With more staff working from home as part of social distancing, online training can allow employers to continue educating staff on risk management best practices and other topics. VRSA has compiled a listing of online learning resources available at no …
Read More › “VRSA Online Learning Resources and Webinar Wednesdays”
By Peter Stephenson, VRSA Local Government Specialist It’s always a good time to talk about ethics. Not simply in March when we really begin to ‘Think Spring.’ This important topic should be evergreen, at the forefront of our decision making …
Local political subdivisions are designed to serve their communities. At times, community members may request to use public property to host events. For events held on premises that are owned and/or operated by local political subdivisions, for example a town …
As part of VRSA’s 40th anniversary, throughout the year various services, resources and coverages will be highlighted through this blog. VRSA Director of Human Resources Services Tina Stevens has been providing human resources consulting to members purchasing public official’s liability …
Read More › “Meet Tina Stevens, VRSA Director of Human Resources Services”
Puxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring for 2020 and if his prediction is correct, more activities will be taking place outside earlier this year. In the 1993 film Groundhog Day, weatherman Phil Conners – sent to cover Punxsutawney Phil’s Groundhog …
Read More › “Getting your risk management program out of a rut”
In 2018, VRSA Senior Safety Consultant Fonda Craig visited with Captain Joey McLaughlin with the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office to see the installation of Hornet electronic deer avoidance systems. The devices were purchased with $3,700 in VRSA Risk Management …
Read More › “New Kent County deer strike prevention pilot – A follow up!”
Localities with 15 or more employees are required by VA Code section § 15.2-1506 to have a grievance procedure for employees that “affords an immediate and fair method for the resolution of disputes which may arise between the public employer …
Uncertainty equals risk, and VRSA members are certainly facing considerable uncertainty in the current legislative session. Risk can be positive or negative depending on how the legislation impacts your organizational goals and objectives. Take some time to consider the following …
Read More › “Many bills introduced that could impact the risk management landscape”
In 2020, the Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) will celebrate 40 years of providing financial stability through risk management for Virginia political subdivisions. What does that mean? 40 years ago, finding coverage for the unique exposures faced by local governmental …
By Peter Stephenson, VRSA Local Government Specialist Last year at the VRSA 2019 Annual Meeting, we took some time to talk about emerging risks for local government and our political subdivision members. These were subsequently identified and categorized here. Unfortunately, …
Read More › “The new decade – Will it be another roaring 20’s?”
VRSA staff have been out and about at various conferences and events throughout the fall and early winter. See where they have been below! Virginia Association of School Superintendents VRSA staff attended the Virginia Association of School Superintendents (VASS) fall …
In today’s digital world, connectivity is productivity – and the internet is a utility much like electricity and water. According to the Federal Communications Commission, 80 percent of Americans without access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet live in rural areas. Access …
Read More › “Broadband and Virginia’s local governments: A liability review”
The Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) has scheduled 12 new webinars on a variety of topics throughout 2020. The webinars are focused in four areas: Critical and Emerging Risks; Assessment and Planning; Communication; and Health. Webinars are free for PRIMA …
The member renewal application will be available on the VRSA Policy Portal in late-January. Members will receive an e-mail when the application is online. If for any reason you do not receive the notification before January 30, please let your …
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 …
VRSA members have been busy training their staff on a variety of risk management issues and exposures. As partners in risk management, VRSA staff have partnered with members to provide much of this training throughout the state as well as …
Read More › “Member Risk Management Spotlight – Winter 2020”
The following courses ranked as the top ten VRSA Online University courses utilized from Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2019: Sexual Harassment Prevention Tailgate Topics – Hang Up and Drive: Cell Phones & Driving Tailgate Topics – Distracted Driving: Drop …
Read More › “Winter 2020: Top ten VRSA Online University courses used!”
The VRSA Online University is offering a new certification track to help you drive safely: Defensive Driving and Avoiding Distractions. You can find and enroll in it by logging into VRSA Online University and selecting the “Defensive Driving” image. If …
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 8, 2020, at The Place at …
2019 Year in Review The most notable change in 2019 was our new name! On July 1, 2019, VML Insurance Programs became the Virginia Risk Sharing Association. The new name better represents the diverse membership of the pool, and clarifies …
Local governments face many of the same loss exposures as their local businesses and citizens. However, while measures that may be available for commercial businesses, organizations and residents include a wide array of risk management techniques, for local governments those …
This month, VRSA Director of Member Services Marcus Hensel celebrates five years with VRSA. In December 2014, Hensel joined VRSA as a senior underwriter from his position with the Virginia Property Insurance Association. Since 2018, Hensel has served as VRSA’s …
Read More › “VRSA Director of Member Services Marcus Hensel celebrates five-years!”
Guest blogger Jerry the Skeleton is in the office today recapping VRSA’s 2019 Halloween costume and pumpkin carving winners. It was a ghoulish good time at the Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA) today, and while there was not a ghost or …
The United States Department of Education, in A Guide to School Vulnerability Assessments, identifies eight categories of hazards and risks that could impact schools. “It’s important to consider all hazards and threats that could affect your school system when conducting …
Read More › “Addressing physical and operational hazards in schools”
In recognition of Safe Schools Week, VRSA Senior Safety Consultant Fonda Craig toured Mountain View Elementary in Prince William County along with Safety Specialist Jim Honeycutt and Brian Antolick to search for hazards that could lead to injuries and common …
Save up to 93% training costs and travel time for your staff through the VRSA Online University today over traditional instructor-led courses.