District Leadership Training 2015 Trustees LaNita Battles, AINS Claims/Risk Manager – Dept. for Ministry Protection Florida Annual Conference

 Organization  Term  Officers  Responsibilities Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church par. 2524

 Oversee, maintain and supervise all local church property - Use of facilities - Building maintenance / schedule - Budget - Inventory of contents - Parsonage  Manage bequests, legacies and trusts

 Acquisition, sale or transfer of property  Manage insurance coverage and facilitate appropriate risk management strategies  Accountable to Church Council and Charge Conference

Building Maintenance Establish a maintenance schedule Annual inspection: identifies needed repairs, safety concerns and maintenance requirements Assignment of tasks among Trustees Do not defer needed maintenance!

Annual inspection: identifies needed repairs and maintenance requirements Routine maintenance: prioritize and establish a maintenance schedule. Do not defer needed maintenance

Facility Usage Develop a policy statement for building use Considerations: -Scheduling procedures -Non-church group considerations (Obtain a Certificate of Insurance) -Donation request to offset expenses -Lock up and security -Clean up and custodial needs -Kitchen and food service

Manage insurance coverage and facilitate appropriate risk management strategies “to ensure that the church, its properties and personnel are properly protected against risks” Book of Discipline

“Head in the Sand” “That can’t happen to us…” “We don’t worry about that, it has never here happened before…” “I have known him for a long time, he would never do something like that…” “Churches don’t get sued…”

10  Slips, trips and falls  Employee lifting accidents  Playground injuries  Automobile accidents  Lightning  Theft  Allegations of abuse/misconduct

Direct Costs: -Workers Compensation -Medical Bills -Property/Liability Damages Indirect Impact: -Damage to the Kingdom of God -Loss of members, students, tuition, etc. -Negative public relations -Hiring/retraining of new employees. Supervisor’s time

Facility Safety S elf inspections of your facility Identification and correction of safety hazards Engaged and aware

Managing Insurance Coverage Review property and vehicle schedules annually Maintain a detailed inventory of all furniture and equipment Be aware of deductibles that may apply to losses

 Property: ◦ Replacement cost coverage ◦ Contents ◦ Flood  Casualty: ◦ General liability ◦ Employment practices liability ◦ Automobile liability  Crime/dishonesty  Church Daycare & Schools  Sexual Abuse and Misconduct  Student and Volunteer Medical Accident Coverage 14 Coverage Highlights

Vehicle Safety Inspect vehicle every three months All drivers are to be approved by the Florida Conference NO 15 PASSENGER VANS

Use of Volunteers Integral to church operations Use the common sense approach to volunteers - Selection - Training - Supervision “Vicarious Liability”: Indirect legal responsibility for actions of others

 Full time Conference Ministry Protection department  Legal Advisory Council  On site loss control, safety and security evaluations  Best practices publications  Property appraisals  Attendance and consultation at church committee meetings  Training seminars and workshops An added value due to our Connectional system

Trustee Guidelines Cokesbury $3.95 Florida Conference Trustee “E-Learning” Module Department for Ministry Protection Resources Available