1. The name of the organization shall be the Oklahoma Self-Insurers Association.

2. The organization may, at its pleasure by a vote of the membership body, change its name.

3. The purposes of the Oklahoma Self-Insurers Association are to be carried out so that the organization is exempt from income taxation pursuant to Section 501 C (6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or a corresponding Section of any future United States Internal Revenue Law.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be:

1. To further and protect the interests of self-insurers in the State of Oklahoma.

2. To maintain an active interest in the Workers' Compensation Act and its administration.

3. To keep members informed of trends, pending legislation, regulations, and other matters which may affect the operation of a self-insurer.

4. To provide representation on behalf of the members at meetings, hearings, conferences, or other forums that pertain to the operation and administration of self-insured programs, or otherwise affect the law.

5. To cooperate with other organizations which may have similar interests.

6. To do and perform all other acts necessary or incidental to carrying out the functions and purposes above set forth.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERS

There shall be at least three (3) classes of members: Regular, Associate, and Provider.

1. Section 1. Regular members: Any person, firm, corporation, or group self-insurance association authorized by law to act as an own risk carrier, shall be eligible for regular membership with one vote per member.

2. Section 2. Associate Member: Any individuals, businesses, firms, partnerships, or corporations with a deductible insurance program, shall be eligible for an associate membership with one vote.

3. Section 3. Provider-nonvoting: Any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or other organization that renders a service, provides assistance, counsels, or otherwise helps self-insureds shall be eligible for membership.

4. Section 4. The Board of Directors, by a majority vote, shall have the authority to create such other classes of membership as the Board deems appropriate.

5. Section 5. Dues: The annual dues or membership fees and mode of payment shall be determined and established by the Board of Directors.

6. Section 6. Term of Membership: Membership in this organization shall be effective immediately upon the acceptance of the application and the payment of dues and shall continue until the end of that calendar year, the member resigns, or is suspended. The member may be suspended for nonpayment of dues.

7. Section 7. By a 2/3 majority vote of the Board members, the Board may deny membership to any applicant without cause.

ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. Section 1. There shall be a nine (9) member Board of which at least six (6) will be representatives of regular members.

2. Section 2. Duties: It shall be the duty of the members of the Board of Directors to elect the officers of the organization, to approve the compensation of the officers, set the budget of the organization, set the policy for the organization, and generally supervise the overall functioning of the group.

3. Section 3. Directors: The directors shall be elected by the membership. Each director shall serve a term of three (3) years beginning January 1, except that the initial Board shall consist of three (3) members to serve three (3) years, three (3) members to serve two (2) years, and three (3) members to serve one (1) year.

4. Section 4. Qualifications: No person shall stand for election to the Board of Directors except such individual that meets the following qualifications:

   1. a. Be a regular, Associate or Provider member in good standing, including currently paid annual dues.

   2. b. Be nominated by a member in good standing.

5. Section 5. Vacancy: Any vacancy on the Board shall be filled by majority action of the remaining directors. The filled position shall be for only the remainder of the term until the regular election is held. At the regular election the interim individual shall have their name placed as a candidate on the election ballot to be considered by the membership if so desired by that member.

ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES

1. Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers and the executive director.

2. Section 2. The Board shall have the power and authority to create and eliminate committees as it deems proper.

ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS

1. Section 1. Officers: The officers of this organization shall be the President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer. The President of the organization, by virtue of the office, shall be the chairperson of the Board of Directors.

2. Section 2. The President of the Board of Directors shall be the chief elected officer and shall preside at the meeting of the Board of Directors, provide leadership and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Board.

3. Section 3. The Vice President shall in the absence or incapacity of the President act and perform the duties hereinbefore required of the President.

4. Section 4. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep, or cause to be kept, the books and records of the organization, including the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform the duties usually pertaining to the office and shall render an annual accounting for all of the funds of the organization each year.

5. Section 5. Salaries: The Board of Directors shall hire and fix the compensation of any and all employees or contractors to perform the executive operations function that they, in their discretion, may determine to be necessary to conduct the business of the organization.

ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS

1. Section 1. The fiscal year of this organization shall be from January 1 through December 31.

2. Section 2. The annual meeting of the organization shall be held annually as determined by the Board of Directors.

3. Section 3. At the annual or any specially called meeting of the membership, a majority of those in attendance shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VIII

The adoption of these Bylaws shall repeal and eliminate all prior Bylaws.

ARTICLE IX

The Bylaws may be amended by the majority vote of the voting members of the organization present at any meeting, or by 2/3 majority of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee in joint session.

Bylaws amended by a 2/3 majority of the Board of Directors July 22, 2008. A copy of the bylaws with all amendments and deletions will be submitted and held by the Executive Director.

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO OSIA BYLAWS

Amending Article III titled “Members” under authority granted to the Board of Directors by Section 4, Article III of the Bylaws which reads: “The Board of Directors, by a majority vote, shall have the authority to create such other classes of membership as the Board deems appropriate.”

Proposal: The Bylaws are amended by adding a new Section 8, Article III to read as follows:

Article III, Section 8: A special membership category shall consist of all former presidents of the Oklahoma Self Insurers Association. Former OSIA presidents, upon completion of their term of office, shall be designated non-voting lifetime honorary members and shall be entitled to all privileges of regular membership.

OKLAHOMA SELF INSURERS ASSOCIATION
PO Box 14249    |    Oklahoma City, OK  73117
Office: 405-749-2222    |    osia@oklahomaselfinsurers.com