News

Join the AGRiP Team to Energize the Power of Pooling

AGRiP has an exciting job opportunity for someone looking to support and advance the pooling industry. You can help envision and maintain programs tailored to the public entity pooling community by joining AGRiP as its Programs Director . In this fully remote role, you’ll be responsible for growth and management of existing and new member programs that are heavily valued and used within the public entity pooling community. This includes working on our annual residency — a unique opportunity to do in-depth, focused work on a timely topic with one resident and AGRiP members for a full year. You’ll also manage existing programs like AGRiP Recognition, ...
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Cyber Coverage and Risk Management (May 19, 2022)

In May 2022, AGRiP member pools met virtually for roundtable discussions about cyber coverage and risk management strategies. In the first meeting, participants shared how their pools address cyber coverage terms, deductibles, sublimits and more. No two pools approach cyber coverage in the same way — in fact, the only thing pools have in common is that they’re all facing the same struggles. In the second meeting, participants shared what they’re doing to mitigate cyber risk for their members. Frequently discussed ideas included: Conducting cybersecurity assessments Requiring multi-factor authentication Providing phishing education ...
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Pooling Community Resources (April 28, 2022)

The resources below were featured in the April 28, 2022, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES Best practices for managing cybersecurity and cyberattacks (MIIA) Blog post about Distracted Driving Awareness Month with links to additional resources (KLC) News roundup covering a state court ruling on qualified immunity, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on malicious prosecution, and a recent trend of public libraries hiring social workers (MMRMA) Toolkit to address issues of public safety mental health and PTSD (LMCIT) Tips on how to get playgrounds ready for spring (LMCIT) ...
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Academic Research Could Help Us Better Understand Law Enforcement Liability

If you’re exploring how your pool’s claims data can be used to understand law enforcement liability and workers’ compensation, or if you’re working to identify effective ways your pool could help manage law enforcement risks, university researchers doing credible work in these areas may be a helpful resource. Law enforcement liability in the U.S. was the topic of two meetings I recently attended with pools, commercial insurers and brokers, and academics. This subject is a matter of increasing public interest and debate, so it should come as no surprise that there’s interest in broader and deeper research. These conversations were born from questions ...
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The Digital Proficiencies Pools Are Prioritizing

NOTE: If you're using a mobile device, please view this page in landscape mode. Through our Digital Transformation Residency , pools have been assessing their mastery of eight digital proficiencies that are critical for navigating this time of significant change. It’s worth considering which proficiencies people feel are the most important at their pools, how individual perspectives may vary, and what those differences might mean. Understanding these different priorities (and where they come from) can help pool teams communicate more clearly — and improve the effectiveness of all pool digital efforts and operations. To learn more about these proficiencies, ...
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The Importance of Community

The timing of Governance Conference 2022 was perfect for reconnecting the pooling community — COVID-19 infection rates were down and mask restrictions in New Orleans lifted the day before we arrived. After two years without major in-person events, I anticipated strong attendance numbers and the hallways to be filled with conversations. I was prepared for attendees to be happy to see their colleagues and friends again (other than through Zoom). But I did not expect the overwhelming sense of pure joy. I witnessed it in smiles, laughter and hugs. I felt it, too. Being together last week felt simultaneously familiar and altogether new — like the first time ...
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Pooling Community Resources (February 17, 2022)

The resources below were featured in the February 17, 2022, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES Article on preparing member entity IT systems for quick recovery in the event of a disaster (NDIRF) Bulletin on the danger to pools of third-party cybersecurity vulnerabilities (NJ MEL) Overview of the ADA interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities (APEI) Discussion of the risk of police pursuits and policy considerations (LMCIT) Article on the importance of providing a mentally healthy workplace ...
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The Top Digital Transformation Opportunities for Pools

Digital transformation is changing almost everything about pools and their operating environments. Those pools that successfully embrace digital transformation will be able to operate at peak performance. Pools that don’t will fail to meet members’ expectations. It’s up to pool leaders to manage this transformation, and there are two dangers they should specifically avoid: The first is chasing too many ideas that all look to have value and getting nowhere as a result. The second is focusing on the wrong priorities and later finding that you accomplished your goals but, in the end, did not move your pool forward. To provide clarity on where you might focus ...
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The Top Digital Transformation Risks for Pools

Digital transformation is changing almost everything about pools and their operating environments. Those pools that successfully embrace digital transformation will be able to operate at peak performance. Pools that don’t will fail to meet members’ expectations. It’s up to pool leaders to manage this transformation, and there are two dangers they should specifically avoid: The first is chasing too many ideas that all look to have value and getting nowhere as a result. The second is focusing on the wrong priorities and later finding that you accomplished your goals but, in the end, did not move your pool forward. To provide clarity on where you might focus ...
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The Importance of Digital Decentralization for Pools

Last week, we launched Office Hours, a conversational setting for pools to engage directly with Resident Scott Klososky and each other on topics related to digital transformation. After quickly outlining the eight most important digital proficiencies for pools to master , we opened the floor for input and discussion. Unexpectedly, most of the conversation focused on whether pools should decentralize control over how digital systems are being built and used — i.e., distributing tech responsibility and expertise for business applications across a pool rather than siloing it exclusively with an IT department. This idea was recently covered in ...
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Pooling Community Resources (January 06, 2022)

