By Samuel Allen, F273937
October 2008
The current Risk Management Committee is composed of very experienced people “” four individuals from the insurance field and one from the field of safety. David Bauer, from the Great Lakes Area, was in the insurance business for 39 years. He worked as an agency manager for 27 of those years and also taught insurance programs at a local college. Opal Chandler, from the Southeast Area, was an insurance agent for 29 years, managing her own business. She also served on her local city council, where she helped manage the city’s insurance portfolio, and on the Florida League of Cities, where she helped manage workers’ compensation and fire and casualty insurance. Cheryle Lawrence, from the Northeast Area, was in personal lines insurance in various leadership positions with Liberty Mutual Group for 28 years. Randy Presgraves, from the Eastern Area, spent 30 years with the Travelers Insurance Company in claims management. Upon retirement, he joined Crittenden Adjustment Company, for which he currently does marketing and handles claims. On the other hand, I was involved in many different roles with public safety issues for more years than I can count. I currently serve as chairman of the committee.
With the able assistance of Don Eversmann, FMCA’s executive director, and Lana Makin, FMCA’s director of administrative services, it is the committee’s duty each year to review all of FMCA’s insurance coverage. The renewal of all commercial policies takes place on April 1 of each year. FMCA carries several liability policies that we will review in mid-March. We have liability coverage for all the property that FMCA owns in the way of buildings and personal property, as well as FMCA’s three vehicles. FMCA also carries liability coverage for the international conventions and for all area and chapter rallies. The association has liability coverage for Family Motor Coaching magazine and all other periodicals that are distributed by FMCA, the areas, and the chapters. Directors and officers liability coverage exists for all national, area, and chapter officers. In addition, FMCA has insurance coverage for terrorism and crime, as well as errors and omissions with our mail-forwarding service. Along with the basic policies, the association carries excess umbrella policies in the event that a catastrophic incident takes place. Information on all the coverages is found in the copy of the “Risk Management Guide” that was mailed to each chapter president. At the end of each year, the Risk Management Committee is involved in reviewing the employee insurance programs as well.
Reviewing all of this information involves many hours of work from the committee and draws heavily on their expertise. We are very lucky to have such knowledgeable people on the Risk Management Committee this year.
The task does not stop there. We are also a proactive group. We continually look at ways to reduce FMCA’s risk and, consequently, its cost. For instance, this year, we instituted a program to conduct background checks on all people working with youth at international conventions. Although we never wish to consider the worst in people or events, in today’s society we believe it prudent to assume a more proactive role than a passive one. In addition, when we stroll around a convention site, we are always on the alert for danger signs and work closely with the safety team. Since we have become more proactive, we have reduced the incidence of claims and, consequently, FMCA’s costs.
With Internet technology today, we have become more aware of chat rooms, forums, blogs, etc. that may be created by areas or chapters that don’t necessarily have accurate information. Considering the openness of the Internet and the freedom of editorial content, we would like to establish some guidelines for chapters and areas to use when implementing these various communication forums, with the goal being to keep FMCA risk-free.
To help all of FMCA’s areas and chapters, we also are continually reviewing and updating the “FMCA Risk Management Guide.” This manual guides the national office and each area and/or chapter in its quest for the safest rally possible. This manual is distributed as part of the “Chapter President’s Handbook.” Chapter presidents can download a copy if needed from FMCA.com.
I am proud of the Risk Management Committee and the role it serves.