ascip

We tipped our hats to honor our members who, as Fritz Heirich, ASCIP’s CEO pointed out, joined together for insurance – to “create scale, improve quality, and reduce costs.”  The result is rate stability and a strong financial position.  A copy of ASCIP’s current Annual Report was provided showing a Net Position of $194 M.  This means that members are assured increased services, continued stable rates and the security of funds being there when the unfortunate bad thing occurs.  All were inspired to review the Annual Report to learn more about ASCIP in two activities.   The winners were John Ziegenhohn from West Covina USD for “Getting to Know the ASCIP Team” and Anita Robledo from Garvey SD for “Can You Find It?”

2017 was certainly “a year to remember” for bad things happening with record losses nationally – hurricanes, floods, wildfires.  However, John Chino of AJ Gallagher reminded us that the insurance Industry is well funded and disciplined.  Cycles are a normal occurrence.  He shared that the world economy is growing which helps offset rate increases.  John Whalley of Marsh & McLennan provided attendees a glimpse of the healthcare market, stating that with continued rising costs, employers are shifting increases to employees.  He pointed out that the delivery of healthcare is changing with technology and new consumer demands.  Consumers want convenience leading to MinuteClinics, phone call or on-line access to care, and mobile care that will come to the consumer, such as “Heal” which was one of the featured service partners at the event.  With Heal a doctor is requested to come to the requestor’s location using an app.

The emcee for the event, Emil Ahangarzadeh, introduced each of our speakers and took time to introduce Heal, as well as the other service partners.  Each shared a summary of their services and how they assist ASCIP members.  The “Go Members, Go” activity encouraged attendees to meet the service partners during the day.  Glinda Medina from Hawthorne SD was the winner.

Fritz and John Chino both shared that the increased volume and cost of molestation claims is driving liability insurance costs.  Sexual abuse account for less than 5% of claims filed, but are nearly 40% of the payments.   These claims should not be occurring in our schools.  Reducing sexual abuse risks is an organizational priority for ASCIP.  Dr. Glenn Lipson, from Making Right Choices, shared that staff and students with dysfunctional families are more susceptible to cross boundaries or to become victims, which often starts with a gradual “grooming” process of extra attention, small gifts and communications outside the school environment.  School districts need to have strong “boundary setting” policies and increased staff awareness of vulnerabilities.  ASCIP has developed such policies for schools to customize and adopt.

The crescendo for the day included the musical entertainment provided by a very talented group of students from Santa Ana High School known as “Mariachi Los Santos”, followed by “Fun With Fritz and Frances”.  No, not Fritz Heirich!  Frances Dilorinzo, after having a very humorous non- scripted encounter with our ASCIP Board President, Corrine Kelsch, then introduced Fritz Coleman, the weatherman.  Mr. Coleman shared some humorous encounters from his weathercaster days, along with the challenges of aging.

Russ O’Donnell wrapped up the day providing the 2018-19 rates.  With the news earlier in the day about sexual misconduct claims, along with the numerous natural disasters and continued low investments impacting the market, no one was surprised that Property and Liability program is receiving an increase of 4.9%.  However, this is less than market increases and ASCIP’s average rate change over the past eight years has only been 1.4%.  Russ shared good news that ASCIP’s workers’ compensation rates are very stable and are decreasing by 2.4% for next year.  Health Benefits rates are fairly stable as well with a range of 2 to 6 % increases expected for members’ renewals.

We celebrated several winners throughout the day.  Some raffle prize winners with prizes generously donated by our service partners.  We tipped our hats to our ASCIP Superstars, Santa Ana USD and San Francisco CCD who were recognized for Excellence in Risk Management and Loss Control.  These members regularly utilize ASCIP services and are truly making safe campuses a priority.

The grand prize for the day, a gift basket including a Newport Harbor gondola ride, was donated by general counsel.  Marisela Vasquez from Hawthorne SD was the lucky winner.  Member’s favorite costumes were the Mad Hatters at York, the ASCIP Claims team in their Sherlock Holmes gear, and “Hats Off” to DeShanta Garcia from Manhattan Beach USD for her creativity two years in a row!  This year she won with a Hershey’s Kiss atop her crown.

Attendees continue to say this is a valuable worthwhile event which seems to get better each year.  Don’t miss out on next year’s Annual Membership Meeting – March 8, 2019.

You can re-live the fun memories by viewing some of the photos:

• Annual Membership Meeting Slideshow:   View

For the Photo Booth pictures click on the following link:  http://www.photoboothsforparties.com

• Click on “Event Photos” at the top right of the website
• Click on month of our event (March)
• Click on our gallery.  The password is “cityofindustry” (all lower case and no spaces)