Recently VRSA Public Safety Specialist Gary Dillon visited the Beaverdam Volunteer Fire Company in Hanover County, meeting with Battalion Chief Chris Hubbard to discuss new sensors the company was able to purchase with the assistance of VRSA Risk Management Grant …
Read More › “VRSA Risk Management Grants and the Hanover County Fire-EMS Department”
By Dr. Robin Stacia, President/Principal Consultant, Sage Consulting Network, Inc. It is hard to avoid the constant messages in most every area of our lives about the importance of diversity and inclusion. Likewise, many of VRSA’s communities are becoming more …
Read More › “Diversity and Inclusion: A Leadership Imperative”
Virginia local governments should be prepared to publicly address their flood control efforts to property owners, the media, developers or those interested in climate change resiliency and/or economic disparity. More information can be found here.
By Peter Stephenson, AICP, ICMA-CM (Ret.), VRSA Local Government Specialist Upon reflection, the potential for loss of revenues from vacant big box stores and uncaptured funds from short term rentals that I wrote about two years ago in my article …
Read More › “Are your revenues at risk? A pandemic perspective”
By Marcus Hensel, VRSA Deputy Director What’s more interesting than just hearing about the Florida water system hack? Understanding the minimal level of effort needed to gain entry. In early February, two days prior to the Super Bowl, a water …
Read More › “Florida water system hack serves as cyber security wake up call”
Let’s start with a look at the ADA and its requirements from employers. Personnel records relating to disability must be kept confidential, with a few exceptions. The confidentiality requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) apply to all disability-related …
With the OSHA reporting log deadline passed, VRSA is pleased to share that 102 members utilized the OSHA tracking application this reporting period. The application was launched last July to simplify the process of tracking OSHA incidents as a value-added benefit. Members …
Read More › “More than 100 members utilize VRSA OSHA reporting log”
How are we doing? Understanding how your entity is performing compared to other entities is key to improving performance. Since 2018, the Virginia Risk Sharing Association’s (VRSA) website has featured four member peer analysis dashboards. These dashboards allow members to …
Read More › “Updated peer benchmarking tool available on the VRSA website”
According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, 42 percent of global employees experienced a decline in mental health in 2020. Only 38 percent of employees say that their employer takes proactive steps to create a healthy workplace culture. …
Read More › “VRSA roundtables discuss mental health in the workplace”
Effective May 1, the Virginia minimum wage will increase to $9.50. SB 7 increases the minimum wage from its current federally mandated level of: $7.25 per hour to $9.50 per hour effective May 1, 2021; to $11.00 per hour effective …
Read More › “Minimum wage increases to $9.50 effective May 1”
While we are moving toward in-person meetings, the 2021 VRSA Annual Meeting will be held virtually on Friday, May 7. At its February 19 meeting, the VRSA Members’ Supervisory Board adopted two changes to the bylaws to facilitate a virtual …
Read More › “VRSA bylaws amended to facilitate virtual/hybrid meetings and elections”
This summer, the VRSA Online University will transition from using FirstNet Learning as the provider to using LEARN. LEARN provides a cloud-based employee training solution with a library of more than 200 courses, as well as the ability to create …
Read More › “VRSA Online University transitions from FirstNet to LEARN”
When VRSA Member Services Account Executive Nora Pierre visited the Town of McKenney in 2019, she quickly noticed the handicap accessible ramp going into the business office had deteriorated and posed safety issues. Pierre recommended they apply for a VRSA …
Read More › “Town of McKenney utilizes VRSA Risk Management Grant Funds”
Each quarter, the Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) publishes the Gold Star List. The list recognizes members that have had workers’ compensation claims during the previous quarter and reported them within three days of injury. Late reporting is a major …
As the human resources manager for King William County, Nita McInteer says that “everyday is different” in her position. While working staff from across a variety of county departments, McInteer reaches out to VRSA’s Director of Human Resources Tina Stevens …
Ashley Rogers joined the Town of Smithfield four years ago as their director of human resources. Working for a small town, Rogers has utilized many of the consulting services VRSA has to offer, including those of VRSA Director of Human …
Christopher Himes, Assistant to City Manager at the City of Manassas Park, began his career with the city in June of 2019. He previously worked in private industry and as a naval officer and aviator in the United States Navy. …
Read More › “City of Manassas Park utilizes VRSA grant funds for continuing education”
Like many local governments, The Town of Herndon – up until December of 2019 – utilized staff from various positions throughout their organization to tag-team the duties associated with risk management. In Herndon, finance managed property loss, human resources managed …
Read More › ““People are my purpose.” – Meet Roxann Fox Simkins, Herndon Risk Manager”
Nationally nearly 80,000 cars ran school bus stop arms each day, according to a study conducted by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services. Not only is this illegal, but it can also lead to serious injury …
Read More › “Chesapeake Public Schools implements program to reduce stop arm violations”
Local political subdivision leaders make decisions every day that impact their diverse communities, yet often these decisions are being made by leadership bodies that have not focused on cognitive diversity, and who do not reflect the diversity of their citizens. …
It is estimated that one in four girls and one in six boys experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. “Child abusers tend to gravitate toward places that provide easy access to children, so schools are often their preferred …
In accordance with the Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) bylaws, we are notifying the membership of the annual election for the Members’ Supervisory Board to be held at the VRSA Annual Meeting on May 7, 2021, and soliciting nominations for …
Many bills introduced that could impact the risk management landscape Uncertainty equals risk, and VRSA members are facing considerable uncertainty in the current legislative session. Risk can be positive or negative depending how the legislation impacts your organizational goals and …
By Tina Stevens, VRSA Director of Human Resources I began my career in the early 1980’s at a life insurance company where there was a very strict dress code. All the men wore suits or sports coats AND ties. If …
Last year the Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) partnered with member Prince William County Schools (self-insured for workers’ compensation) to share in the cost of hiring defense counsel to file an amicus brief with the Virginia Supreme Court. Ralph Whitt, …
Read More › “VRSA partners with members to file amicus brief with Virginia Supreme Court”
Save up to 93% on training costs and travel time for your staff through the VRSA Online University today over traditional instructor-led courses.