Constitution & Bylaws

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE
FORT WORTH CLAIMS ASSOCIATION
FORT WORTH,TEXAS

 
WHEREAS, the independent Adjuster for Insurance Companies and Claim Agents or Supervisors occupy a position of the highest trust and confidence, both to the Companies and to the public at large, and feel that it is not only their right, but their duty to keep the profession and the members thereof upon the highest plane of honesty, integrity and efficiency, and by so doing not only further their own interests, but that of the Insurance Companies and Corporations; BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED the objects and purposes of this association shall be and are:

To promote among the members a more intimate social and business relationship:

To improve the standard of efficiency and service among insurance adjusters and claims persons as well as harmony and good practice among the profession and generally to cooperate in the promotion and protection of the best interests of the Insurance Companies and Corporations and of our profession, and that everything discussed in the meetings shall be held in strict confidence unless otherwise agreed:

This association is not organized for financial gain to its members, or to increase or maintain any rate of compensation to be paid for their services:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the following By-Laws be the same are hereby adopted:

ARTICLE I

Name of the Association

The name of the Association is and shall be Fort Worth Claims Association, Inc.

ARTICLE II

Active Membership
(Revision 1988)

Pre-Requisites:

1. Applicant and members must be actively engaged in the adjustment of insurance claims and hold a current license.
2. Applicant must furnish a copy of his current insurance adjuster’s license issued by the Texas States Board of Insurance with his application for membership.
3. Applicant must be of good moral character.
4. Applicant must have no pending felony charges.
5. Applicant and members must be an “Adjuster” defined as a representative of an insurer who obtains information to determine the extent of the insurer’s liability for loss when a claim is submitted.

Active member is entitled to all privileges afforded by the association.

Applicant and members must uphold the objects and purposes of the Constitution and by-laws of the Association.

Associate Membership
(Revision 2010)

Pre-Requisites:

1. Applicant must be directly or indirectly connected with or associated in some manner with the handling of     insurance claims.
2. Applicant must be of good moral character.
3. Applicant must have no pending felony charges.
4. Payment of dues in the same amount as an active member.

 An Associate Member shall be entitled to:

1. Receive an annual claims directory when published.

2. Attend all meetings and functions of the Association.

3. Serve on Association committees.

An Associate Member may not be entitled to:

4. Vote at any meeting of the Association unless elected as Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President or President.

5. Hold any office in the Association, unless one or more offices cannot be first filled by a Member, and then only one office may be held by an Associate Member at the same time. An Associate Member may not be eligible to hold office without a minimum of one year of active membership immediately preceeding election to office, and regular attendance at monthly meetings. An Associate Member is not eligible for office of President without prior consecutive service as Secretary-Treasurer or Vice President. 

Applicant and members must uphold the objects and purposes of the Constitution and by-laws of the Association.


III. HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
(REVISION 2004-DELETED)


IV. LIFE MEMBERSHIP
(REVISION 2004-DELETED)


ARTICLE III
(Revision 2002)
(Revision 2004)

(Revision 2010)

Officers

The officers of the Association shall be President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer. No more than two officers may be employed by the same company with the exception of a change in employment of an officer currently holding office.


ARTICLE IV
(Revision 2004)

(Revision 2010)

Election of Officers

The Association shall elect one of its members to serve as President, one of its members to serve as Vice President and one of its members to serve as Secretary-Treasurer. Each elected officer shall hold office for one year or until their successor has been elected.

The President shall select the Nominating Committee in May, and this committee shall consist of three members with the Chairman being the immediate past President. The membership shall be given 30 days advance notice of the nominees.

Annual elections will be held at the regular August meeting of each year.
 
ARTICLE V

(Revision 2002)

Duties of President and Vice President

President

1. Preside over all meetings of the Association.
2. Delegate duties as deemed necessary to other officers or members
3. Authenticate and authorize disbursement of funds.
4. Appoint committees for special projects or functions.
5. Call together this Association whenever deemed necessary and shall discharge other such duties as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the Association.

Vice President
 
1. Preside over meeting of the Association in absence of President.
2. Select speakers for the regular monthly meetings and special functions of the Association.
3. Authenticate and authorize disbursements of funds in the absence of the President.

ARTICLE VI

 Duties of Secretary-Treasurer

1. Record the proceedings of the Association.

2. Handle all correspondence submitted to and by the Association and serve all notices required by its By-Laws .

3. Safely and accurately keep the funds of the Association and disburse funds upon vouchers properly authenticated by the President or Vice President. In case of his/her absence, inability, refusal or neglect to do so, then such duties shall be performed by the President or Vice President of the Association.
4. Maintain a membership roster showing each active member and associate member.  Keep accurate records of payment of dues.

ARTICLE VII

Meetings

Monthly meetings of the Association shall be held at noon on the third Thursday of each month unless otherwise changed by a two-thirds majority vote.

Special Meetings of the Association shall be held subject to the call of the President.

ARTICLE VIII

Quorum

A. One-Fourth of the members of the Association shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.

ARTICLE IX

The annual dues shall be $15.00 for each member and associate member of the Association, which includes one membership and one vote, and no more than $80.00 shall be charged to any one company regardless of the number of adjusters employed by that company.

ARTICLE X

Expelling Members/Associate Members

Any member or associate member of the Association may be expelled for the violation of any of the objects and purposes for which this organization is set up, or any of the rules and regulations thereof or for any reason considered good and sufficient by this Association, of which it shall be the sole judge, by a two-thirds vote of the members present at any regular or special meeting called thereof, provided that the accused member/associate member shall first have at least five days written notice of the charges filed against him or her, and the time and place of the hearing thereof.

Said charges must be filed in writing with the Secretary-Treasurer and shall be submitted to the Grievance Committee of three members/associate members, appointed by the President, and notice mailed to the member/associate member against whom charges are filed, within five days after such filing, to appear before said Committee.

ARTICLE XI

Vacancy of Office

Should any office become vacant, for any reason, a member/associate member of this Association shall be elected to same at a regular or special meeting called by the President, or on his refusal or inability to act shall be called by the Vice President or Secretary-Treasurer or any three members of the Association. *Refer to Article III, Para. A, Election of Officers.

ARTICLE XII

Amendments

Proposed amendments to the constitution and By-Laws may be made at any time after the following has been met:

1. Proposed amendment is in written form and is presented to any officer of the FWCA.
2. Proposed amendment is sent in written form to the membership 30 days in advance for review.
3. Amendment must be accepted by two-thirds vote of the members present.

ARTICLE XIII

Order of Business

Reading Minutes of last regular and special meeting.
Election of officers, when applicable.
Report of Secretary-Treasurer, when deemed advisable by President.
Report of Committees
Applications for new members.
Unfinished business.
New business.
General discussion.
Adjournment.


The Forth Worth Claims Association is an affiliate of the Texas Claims Association. Affiliation entitles the FWCA to educational and professional support from the TCA and TCA receives support from FWCA at no cost to FWCA. The membership is on an individual dues basis.