News

Learn How to Transform Your Pool’s Culture at CEO Institute 2024

CEO Institute 2024 | Aug. 4–7 in St. Louis, MO Registration for CEO Institute 2024 is open to pool executives and senior leaders through July 12. CEO Institute is unique because we focus on one important, future-oriented topic and give leaders time to work on it together. This year is all about consciously building the culture you want . A healthy workplace culture motivates employees to perform at their best. It encourages creativity, innovation and a strong work ethic. When created thoughtfully and with intention , culture aligns everyone with the pool’s mission, ensuring they are working toward the same objectives and have the support ...
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Join the Membership Practices Committee for Great Learning and Networking

The Membership Practices Committee (MPC) supports AGRiP’s Advisory Standards for Recognition to implement new standards and provide peer review for pool applications. Serving on the MPC is a great way to build your pooling network and to learn about the breadth of pooling operations. The MPC is a good match for mid-career professionals interested in learning more about best practices in pool operations. MPC members make connections that help both their pool and their individual career paths grow, and in some cases go on to become AGRiP Board members. Louisville Area Governmental Self-Insurance Trust (LAGIT) Administrator and current AGRiP Board ...
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AGRiP Board of Directors Appoints New Board Member and Selects a New Vice President

Edward Esquivel of TX Health Benefits Pool has been appointed to a four-year term on the AGRiP Board of Directors effective immediately. Edward fills the second of two new appointed Board positions. Edward is Deputy Executive Director for TX Health Benefits Pool and has led operations teams with several other health plan organizations in Texas throughout his more than 25-year career. Edward will bring important perspective to AGRiP’s governance and Board discussions. Additionally, the Board has selected Suzie Paulson of Oklahoma Municipal Assurance Group (OMAG) as the new vice president.
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Pooling Community Resources (May 17, 2024)

The following resources were included in the May 17, 2024 issue of eNews and may be useful to pools. RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES How to assess your practices related to fraud protection and (MIIA) Cybersecurity for cities — protecting your community from online threats (LMCIT) Safety bulletin with articles about ransomware, phishing, data security (MCIT) Safety bulletin with information about preparing for severe weather (NCHARRP) Guidance on using strong passwords (APEI) Information on the benefits of getting to know your local first responders before an incident ...
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Pooling Basics Will Support Your Governing Body

At a recent peer forum meeting, two pool executives shared stories about how many new people they have on their governing bodies — and how quickly their governing bodies are turning over. One executive said she had a board member who came to only one pool meeting before announcing he had taken a new job and was leaving his city (and the pool). Here’s how to quickly get new governing body members up to speed, support deep conversations and strengthen shared purpose: Subscribe your entire governing body to Pooling Basics. Have governing body members complete one course per month, online and independently. Talk for ...
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Act Now to Launch a Culture Assessment Before Deadline

Pool leaders who want to know how their team perceives the pool’s culture should contact AGRiP by April 30 to begin a free culture assessment before May 20. This assessment is a series of questions distributed to your pool staff, who respond anonymously. Their answers identify patterns and competing commitments that influence your daily operations. The assessment is free to AGRiP members (normal cost to implement the assessment is $4,500 per pool). Even if your pool has used other culture assessments like “best places to work” or pulse surveys, you’ll find that this assessment provides something different — it helps you identify inf luences ...
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ISO: Help With Internship and AI Resources

Provide Input for Artificial Intelligence Series We’re working on a series of 2024 webinars and virtual roundtable discussions about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in pooling. The series will help pools: Understand the transformational nature of AI and contemplate an AI-informed future. Consider how AI will be operationalized to support pool functions. Evaluate risk impacts as AI is adopted within local public entities. If you are using AI (or guiding its use for client pools), or are working in this area within your organization, please let us know . We are looking for use cases, stories and practical ...
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Pooling Community Resources (April 11, 2024)

RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES Article about responding to catastrophic events in the workplace (California JPIA) Newsletter with articles and advice about distracted driving, contractual risk training, personnel policies, mental health as a workplace hazard, more (PERMA) Newsletter with article about mitigation controls in cybersecurity, maintenance guidelines for emergency generators, cannabis laws (OTARMA) Article about cybersecurity risks for smart devices (CSD Pool) Information about risks related to pickleball injuries and workouts in the workplace (CSD Pool) Tips for ...
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Required Password Change for AGRiP Resources

We recently completed transition to a new AGRiP member database, which also impacts our website. There is no change in functionality of the website for members. You will be required to change your password for access to certain AGRiP resources. Your experience may vary depending on whether and where you have logged in before, but here’s some guidance: If you sign in with your current password, you will be notified that you have invalid credentials. Enter your username, then choose “Forgot your password?” and follow the prompts to reset it. If you receive a message saying that the website would like to access either your basic ...
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Nineteen Pools Earn AGRiP Recognition

AGRiP Recognition is a self-audit of pool operations and governance, based on eleven categories of pooling best practices, or Advisory Standards. The standards are developed by our Membership Practices Committee (MPC) and are based on 25 years of industry knowledge and insight. Pools that achieve Recognition can be confident they have fully explored industry standards and are actively looking at best practices and learning from their peers. The following pools earned Recognition in the last year: Alaska Municipal League Joint Insurance Association (AMLJIA) Alaska Public Entity Insurance (APEI) California Joint Powers Insurance ...
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Resources from Governance Conference 2024

