Solutions January 2010

8/8/2019 Solutions January 2010

1/8

A D V E N T I S T R I S K M A N A G E M E N T , I N C .

SOLUTIONS

www.adventistrisk.org

Happy New Year and welcome to the

second decade o the 21st century!Tis promises to be an exciting yearo new beginnings and we hope makingsaety frst is a high priority on yourorganizational list o New Years resolutions.

As we begin the year we want to say thankyou or the many kind expressions osupport and condolences rom both ourclients and business partners since theunexpected passing o Rob Sweezey onOctober 16, 2009. We have been reassured,as we have continued to meet your riskmanagement and insurance needs duringthis dicult time.

Rob Sweezey wrote our eature article,Market Outlook 2010, in early Octoberas he planned or the year ahead. Although

we may not always see the uture clearly,as Adventists we know there are signs toguide us, actions that can be taken to helpprevent loss and assurance, that no matter

what, the Lord is still in control. He willnever leave us or orsake us. Tis article isa ftting arewell tribute to Robs personalbelies and proessional practice.

Solutionsalso welcomes ARMs newpresident, Robert Kyte, who joins us thismonth. Kytes record o service includessixteen years as the CEO o Pacifc Press

Publishing Association in Nampa, Idahoa member o the ARM Board o Directosince 2005 and requent participantin many o ARMs risk managementconerences and seminars, an attorney

with signifcant litigation managementexperience and general counsel or theGeneral Conerence o Seventh-day

Adventists. A proven, dynamic leader, Kenjoys bringing people together to achiemission-driven results.

Other new beginnings will occur atthe General Conerence (GC) Session in

Atlanta, Georgia. We have the confdence

the Holy Spirit will be present as men andwomen conduct the business o His churc

You are invited to visit our booth athe GC or a special birthday celebratioas ARM celebrates its 75th birthday! Wenot getting old or outdated. Come anddiscover new resources ARM has develoto meet risk management challenges inthe 21st century as well as the proven anfnancially secure tools used to protectdenominational assets rom unexpectedloss. Yes, 2010 is a year o new beginnin

with one steadast commitment toprovide solutions that minimize risk.

This article was prepared by Arthur F. Blinci, eMBA, vice

president for Adventist Risk Management, Inc.

Inspiration

"Therefore if any manbe in Christ, he is a new

creature: old things

are passed away;

behold, all things are

become new."2 Corinthians 5:17

Motivation"Every day is a newbeginning. Treat itthat way. Stay awayfrom what might havebeen, and look at whatcan be."

Marsha Petrie Sue

Page 2

Market Outlook

2010

Page 4

Watch and

Be Ready

Page 6

Chronic

Heartburn

Page 7

Incomin

Curveba

Providing Solutions to Minimize RisksJANUARY 2010 VOLUME 14 ISSUE 1

NewBeginnings


2/82 SOLUTION S January 2010 Adventist Risk Management, Inc.

FEATURE

The fnancial services market enters a

new year o 2010 with a continuingamount o uncertainty. In 2009

unprecedented government interventiontook place in the marketplace, results o

which will continue to be elt or sometime to come. Even as we begin to seeimprovement in the fnancial sectorsand stock markets indexes, the impact ocontinued high unemployment, and theuncertainty o continuing rising cost inmilitary deense spending and the utureo the American health care system,

all must be actored into the overallequation. Market leaders are watchingin these unprecedented economictimes in an eort not to be let out oopportunities and yet not to stumble.

Many actors impact the cost oyour organizations insurance program.

Te health and well being o theglobal fnancial markets has a direct

impact on the costso commercial

insurance.

In September 2009, Business

Insurance projected the rates or mostinsurance lines o business will remainat in 2010. Tis is good news orrisk managers and insurance buyers asthe market remains competitive but itcreates challenges or insurers whosedepressed premiums make managingoperating costs more dicult.

