Another year draws to a close, but the pandemic continues. We celebrate advancements in the fight against COVID but wonder how long restrictions will limit our ability to meet in-person. We miss seeing everyone.
Virtual meetings offer a quick way to bring people together but sometimes miss vital connections that are best made in person. Despite the informative educational sessions, our annual conference is our signature event because of the opportunities to network and make connections. We feel so strongly about bringing our CIS family together that we are rescheduling the in-person conference to August 2022. Rest assured, important rate information and time-sensitive updates will be presented on-schedule, virtually, in February.
COVID has changed our perspective, and many changes are for the better. In this winter edition, learn more about how CIS is reducing its footprint. An effective remote workforce has taught us that CIS’ two office buildings are no longer needed. In fact, a consolidated office not only brings staff together but also increases our efficiency.
Also in this edition, you will catch up with last year’s Shark Tank winner, hear how CIS can protect your construction projects, and meet the newest member of our property/liability claims team. This winter report is a quick read which ends with a handy reference page with links to all CIS communications published since my last report.
Happy holidays,
Crater Lake located in south-central Oregon.
Every year, we look forward to connecting with our members, agents, and business partners in person at our signature event. Unfortunately, the pandemic has continued to drag on and impact our plans. After extensive deliberation and careful consideration, we have decided to hold a consolidated version of our annual conference Feb. 23 and 24 that will be entirely virtual. We will present not-to-exceed rates and other time-sensitive updates during our abbreviated virtual event this February.
This was a difficult decision to make. Although there have been improvements in the COVID-19 pandemic, there is still a great deal of uncertainty, and we anticipate that we will continue to remain under restrictive safety measures through February. The health and safety of our attendees, speakers, and staff is our highest concern. We have rescheduled our in-person event to Aug. 24 – 26, 2022 and will be held at the Salem Convention Center. Virtual attendance options will also be available.
As always, we wish everyone continued health and safety and hope to see you at our informative and interactive conferences next year.
Over the past two years, CIS has become a mostly remote workforce due to the pandemic. In response, the CIS Board of Trustees made the strategic decision to sell our Salem and Tigard offices and consolidate into one location in Wilsonville. Combining offices will provide the opportunity to bring staff together, increasing our efficiency, while also reducing the expense of maintaining and equipping two buildings.
The first step will be to move to a temporary office in Wilsonville in early 2022. This location will provide the opportunity for staff to transition to hybrid work arrangements while we solidify plans for the permanent home office.
The CIS Board has also directed staff to secure a more permanent home office in Wilsonville. Preliminary plans call for a collaboration center that includes offices, work areas and meeting space for staff as well as a training center for members and agents.
Stay tuned for more information in future member updates.
Mailing Addresses Change
So, where do you mail things to CIS? That is a question with two answers!
For general mail — whether letter or package — use the mailing address below. We will continue to use this address even after the leased office opens.
CIS 15875 Boones Ferry Rd #1469 | Lake Oswego, OR 97035
However, if you need to send checks payable to CIS, those mailings should be sent to our lockbox at:
CIS PO Box 6836 | Portland, OR 97228
If you have questions about CIS’ strategic consolidation, please contact Patrick Priest at ppriest@cisoregon.org.
Recently, Corvallis Public Works Director Adam Steele updated us via Zoom about winning Shark Tank. The CIS competition helped fund back up cameras for the City’s heavy equipment. Runner-up winners were Madras ($2,500) and Yachats ($2,500). All three had winning risk-management ideas to minimize claims. They submitted their risk management ideas identifying:
We will seek more submissions for next year’s competition. Stay tuned for details on when and how to submit your projects. The projects are reviewed and evaluated by CIS’ sharks in advance of the conference. The three finalists will present their project during the Shark-Tank session at the 2022 CIS Annual Conference, Aug. 24-26. Finalists will have 2-3 minutes to pitch their project, emphasizing how the idea will reduce claims for the CIS pool.
It’s not too early to contact CIS’ sharks, which are your risk management consultants, if you have any questions on how to take advantage of this great funding opportunity.
The sharks will pick the finalists, but the audience will judge your project on efficacy, transferability, innovation, and creativity. The grand prize is $5,000. First runner up $2,500, and the second runner up $1,000. If you’re not selected to present, you still win by receiving one free conference registration per entity to the 2022 CIS Annual Conference.
Ross Davies started his new position in August and has already made an impact. He supervises CIS’ Claims Consultants and handles a caseload of heavy exposure/litigated claims. When our previous Property/Liability Claims Supervisor, Gail Fischer, was promoted, her first job was to hire her replacement.
Well, she chose wisely!
Ross has strong claims experience at Farmers Insurance. In 1991, he landed a liability claims handling position. Since then, his career has spanned 30 years — all in claims — and 11 years as a supervisor. Prior to CIS, he handled heavy exposure/litigated claims in Southern California as a Special General Claims Adjuster.
Now that Ross is at CIS, he works to provide excellent support to his team, while he continually improves our Property/Liability claims programs. He’s fully committed himself to becoming more knowledgeable in public-entity claims, statutes and case law.
He’s also come to appreciate the welcoming culture that CIS has towards members as well as fellow coworkers.
“CIS employees have a family-like relationship with members and each other,” said Ross. “I’m enjoying my new position. And I’m looking forward to meeting members in person once the pandemic is finally behind us.”
During Oregon’s last legislative session, lawmakers funded building and water infrastructure projects with the help of Oregon’s $2.6 billion share of COVID-19 stimulus dollars. Of particular interest is $275 million to help fund 48 drinking water and wastewater projects — and $150 million for wildfire response.
With so many cities and counties preparing for construction projects, it’s a good time to remind leaders about insuring buildings during construction or repair. CIS Builders’ Risk Endorsement is designed to cover the property loss exposures related to construction.
These projects often involve unique risks not usually contemplated by standard property coverage forms. Given these unique issues, the typical contract between an owner and a contractor will require that one of the parties secure Builders’ Risk coverage. CIS’ coverage can insure the CIS member, contractor, and subcontractors. It also covers the building or structure being constructed, plus fixtures, materials, supplies, machinery, and equipment to be integrated into the completed structure. Building projects over $25 million (or $5 million for frame construction) need reinsurance approval, while smaller projects (under $1 million) are covered under the CIS Property Coverage Agreement.
Coverage for projects under $1 million does not include extra coverage provided by the Builders’ Risk Endorsement. Currently, CIS has a minimum of $5,000 deductible that applies to the Builders’ Risk coverage. The deductible is higher for larger projects, or if the member carries a higher property coverage deductible.
To learn more about CIS’ Builders’ Risk coverage, contact Tena Purdy at tpurdy@cisoregon.org.
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Tax Forms & Reporting
Enhanced Trauma Benefit; Life Insurance Exclusions; and Flu Shot & COVID Vaccine Clinics
Webinar Announcement: The Science of COVID-19 Variants and Vaccines
Safety Shorts: Safety is everyone’s responsibility, own your share!
December Featured Learning
November Featured Learning
CIS P/C Trust Advisory Committee Web Meeting
October Featured Learning
Real-Time Risk: How HB 3115 Impacts Oregon Cities and Counties
Real-Time Risk: October is Cybersecurity Month; American Rescue Plan Act...
Agent Exclusive: Homeless Coverage
September Featured Learning
Real-Time Risk: Oregon OSHA Emergency Temporary Rule, Wildfire Smoke Policy
