News

Pooling Community Resources (Feb. 25, 2021)

The resources below were featured in the Feb. 25, 2021, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. COVID-19 Vermont’s newly extended  workers’ compensation presumption  for front-line workers, now lasting until the 30th day following the eventual termination of the COVID-related state of emergency Highlights from a  recent pool-facilitated discussion on COVID-19’s impact on liability  (WCRP) Overview of  COVID-19 liability waivers  shared by SDRMA with member public entities RISK MANAGEMENT FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES Tips to  prevent pipes from freezing  (LARM) Best practices for  snow emergencies ...
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Methods to Improve Your Meetings (February 22, 2021 Pooling Perspective)

By Ann Gergen, Executive Director Late last year, we brought together pool leaders for Executive Think Tank, an event in which participants used collaborative conversation methods to discuss important pooling issues in 2021 and beyond. After the event, we were surprised by how frequently participants inquired about how we developed the conversation methodologies. Executives told us the conversation prompts, supportive technology and facilitation methods were instrumental in producing useful outcomes they could bring back to their pools. Because of this feedback, our Executive Think Tank Report presents not just the insights that came ...
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Pooling Community Resources (Feb. 4, 2021)

The resources below were featured in the Feb. 4, 2021, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. PRESUMPTIONS New   PTSD presumption in Ohio   for first responders with a corresponding special compensation fund administered by the state   RISK MANAGEMENT Encouragement to   embrace winter walks for better health   (MIIA) Warning signs and removal tips for   excessive snow loads on roofs   (TOIRMA) Winter risk checklist for equipment and drivers   (TOIRMA) Recommended safety practices for   confined spaces where there may be dangerous gas   (LARM)   MEMBER-ORIENTED COMMUNICATIONS AND SERVICES ...
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Read Newly Released Executive Think Tank Report

The full report from AGRiP’s Executive Think Tank is now available online. In this collaborative event held last December, pool executives explored timely industry issues through a series of facilitated discussion sessions. Topics included (1) the future of pandemics, (2) changes to pool culture, (3) emerging leadership competencies, (4) accelerating digital transformation, (5) new pool operating models, (6) building a resilient pool and (7) member engagement. Download this easily navigable post-event report to: Read overall takeaways relating to pool business risks, member engagement, and leadership and culture Learn what pool executives ...
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SDIS and Frank Stratton Win Awards for Excellence

Special Districts Insurance Services (SDIS) has developed an innovative employee assistance program (EAP) for emergency responders, earning the pool an Award for Excellence in Performance from the Association of Governmental Risk Pools (AGRiP).  Since Jan. 2019, Public Safety EAP has provided confidential counseling, a wellness resource center, professional and personal coaching services, and other benefits to firefighters and EMS workers free of charge. The program has directly reduced health and other risks for Oregon’s public safety responders, who often work in challenging situations with physical and emotional demands.  Notably, ...
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Prepare Now for Hybrid Meetings (January 27, 2021 Pooling Perspective)

By Ann Gergen, Executive Director Pools and their members have spent the last year conducting most, if not all, of their operations virtually. As we look ahead, I imagine every pool is looking forward to the return of in-person interaction.  However, as much as we might wish otherwise, our pre-pandemic professional world is never completely coming back. Pools and public entities will be living with the effects of the COVID-accelerated virtual revolution from here on out. With that in mind, I’ve been reading a lot lately about hybrid meetings: meetings that blend in-person and virtual participation in a way that creates comparable experiences ...
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Pooling Community Resources (Jan. 14, 2021)

The resources below were featured in the Jan. 14, 2021, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. COVID-19 FAQs about   COVID-19 and workers’ compensation   (MCIT) Access more COVID-19 pooling resources   via our website .   RISK MANAGEMENT Poster with tips for   addressing snowplow driver fatigue   (CIRSA) Safe work practices for   avoiding slips and falls on snow and ice   (KLCIS) Warning signs of impending workplace violence   and   tips for keeping workers safe   (OMAG) Tips for   reducing dangerous inflow and infiltration in municipal wastewater systems   (OMAG)   MEMBER ...
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The (Pool) Business Case for Automation (December 16, 2020 Pooling Perspective)