The resources below were featured in the January 06, 2022, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES Article on the risks of public entities taking private property for a public use (NDIRF) Guidance on proper usage of fire extinguishers (ESD 112 / SWRMIC) MEMBER-ORIENTED COMMUNICATIONS AND SERVICES Newsletter article on claims inflation and its effect on the insurance industry (NYSIR) No-cost virtual healthcare for victims of the recent storms in Kentucky (KLCIS) PRESUMPTIONS AND LEGISLATION New Michigan law extending cancer presumptions ...
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Pooling Community Resources (December 09, 2021)

The resources below were featured in the December 09, 2021, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES Winter activity safety bulletins for municipalities (NJ MEL) Tips for food safety and allergen awareness and avoidance (PRM) Guidance to avoid frozen pipes (ESD 112 / SWRMIC) MEMBER-ORIENTED COMMUNICATIONS AND SERVICES Hazardous recreational activity immunity awareness campaign focused on public entity employees (California JPIA) Messaging to members about steep reinsurance renewal rate increases (MCIT) Grant program to support ...
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Pooling Community Resources (November 18, 2021)

The resources below were featured in the November 18, 2021, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES Flowchart outlining potential responses to a cyber breach (NJ MEL) Guidelines school districts can use to discourage student engagement in risky viral trends on campuses (PRISM) Video with tips for public entities establishing record retention programs (ICAP) Article on the health and other benefits of upgrading HVAC systems (PRISM) Considerations for assessing whether buildings are set up so occupants can evacuate quickly and safely (LARM) ...
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Pooling Community Resources (November 04, 2021)

The resources below were featured in the November 04, 2021, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. COVID-19 Reminder to members to promptly report any COVID-19 incidents rather than “bundling” or holding them (MCIT) Access more COVID-19 pooling resources via our website . RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES Articles on preparing road departments for winter weather and proactively protecting employees from winter hazards (NIRMA) Safety tips to avoid injuries from slips, trips and falls (PRM) Guidance on how to minimize injury by falling “safely” (PRISM) ...
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Embrace the Churn (of Pool Employees)

I’ve been asked one question in every meeting I’ve had with pools of late (I’m not overstating it): “Are other pools struggling as much as we are with hiring?” My answer, without hesitation, is “yes.” The current hiring and employment dynamic isn’t unique to pools, but it is certainly having an impact within our industry. Here are a few observations based on my recent conversations with pools: There seem to be limited candidates for all pool positions. Pools are struggling to find candidates for roles in claims, underwriting, risk management, finance, technology and executive leadership. It’s difficult for pools to find qualified candidates, ...
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Pooling Community Resources (October 14, 2021)

The resources below were featured in the October 14, 2021, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. COVID-19 RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES Article on safety and security in parks and other open public spaces (CSD Pool) Strategies for school security and emergency preparedness (ESD 112 / SWRMIC) Article on newly required training about retaliation against whistleblower peace officers in Colorado (CIRSA) Pool newsletter featuring articles on conducting facility assessments, builders risk coverage, and preventing theft on construction sites (WMMIC) Best practices for public ...
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What Pool Directors Say About Transferring Their Knowledge

Transferring executive knowledge — whether to one likely successor or a management team — is about laying the long-term groundwork for future leaders to take charge. In recent small group conversations with pool executives, we’ve been exploring just what laying that groundwork means. Here are four preliminary best practice ideas about knowledge transfer stemming from these discussions: 1. Give future pool leaders a variety of responsibilities. One pool executive said he’s successful in his position today because he’s played a role in all areas of his pool’s operations over the course of 30 years. He worked in claims, underwriting and risk management ...
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Pooling Community Resources (September 16, 2021)

The resources below were featured in the September 16, 2021, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. COVID-19 COVID-19 isolation/quarantine decision tree (GSRMA) Article on insurance-related consequences of school district public health policies (Education Week) Access more COVID-19 pooling resources via our website RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES Summary of recent Open Records Act case relating to public business being done on private phones (KLC) Pool newsletter with guidance on workplace harassment, crosswalk safety, credit card usage online and firefighter gear ...
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Service Provider Interest May Signal Economic Recovery

AGRiP has for many years offered membership for corporate entities, businesses and sole practitioners supporting public entity pools. Pools recognize the incredible value private organizations bring to the industry, and it’s our goal to have service provider perspectives at the table alongside member pools. In the last few months, we’ve vetted nearly as many inquiries from service providers about membership in AGRiP as in the five or so years prior. Although the corresponding financial commitment is notable for some, service providers are nevertheless eager to join. So what does this level of interest mean? Companies are prepared to invest ...
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Pooling Community Resources (August 26, 2021)

The resources below were featured in the August 26, 2021, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. COVID-19 Refresher on COVID-19 considerations for member entity operations in California (GSRMA) Podcast episode about first responders and COVID-19 vaccines (TMLIRP) Access more COVID-19 pooling resources via our website . RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES Poster with tips on parking lot personal safety (CIRSA) MEMBER-ORIENTED COMMUNICATIONS AND SERVICES Pool data scientist’s award-winning workers’ compensation cost prediction model will inform member dashboard ...
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