This October the NC League of Municipalities debuted its first Trust Matters Conference. The gathering was hosted at the Sheraton Hotel in Research Triangle Park. Participants from around the state traveled to attend in person where our Risk Management Services team presented a variety of important topics for cities and towns.
Opening the conference, NCLM Director of Business Services, Lisa Kinsey, detailed the history and management of the three insurance pools offered by the League:
- Property and Liability
- Workers’ Compensation
- Health Benefits Trust
Following this information, a lively panel discussion covered some common best practices in risk management.
One particular topic covered in this session is how to successfully and safely conduct special events in cities and towns. The panelists emphasized the importance of implementing special event policies, task forces, following correct permitting processes, and post-event review procedures.
Panelists Amy Whisnant and Matt Reid, NCLM Risk Control Consultants, Ryan Ezzell, Director of Underwriting, and Kinsey answered specific questions from attendees.
Scottie Harris, Fire Chief in the Town of Weaverville, took home some advice for the town’s upcoming holiday parades.
“We looked at how we can revamp some safety procedures and still give the community a somewhat traditional holiday parade,” Harris said. He mentioned that the panel “gave an opportunity for feedback and asking questions… we were able to network and get good ideas to move forward.”
The conference also featured presentations from NCLM Human Resources Consultant Lou Bunch, Fire Services Risk Management Consultant TJ DeLuca, Risk Control Consultant Darius Chisholm, and Public Safety Risk Management Consultant, Joseph Graziano. Each consultant covered their area of expertise, ranging from OSHA inspection preparation to best employment practices.
Tracy Stubblefield, Assistant Finance Director of the Town of Clayton, was satisfied with her experience attending the Trust Matters Conference.
“The conference was very beneficial to me. It provided a deep dive into several areas of oversight, specifically best practices for special events, avoiding uninsured losses, tips for handling claims, and liability concerns,” Stubblefield said.
Many attendees work one-on-one with our Risk Management Services team. The League is always looking at ways to foster and maintain beneficial relationships with municipal employees. The goal of organizing events such as the Trust Matters Conference is to inform members of all the available resources the League provides and how to utilize them.
Harris feels like the League is a “resource that is truly on your side.” He is one of the members who can rely on League staff to answer any question, no matter how big or small.
The League hopes to see the Trust Matters Conference expand and grow into a one-stop-shop for all the relevant information that cities and towns are seeking for their own risk management needs.