When we look at insurance markets,we can segment them in one o severalways. One traditional way is betweenthe transactional or opportunistic

markets and the relationship markets.Catastrophic insurance is traditionallya transactional or opportunistic drivenmarket, while the more common typeo insurance that cares or generalrisk at working level layers are morerelationship based.

Transactional Insurance Outlook

Improvement is seen in thetransactional market as we enter 2010.During 2009, no signifcant earthquakes

or windstorms were experiencedthroughout the Caribbean and theUnited States. Te Underwriters insuringin these transactional markets were

well rewarded. Tis will attract newplayers to those markets andthere will be a sotening or a

return to a more avorablebuyers market in thoseareas. In policy terms,more coverage is readilyavailable with contractual

terms more avorable orthe buyer. Tis is seen inlowering deductibles andin broader defnitionso coverage. However, a

word o caution shouldbe noted. One major

catastrophic event, such

as another Hurricane Katrina, cou

the catalyst or a sudden return tomarket conditions in this sector.

Traditional Insurance Outlook

raditional lines o insuranceproperty and general liability are ty

written on a relationship business bIn relationship business ones loss hand marketplace behavior can conthave lasting eects or the buyer. Wthe buyer aggressively and successupursues loss-control measures with

organization, builds relationships wthe insurance provider, and conoragree upon contractual terms, the ican experience stable pricing that chelp to atten the peaks and valleytraditional insurance pricing cycle and sot market conditions.

o help stabilize insurance coover time is one o the principle re

why the Seventh-day Adventist Chhas established and used captiveinsurance companies to underwrit

homogenous exposures o the chuaround the world. Bringing togethboth domestic and internationaldenominational insurance buyersprovides a unique spread o riskexposures. Tese work together toachieve stability in the marketplaclong-term opportunities with rein

who come to know the mission ochurch and are willing to stand besome otherwise dicult risk placesituations. Tis is why the church

best when we work together. Wheit is rebuilding an oce destroyedfre in Europe or North America, opaying or an accidental injury in or Arica, your denominationally ocaptives can provide traditional lininsurance protection with stable pbecause o the relationships we ha

Market Outlook2010


3/8SOLUTION S January 2010 Adventist Risk Management, Inc.

with each other and our global reinsurance business partners.

o strengthen these relationships during challenging fnancialtimes is critical to maintain the sustainability o both coverageorm and pricing in the years ahead.

Can You Make a Dierence?

Some may ask what steps can be taken at the local levelto help control insurance costs in both the transactional andtraditional insurance market area? It is impossible to preventthe catastrophic impact caused by major natural disasters.However, steps can be taken to help minimize the potentialor major damage and loss. Has your organization taken thenecessary steps to ortiy your buildings when storm warnings

are posted? Has high valued equipment been secured and thedata backed up until the storm threat has passed. When newconstruction takes place are storm and earthquake standardsmet using the appropriate materials and methods that can helpto minimize uture loss when these events occur?

Te principle or loss prevention in the traditionalinsurance areas is to plan ahead and be prepared or theunexpected. Has proper maintenance been undertaken in youracilities to minimize potential fre hazards? Have exits waysbeen kept clear so evacuation can occur at a moments notice

without delay? Do you careully plan all activities in advanceand ensure that the appropriate saety

equipment isused at alltimes withappropriatelevels osupervision? Dothe proessionalpractices o yourorganizationconorm toindustry saetystandards and

procedures?Tese are thetypes o issues tobe reviewed on aregular basis.

FuturecastingAlthough no one can truly predict what 2010 may brin

the fnancial services market, we know or sure that uncertawill continue to exist until the Lords return. Does this meawe should be paralyzed with panic or ear? No! Remember,Gods promises are the true surety in which we must placeour trust. I will never leave you nor orsake you, says theLord. He knows the plans your organization has to achieve mission; He promises these plans will bring hope and a ututo those we are called to serve.

In both the transactional and traditional areas we seeillustrated the basic principle o good risk management. T

key building block is saety frst. Good management andsaety practices remain the rule o the day. Once we have doour job as good and aithul servants, we must leave the resin His hands.

