WIBA Issues
March 2012 WIBA Issues
February 2012 WIBA Issues
January 2012 WIBA Issues
December 2011 WIBA Issues
November 2011 WIBA Issues
Benefits of Membership

Benefits at a glance...

Political Advocacy – Our goal is to protect your best interests. As a WIBA/KIBC member, you will have a voice in our political advocacy process. By way of member polling, a registered lobbyist and volunteer committees, WIBA/KIBC has become a recognized resource, taking a proactive stand on city, county, state, and federal legislation that impacts the operation and profitability of independent businesses. If you would like to get involved contact our Governmental Affairs Committee. This committee monitors issues, legislation, regulations and ordinances on the federal, state and local levels that have an impact on independent businesses. They recommend positions or actions they feel WIBA/ KIBC should take, or not take, as an organization or alert members so that they can contact their representative, senator, or local official. Any recommended action needs executive committee approval to be presented to the WIBA/KIBC Board of Directors.
Networking Opportunities – The most dynamic group of business people in our region are available for networking at events throughout the year – providing you with potential new business opportunities. Our monthly luncheon offers you the opportunity to network with other members and to stay informed on local, state and national issues. Our luncheon is held the second Tuesday of each month at the Wichita Area Association of Realtors® (WAAR) conference center at 170 W. Dewey St.  Membership luncheon.jpg
Jane Erskin-Cathy Stenz.jpg The WIBA Women’s Leadership Alliance (WWLA) luncheon is held the first Tuesday of each month (also at WAAR). This luncheon gives independent business women – both WIBA members and non-members – an opportunity to come together to discuss timely business topics, seek solutions to problems, bounce ideas around the table and share their experiences of being a business leader – and female.   
WIBA Connectiors Club – Only the first person who asks to join from each WIBA business classification is accepted into this group, but there are still spots available for some classifications. Give us a call, and we can check on getting you in. This group meets at the WIBA corporate offices, 200 E. 1st St., Ste. 101, Wichita,over the lunch hour on the third Thursday of each month.
The last, but certainly not the least, addition to the networking opportunities provided by WIBA/KIBC are the “Business Your Way” mixers. There is no fee to attend this event, and it is also open to non-members. WIBA members in attendance are given the opportunity to give a brief “advertisement” about their business. This is an ideal environment for making business connections and an excellent way for potential members to get a good look at us.
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Member Support – Join other members who share your concerns regarding independent business. WIBA/s have a wealth of information and resources, all of which they are willing to share with you.

Online Resources – By logging on to WIBA/KIBC’s comprehensive Web site, www.wiba.org, you gain access to the latest WIBA/KIBC information, as well as access to Web sites of WIBA/KIBC companies. We can also be found on Facebook and Twitter!
 Google Seminar Continuing Education – Throughout the year, we keep you informed and educated by offering monthly seminars and workshops as well as the speakers at our monthly luncheons.

Active Committees – Our association is governed by the members. Our committee structure allows you to participate in decisions that impact WIBA/KIBC and therefore – independent business overall.
Complimentary Monthly Newsletter – Each month, you will receive a copy of the WIBA Issues, which will alert you to the next month’s luncheon speaker, legislative issues, business management information and other upcoming WIBA/KIBC activities.

Membership Directory – This complete membership resource guide provides quick access to a multitude of companies in Wichita and throughout the state.
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Annual Meeting - This is another opportunity for WIBA/s to network and enjoy special entertainment. The Annual Meeting Committee plans, organizes and carries out the organization’s premier event with the assistance of the WIBA staff.