By Ann Gergen, Executive Director With almost all pools having experienced some form of operational disruption this year, pool leaders are looking ahead to what their business processes might look like in 2021 and beyond. For many pools, this will involve using technology to automate functions historically performed by hand. In fact, as part of a poll conducted during one of the conference sessions at Pooling Today, three-quarters of pool respondents said 40 percent or more of their pool’s business processes could be automated.  With this in mind, a group of pool executives participating in our Executive Think Tank recently identified ...
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Pooling Community Resources (Dec. 10, 2020)

The resources below were featured in the Nov. 11, 2020, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. COVID-19 Pool communication to member entities on   core coverage changes resulting from the pandemic   (MCIT) Explanation of   updated employee hazard regulations in California   (GSRMA)   Access more COVID-19 pooling resources   via our website . RISK MANAGEMENT Procedures for   avoiding workplace fires   (OMAG) Precautions for   keeping firefighters safe from chemical exposure   (OMAG) Article on the   importance of safety at roadside worksites   (CSD Pool) Best practice recommendations ...
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Pooling Community Resources (Nov. 12, 2020)

The resources below were featured in the Nov. 12, 2020, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. RISK MANAGEMENT Strategies for   easing the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder among employees   (MIIA) Advice on   general winter weather property preparedness   and   preventing roof collapses due to snow   (County Mutual newsletter) Tips to   avoid electronic funds transfer fraud attacks   (ASCIP)   LIABILITY Advice to school districts about   assessing and setting liability limits   (CSD Pool)   WORKERS’ COMPENSATION Article on   uncertainty surrounding cancer, COVID-19, PTSD and ...
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How To Use Pooling Today Content Like a Learning Organization (November 10, 2020 Pooling Perspective)

By Ann Gergen, Executive Director In his 1990 book The Fifth Discipline , systems scientist Peter Senge defined a “learning organization” as one with the following characteristics: (a) systems thinking, (b) personal mastery, (c) mental models, (d) shared vision and (e) team learning. For a more condensed look at Senge’s concept, I recommend this 1993 Harvard Business Review article that simplifies the definition and focuses on key activities a learning organization engages in: (1) systematic problem-solving, (2) experimentation, (3) learning from past experience, (4) learning from others and (5) transferring knowledge. As ...
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Pooling Community Resources (Oct. 22, 2020)

The resources below were featured in the Oct. 22, 2020, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. COVID-19 U.S. district court   refuses to dismiss a pandemic-related business interruption case against an insurer   ( Business Insurance ) Pool communication to members on   virtual annual membership meeting   (LARM) Access more COVID-19 pooling resources   via our website .   RISK MANAGEMENT Precautions for   keeping buildings safe during wildfires   (AMERIND) Tips for   dealing with politics in the workplace   without triggering employment discrimination claims or encountering other legal issues ...
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How Public Entity Pools Are Beginning to Address Health Inequities (October 9, 2020 Pooling Perspective)

By Ann Gergen, Executive Director Given the future-minded nature of public entity pooling and heightened awareness surrounding social and economic inequalities, it’s no surprise some health pools are taking up the issue of health equity for public employee subscribers. In conversations I’ve had over the past two months, I’ve heard of member health pools seeking to address health outcome disparities by: Asking whether pool wellness incentives are respectful of income differences between the highest- and lowest-paid public employee subscribers in their membership Revising pool wellness programs to recognize fundamental health needs ...
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Pooling Community Resources (Oct. 1, 2020)

