CIS Unveils 2022 Annual Report

Jun 22, 2023 | AOC Business Partner

Recently, CIS unveiled their digital Annual Report for 2022. For those who may have missed it, here’s a copy.

Brief Orientation Videos Explain CIS Coverages and Services 

CIS strives to make their coverages and services easier to understand. To further this strategic goal, they’ve created six concise orientation videos that explain: Underwriting, Claims, CIS Benefits, Risk Management, and Pre-Loss. They also created a brief overview video titled Stand with Us. To learn more about CIS coverages or services, please take a moment to watch some (or all) of the videos.

Contributed by: Bill LaMarche | CIS Public and Member Relations Manager

*Sponsored content provided by AOC Business Partner.

CIS 2023 Public Safety Conference

Jun 20, 2023 | AOC Business Partner

With each passing year, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has become more prevalent with first responders. Join CIS experts as they address this issue and many other public-safety-related topics during the Annual Public Safety Conference, Aug. 9-11 at Salishan Coastal Lodge (Gleneden Beach). Registration for this event is FREE for those members with CIS general liability coverage.

The three-day conference will highlight many issues, including employment-law trends, trauma training, and social media best practices for command staff and public information officers (PIOS). In addition to the high-quality training, attendees will receive 15 DPPST credits, and valuable networking opportunities with public-safety leaders from across the state.

This event is FREE for our members with our general liability coverage. Travel and overnight expenses are the responsibility of each attendee.

Click here to to learn more about this event.

Contributed by: CIS

*Sponsored content provided by AOC Business Partner.

With Fewer Cyber Claims, CIS Cyber Coverage Rates Remain Stable

Jun 20, 2023 | AOC Business Partner

Last year, the CIS Board approved hiring a Cyber Risk Management Consultant to help Members prevent cyberattacks. So far, the investment is paying off with fewer cyber claims in 2022. This has led to no premium increases for CIS’ first two tiers of coverage and a 5 percent increase for Tier 3.

Members who have cyber coverage through CIS receive free cyber security consulting from CIS’ in-house IT expert.  CIS’ coverage is tailored to counties, and often better than what can be secured from the for-profit insurance market. 

To encourage CIS Members to sign up, CIS has reduced the eligibility requirements from last year so more Members can qualify. When counties have CIS cyber coverage, they receive free dark web monitoring, a cyber risk management expert to assist counties, and much more. CIS cyber coverage is reasonably priced, and unlike the cyber insurance market, CIS contributions are stable because they can self-insure the first $250,000 in limits. 

Here’s what else counties need to know:

Tier 1: $50,000 Limit — No Applications Needed. The CIS Board wants to ensure every Oregon county has a minimum level of cyber coverage. The contribution is very reasonable, and we encourage Members to work with their Agents to place this coverage with CIS.

Tier 2: $250,000 Limit ($200,000 excess of $50,000) — Application Required. To help counties obtain this coverage, CIS has reduced the minimum requirements to:

• Having a cyber security policy
• Strong passwords 
• Offsite backups
• Training employees
• Having CIS Property and Excess Crime coverage (Required)

Tier 3: Up to $1,250,000 Limit (up to $1M excess of $250,000) — Qualifying for Tier 2 can also qualify for Tier 3. Tier 3 is a fully insured program. Keep in mind that this excess coverage program is in addition to the $250,000 limit. 

For additional information contact Greg Hardin at 503-763-3889.

To download and complete an application, visit cisoregon.org/PropertyLiability/Cyber.

Counties can also contact Tena Purdy at tpurdy@cisoregon.org or Karen Masterson at kmasterson@cisoregon.org for more information. 

Contributed by: Bill LaMarche, CIS public and member relations manager

*Sponsored content provided by AOC Business Partner.

June 16 Webinar: Accessing New Historical Federal Funding Opportunities

Jun 1, 2023 | AOC Business Partner

During the 117th Congress, lawmakers passed record investments in infrastructure and climate change reduction. The investments include a significant amount of money available directly from the federal government and through state mechanisms to local government, non-profit, and business entities. Information about accessing these available funds continues to be developed and disseminated.

In coordination with Governor Tina Kotek’s office, key faculty and staff with University of Oregon’s Environment Initiative are helping to raise awareness by coordinating a briefing with the latest information about the recent federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) that provide billions of dollars in incentives, grants, and loans to support new infrastructure investments in the areas of clean energy, sustainable transportation, and other efforts to address climate change. 