Insurance programs
Group Health Insurance - Six group healthcare plans for WIBA/KIBC businesses are provided through Preferred Health Systems, Inc. The healthcare plans are available to WIBA/KIBC businesses with two to 50 employees, including  home-based businesses. WIBA/KIBC does require 75% of the eligible employees to enroll. Eligible employees, which include working owners, are any employees working 30 hours or more per week who are not covered by their spouse’s employer’s group insurance program. Preferred Health Systems offers its Preferred Plus of Kansas HMOs through one of the largest provider networks in South Central Kansas. By selecting your physician from the large list of Primary Care Physicians, you select between a $20 or $30 co-payment per visit to your physician. With the Preferred Health Systems Insurance Company PPOs, you are not limited to a specific physician within the system, however, your savings will be greater if you stay within their network. In network coverage, you can select either a plan with a $1,000/$2,000 individual/family deductible, or there is a plan with a $2,500/$5,000 individual/family deductible. Both plans offer a $25 office visit co-payment. The HMO and PPO programs include prescription drug coverage. Generic drugs cost only $3 while covered name brand drugs are paid at 50% with a maximum of $100 per prescription. There are also two high-deductible health plans based on the PPO designs. These plans include the Health Savings Account feature. In network coverage, you can select between a premium plan with a $2,500/$5,000 individual/family deductible, or the base plan with a $4,000/$8,000 individual/family deductible. Prescriptions are covered under the high-deductible health plans after the deductible has been met. We also work with United Healthcare and other carriers on a direct basis to provide insurance coverage to meet your spedific group's situation.
Individual Health Insurance – For healthy employers or employees who may be seeking individual coverage, WIBA/KIBC can provide that as well. We can obtain a quote from a number of other insurance carriers (including United and Coventry just to name two) to help you tailor your coverage if one of our group plans doesn’t fit.
Limited Benefit Plans – American Sterling Insurance Services will administer the limited medical indemnity benefit plan, which will utilize the ProviDRs Care Network. This network is the only physician owned and managed PPO
in the state - working in partnership with insurance agents, brokers, carriers, employers and other providers and facilities to deliver cost  effective health services. As an indemnity plan, it does not reimburse for services rendered; it pays a set amount for specific services. The plans are designed to be very affordable. Plan benefits are first-dollar indemnity benefits. The plan does not include co-pays or deductibles except for the prescription drug benefit, which is for generic only. Eligible employees must work a minimum of 15 hours per week and there must be at least five enrolled for the program to be offered to your group.
Supplemental Insurance Plans – We have arranged through a member agent to provide AFLAC cancer indemnity insurance, hospital protection, personal disability income protection and a personal accident indemnity plans to WIBA members. These policies pay cash benefits directly to the subscriber, regardless of any other insurance you may have.
Dental - Group dental insurance is provided through Delta Dental Plan of Kansas, Inc. for businesses of two to nine employees. Dental insurance is Delta Dental’s only business. When you choose them, you become aligned with the nation’s largest dental insurance specialist and network of dentists. Delta Dental contracts with its participating dentists to assure you and your employees will be charged the dentist’s lowest fees. On your part, as an employer, there is virtually no paperwork except paying the premium and submitting your employees’ eligibility. Other plan designs are also available for WIBA/ businesses with 10 or more employees.
Long-Term Care - The greatest threat to the financial security of middle income Americans is the cost of long-term medical care. Through WIBA/KIBC, you can apply for affordable long-term care benefits. Plans are available for non-smoker preferred, lowest possible rates, as well as plans for those with chronic health problems such as diabetes, asthma, etc.
Vision Care –Surency Life and Health, and EyeMed Vision Care have aligned to provide WIBA members with the best vision product possible, offering access and the choice of providers that today’s consumers demand. Features of your plan include:
• Comprehensive Eye Exam
• Overall material savings of up to 40% off
• Choice of any product eyewear – Members will not need to choose frames from “towers” or “boxes”
• Convenient access to vision care needs 7 days a week
• Savings on eyecare and eyewear all year long

Business Insurance – WIBA/KIBC offers nine lines of property and casualty insurance to its members, including workers compensation. This benefit was added because of continued requests from member surveys for this type of business coverage. The lines are: Property (building, business personal property); Inland Marine (mobile equipment coverage, Bailee coverage, installation coverage, sign coverage); Surety (bid and performance bonds, fiduciary bonds, license and permit bonds);  Workers compensation (employee medical); Specialty (directors and officers,  malpractice); Liability (commercial general liability, employee benefits liability, employee practices liability); Crime (employee theft, money and securities); Automobile (commercial liability, comprehensive/collision, garage keepers, uninsured/underinsured motorists); and, Umbrella (excess liability).

Military Discount WIBA Military Discount Program As a special thank you to military personnel, WIBA and the chambers of commerce for Andover,  Derby, and Wichita offer a special discount program. Members of these organizations may participate in the Air Capital Military Medallion program by providing at least a 10 percent discount on 80 percent of total sales/services to active duty military, guard, and reserve members of the armed forces, their families and military retirees. McConnell Air force Base will list all participating businesses on the McConnell site.
Calendar
WIBA Educational Seminar
Location:
WIBA Board Room, 200 E. First St., Ste. 101
2/22/2012 11:30 AM
WIBA Connectors
Location:
WIBA Board Room, 200 E. First St., Ste. 101
2/23/2012 11:30 AM
Center For Entrepreneurship-Take Control of Your Business Online
Location:
WSU Devlin Hall
2/24/2012 12:30 PM
FFF Luncheon
Location:
Corporate Caterers
2/29/2012 11:45 AM
WIBA Membership Committee
3/2/2012 10:00 AM
Last Refreshed
 
WIBA Event Videos
January 2012 Monthly Luncheon
January 2012 Business Your Way Mixer
January 2012 WWLA Luncheon
Last Refreshed