The name of this organization shall be the Federal Workers’ Compensation Society, herein referred to

as FWCS.

The Federal Workers’ Compensation Society has been established to provide individuals and organizations

working in or interested in the Federal Workers’ Compensation Program with an organization that

will have the following objectives:

1. To collect and disseminate information and ideas affecting the Federal Workers’

Compensation Program and its participants, including the conduct of research and

the review of best practices and other information that would be helpful to the improvement

of the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Program.

2. To develop, organize, offer, and present program courses, seminars, workshops,

and conferences to organizations and individuals interested in the program.

3. To cooperate with and support the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation

Programs on matters affecting the policies, operations, improvement,

research, and communication of the Federal program.

4. To develop and advocate informative and constructive recommendations and suggestions

for program policy and operational improvements and legislative changes

to the FECA bill, as appropriate.

5. To communicate regularly with its members through various media, including newsletters,

bulletins technical publications, e-mail, websites, and other methods that

are deemed appropriate to the type of information that needs to be shared with its

members.

6. To promote the creation and maintenance of a cadre of professional and support

staff in all agencies who are responsible for the operation of the Federal Workers’

Compensation Program and who are properly trained and supported by their

agencies in the conduct of their responsibilities so that they possess the skills and

knowledge that is required of those performing duties under the program.

7. To encourage, promote, and support the provision of timely, fair, equitable, and

knowledgeable advice and support to agencies, managers, supervisors, employees,

claimants, and care providers by the Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’

Compensation Programs.

8. To encourage Federal Agencies and individuals who are working in the field to

uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.

Section 1: The membership shall consist of individuals whose interests are consistent with the objectives

of the Federal Workers’ Compensation Society and who meet the requirements for membership

as provided by this article.

(a) PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS. Professional membership shall be open to all program managers,

health care professionals, legal professionals, and others (example: contractors) required to work for

or with an employer within the scope of the Federal Workers’ Compensation Program. Professional

members shall pay dues and are entitled to vote and hold office in the Society.

(b) GENERAL MEMBERS. General membership shall be open to persons who do not meet the qualifications

of the other categories of membership, but who are engaged or interested in the area of

federal workers’ compensation. General Members shall pay dues at a lower rate than Professional

Members, are entitled to vote but may not hold office.

(c) SPECIAL RECOGNITION MEMBERS. Special recognition members shall be approved by a twothirds

(2/3) vote of the Board of Directors at any duly constituted meeting, provided at least a majority

of the then entire number of voting Directors vote in the affirmative. Special Recognition Members of

the Society are individuals who are deemed to be outstanding in the field of federal workers’ compensation.

Special Recognition Members shall be entitled to all privileges of membership including the

right to vote and hold office in the Society. There shall be no annual dues applicable to this category

of membership.

Section 2. Approval of Membership. Application for membership shall be made in writing (printed or

electronic) on a form provided by the Society. The President or his/her designate shall resolve any

questions as to membership eligibility or membership status, taking into consideration any recommendations

from the Membership Standards Committee.

Section 3. Membership Dues. The amount and effective date of dues for Society members shall be

determined annually by the Board. Upon due consideration for the long-term budgetary impact such

programs may have and after a majority vote of the then entire number of voting Directors, the President

may also establish discounted or special dues structures as deemed necessary.

Section 4. Membership Voting Status. A member with voting privileges shall be entitled to vote as a

member in good standing provided that the member’s dues have been paid.

Section 5. Membership Discipline.

Any member may be disciplined in accordance with procedures to be determined by the FWCS Board

and according to the Society Constitution and Bylaws.

SECTION 6. Membership Dues

Membership dues and due dates shall be determined following the adoption of this Constitution and

agreement by the general membership.

Professional $125 yes yes

General $75 yes no

Special Recognition none yes yes

SECTION 7.

The FWCS supports the principles of equality, equal opportunity, and equal treatment under the law.

The FWCS opposes discrimination in any form. This organization is open to all persons, regardless of

race, creed, color, national origin, or any other arbitrary method of classification. This organization will

abide by all governmental regulations relating to equal opportunity and nondiscriminatory practices.

SECTION 1.

The affairs of the FWCS shall be managed by the Board of Directors, hereinafter designated as the

Board, under such rules as the Board may determine and subject to the specific conditions of this

Constitution and Bylaws.

SECTION 2.

The Board shall consist of the President, President Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, and Immediate Past

President. They shall be elected by the membership of the FWCS as specified in the Bylaws.

SECTION 3.

The officers of the Board shall serve terms in office as defined in the Bylaws.

SECTION 4.

It shall be the duty of the Board to work with the FWCS Secretariat to plan and make arrangements

for the annual meeting, or other meetings of the FWCS, if any.

SECTION 1.

The President shall have general supervision of the FWCS affairs. The President shall preside at the

FWCS business meeting and at meeting of the Board. The President with the assistance of other

members of the Board shall represent the FWCS with other interested persons and organizations.

SECTION 2.

The President Elect shall assist the President and shall assume the duties of the President when the

President is unable to perform these duties. The President Elect shall succeed to the position of the

President upon the completion of the President’s term of office, or if the President resigns or is unable to

perform the duties of the President.

SECTION 3.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial affairs of the FWCS. The Treasurer shall receive all

funds paid to the FWCS and shall approve payment of bills incurred by the FWCS as approved by

the Board. The Treasurer shall prepare an annual report on the financial affairs of the FWCS. The

Treasurer with the consent of the Board of Directors may delegate these responsibilities to the

Secretariat of the FWCS.

SECTION 4.

The Secretariat shall prepare minutes of all meetings of the FWCS and Board of Directors and maintain

all permanent records.

Officers and Directors shall be elected as specified in the Bylaws.

The Board shall appoint a Finance Committee whose role will be to develop, approve, and establish a

process for the development of a financial plan and budget for the Society and a process for the periodic

review of the financial condition of the Society. These processes will be developed and described in a

By-Law Article that will be revised and amended by the Board as appropriate to meet the changing

needs of the Society.

SECTION 1.

The fiscal year of the FWCS shall be from 1 January to 31 December, inclusive.

SECTION 1.

The Board shall not make Bylaws in conflict with the FWCS Constitution. This Article VIII of the Constitution

may not be changed.

SECTION 2.

The Bylaws may be amended by the Board in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

SECTION 1.

Amendments to this Constitution will be proposed to the Board of Directors by a majority of the Board, or

by written petition of at least 15 percent of the members of the FWCS.

SECTION 2.

Proposed amendments shall be considered by the Board of Directors which shall report and make

recommendations to the membership at-large. Proposed amendments shall be submitted to the entire

membership at least thirty (30) days before the meeting of the FWCS at which the vote for approval/

disapproval will be conducted.

SECTION 3.

Approval of Amendments requires a simple majority vote of the membership voting.

SECTION 1.

The FWCS shall only use its funds to accomplish the objectives and purposes specified in this Constitution

and Bylaws and no part of its funds shall inure to or be distributed to the members, officers, or directors

of the FWCS. On dissolution, the net assets remaining after payment of all debts shall within ninety days

of dissolution be used for charitable and educational purposes under Section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S.

Internal Revenue Code as it now exists or as may be amended.

SECTION I.

The FWCS is not organized for pecuniary profit, nor shall it have any power to issue certificates of

stock or pay dividends, inure, upon dissolution or otherwise, to the private benefit of any member.

The Board of Directors may, establish standing committees that will carry out the work of the Society.

In addition, from time to time, the Board may establish temporary or ad hoc committees to handle

specific tasks or program responsibilities. The following standing committees are established initially

with the chartering of the new Society: