Bylaws
Adopted July 2000
Amended June 2005
Effective July 1, 2005
Amended March 2014
Effective April 1, 2014
Amended December 2022
Effective January 1, 2023
ARTICLE I - NAME AND TERRITORIAL LIMITS
Section 1. This organization shall be known as the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals Iowa Chapter, with the tagline "Shaping the Future of Healthcare " Hereinafter referred to as this Association, a non-profit corporation as such under the laws of the state of Iowa and chartered by the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals
Section 2. The territorial limits of this Association shall be confined to the state of Iowa.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSES
Section 1. The objectives of this Association shall be:
- To promote the common business interests of those engaged in the sale of health, disability and related insurance products and services.
- To advance public knowledge for the need and benefit of the financial protection provided by health, disability and related insurance products and services.
- To promote the adoption and application of high standards of ethical conduct in the health, disability and related insurance products and services industry.
- To provide and promote a program of continuing education and self-improvement of Association members.
- To increase the knowledge of members concerning the principles, functions, and applications of health, disability and related insurance products and services.
- To promote education, legislation, regulation, and practices which are in the best interest of the health, disability and related insurance products and services industry and thus provide financial protection to the insuring public.
- To encourage adequate protection against the hazards of disability as part of a well-rounded health, disability and related insurance products and services program.
- To do such other things and to carry out such other programs so as to further the purposes of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals
Section 2. The association and its members recognize an obligation to present accurately, honestly, and completely every fact essential to the client's decision as expressed in the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professional’s Code of Ethics which is considered a part of these bylaws.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership in this Association will be available under the following designations:
A. Individual Members
B. Life Members
Section 2. An Individual member may be any individual licensed by his/her state licensing authority for the sale of health, disability and related insurance products and services. Individual members may also include non-licensed individuals engaged in the distribution of health, disability and related insurance products and services such as, but not limited to, home office personnel and others engaged in the management and distribution of such products. Individual members who have paid their annual national, state and local dues will also be referred to as Active Members.
Section 3. Life Membership may be granted when an active member has been in good standing for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive years and has: 1) attained age 65 and retired; or 2) is disabled. This association shall determine the amount of reduction of local chapter dues, if any. Life member status shall be automatically conferred when all qualifications are met, and application is made and verified by the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals.
Section 4. An Individual Member or Life Member is an individual, in good standing, regardless of designation, which has paid all dues required by the Association. Any individual member more than sixty (60) days in arrears in payment of dues shall be dropped from the rolls as an active member.
Section 5. All members may attend any meeting of the Association provided any required registration fees are paid.
Section 6. An individual's membership in the Association may be revoked in accordance with these bylaws. Those bylaws provisions concerning revocation of membership shall include requirements that notice be provided to the member, that notice include the basis for their removal, that the accused member shall enjoy the protection of due process and a vote of the governing body of the Association removing that individual's membership. The basis for revoking an individual's membership shall include but not be limited to revocation of that individual's license to sell insurance by the relevant governmental authority or conviction or admission of guilt by the individual to a crime which is a felony or gross misdemeanor by any jurisdiction.
Section 7. Resignation. Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the secretary, but resignation shall not relieve the member of the obligation to pay any dues, assessments, or other charges previously accrued and unpaid.
ARTICLE IV - NATIONAL AND STATE AFFILIATION
Section 1. This Association agrees to be bound by the bylaws of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals as adopted and amended.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall provide for the prompt review, approval and forwarding of all reports required or requested by the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals.
Section 3. Insofar as possible, this Association shall be represented by its proper delegates, or their duly appointed alternatives, at the annual meeting of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals.
ARTICLE V - DUES AND FINANCE
Section 1. Each Active Member of this Association shall pay state, and national annual dues. Such annual dues shall be payable on the first day of the member's anniversary month as record by the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals. All dues shall be submitted to and through the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals. Any Individual Member more than sixty (60) days in arrears in payment of dues shall be dropped from the rolls as a member in good standing.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall determine the amount of annual dues of this Association. This Association's dues may only be changed once a year and will be in effect from January 1 through December 31 of each year. Not later than the date specified by the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals, if this Association plans to increase or decrease its state chapter dues for the following calendar year, the President shall advise the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals in writing of the Board-approved dues for the following year.
Section 3. The fiscal year of this Association shall begin on the first day of January of each year.
ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The officers of this Association shall be President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, and Secretary/Treasurer.
Section 2. Each officer shall be an Active Member of this Association and National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals.
Section 3. All officers shall serve without compensation.
Section 4. All officers shall take office on the first day of July of each year following their election and shall serve for a term of one year.