Robert L. Sweezey, former president, Adventist Risk Management, Inc.

Contributing writer, Arthur F. Blinci, eMBA, vice president for Adventist Risk

Management, Inc.

"It is impossible to preven

the catastrophic impact

caused by major natura

disasters. However, step

can be taken to helpminimize the potential f

major damage and loss.



FOR E SI G HT

In recent weeks we have seen and heard the tragic headlinesrom around the world: over 100 people killed in aRussian nightclub fre, an American soldier killing his own

service men and women at Fort Hood in exas, an employeemurdering a co-worker at an Adventist youth camp and twodisastrous fres which destroyed the British Union and UpperColumbia Conerence oces. All o this reminds us o the

words o Jesus to watch and be ready or at such a timeas you think not. As 2010 begins, would you have a response

plan ready to implement i an emergency ortragedy occurred in your acility or during asponsored activity?

Recently, the automated fre alarmsounded at an Adventist church in North

American right during the middle o thepastors sermon. No one moved. Tecongregation waited or the pastorsdirections. Te pastor waited or hisassociate to determine whether or not thealarm was alse or an actual emergency.How much evacuation time was

lost because pastors and deaconswere not prepared to evacuate the

church acility immediately uponthe sounding o the alarm? Teresults could have been tragicsince you typically have less than

three minutes to saely evacuate

a building on fre. Nothing shouldprevent you rom action, no sermon isthat important to jeopardize the livesand saety o the congregation.

Te recent fres at the BritishUnion and Upper ColumbiaConerence have taught us manyimportant lessons concerning

preparedness. In both cases careulback-up planning allowed or therecovery o almost all electronic data.However, other lessons were learnedregarding the challenge o re-establishingcommunication systems, securingtemporary oce acilities, dealing with thedaunting challenge o rebuilding an oceat the same time sta is trying to cope withthe loss o work acilities. Additionally, you

still have your regular job to do all in a24-hour day! Has your organizationbegun working on establishing abusiness continuity plan or your key

acilities? Does your organization

have adequate insurance coverage in place, beyond traditreplacement cost, or the extra expenses incurred to meetbuilding codes and the cost associated with temporary aand equipment? Have you done an insurance assessment

with your feld service representative?Unortunately, there is no simple way to have a on

fts all business continuity plan or denominational entEach organization is unique, every acility is dierent, wall use dierent computer systems and every jurisdictiotheir own codes and ordinances. Adventist Risk Manag(ARM) has developed tools to assist your organization developing a workable business continuity plan. StayinConnected, our new DVD ocuses attention onthe needs associated with business continuity

planning. ARM has also prepared aspecial oresight bulletin, ChurchEmergency and Business ContinuityPlanning. Tis describes the stepsnecessary to create an action plan oryour organization. You can downloada PDF copy o this useul resource atwww.adventistrisk.org. o request a reeDVD copy o Staying Connected,contact your feld service representativeor call ARMs Customer Care Centertoll-ree at (888) 951-4276.

Jesus reminded us i we knewwhen a thie would strike, we would

be prepared to protect our assets.Since we know neither the daynor the hour whenan emergency maystrike, this is all themore reason or takingthe appropriate steps todayto be ready. ARMs mission isto assist the church in providingsolutions that will help tominimize risk. We cannot achievethis mission alone. It requires ateam eort reaching rom the localgrass roots o our churches andschools all the way to the desk o theconerence president or institutionalCEO. Every person has a role inbeing prepared to act, or Jesus said,Watch and be ready.

This article was prepared by Arthur F. Blinci,

eMBA, vice president for Adventist Risk

Management, Inc.

&Be ReadyWatch


5/8

For more information on

ARM resources, please

visit our Web site at:

www.advisrisk.org.Call:

1-888-951-4ARM

(1-888-951-4276)

or email:

csorcar@

advisrisk.org

"We are here

to help you!"

