District Leadership Training2015

Trustees

LaNita Battles, AINS

Claims/Risk Manager – Dept. for Ministry ProtectionFlorida 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

Common Church Claims Slips, trips and falls

Employee lifting accidents

Playground injuries

Automobile accidents

Lightning

Theft

Allegations of abuse/misconduct

Hidden Impact

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

• Self 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

Available Risk Management and Insurance Expertise

An added value due to our Connectional system

Trustee GuidelinesCokesbury1-800-672-1789www.Cokesbury.com$3.95

Florida ConferenceTrustee “E-Learning” Modulewww.flumc.org

Department for Ministry Protectionwww.flumc.org

Resources Available