Section 5. The office of Immediate Past President shall be filled automatically by the outgoing President. In the event there is no outgoing President, this office shall remain vacant.
Section 6. If the office of the President shall become vacant due to death, disability, resignation, or removal by due process, the President-Elect shall assume the office for its unexpired term and the term of President for the succeeding year and the office of President-Elect shall become vacant until the next regular election. If the office of President becomes vacant and there is no President-Elect, the Secretary/Treasurer shall assume the office. If the office of President becomes vacant and there are no Executive Officers, the Board of Directors can appoint an Active Member subject to a three-fourths (3/4) vote of approval by the Board of Directors.
Section 7. If the office of President-Elect shall become vacant due to death, disability, resignation, or removal by due process or by succession to the Presidency under Article VI, Section 6, and the President shall, within thirty (30) days of the effective date of vacancy, appoint a member of this Association in good standing to fulfill the duties of the office for its unexpired term. The appointment shall be subject to a three-fourths (3/4) vote of approval by the Board of Directors. The office itself shall remain vacant until the next regular election of officers.
Section 8. If the office of Secretary/Treasurer becomes vacant due to death, disability, resignation, or removal by due process or by succession under Article VI, Section 6, the office(s) shall be filled by appointment by the President. The appointment shall be subject to three-fourths (3/4) vote of approval of the Board of Directors and shall be only for the unexpired term of the office(s). Appointees shall assume the title and duties of the vacant office(s).
ARTICLE VII - DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The duties of the officers shall be as follows:
- President - The President shall be the chief elected officer of this Association and shall preside over all meetings of this Association and the Board of Directors. The President shall be an ex officio member of all standing and special committees except the Nominations Committee.
- President-Elect - The President-Elect, in the absence of the President, shall preside at all meetings of this Association and the Board of Directors and shall perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President or Board of Directors.
- Immediate Past President - The Immediate Past President shall serve as an advisor to the Board of Directors and perform other duties as assigned by the President or Board of Directors. The Immediate Past President may serve as chair of the Nominations Committee, responsible for annual nominations.
- Secretary/Treasurer - The Secretary/Treasurer shall ensure that all records of membership, attendance, membership dues and minutes of the meetings of this Association and the Board of Directors and review financial statements and report regularly the financial situation of the Association and shall perform other duties as may be assigned by the President or Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the officers and up to eight other elected Directors
Section 2. Each director shall be an active member of this Association, and National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals
Section 3. All directors shall serve without compensation.
Section 4. All directors shall take office on the first day of July of each year following their election, and shall serve for a term of one year.
Section 5. The Board of Directors shall determine the policies and activities of this Association, approve the budget, authorize all expenditures and disbursements, and have the authority and responsibility to manage this Association's affairs. The day-to-day operation of the Association may be conducted, on behalf of the entire Board, by the Executive Committee, consisting of the President, President-Elect, Secretary/Treasurer and Immediate Past President. The Executive Committee shall meet as deemed necessary.
Section 6. The Board of Directors shall meet monthly or at the call of the President. The meetings shall be held at such times and places as may be determined by the President or Board of Directors. The President shall notify all Board members of the time and place of all regular Board of Director meetings not less than 7 days prior to the meeting.
Section 7. The Board of Directors may transact business by mail or electronic means by voting upon proposals presented to them. Any such proposal shall be adopted if at least two-thirds (2/3) majority of the entire Board returns affirmative votes. The members of the Board of Directors shall be advised of the results of such balloting no less than seven (7) days after the vote is tabulated.
Section 8. A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Except as set forth in Article VIII, Sections 7 and 9. Article XI, Sections 2 and 3, and Article XII, action of the Board of Directors requires a majority vote where quorum is present or by proxy.
Section 9. In the event a director position becomes vacant due to death, disability, resignation, or removal by due process or by succession under Article VI, Section 6, and the position shall be filled by appointment by the President. The appointment shall be subject to three-fourths (3/4) vote of approval of the Board of Directors and shall be only for the unexpired term of the office(s).
Section 10. The Board of Directors may approve the hiring of an Executive Director upon their discretion. The Executive Committee will set forth the duties of the Executive Director. The Executive Director will have no voting rights.
Section 11. No more than two individuals from the same or affiliated company, agency or employer may serve on the Board of Directors at the same time. No more than one individual from the same or affiliated company, agency or employer may serve on the Executive Committee at the same time.
ARTICLE IX - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1. The election of officers and directors shall be determined annually by June 30 of every year, determined by the members of the Association via electronic voting, and led by the immediate past president.