The resources below were featured in the Oct. 1, 2020, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. COVID-19 Newly enacted  law in California  codifying a COVID-19 workers’ compensation presumption for: Essential workers (including firefighters and law enforcement) Any employee at a workplace with more than five workers where there is an outbreak over a 14-day period New  COVID-19 presumption in New Jersey  for essential workers, including police, firefighters and emergency reponders New  COVID-related liability protections in Ohio  (including for schools) Safety culture case study  from a Virginia local ...
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Pooling Community Resources (Sept. 10, 2020)

The resources below were featured in the Sept. 10, 2020, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. COVID-19 New COVID-related liability protections in  Georgia  (see Chap. 16),  Mississippi  (see Sec. 2 and 3),  Nevada  (see Sec. 29) and  Tennessee Hand sanitizer storage safety recommendations  (NIRMA) School sanitization measures  shared by a Virginia public school district (VRSA) Face mask hygiene tips  (OMAG) Recommendation to  check HVAC systems to reduce coronavirus spread in schools  (KASB) RISK MANAGEMENT Webinar recording on  managing transparency-related risks  such as cyberattacks ...
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Remember to Celebrate Successes During Trying Times (Sept. 8, 2020 Pooling Perspective)

By Ann Gergen, Executive Director Since March, AGRiP has been highly cognizant of the way we communicate with members, including what information and news we share and how we share it. In consideration of the many competing priorities pools are dealing with, we’ve kept our member outreach simple and direct, filtering away what’s nonessential so as to streamline our communications. I know many pools are doing much of the same thing for their member entities. As we minimize distractions, it’s easy to gloss over successes or “feel-good” news because it might seem less important than the crisis du jour (of which there are plenty). Almost half ...
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Pooling Community Resources (August 20, 2020)

The resources below were featured in the August 20, 2020, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. COVID-19 White paper examining  communicable disease exclusions in the property-casualty insurance market  (Dr. Robert Hartwig and APCIA) Recommendations to mitigate risk from  private business operations (e.g., dining, retail sales) taking place in public spaces during the pandemic  (CJPIA) Preliminary injunction that had  mandated stringent COVID-19 safety measures at a California jail  lifted by the U.S. Supreme Court (Council of State Governments) RISK MANAGEMENT Tips on  preparing roads for safe school ...
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Consider Your Pool’s Role in Influencing Member Entity Outcomes (Aug. 12, 2020 Pooling Perspective)

By Ann Gergen, Executive Director Perhaps today more than ever, local public officials find themselves dealing with seemingly no-win, “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” decisions: Should we reopen schools? Should masks be mandated? Should we restructure the funding and mission of our policing agency? To manage for these and other issues, local public entities regularly weigh the benefits of their actions (or inaction) against community norms, perspectives and acceptance of change.  A similar evaluation about taking action exists for pools with regard to how and whether a pool should influence decisions made by its public entity members. ...
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Pooling Community Resources (July 30, 2020)

The resources below were featured in the July 30, 2020, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. COVID-19 Updated AGRiP memorandum analyzing COVID-19 developments at the federal and provincial levels in Canada that may affect reciprocals Connecticut’s new COVID-19 workers’ compensation presumption covering essential workers Checklist for returning to the workplace amid the pandemic (AMERIND) Strategies to manage staff well-being and human resources risks during reopening (MIIA) Telecommuting benefits, drawbacks and tips (CSD Pool) Guidance on new COVID-19 workplace regulations in Virginia ...
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Pooling Community Resources (July 9, 2020)

The resources below were featured in the July 9, 2020, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. COVID-19 Updated AGRiP memorandum analyzing COVID-19 developments at the federal and provincial levels in Canada that may affect reciprocals Analysis of recent legislative and IRS rule modifications to employee benefit plan coverage and administration (ASCIP) Webinar on reopening parks and recreation programs and facilities (CIRMA) Recommendations for reopening parks and recreation facilities (Kentucky Recreation and Parks Society via KLC) Recommendation that members hold important ...
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