Any expenditure in excess of those amounts over
non-budgeted items must be voted on by the membership at large.
ARTICLE VI: ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1: The Nominating
Committee shall be appointed by the President in March.
Section 2: To assist the
Nominating Committee, suggestion slips will be in order from the
membership at large and these should be turned in prior to, or at the
April meeting.
Section 3: The slate of officers
selected by the Nominating Committee shall be furnished in writing to
the membership at large two (2) weeks prior to the June meeting since
the election shall take place at the June meeting. Nominations are
always in order from the floor.
Section 4: Not more than one
officer my be selected from any one member company.
Section 5: The two immediate
past presidents shall automatically become members of the Executive Board.
Section 6: Officers shall be
installed at the July meeting of the Association.
Section 7: If a vacancy on the
Board occurs during the year, the vacancy shall be filled by the
Executive Board.
ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS
Section 1: The meetings of the
Association shall be held on the first Wednesday of the month from
September through August at a place designated by the Executive Board.
Section 2: Member company
representatives are entitled to one vote for the company.
Section 3: Individual members
are entitled to one vote each.
Section 4: Associate member
company representatives are not entitled to vote.
Section 5: The members at any
meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at
regular or special meetings but in no event shall that number be less
than twenty-five (25%) per cent of the members of the Association.
ARTICLE VIII: COMMITTEES STANDING
Section 1: The following
standing committee chairmen shall be appointed by the President.
Section 2:
Arrangement/Entertainment - The Chairman shall be responsible for all
arrangements with the hotel or meeting facility for all meetings.
Section 3: Constitution and
Bylaws: The Chairman shall be responsible for bringing to the
attention of the Association any changed in the Constitution and Bylaws.
Section 4: Legislative
Committee: The Chairman shall be responsible for bringing to the
attention of the Association any changes in laws or proposed changes
in the laws on all lines which will effect the insurance industry.
Section 5: Public Relations and
Publicity: The Chairman shall be responsible for any publicity. The
Chairman shall also serve in handling the records for placement of
licensed adjusters. The Chairman shall also be responsible for
advertising, including the golf tournament.
Section 6: Newsletter: Chairman
shall be responsible for the monthly newsletter, obtaining
information and articles to be placed on the website.
Section 7: Directory and Website
Committee: The Chairman of this committee shall be responsible for
the publishing of the directory and maintaining the website.
Section 8: Golf Tournament: The
Chairman shall be responsible for obtaining the facility, determining
fees, accepting application, accepting fee, paying expenses for the
tournament with any profit going to scholarship and general operation
funds. The Executive Board will approve the facility and fees charged.
Section 9: Scholarship
Committee: The Chairman shall be responsible for obtaining
applications for the scholarship, verifying information on
applications and selecting the scholarship recipients. The
scholarships will be approved by the Executive Board before presentation.
Section 10: Education Committee:
The Chairman shall be responsible for the arrangements for
educational classes, seminars, etc. and promotion of these classes
and seminars. The main goal will be to furnish classes for the
continuing education hours to renew adjuster license as set out by
the State Board of Insurance and the Legislature.
Section 11: Nominating
Committee: The chairman of this committee will be responsible for
submitting a slate of officers to the membership at the June meeting.
Written notice must be presented to the membership two weeks prior to
the June meeting.
Section 12: Audit Committee: The
President will appoint a committee to audit the books of the
Association at least twice a year or more often, if necessary.
ARTICLE IX: PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Section 1: The President shall
appoint from the membership a parliamentarian who shall meet with the
Association and with the Executive Board without a vote.
Section 2: The Association’s
Constitution and Bylaws will be governed by Robert’s Rules of
Order, Revised, latest edition.
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