Even those who have participated in similar briefings on the same topic are encouraged to attend, as new details continue to be released about the nature of these investments. 

When: Friday, June 16, 9 am – 12:30 pm PST
Information and registration link at: https://environment.uoregon.edu/IRAconvening

The webinar is hosted by representatives from the University of Oregon Environment Initiative, a campus-wide coordinated effort to create an intellectual and active hub focused on higher education’s role and contribution to a just and livable future. The Environment Initiative aims to leverage the intellectual energy and endeavors of faculty, students, and community partners towards societal contribution through transdisciplinary research, teaching, and experiential learning.

Agenda: With facilitation by UO School of Law, Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation and Lundquist College of Business experts, representatives from federal and state agencies along with other experts will serve as panelists to help outline the benefits that this investment can provide to Oregon businesses, government entities, and citizens. 

• UO Environment Introductory Comments –Adell Amos, UO Clayton R. Hess professor of law and executive director, UO Environment Initiative
• Welcome – Governor Tina Kotek
• Overview Presentation – Greg Dotson, UO associate professor of law, Senior Faculty Fellow Environment Initiative
• Panel 1: Federal Implementation – An overview of federal incentives with representatives from US Department of Energy, US Environmental Protection Agency, US Housing and Urban Development, and US Department of Agriculture.

Moderated by Anshuman Razdan, Vice President for Research & Innovation, Professor, Department of Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences

Margaret Hoffman, USDA State Director for Oregon (confirmed)

Kat Compton, US EPA Region 10 (confirmed)

Margaret Salazar, US HUD (confirmed)

US DOE (invited)

• Panel 2: State Implementation – Discuss the status of state efforts with representatives from Oregon Department of Environment Quality, Oregon Department of Energy, and Oregon Department of Transportation.

Moderated by Alai Reyes Santos, Professor of Practice, School of Law, Co-Director, PNW Just Futures Institute

Janine Benner, Oregon Department of Energy (confirmed)

Colin McConnaha, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (confirmed)

Travis Brouwer, Oregon Department of Transportation (confirmed)

• Panel 3: Federal Tax Opportunities – Overview of IRA tax provisions

Moderated by Joshua Skov, Academic Director, Center for Sustainable Business Practices, Lundquist College of Business

Mike Kaercher, Director of the Climate Tax Project, The Tax Law Center at NYU Law (confirmed)

Michael Such, Stoel Rives (confirmed)

Contributed by: The University of Oregon

*Sponsored content provided by AOC Business Partner.

Despite Unexpected Snow, CIS Virtual Conference Goes on As Planned, Proves Popular

May 31, 2023 | AOC Business Partner

The night before CIS’ Virtual Conference in February, the Willamette Valley experienced significant snowfall that prevented some staff from making it to the studio to participate live in the conference. Thankfully, CIS’ conference planner had pre-recorded some of the presentations, which made the annual conference move forward smoothly, despite the snow. More than 400 people attended, and based on the post-conference survey, nearly all appreciated the expert speakers and informative sessions. Each conference session is still available and can be viewed in the CIS Learning Center. 

With the popularity of the virtual conference, it wasn’t surprising that the overall conference was rated 91% Excellent/Good. Many attendees took the time to comment about the conference. 

You guys continually amaze me. While in-person you usually exceed expectations too, your virtual conferences are by FAR the best that I’ve experienced, and this one was no exception. Fast paced and packed with important/relevant/timely info. Can’t thank you enough! 

Very well explained and the presenters were well prepared. 

Glad that it was a virtual event for many reasons: because of the weather conditions, the expense of traveling, time away from the office and limiting group exposure to any type of virus going around. Participants get the information they need for budget purposes sooner.

Given the weather, first of all, everyone must be congratulated for making this go off without a hitch! The technology and the music were just right.

Perfect kind of event to announce rates! Appreciated the bullet point style way of taking about the categories of risk that affect rates. 

Learned about the current pressures on rates and why they are increasing. 

Virtual Conferences are challenging, and the CIS crew did an amazing job (as usual)! 

I thought it was great and informative and everyone did great, considering the snow/changes in venue due to the weather. 

Looking Back at 21 years of CIS Conferences

After the many complimentary comments received about CIS’ February virtual conference, they reflected on how this signature event has changed over time. CIS launched their first Annual Conference back in 2002. It began as the “Annual Meeting and CIS Risk Management Conference.” The purpose was to increase member involvement in CIS activities. It also served — and continues to serve — as the annual membership meeting as required by CIS’ governance policy. 

