Bylaws

                                         Montgomery Claims Association Constitution and By-Laws

 The name of the Association shall be Montgomery Claims Association.
 

 The purpose of the Association shall be:

· a.To promote a better understanding of claims handling and to promote professional and social interaction among professionals involved in claims adjusting and related fields.

· b.To promote good will, friendship, cooperation and understanding between the members.

· c.To provide an organization to facilitate an interchange of ideas and information on subjects of common interest.

· d.To provide programs to keep the members in touch with new developments of general interest.

· e.To assist members in improving themselves so that they will be better qualified to render more efficient services.

· f.To maintain of Code of Ethics for the conduct of the members' profession.

· g.To foster the public good will for the interest which the members serve.

 The Membership of the Association shall be composed of persons who regularly adjust claims and who devote their full time to the investigation and adjustment of claims and losses, and persons whose profession and occupations are allied to, or otherwise related to the investigation and adjustment of claims and losses. Active membership is defined as those individuals described herein who have paid all required dues and fees to the Association as set forth in Section XI, and are otherwise in good standing with the Association.
 

Honorary Life Memberships shall be composed of persons who have distinguished themselves by their active participation in the Association over an extended period of time and are no longer eligible for active membership. Honorary Life Membership is subject to the requirements of Section VIII of this constitution and requires no payment of dues.
 

 The officers of the Association shall be the President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. An Assistant Secretary and/or Assistant Treasurer may be appointed by the President.
 

The duties of the President shall include conduct of meetings, leading the Association to accomplish the aims and purposes stated in the By-Laws, develop plans through and preside at meetings of the Executive Committee.
 

The duties of the First Vice-President shall include duties delegated by the President including conduct of meetings in President's absence; update, sell ads, revise and publish the annual Directory; and Chair the Membership and Attendance Committee.
 

The duties of the Second Vice-President shall include conduct of the meetings in absence of the President and First Vice-President, obtain speaker commitments for the monthly meetings, plan and direct golf tournaments, seminars and other special events.
 

The duties of the Treasurer shall include confirming arrangements facilitating the monthly meeting, collection of annual dues and monthly meeting expense fees, issue expense payments, prepare and maintain records of incoming expenses, balance check book and reconcile bank statements, and obtain any needed sponsors regarding activities at the monthly meeting and other events.
 

The duties of the Secretary shall include recording the minutes of the monthly and Executive Committee meetings, respond to and distribute mail and other communications of the Association, update and maintain membership list, publish monthly newsletter and /or meeting notices and other needed correspondence of the Association.
 

 Any active member of the Association shall be elgible to the office of President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer.
 

 An Executive Committee, consisting of as many members as the President may desire, shall be named by the President to act as a Board of Directors for the Association and the elected officers shall be members of the committee. Officers of the immediate past administrations not currently serving as officers, may be members of the Executive Committee.
 

The term of the Executive Committee shall correspond to that of the President appointing them.
 

There shall be a meeting of the Executive Committee at such times as said committee designates. Special meetings may be called by the President or by any other officer in his absence.
 

Any Active member of this Association shall be eligible for membership on the Executive Committee.
 

 There shall be a regular dinner meeting of the Association of the third Thursday in every month unless otherwise ordered by a majority vote of the Executive Committee present and voting. The Executive Committee will decide the date on which the annual meeting will be held.
 

 There shall be a Membership Committee appointed by the President to study and recommend ways to encourage regular attendance and broad participation of the membership in Association business and activities; and upon the request of the Executive Committee, investigate and make recommendations on questions of classification and qualifications of the membership. Any report or recommendation of the committee with less than unanimous support must be accompanied by a dissenting report or recommendation by the same manner.
 

Upon the request of any member of the Association, the Membership Committee shall consider the suggestion that a member be expelled, and upon the unanimous vote of the Membership Committee, and upon a two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee, the member shall be expelled. Any appeal by an expelled member shall be made to the entire membership at a meeting within sixty (60) days of the expulsion, and a majority of the membership present and voting shall be required to ratify or overrule the findings of the Executive Committee.
 

 The President of the Association shall have no vote except in case of a tie.
 

The President of the Association may call a meeting of the Association at any time.
 

A called meeting may be held upon the written request of a majority of the members of the Association.
 

 The President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Association shall be elected at the meeting just previous to the annual meeting each year.
 

The newly elected officers shall be installed at the annual meeting following the election.
 

The term of office of each officer shall be for one year. Upon the vacancy of an officer during a term of office, the Executive Committee will appoint a successor to serve the remainder of said term.
 

The President of the Association, or in his absence either of the Vice-Presidents, shall appoint a nominating committee for the purpose of presenting to the Association, recommended officers for the ensuing year.
 

The Nominating Committee shall consist of at least three past Presidents or other members qualified by their past experience as officers of the Association.
 

Nominations for any officer can be made from the floor at the regular meeting held for the election of officers.
 

The election shall be by secret ballot, and the vote of the majority of active members present shall elect.
 

The fiscal year of this Association runs from January 1 to January 1.
 

 The dues of the Association shall be fixed by recommendation of the Executive Committee and upon a majority of the members of the Association present and voting.
 

Annual dues are due and payable on or before the February meeting date. Dues are past due after the March meeting. There may be a surcharge to the regular meal price for those whose dues are unpaid by the March meeting. The surcharge is determined by the Executive Committee.
 

 Amendments to this Constitution and By-laws shall be submitted at least thirty (30) days in advance of any regular meeting and upon a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting, the Amendment shall be ratified.