ARM RESOURCES

SOLUTION S January 2010 Adventist Risk Management, Inc.

Risky Business By John J. Dougan, ARM, ALCM

Publisher

Adventist Risk Manageme

Executive Publisher

Arthur F. Blinci, ARM, EMBA

Editor

Paula L. Webber

Legal ConsultantJ. Victor Elliott, Esq.

Layout/Design/Webmaste

Armand Davila

Copy Editor

Deena Wagner

Illustrator

John J. Dougan

Communication Assistan

Junica Voilquin

Solutions (ISSN 1528-7076

published monthly by Adv

Risk Management, Inc.,

12501 Old Columbia Pike,

Silver Spring, MD 20904-66

phone: 301-680-6930;

fax: 301-680-6828; e-mail:

armcorpcomm@adventis

Web site: www.adventistr

For subscription changes

please send an e-mail to:

armcorpcomm@adventist

Back issues are available w

supplies last. We also welco

your comments and sugge

Address all correspondenc

inquiries to ARMs Corpora

Communication departme

Texts credited to NIV are fr

Holy Bible, New Internatio

Copyright 1973, 1978, 19

International Bible Society

by permission of Zonderva

Publishers.

2009 Adventist Risk

Management, Inc.Will someone

please turn that

thing o so I cannish my sermon?



HEALTH ALERT!

ChronicHeartburn

Complications rom chronicheartburn are on the rise. Five to15 percent o heartburn suerers

have chronic heartburn and new U.S.government fgures show an increasein esophagus disorders rom severe acid

reux. Esophageal cancer is the nationsastest growing malignancy with anestimated 16,470 new cases in 2008 inthe United States.y About 25 million Americans have

some orm o esophageal disease; themost common is gastroesophagealreux disease (GERD), a chronicorm o acid reux. Hospitalizationsor all reux-caused esophagealdisorders doubled between 1998and 2005.

y wenty percent o adults exhibitsymptoms o heartburn at leastonce weekly. About one-third o

Americans have heartburn at leastonce a month, with 10 percentexperiencing it nearly every day.

y One survey revealed that 65 percento people with heartburn may havesymptoms both during the day andat night. Seventy-fve percent o thenighttime heartburn patients sayingthat the problem keeps them rom

sleeping. Forty percent reporting thatnighttime heartburn aects their jobperormance the ollowing day.

Heartburn leads people to spend nearly$2 billion a year on over-the-counterantacids. Te hydrochloric acid romthe stomach leaks into the esophagusand causes heartburn, a burning pain

starting behind the breastbone andradiating upwards.y Chronic heartburn is caused by the

lower esophagus sphincter muscletone becoming weak or eroded bystomach acid. Te one-way valve isunable to seal the acid insidethe stomach.

y Beore chronic heartburn isdiagnosed, it is important to rule outother diseases which cause heartburnas a symptom. Tese include hiatalhernia, GERD, peptic ulcer, gallbladder disease, gastritis, and a tearin the esophagus.

y Chronic heartburn is treated withliestyle changes such as modiyingeating/sleeping habits, avoidingstress, stopping smoking, andreducing weight.

Esophageal Cancer

Let untreated, severe GERD repeat-edly bathes the esophagus in stomach acid.Over time, this can lead to a precancer-ous condition o the esophagus known asBarretts esophagus. Some patients with

Barretts esophagus can develop a cechange called dysplasia, which can into cancer. Cancer o the esophaguthe seventh deadliest cancer in menUnited States.

y Esophageal cancer starts in thelayer o the esophagus, a 10-intube that connects your throatand stomach. Te most commsymptom, usually occurring lathe disease, is diculty swallowand a sensation o ood getting

in the throat or chest.y Its unusual to have signs andsymptoms o esophageal cancethe early stages o the disease. Wthe disease is more advanced, osymptoms may include uninte

weight loss; pain in your throamid-chest or between your shoblades; hoarseness; hiccups; ansometimes vomiting o blood.