Today, the conference highlights the coverages and plans available to members, provides updates on changes that affect our communities, and educates attendees about ways to avoid claims and control losses. Because risk management and pre-loss are core functions of our operations, they’re featured prominently. It’s about fostering good risk management practices that lead to reduced claims so CIS can keep rates stable. It’s important to help counties protect their financial health, so the CIS conference packs the most risk management education into a single event.

The event represents CIS’ mission, vision, and values in a single event.

MISSION: CIS provides property, casualty, and employee benefit solutions tailored to the needs of Oregon’s cities and counties.

VISION: Together, CIS helps Oregon’s cities and counties to be safer, stronger, and healthier.

VALUES: Financial strength, innovation, expertise, adaptability, collaboration, integrity, and diversity and inclusion.

CIS sat down with their Communications, Events, and Projects Manager Julie LaMarche, to learn more about how the conference has evolved since 2001. Besides managing and producing the conference, LaMarche manages CIS’ communications efforts, including reviewing, editing, and designing publications, announcements, and presentation materials. 

Q: When did you become involved in the planning for the CIS Annual Conference?

A: When I started at CIS in 2005, the conference was coordinated by CIS’ Executive Assistant, who led an internal conference committee. Later in 2007, it was taken over by two CIS staff. When they left CIS — two months before our 2009 conference — I was asked to step in. I’ve organized the conference ever since. 

Q: How has the conference evolved over time? 

A: When I started 17 years ago, the conference was held at the Embassy Suites near Washington Square in Tigard. Similar to today, it was held in February, and we offered one complimentary registration and covered one-night hotel stay for every member. 

The 1st Annual Meeting and CIS Risk Management Conference was held in 2002 at the Ramada Inn & Suites near the Portland Airport. Prior to 2002, the conference was like a road show. It was similar to our Fall Supervisor Training series, where our presenters traveled around the state and held sessions regionally. 

In 2007, we introduced electronic survey evaluations. In 2010, we went green by discontinuing handing out large binders for each attendee, and instead provided them with electronic copies of the presentation materials. 

In 2011, we celebrated our 30th Anniversary and 10th Annual Conference by introducing longevity awards of 20, 25, and 30-years for those Members who had continuous coverage with the CIS Property/Casualty Trust. Later in 2016, 35-year awards were created, and 40-year awards were added in 2021.

In 2012, we introduced a conference mobile app, and started recording select sessions so members and agents could watch sessions they missed. We also introduced a 4th track for law enforcement/public safety.

In 2016 we began live-streaming select sessions so members and agents could still receive pertinent information from the convenience of their desk. 

In 2017 the law enforcement track split off and we created a new conference for public safety. 

In 2020 we introduced the Shark-Tank session, awarding grants of $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000 for innovative safety-related programs. 

In 2021, due to the pandemic, we held a three-day all virtual conference. 

By 2022, we transitioned to a fully hybrid conference where members and agents had the flexibility of attending in person, virtually, or a combination of the two.

Q: How do you see our conference evolving after the pandemic?

A: I think there will be more demand for all events — conferences, trainings, workshops, meetings — to be hybrid. 

I know people have missed meeting with each other in person because they appreciate the higher level of engagement. It’s been difficult to achieve when meeting virtually. Members have told us that they enjoy attending sessions, sharing meals, networking, and interacting with CIS employees. 

Other Members have told us that they truly appreciate the flexibility of being virtual — while some of our smaller-county members have said they like signing in remotely because they don’t have the budget to travel, or they don’t have anyone to cover for them while they’re out of the office. 

The pandemic has shown that we can offer both options. 

Q: Where do you see our conference 5 to 10 years from now?

A: We’ll continue to seek member input and innovate. Just like in the past, we will find ways to improve the conference. One thing that I’m confident about is that we will give people the option to attend in-person or online. It’s really about how we can best serve our Members and Agents.

Q: What do you enjoy most about the conference?

A: It’s all about making the conference valuable, educational, and enjoyable for members, our partners, and agents. What I enjoy most is striving to make it better than the year before. I also really enjoy working with each CIS employee, as they are key in making the event successful. I know that attendees really enjoy interacting with them. Those personal connections make our conference almost like a family reunion.

Contributed by: Bill LaMarche | CIS Public and Member Relations Manager

*Sponsored content provided by AOC Business Partner.