Section 2. The Immediate Past President and/or Nominations Committee may prepare a ballot containing the names of all qualified nominees and distribute ballot materials to all active members prior to the date of the annual meeting. The ballots shall be cast in person at the annual meeting or by electronic voting.
ARTICLE X - COMMITTEES
Section 1. The President shall appoint the directors and members of all standing, special or ad hoc committees and task forces, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee on behalf of the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Board of Directors or the Executive Committee on behalf of the Board of Directors shall establish guidelines for all committees and task forces regarding usual duties, terms of office, and requirements for reports unless otherwise specified in these bylaws.
Section 3. The administration of the fiscal affairs of all standing, special and ad hoc committees and task forces are vested in the Executive Committee on behalf of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. The quorum and voting requirements for the Board of Directors set forth in Article VIII shall be applicable to the committees.
ARTICLE XI - REMOVAL FROM OFFICE
Section 1. An officer, member of the Board of Directors, committee member or chair, or task force member or chair may be removed in the event of such acts of dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation, or other reasonable cause as would prevent the effective performance of his/her duties.
Section 2. No elected officer or board member, or appointed committee member or chair, or appointed task force member or chair may be removed from office without a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting at which a quorum is present.
Section 3. Notice of removal must be sent either by registered mail or electronic mail to the affected individual advising him/her of the action taken or about to be taken. Removal by due process requires notification prior to the vote for removal from office. The Board of Directors and/or twenty-five (25%) of this Association's membership can initiate recall. Recall can only be achieved by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Failure to achieve the required vote for removal will cause the immediate reinstatement of the recalled individual to office. Any appointee replacing the recalled officer shall also immediately be discharged.
Section 5. Any individual member of this Association shall lose all rights and privileges of office under this Association if his/her license to sell insurance is revoked or if he/she is convicted of a felony or gross misdemeanor.
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Amendments to these Bylaws, may be adopted by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of the Board of Directors present at any meeting of the Association, or, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the active membership present at any meeting of the Association so long as a ballot, whether in person or electronic, has been distributed to Individual Active Members of this Association, and provided that notice of the meeting and of the proposed amendment(s) shall have been given to the members at least one month prior to the meeting; provided further that a quorum is present at the meeting.
Section 2. One-tenth (1/10) of this Association’s membership shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE XIII - CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS, DEPOSITS AND FUNDS
Section 1. Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents of the Association, in addition to the officers so authorized by these Bylaws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Association, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section 2. Loans. No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Association and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.
Section 3. Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts or orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Association, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents of the Association and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. In the absence of such determination by the Board of Directors, such instruments shall be signed by the Treasurer.
Section 4. Deposits. All funds of the Association shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Association in such banks or other depositaries as the Board of Directors may select.
Section 5. Gifts. The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the Association any contribution, gift, bequest or devise consistent with the objectives of the Association.
Section 6. Loans to Directors or Officers. No loans shall be made by the Association to the Directors or officers of the Association. Any Director or officer who assents to or participates in the making of any such loan shall be liable to the Association for the amount of such loan until the repayment thereof.
Section 7. The Association shall develop and maintain Fiscal Year Budgeting and Expense Guidelines, to include Travel Reimbursement Guidelines, and shall be approved by the Board of Directors annually, by two-thirds (2/3) voting majority.
ARTICLE XIV - DISSOLUTION
Section 1. Dissolution of this Association requires the passing of a Resolution of Resignation by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of all Active Members. The adopted resolution shall be sent by the Secretary of this Association by registered mail to the Executive Vice President of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals and shall become effective upon acceptance by the Board of Trustees. Upon acceptance of the Resolution of Resignation by the Board of Trustees, Active Members of this Association shall become Active Members of the existing local association nearest them in their state, or its members-at-large if no other association exists within their state.
Section 2. This Association, by taking the action to resign, shall surrender all rights to use the name, emblem, insignia, plate, sign, label or phrase indicative of membership in this Association.
Section 3. This Association shall use funds only to accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in these bylaws and no part of said funds shall inure to be distributed to its members in the event this Association is dissolved or its charter revoked for cause in violation of the bylaws of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals. Immediately upon dissolution or revocation of its charter, this Association's Board of Directors shall return all remaining Association funds to the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals for placement in escrow. Funds placed in escrow will be distributed in accordance with the procedures outlined in the bylaws of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals
ARTICLE XVI - PREVIOUS BYLAW SUPERCEDED
Section 1. These Bylaws, as revised, supersede all provisions of any previous bylaws of this Association.
ARTICLE XVII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Section 1. The current edition of “The Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure” (Sturgis) governs this Association in all parliamentary situations that are not provided for in the law or in its charter, bylaws or adopted rules.
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