Results from our post-conference survey show 100 percent of respondents believe Governance Conference was a good use of their time. Whether or not you were one of the 850 attendees who joined us in Nashville last week, here are a few useful follow-ups: Opening keynote speaker Jay Baer kicked off the conference encouraging us to embrace complaints and solve problems faster and with more empathy than ever before. If you want more from Jay Baer, all AGRiP members can access Build a Better Member Experience for free through Pooling Academy. Contact AGRiP to have a Pooling Academy account set up and to get access to this course. AGRiP’s ...
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Understand Eight Markers of Your Pool’s Culture

AGRiP’s 2024 Conscious Culture Residency helps pools understand the hidden patterns impacting their people and performance. A pool’s culture can be understood using eight core markers, all of which will be explored in our 2024 work. Agility Collaboration Transparency Innovation Solutions Digital Growth Inclusion Remember, as part of the residency member pools can participate in a comprehensive assessment to help pinpoint culture patterns that could be holding you back. Access this valuable resource for insights that will change the way you work for free. Pools that are planning ...
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Pooling Community Resources (Feb. 1, 2024)

These resources were featured in the Feb. 1, 2024, issue of AGRiP eNews and may be of interest to pools. RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES New training offered on understanding professional boundaries for educators (APEI) Guidance on navigating no-fault sewer backup coverage (CSD Pool) Information on how to avoid legal pitfalls when hiring (MCIT) Best practices for protecting workers and community members from accidents on ice and snow (NJMEL) Newsletter with articles about the safe operations of motor vehicles, upcoming safety training, the pool’s 30th anniversary and reflections ...
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Evaluate Your Pool’s Culture Norms

Every pool wants — and needs — a culture that drives success and retains top talent. The first step in achieving that is to understand how your pool’s culture operates and which changes will improve it. As part of AGRiP’s 2024 Conscious Culture Residency , member pools can participate in a comprehensive assessment to reveal the hidden patterns shaping the environment at your pool. You’ll learn how team members work together and what behaviors are rewarded or discouraged (perhaps unintentionally) in your current culture. Join more than a dozen pools of every size and structure that are already using the survey. Pools can access this valuable resource ...
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Local Officials: Stronger Together Podcast Series Wins Award For Excellence

AUSTIN, TX - Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool (TML Risk Pool) has been selected for a prestigious Award for Excellence in Performance by the Association of Governmental Risk Pools (AGRiP) for its innovative Local Officials: Stronger Together Podcast Series . This series of 15-minute podcast episodes (available at http://info.tmlirp.org/stp-podcast ) is directed primarily at elected officials, city managers and city attorneys, but has found a much broader audience interested to learn more about risk pooling and its benefits for public entities. TML Risk Pool has produced nearly 30 episodes of the podcast ...
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A New Year’s Message From Executive Director Ann Gergen

As AGRiP moves forward into 2024, we’re focused firmly on the infinite possibilities in pooling. AGRiP’s culture is one of constant innovation and experimentation. Even though we have many programs, services and conferences that are offered consistently, every outcome is entirely unique. We never do exactly the same thing twice! We’ll continue this experimentation in 2024, looking for new approaches to legacy events and education, as well as our other programs and services. Much of our innovation is borne directly from ideas generated by members, so be sure to let us know any time you have a suggestion. Maintaining innovative efforts requires ...
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Wendy Parker Joins AGRiP as Managing Director

We’re excited to announce Wendy Parker will join AGRiP as managing director beginning in February. Wendy is currently the executive director of HealthTrust , an employee benefits pool located in New Hampshire that is a long-time member of AGRiP. Wendy has more than thirty years of experience in pooling, risk management, employee benefit programs (as well as other coverages), organizational governance and leadership. Along with her vast experience, Wendy brings enthusiasm for pooling, AGRiP’s mission and community. She’ll work alongside AGRiP executive director Ann Gergen to manage operations, services and daily activities. The support of this new ...
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Save the Dates: A Preview of AGRiP’s 2024 Conferences

Governance Conference 2024 | Mar. 3-6 in Nashville, TN Governance Conference is for pool governing body members and the team supporting them to talk, learn and problem-solve in a pool-focused environment. Governing body members can explore concepts that relate to their role at the pool and in their role within a local public entity. All attendees will: Have a forum to ask questions pertinent to your pool. Learn how other pools do things, so you can consider new ideas to implement back home. Build a network of trusted people who understand the work you do. Connect with service providers in the pooling industry. Governance ...
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Pooling Community Resources (Nov. 30, 2023)

RISK MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES Safety tips for winter driving for employees with work vehicles (APEI) Risk management newsletter with articles about stormwater risk assessment, multi-factor authentication, ladder safety, pavement management and more (PERMA) Loss alert about file sharing and potential phishing attacks (CIRSA) Guidance on what to do following the first 72 hours after a cyberattack (CSD Pool) Safety bulletin on the hazards of sanitation operations (Comp Alliance) Winter maintenance tips for preventing damage and disruption to public property (NCHARRP) Article that ...
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How to Make the Most of Your AGRiP Membership

We know that every pool is unique and looks to AGRiP for different support. Here are a few resources our members tell us are most useful. Many of these services are available only to members and once logged into AGRiP’s website. Access interactive, online learning that’s uniquely created by AGRiP for public entity pools through Pooling Academy . Courses include timely topics like prioritizing cyber risk management for members, financial reporting and data management, continuity planning and more. Enroll your new hires and governing body members in Pooling Basics , available any time through Pooling Academy or once a year in person ...
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