Re: [AISdiscuss] Re: AIS Finances

["Deatons" <deatons@earthlink.net>]

When I approached my club regarding the insurance problem, I was given an
immediate donation to AIS (which was later doubled).  This donation was less
than half of what we as a club would need to carry our own policy.  Region
15 also voted and donated $1000 to AIS to offset insurance costs, but there
are a few clubs in our region that would fold if forced to carry their own
policy.  If we want to increase membership, I feel AIS needs to carry the
policy.  If I was not covered by the policy, I also would resign my
positions nationally, regionally and locally.  If we need to economize, then
we should look into requesting that Sections and Regions contribute towards
the insurance.  I could not believe my ears when a former member of the
Board of Directors told me that her region did not use the insurance!!!
They might not be "required" to provide an insurance rider for their
activities, but EVERY affiliate uses the insurance, each time they hold a
public meeting.  This misconception needs addressing.
Cheryl
----- Original Message -----
From: <gormleygreenery@aol.com>
To: <aisdiscuss@aisboard.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2005 5:17 AM
Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] Re: AIS Finances


> The "Plank/Aitken" letter in January clearly outlined the problems as well
as the steps taken at the Fall Board meeting.  I truly believe that the
majority of the Affiliates understand the problem (as opposed to the
nay-sayers who contend that the Affiliates constantly say "we don't use the
insurance") and are willing to contribute but you must specifically ask or
it won't happen.
>
> I strongly urged Jeanne to address a letter to all RVPs and thru them to
the Affiliates, again stating the problem and specifically asking for
contributions this year and perhaps annually (given updates on the
situation) earmarked for the insurance costs. .  You should also
specifically tap the Sections for contributions, especially those who have
Convention/Tours of their own.   Include a "over time" breakdown of the
coverages, brokers, companies and costs since the inception of the program
(that is the most frequent criticism I hear concerning the issue-what was
the actual cost/increase?).  I recall hearing the stats but never have seen
them in writing.
>
> Many of the RVPs agreed at the Spring Board meetings to go back to the
Regions to instigate a contribution at that level.  Region 18 voted at their
Spring meeting at the Convention to contribute $1,000.  Some Regions have no
funds that they can contribute-others have a healthy surplus and with 24
Regions, there can be a considerable resource to help with the "premium"
problem.  However, most Regions will not have another meeting until Fall and
they need to have their "facts/ducks/proposals" in order to go to the Board.
Few are equipped by structure to handle interim business.
>
> Cost-containment by eliminating an employee benefit cannot be compared
with not carrying basic liability (including defense of claims) insurance
for an organization with the public exposure that AIS has.
> As an ex-insurance professional, if AIS has no liability coverage, I would
severely limit my participation to worker-bee only, no decision/financial
involvement responsibility at all.  I no longer maintain my insurance
broker?s license for the same reason-no employer provided E&O insurance!
The risk to my personal assets is too great to even consider.
>
>
> Rita Gormley, RVP and Committee Chair with no vote
> Gormley Greenery
> Cedar Hill, MO
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CEMahan@aol.com
> To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org; AISdiscuss@aisboard.org
> Sent: Thu, 9 Jun 2005 06:48:35 EDT
> Subject: [AISdiscuss] Re: AIS Finances
>
>
> Dear friends:
>
> During most of the long history of AIS it had no insurance program. When
the
> AIS insurance program started, it made sense because the insurance was so
> inexpensive at the national level. The cost of the insurance program is no
> longer inexpensive. It is now threatening the existence of AIS. Of course
local
>
> societies like the program--everyone likes things that are "free."
>
> When a company is confronted with soaring cost, it either has to reprice
its
> product or eliminate the item that is theatening its existence. Many
> companies have had to decrease or eliminate their health coverage of
employees
> because of the soaring cost of medical insurance. AIS has repriced its
product
> (increased dues), but that is only one more factor that will lead to
greater
> membership decline.
>
> I do not like to have to write this, but the current AIS insurance cost is
> going to sink AIS if something radical is not done. Raising the dues again
is
> not a rational option. Dipping into the life membership reserves is also
not
> an  option. The cost of insurance is not going to go down; it is only
going up.
> It  is my suggestion that the Board seriously consider converting the
> insurance  program from one that provides the insurance to one that
provides the
>
> information on how local societies and sections can purchase  insurance.
>
>  Clarence
>
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