The Application Process Who We Are...
The Boston Estate Planning Council is a multi-disciplinary association organized to provide educational programs and networking opportunities for estate planning professionals. The Council is comprised of nearly 700 members who meet to get to know and respect each other through an increased awareness and understanding of the views, concerns and valuable interaction of their overlapping specialties.
Our History...
The Council, the first in the United States, was established as the “Boston Life Insurance and Trust Council” in 1930. In 1960 the name was changed to the “Boston Estate and Business Planning Council”, and the membership base was widened to admit, along with insurance and trust representatives, attorneys-at-law and certified public accountants who were practicing in the estate and business planning field. The Boston Estate Planning Council took historical steps in May of 2008 and embraced clearly defined criteria to attract new members, retain our current members and give this highly sophisticated estate planning professional organization a platform to move into the 21st Century. The BEPC has expanded the membership criteria to reflect the practice dynamics of today’s estate planning environment. We have increased the number of degrees and/or credentials that will allow professionals, directly involved in estate planning, FULL membership in The Council.
Membership Categories:
Full Member
Upon application and acceptance, any Officer of a Trust Company, Attorney, CPA, CLU, CFP®, ChFC, PFS, AEP, CFA, CAP, CTFA, or the holder of a Masters Degree in Business, Finance, Tax, or Accounting who is directly involved in estate planning may become a Full Member of the Council, subject to the recommendation of the Membership Committee and vote of the Board of Directors. The application for membership must bear the recommendation of two Full Members, one from the practice area of the applicant and one from a different practice area as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. Only one recommendation in support of membership may be from a Member with the same employer as that of the applicant. A FULL Member shall have the privilege to vote, sponsor new members, and hold office.
Associate Member
Applicants whose occupation is directly involved in estate planning but do not have the required degrees and/or credentials shall be eligible for Associate Membership in the Council upon terms and conditions as set forth by the Board of Directors. The application for membership must bear the recommendation of two Full Members, one from the practice area of the applicant and one from a different practice area as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. Only one recommendation in support of membership may be from a Member with the same employer as that of the applicant. Associate members cannot vote, sponsor new members or hold office. Associate Members, upon five (5) active years of membership in the Council, shall be eligible for Full Membership upon application, recommendation of the Membership Committee, and a two-third (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors.
Emeritus Member
The Boston Estate Planning Council offers Emeritus Membership status to FULL members of the Boston Estate Planning Council in good standing who have reached their twenty (20) year membership anniversary and age seventy. Individuals may request Emeritus Membership Status by a written letter to the Board of Directors; recommendation by the Membership Committee and election to membership by the Board of Directors at any quarterly Board meeting. Emeritus members cannot vote, sponsor new members or hold office. Emeritus Members may attend all Brown Bags Seminars, Roundtable Breakfasts & Networking Events at no charge and do not pay annual dues. BEPC Emeritus Members may attend the educational events and the Annual Estate Planner of the Year Dinner at the member price per event and registration is required.
Student Member
The Boston Estate Planning Council offers Student Membership to full time students. Student Members are eligible for a 50% membership fee reduction for a maximum of 2 years. At the end of year two, Student Members will be required to reapply as Full or Associate Members under those defined guidelines. Individuals may become a Student Member of the Council upon completed application to include a copy or verification of University/College enrollment; payment of dues and; recommendation by the Membership Committee and election to membership by the Board of Directors at any quarterly board meeting. Student members DO NOT require letters of recommendation. Student members cannot vote, sponsor new members or hold office. Click HERE for a PDF Copy of the Student Membership Flyer
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