NEAIFI BY LAWS
ARTICLE I
SECTION 1 – NAME
The organization shall be known as:
NEW ENGLAND ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE FRAUD INVESTIGATORS
ARTICLE II
SECTION 1 – MISSION STATEMENT
1. To promote a coordinated effort to combat insurance fraud.
2. To develop and provide greater awareness programs to the insurance industry.
3. To promote high professional standards within the industry and Association.
4. To support proposed and current legislation that deters insurance fraud.
ARTICLE III
SECTION I – GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
The Board of Directors shall have full authority to refuse, revoke or cancel any membership including, but not limited to, the following:
Anyone that does not fit the definition of member as defined by the current
By laws.
Anyone whose duties changes and fall outside the requirements.
Anyone whom the Board of Directors, by majority vote, of all board members present at a regularly scheduled board meeting deems unfit as a member or who fails to carry out or comply with the goals, objectives and mission statement of the association.
Refusal, revocation, and cancellation shall only be determined by majority vote of all board members present at a regularly scheduled board meeting provided that there are no less than five (5) board members present when the vote is taken.
General membership, hereinafter referred to as “Members” or “Membership” shall be
granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors and shall require sponsorship by at least one active member.
Membership shall include individuals employed to investigate or assist in the investigation
of insurance fraud and arson, and shall be limited to the following:
1. Full-time Special Investigations Unit employee.
2. Any employee of the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts and Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers.
3. Any full-time employee of a Federal, State or municipal law enforcement or fire agency.
SECTION II – ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
An Associate Member shall Include:
1. An applicant who does not meet the qualifications of full members.
2. Attorney’s whose practice is to defend insurance companies against or to prosecute insurance fraud.
3. Vendors whose primary business is to assist in the investigation of insurance fraud.
4. Those employed by an insurance company who are involved primarily in or assist with the SIU of said company.
5. Individuals whose primary responsibility is to investigate claims that are associated with insurance fraud.
ARTICLE IV
SECTION I – OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Officer of the Association shall consist of the following:
1. President
2. Vice President
3. Secretary/Treasurer
SECTION II – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board of Directors of the Association shall consist of seven (7) members of the Association and three (3) elected Officers.
SECTION III – TERM OF OFFICE
The term of office for Officers and Directors of the Association shall be one (1) year, but not exceeding two (2) consecutive terms, to be elected from the Association membership. In the absence of new candidates the incumbent may retain their current position beyond two (2) years.
SECTION IV – ELECTIONS
All Officers and Directors of the Association shall be elected at the April Annual Meeting of the Association.
SECTION V – VACANCIES
Any vacancy occurring during the calendar year shall be filled by appointment of the President of the Association for the duration of the unexpired term.
Should a vacancy for the office of the President occur during the calendar year, the Vice President shall assume the duties and responsibilities of that office for the duration of the unexpired term.
ARTICLE V
SECTION I – DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE OFFICERS
1. President: The President shall preside at all meetings and coordinate activities of the Association. He shall appoint all committees as necessary to facilitate the purpose and objectives of the Association. He shall be a member of the Board of Directors. He shall remain a member of the Board of Directors for one (1) year subsequent to the expiration of his term in office.
2. Vice President: The Vice President shall preside in absence of the President. He shall be a member of the Board of Directors.
3. Secretary/Treasurer: The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep all records and minutes of all Association meetings, maintain a roster of current membership, and be responsible for all correspondence of the Association. He shall be sole custodian of all funds of the Association. He shall keep accurate records pertaining to all funds of the Association and shall be authorized to collect and disburse funds at the direction of the Officers and Board of Directors. He shall be a member of the Board of Directors. The Secretary/Treasurer will also be responsible to file a complete and accurate report of the financial status of the association at the Annual Election Meeting.
4 The Secretary/Treasurer shall be compensated annually for the proper discharge of his duties, the amount to be determined annually by the Board of Directors.
SECTION II – DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall have full authority to initiate and transact al business of the Association. The Board of Directors shall determine the time and location of all Association Meetings. The Board of Directors shall direct, control, and supervise all affairs of the Association, and shall have power to authorize any expenditure of the Association not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00).
Any capitol expenditure exceeding five hundred dollars ($500.00) shall be presented to the Association membership for approval.
A simple majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.
ARTICLE VI
SECTION I – MEETINGS
The Association shall hold a minimum of six (6) meetings during the calendar year. The membership shall be notified at least 15 (15) days in advance of said meeting, including the time, place and agenda of said meeting.
The President shall, should the need arise, call a special meeting of the Board of Directors or the Association membership and shall allow ample time for notification as to time, place and purpose of said meeting.
At least fifteen (15) active members of the Associates must be present to constitute a quorum at any general meeting.
SECTION II – VOTING
Only active members of the Association shall vote on any matter before the Association. Proxy votes shall be considered void.
ARTICLE VII
SECTION I – DUES AND FEES
Dues and fees for the Association shall be determined by the Board of Directors prior to the Annual Meeting. Association members shall be notified at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting and shall be required to remit said dues/fees within thirty (30) days.
The Board of Directors shall have the power to authorize additional dues/fees in any calendar year, should the need arise, if approved by the majority vote of the Association membership.
Any member who fails to remit Association dues/fees upon written request of the Secretary/Treasurer within thirty (30) days shall be dropped as an active member from the Association roster. This shall nullify all privileges of the Association.
Any member, who has not renewed their membership, after said notice, shall be considered a guest.
Guests are welcomed to attend an open meeting only. All guests must be sponsored by an active NEAIFI member. Guests will be required to pay a $5.00 fee for each meeting attended. Invited guests should meet a profile consistent with the goals, objectives and mission statement of the Association. For example: employees of insurance companies, law enforcement, fire personnel, defense attorneys, independent vendors or other agencies whose primary function is to investigate or assist in the investigation, prosecution and/or defense of insurance fraud cases.
SECTION II – FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Association shall run from September 1st to August 31st.
SECTION II – GRANTS
The Association shall not accept any grant or financial aid that is not compatible with the purpose, objectives or goals of the Association.
ARTICLE VIII
SECTION I – AMENDMENT TO BY-LAWS
The proposed amendments to the by-laws may only be voted upon at meetings of the Association during the months of March and October. Proposed amendments must be approved by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the membership present, providing three is a minimum attendance of 25 members establishing a quorum; and:
1. The proposed amendment is presented in a form consistent and without conflict with the remainder of the by-laws of the association.
2. The proposed amendment is disseminated to the general membership for review through an association publication at least thirty (30) days prior to the next regular or special meeting of the association.
ARTICLE IX
The Association is to be considered a non-profit organization.
The aforementioned articles were adopted by unanimous vote on April 25, 1986, amended in September 1991 and October 1996 at the annual election meetings as to Article III, Section I – Membership and Article I, Section I - Name Respectively, amended in October 2001 Section III – Term of Office, amended in October 2008 to add Article III, Section II – Associate Member.
The Association became non-profit status on July 19, 1991 with IRS Employer Identification Number 0f 22-3082962.