Member Asks, "What Is Risk Management?"
It may come as no surprise that the answer to "what is risk management?" depends on who you're talking to. One of the simplest answers comes from Dr. George Head, while others provide more complicated explanations.
The Institute conducted a survey of literature and prepared a short white paper that includes 17 of the best definitions of risk management from respected organizations and individuals, some familiar and several that are very simple and easy to remember.
The following comment from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants is helpful to keep in mind: "Each organization has its own terms for talking about risk. It is important that everyone within the organization share a common risk language since universally accepted definitions of most risk-related terms are still being formulated."
It has also been said that, one of the primary reasons for a vocabulary of school risk management is to improve "risk communication." According to wikipedia, "Problems for risk communicators involve how to reach the intended audience, to make the risk comprehensible and relatable to other risks, how to pay appropriate respect to the audience's values related to the risk, how to predict the audience's response to the communication, etc. A main goal of risk communication is to improve collective and individual decision-making."
Pennsylvania School Boards Insurance Trust 40 Years of Service
The distinction of being the oldest member controlled insurance-related service organization for school districts appears to belong to PSBA Insurance Trust. The Trust was formed in 1971. In addition to celebrating longevity, members of PSBA Insurance Trust can also see an innovative organization that has grown and successfully adapted to their needs for property, liability, workers' compensation, employee benefits, unemployment compensation, GASB 45 actuarial service, student accident and construction risk service. More than 400 of the 603 eligible entities are involved in one or more of the programs offered. The Trust owns and operates School Boards Insurance Company of PA and School Claims Services, Ltd.
Miami-Dade Schools Risk Manager Promotes RIMS Advantage
The President of the Risk & Insurance Management Society, (RIMS), is veteran Miami-Dade Schools risk manager, Scott Clarke. His Welcome Letter for the May 1-5 Annual Conference in Vancouver highlights qualities needed in the current environment: speed, flexibility, flexibility, courage, focus, and mental toughness. The program agenda includes a presentation on "Loss Forecasting 101," featuring Scott Wightman, administrator for the Missouri United School Insurance Council.
New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal Rated "A" for 15th Year
For the 330+ members of NYSIR, hearing that their organization was rated "A" by A.M. Best is nothing new. Still, it's quite an accomplishment to maintain an "A" rating for 15 straight years.
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Spotlight on Featured Contributors
The Institute extends special thanks to everyone who has submitted articles for Risk Central. Here are short bios on four regular contributors.
Bill Clayton is a risk manager for Southern California Schools Risk Management, Joint Powers Authority. His teaching and publishing roles include audiences with the ACSA and CASBO "Chief Business Officials" Academies. Outside of his regular responsibilities, Clayton is also a faculty member for The National Alliance, teaching the Certified School Risk Manager program and is an independent leadership consultant. Dennis Chandler is the director of RTW programs at Company Nurse. He has 25 years of experience in employer disability management and 18 years of experience in the development and implementation of RTW programs. Chandler has successfully implemented more than over 300 employer RTW programs. He authored the PERI study, "The Day of Injury: Controlling the Workers' Compensation Line of Scrimmage," which illustrated nurse injury triaging results. Dr. Karla Rhay is Chief Administrative Officer for Southern California Schools Risk Management JPA, where she oversees two schools insurance joint powers authorities that provide employee benefits, property, liability, construction insurance and workers' compensation coverage to schools in the Southern California area. Rhay has an extensive background in public school issues, is often sought for consultative services and has participated on a variety of panels and workshops. Melanie Lockwood Herman is Executive Director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. A prolific author of a more than a dozen comprehensive (and comprehensible!) guides on various risk management topics, Herman has delivered countless workshops, seminars, and keynote presentations for organizations simply unwilling to leave success to chance. New Featured Contributors, plus Institute Board Members Articles have recently been posted by these new contributors: Robert Heywood, Becky Slaughter and Cindy Wilkerson. Returning contributors include Dr. Herb Appenzeller and Paul Timm. The new "On the Hot Seat" series, that spotlights members of the Institute board of directors, included recent contributions from Jill Eaton and Denise Drill. Special Thanks to Risk Central's Content Master Rich Miron started working with TargetSafety in April 2010. Before joining the PreventionLink Team, Rich worked as a journalist for several publications, including The Camp Pendleton Scout, the North County Times and The Daily Aztec. Rich has a degree in journalism from San Diego State University. The Institute extends sincere thanks to Rich Miron for his excellent work and commitment to Risk Central. We will introduce other Featured Contributors in our next edition. Readers of Risk Central can respond with their comments to the views and ideas expressed by the contributors, and new contributors are welcomed to submit articles or a series of articles. For more information, please contact the Executive Director. |