y Several actors that can damagin the esophagus are heavy alco

consumption, tobacco use, chracid reux, obesity, and a diet ruits/vegetables.

y Te risk o developing esophagcancer increases as you grow olMost people with the disease abetween 55 and 70. Also, peop

who work with dry cleaning soand those exposed to silica dusprimary component o sandstoand granite) have an increased Teres some evidence that peo

who requently consume very hbeverages have an increased ris

Sources: Medical News Today, Mayo Clinic,

tional Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Sc

University, PubMed, Harvard Health Publica

Medical School, WebMD, Ezine Articles, Ass

Press, Fox News, MSNBC, and Washington

Shady Grove Adventist Hospitals.

Health Tip of the Month


7/8SOLUTION S January 2010 Adventist Risk Management, Inc.

Brought to you by:

www.advent ist r i sk .org/Wel lness

Incoming Curveballs

Iound mysel rushing to the airport tocatch an early-morning ight. Drivinginto the rain-soaked darkness I was

flled with trepidation, fghting back thethought o missing my ight.

Arriving at the airport, I reached tograb my suitcase, laptop, and pocketbook.Did I say pocketbook? Tere wasnt onesitting on the seat next to me. My madrace came to a sudden halt. Arriving ontime meant nothing without a little item

called a picture ID, which was at home onmy dining room table.My frst reaction was to use some

Negative Self-alk. You stupid idiot! cameto mind. I quickly rejected this, knowingthat it wouldnt help. I needed a gameplan. I could go back home, ask my lovinghusband to make the same treacherous

journey to the airport, or sit down andhave a good cry?

aking a ew deep breaths, I decidedto take my dilemma to an expert. Foronce, not being a perectionist paid o. Irummaged through pockets and ound acredit card and papers that allowed me onthe plane. Ater boarding, I had anotheroh, no! moment. How do I rent a car

without my license? My husband came tomy rescue, by axing a copy o my licenseto the rental car counter.

Tirty thousand eet above the snags

I encountered was brilliant sunshine andblue skies. What a dierence rom therainy mess I let behind!

Oten when lie throws us a curveball,we would rather pull the covers over ourhead and escape. We spend more time

wallowing in our misery than trying tofnd a way out.

We oten think the discomort weare eeling is more tolerable than the earo the unknown. Tings can always getbetter; we just have to take an active part

in making the frst move.I lie throws a detour in your way,use these stress-releasing steps:

y Breathey Stay Calmy ry to fnd the humor in the situationy ell yoursel things could always

be worsey Ask or help i youre stumpedy ake action; dont wallow

odays roadblocks are the ones thatyou will laugh at tomorrow. Why not

laugh about them right now? A laughor two helps release some o the stress.Although people around you might thinkit a bit odd, youll eel a whole lot better.

Sharon Lee Riguzzi, author of "Shot in the Arm," wrote

this article.

TRY THISRECIPE OUT!

Hot or Cold Beet Salad

Makes about three 1-cup servings

Ingredient List

3 medium beets

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoon cider vinegar1 tablespoon apple juice concentrate1 teaspoon stone-ground mustard1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

Directions

Wash and peel beets. Cut each beet in halfand each half into four wedges. To prevenstaining your countertop, place a dark-colored towel or paper towels under yourcutting board. Steam over boiling wateruntil tender when pierced with a fork, 15 t20 minutes.

Mix lemon juice, vinegar, apple juiceconcentrate, mustard, and dill in a servingbowl. Add beets and toss to mix. Serve hoor cold.

These marinated beets will keep well in acovered dish for up to three to four days inthe refrigerator.


8/8

SupplementAllIFe InSuRAnCe

Open Enrollment Coming Tis Spring!

Visi s a oday awww.advisrisk.org

March 1, 2010 through April 15, 2010

this is a ooriy for oys o c sa if

israc wih a garad iss ao of o 3x's saary...

wiho dica drwriig!

Chck o or wbsi for fr aocs,

is ad "how o ro".

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Solutions January 2010