How to Apply for New Membership Information Page

New Membership Application Information

The purpose of this Council is to study and discuss topics germane to the field of estate planning.  Related aspects of  estate planning should be considered systematically in a technical and  professional  manner.  There  are  many  incentives to becoming a member including continuing education credits, educational information, networking, and many more.

Memberships are not transferable.  They are issued upon an individual basis, so attendance will be by individual  members only.  Applicants must be sponsored by two members in good standing.  All prospective members must be in good standing with their regulatory and/or professional association.

Each member is expected to attend every meeting, or RSVP 48 hours in advance of the meeting if unable to attend.  Failure  to  attend  three  (3)  consecutive  meetings  in  a  fiscal  year,  without  reasonable  excuse  communicated  to   the Council’s Administrative Assistant at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting, may cause a forfeiture  of  membership. In such case, no refund will be made on any paid membership fee (see page two of application regarding membership dues).

All prospective members must be in good standing with their regulator and/or professional association and  be actively engaged in estate planning and must qualify and apply under one classification of membership:

  • “Accounting” - Must hold a Certified Public Accountant license issued by the Washington or Idaho State Board of Accountancy.

  • “Financial Planning” – Must hold one of the following designations: CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), Certified Public Accountant/Personal Financial Specialist (CPA/PFS), or Chartered Financial Consultant®    (ChFC®),   Charted   Financial   Analyst   (CFA)   and   be   registered   with   Washington or   Idaho   as   an   investment   advisor representative.

  • “Insurance” – Must hold a Washington or Idaho life insurance license and the Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) designation.

  • “Law” – Must hold a Juris Doctor (JD) or equal degree and belong to the Washington or Idaho State  Bar Association.

  • “Trust & Planned Giving” – Membership in this classification is limited to trust officers or other individuals working significantly in a fiduciary capacity as well as individuals who, on a full-time basis, are actively engaged with respect to charitable and planned giving matters. Although members are not required to hold any professional designation, the Certified Trust & Financial Advisor (CTFA) and/or Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG) are desirable.

  • “Allied Professions” – Must be either an academician or a service specialist whose expertise is directly relevant to estate planning. The Membership Committee reviews all applications for membership in this classification on a case-by-case basis and eligibility for this classification is construed narrowly.

  • “Emeritus” – After ten years or more of active membership and the attainment of age 62, a member who has retired (is no longer engaged in the conduct of business or a profession) may apply for this classification.  Membership in this classification is non-voting.

  • “Student/Emerging Professional” – Must be either (1) a currently enrolled student pursuing a degree which would lead towards eligibility in another classification, or (2) an emerging professional, currently employed in the estate planning field, actively working to obtain a professional designation which, if obtained, would qualify for membership in the Council in another membership classification. Membership in this classification is non-voting and is limited to a period of 36 months.

Membership dues are payable September 1st for the fiscal year July 1st through June 30th  and  are  not  pro-rated.  Membership  dues  for  all  classifications  (except  Emeritus  and  those members on a waiting list) are $255.00 per year and are  due  upon  approval  of  membership.  Membership dues incorporate  the  cost  of  the  four  dinner  meetings  (including  the  meals)  and  the  full-day  seminar  in  May  (including lunch).  The social hour before each evening meeting is a non-hosted cash bar. 

Meetings are held five (5) times each year, typically on the second Tuesday of each meeting month, except when requirements of venue or speakers make a change necessary.  Dinner meetings are held in the months of September, November, January and March.  A full-day seminar is held in May.  Meeting information can be found on our website www.spokaneepc.org/council/about.

New applicants in the "Law" classification are likely to be on a waiting list. The bylaws provide that in such circumstances, those individuals may fully participate in all of the activities of the organization, except that they shall not have voting rights.  Annual membership dues for those on the waiting list are $170.00 per year.

Please Click Here for Membership Application http://www.spokaneepc.org/members/application 

Before your Application for New Membership can be processed by the Membership Committee the following must occur:

  1. Application signed and dated by prospective new member

  2. Sponsor signatures required by TWO Current SEPC Members

  3. Email completed Application and any attachments to admin@spokaneepc.org

  4. Mail completed Application and any attachments to:​ SEPC, P.O. Box 1656, Spokane, WA 99210-1656​

What to expect after your membership application has been approved:

1. You will receive a Welcome email from the Membership Committee Chairperson once your membership application has been reviewed by the Membership Committee, you are vetted, and a Committee Vote on your Membership Application has been approved.

2.  The Administrator will receive your approval and the following process will occur:

  • Set up of your SEPC website Online Profile will be created, you will be emailed you Username and Password.

  • Please log into to http://www.spokaneepc.org/members to view your profile

  • Please verify your information is correct and upload your profile picture

  • Click on http://www.spokaneepc.org/members/renewal  Select A. General Members to complete the online membership payment for the current program year.  Once your Membership Dues have been paid and processed. Your name and sponsors will be announced to the SEPC Membership body through the next meeting announcement.  When you are announced during the meeting by an SEPC Officer, should there be no opposing member you will be considered an Active SEPC Member.  Please review Bylaws for further information on your membership. 

  • Review Member Benefits http://www.spokaneepc.org/members/benefits

  • Review Program Schedule http://www.spokaneepc.org/events                                            

​Revised January 9, 2018                                                                                                                                                                                             The Spokane Estate Planning Council is a Honored to have been Awarded the Council of Excellence Award for 2017 and 2018