at P. O. Box 1527, Madison, WI, 53701, telephone number( 608) 833-1936, for resolution by the Society’ s internal review process. The parties will make every attempt to resolve the dispute within forty-five( 45) days of its submission to the Society.( 2) Mediation. If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute through the Society’ s internal appeal process as described in Paragraph( c)( 1), either party may have the matter mediated in accordance with the applicable mediation rules of the American Arbitration Association( or other neutral organization as agreed upon by the parties). The parties will make every effort to conclude mediation within sixty( 60) days from the date the matter is submitted to mediation.( 3) Arbitration. If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute through the Society’ s internal appeals process as described in Paragraph( c)( 1) and through mediation as described in Paragraph( c)( 2), the matter will be resolved by binding arbitration in accordance with the applicable arbitration rules as prescribed by the American Arbitration Association( or the rules of another neutral organization mutually agreed upon) as applicable to the type of matter in dispute. The arbitration shall be administered by a neutral organization agreed upon by the parties. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding, subject only to the right to appeal such decision as provided in the arbitration rules and applicable laws. The member, insured, certificate owner, or beneficiary and their heirs, administrators, successors, guardians, representatives, successors and assigns shall have the right to be represented by legal counsel of his or her choosing at any time at his or her own expense( unless, as provided in Paragraph( f) below, he or she is awarded attorneys fees). If an issue in dispute is subject to law that prohibits parties from agreeing to submit future disputes to binding arbitration, arbitration results shall be nonbinding, unless the parties agree to binding arbitration after the claim or dispute has arisen. The Society will take reasonable measures to assure that the dispute resolution process proceeds promptly.
( d) Costs. The administrative costs of any mediation or arbitration( including fees and expenses of mediators and arbitrators, filing fees, reasonable and necessary court reporting fees) will be paid by the Society. Except as awarded under Paragraph( f) of this Article, each party will bear its own attorneys’ fees, expert fees, and discovery fees.
( e) Joinder of Disputes. The procedures of this Article are designed to afford individual members, benefit certificate owners, beneficiaries, and their heirs, administrators, successors, guardians, representatives, successors, and assigns and the Society a prompt, fair, and efficient means of resolving individual disputes. Accordingly, no dispute may be brought forward in a representative group or on behalf of or against any“ class” of persons, and the disputes of multiple members or benefit certificate owners or beneficiaries( other than immediate family members) may not be joined together for purposes of these procedures without the express written consent of both( i) all members and benefit certificate owners and beneficiaries affected thereby and( ii) the Society. The restriction on joinder of disputes contained in this Paragraph( e) is a condition upon which the agreement to arbitrate contained in Paragraphs( b) and( c) depends. Thus, should a court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction deem the restriction on joinder of disputes contained in this Paragraph( e) unenforceable or otherwise void, there shall be no agreement to arbitrate.
Adopted on November 21, 2025 | Effective on January 1, 2026
( f) Remedies. This paragraph applies to any claim or dispute resolved through binding arbitration as provided in Paragraph( c) above and to any action in a court of law in the event that a court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction deems any party or claim in a dispute not subject to binding arbitration. Except as expressly limited in this paragraph, the parties to a dispute may be awarded any and all damages or other relief allowed for the claim in dispute by applicable federal or state law, including attorneys ' fees and expenses if such attorneys’ fees and expenses are deemed appropriate under applicable law. Exemplary or punitive damages may be awarded for claims arising under applicable federal or state statutes to the extent permitted under the applicable statutes for claims arising under the common law, exemplary or punitive damages may be awarded not to exceed three times the amount of compensatory damages.
( g) Severability. In the event that any court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction deems any portion of this Article to be unenforceable or otherwise void under applicable law, the remaining portions of this Article will remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE XII. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION( a) The Society’ s official publication shall be published at least twice a year. Any notice, report, or statement required by law, including notice of election, may be published in the official publication.( b) If the Society’ s records show that two( 2) or more Benefit Members have the same mailing address, the official publication sent to one such person is deemed to be sent to all such persons at the same address unless a separate copy is requested.( c) All amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws shall be published in the official publication in the publication next following the date of filing such amendments with the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin.( d) An affidavit by the Society’ s Secretary certifying that the official publication was sent in accordance with this Article shall be submitted to the Board at their next meeting after publication of any notice, report, or statement required by law. Said affidavits shall be filed in the records of the Secretary’ s office.
ARTICLE XIII. MEMBER MEETINGS The Society shall conduct member meetings at such times and locations as determined by the Board.
ARTICLE XIV. FISCAL YEAR The Society’ s fiscal year shall begin on the first day of January and end on the 31st day of December.
ARTICLE XV. ANNUAL REPORT An annual report shall be prepared and published in the official publication within six months after the close of each fiscal year.
ARTICLE XVI. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS These Bylaws may be amended in whole or in part by a majority vote of the full Board of Directors. Upon adoption, such changes shall be filed with the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin and the changes shall be published in the Society ' s official publication in the manner prescribed in these Bylaws.
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