Our Mission

The mission of the Council: (a) to promote professional standards of excellence and integrity; (b) to offer educational and informational programs to its members; (c) to further the growth and scope of the estate planning activities of its members; (d) to encourage networking opportunities among members that establish and foster professional relationships; and (e) to promote the exchange of ideas and knowledge in the multi-faceted disciplines of its members.

What We Do

We grow as professionals when we come together to learn from each other and from outstanding industry experts. The Berkshire County Estate Planning Council, Inc. (BCEPC) works to provide educational and networking opportunities about the nuances and concepts of estate planning for its members, and for prospective members too.

Our membership includes:

• Certified public accountants and other accounting professionals

• Attorneys and legal professionals

• Trust officers and staff

• Fund-raising executives and staff

• Insurance professionals

• Investment advisors

• Certified financial planners

• Certified fund-raising evecutives

• Accredited business valuation professionals

• Other estate planning professionals

Our seminars, webinars and workshops are varied and geared to meet the interests of all these estate planning professionals. Some workshops offer Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). And we're always looking to expand our membership and encourage estate planning professionals to join us for an event or two before joining.

Our monthly events fall into these categories:

Seminars
We offer several seminars each year on timely topics presented by leaders in estate planning. These events are held at various times and locations to accommodate members and include breakfasts, lunches or dinners (depending on the time of day). Seminars are free to members; non-members can participate for a fee.

Webinars and Teleconferences
We offer National Association Estate Planners and Councils, American Banking Association (ABA) and Cannon webinars and teleconferences several times each year. We gather for lunch (typically bring your own - we supply beverages and snacks) and then learn together. Cannon events include time reserved at the beginning of each call for current legislative changes impacting estate planning professionals and their clients. Speakers vary and provide content about complex financial and legal strategies to help us best serve our high net worth and moderately wealthy clients. These webinars and teleconferences are free to members; non-members can participate for a fee.

Holiday Party
We close our year by kicking back and enjoying the company. This event takes place one evening in early December and is free to members and open to non-members for a fee.

Other Benefits
BCEPC is a member of the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils. Our membership provides benefits to our individual members as well as the council at large. Further details are available on their website. 

Our past Sponsors include Berkshire Bank, Salisbury Bank and Trust Company, Lee Bank, October Mountain Financial Advisors, Adams Community Bank, Smith Watson & Company LLP, Donovan, O’Connor & Dodig LLP.