Committees

The Audit Committee helps safeguard IAMIC’s financial integrity, assets, and fiduciary responsibilities. The committee provides board-level oversight of the association’s financial practices and ensures that appropriate documentation, controls, and review procedures are in place.

The committee is chaired by the association’s Secretary/Treasurer and includes two additional members of the Board of Directors. Because of its oversight role, the Audit Committee is selected in accordance with IAMIC policy.

With assistance from the Executive Director, the Audit Committee:

• Recommends an accounting firm to the Board of Directors for the association’s annual financial preparation.
• Conducts an annual internal review of bills, receipts, and other financial documentation to help ensure expenditures and income are properly supported.
• Reviews reimbursements paid to IAMIC officers and the Executive Director.
• Review expenditures made with the association’s credit card.
• Reports its findings, recommendations, and any resulting changes to the Board of Directors following the audit.

Through this work, the Audit Committee supports sound financial stewardship, accountability, and the responsible protection of IAMIC resources.

The Budget Committee helps guide IAMIC’s financial planning by reviewing and recommending the association’s annual operating budget. The committee works to ensure that available resources are allocated thoughtfully in support of IAMIC’s programs, services, events, and strategic priorities.

The committee is chaired by the Chair-Elect and includes the Secretary/Treasurer and the Second-Year Directors. Any member of the Board of Directors is welcome to attend Budget Committee meetings.

In preparation for the committee’s review, the Executive Director develops a tentative budget. The Budget Committee then evaluates the proposed budget, considers projected income and expenses, and offers recommendations for additions, changes, or deletions. The committee presents its proposed budget to the Board of Directors for review and approval.

Through this process, the Budget Committee supports responsible financial stewardship and helps ensure IAMIC’s resources are aligned with the association’s goals and member needs. We are kicking off a new website, and I am looking for a description for our Education Committee. They will develop topics and find speakers for all IAMIC events, including Claims, Farm Inspections, Underwriting, Directors’ training, and leadership training. Reviewing past events to identify current needs.

Through this process, the Budget Committee supports responsible financial stewardship and helps ensure IAMIC’s resources are aligned with the association’s goals and member needs.

The Convention Committee helps create an engaging, valuable, and memorable IAMIC Annual Convention. Committee members play an important role in planning the overall convention experience—from selecting the timeframe and developing the agenda to recommending activities, entertainment, and special touches that make the event enjoyable for attendees.

The committee meets in person for a face-to-face planning session, usually held in November, with the remainder of its work completed virtually. Members review evaluations and feedback from previous conventions to identify what participants valued most, understand current member interests, and recommend improvements for future events.

Working with IAMIC staff and event partners, the Convention Committee helps develop an agenda that balances meaningful education, networking, business meetings, and fun. Their goal is to create a convention experience that reflects member needs, encourages participation, and drives strong attendance.

Serving on the Convention Committee is a great way to give back to IAMIC and the mutual insurance industry while helping shape one of the association’s most important member events. Please contact Jackie Rakers if you are interested in this committee

The Government Relations Committee helps guide IAMIC’s legislative and regulatory advocacy on issues affecting Illinois mutual insurance companies. Working closely with the Executive Director, IAMIC’s registered lobbyist, and the association’s contractual lobbyist, the committee helps ensure that the mutual insurance industry has a knowledgeable, active, and respected voice in Springfield and beyond. IAMIC advocates directly for the interests of Illinois mutual insurance companies, including matters involving insurance regulation, taxes, and the Farm Mutual Act.

The committee monitors proposed legislation and receives periodic legislative analysis from the Executive Director. Members review issues that may affect IAMIC members and provide input on appropriate association action, legislative priorities, and advocacy strategies. The committee also reviews proposed FMPAC contributions and approves contributions exceeding $5,000 during a fiscal year, consistent with IAMIC policy.

Membership on the Government Relations Committee is appointed in accordance with IAMIC bylaws and includes IAMIC leadership, the Executive Director, and six at-large members serving three-year terms.

Committee participation requires an active commitment to advocacy. Members are expected to participate in IAMIC’s State Legislative Day/Capitol Contacts program and are strongly encouraged to attend NAMIC’s Congressional Contact Program. These opportunities allow members to build relationships with state and federal policymakers, share firsthand perspectives on the challenges facing mutual insurers, and help communicate the importance of a strong mutual insurance industry.

Serving on the Government Relations Committee is a meaningful way to give back to IAMIC and the industry. Members help protect the interests of mutual insurance companies, support sound public policy, and ensure that lawmakers understand the value mutual insurers bring to their policyholders, communities, and the state of Illinois.

The Nominating Committee helps ensure strong, capable leadership for IAMIC by identifying and recommending qualified members to serve as officers and members of the Board of Directors. The committee considers the experience, leadership ability, industry knowledge, and commitment needed to guide the association and represent its membership effectively.

In accordance with the IAMIC bylaws, the committee comprises the four most recent past Chairs who are willing and able to serve, along with the Second-Year Directors. The most recent attending Past Chair serves as Chair of the Nominating Committee.

The committee is responsible for presenting nominations for all officers and directors to be elected by the association at its Annual Meeting. It also recommends qualified candidates to fill Board vacancies as needed.

To support a transparent nomination process, the committee provides a proposed slate of officer and director candidates to the membership at least 60 days before the Annual Meeting. Member companies may submit written nominations to the Executive Director beginning 45 days before the Annual Meeting, and the final slate of candidates is shared with the membership at least 30 days before the meeting.

Through this work, the Nominating Committee helps maintain a thoughtful, fair, and orderly leadership-selection process while supporting the continued strength and future direction of IAMIC.

The Education Committee is responsible for shaping timely, relevant, and valuable learning opportunities for IAMIC members. The committee identifies educational priorities by reviewing feedback and outcomes from past programs, monitoring current industry needs, and recommending topics that will help members strengthen their knowledge and leadership skills.

Working collaboratively with IAMIC staff and event leaders, the committee develops program content and identifies qualified speakers for IAMIC educational events, including:

• Claims education
• Farm inspections
• Underwriting education
• Director training
• Leadership development
• Other member-focused workshops, conferences, and learning programs

Serving on the Education Committee is a meaningful way to give back to IAMIC and the mutual insurance industry. Committee members help share practical expertise, support the professional development of fellow members, and ensure IAMIC’s educational programming remains responsive to the evolving needs of mutual insurance companies and their leaders.

This requires 1 face-to-face meeting (usually in November), and the rest are done virtually. Please contact Jackie Rakers if you are interested in this committee.

The Investment Committee provides Board-level oversight of IAMIC’s investment strategy and helps ensure that association funds are managed responsibly in support of IAMIC’s long-term financial health and member services.