Welcome spring with the March edition of MJ Sorority’s News & Notes, filled with fresh insights to help you manage risk and plan for the season ahead!
Here’s what else you don’t want to miss in this month’s newsletter:
- Skip to the housing section where this month we’re helping you prepare for the season ahead, including storm readiness and the importance of roof inspections.
- Click straight through to the chapter services section for transportation best practices to keep members safe during events.
- And more!
Ensuring safe transportation for chapter events is a key part of responsible event planning. Whether you’re hiring a bus company or coordinating your own transportation, these best practices can help keep members and guests safe.
1. Verify Vendor Insurance
If hiring a transportation company, confirm that they have at least $1,000,000 in automobile liability coverage per occurrence. This ensures they meet the necessary insurance requirements for safe and reliable service.
2. Consider Adding Security
For events where alcohol is served, security personnel on buses or other transportation can help maintain order and ensure a safer ride for all attendees.
3. Require Use of Provided Transportation
To minimize liability risks and ensure safe travel, attendees should be required to use the provided transportation both to and from the event. This creates a clear start and end to your event and helps ensure everyone gets back safely.
4. Implement Check-In and Check-Out Procedures
Follow your organization’s policies for checking attendees in and out. If transportation is being provided, MJ recommends:
- Check-in before boarding transportation to confirm attendance.
- Check-out upon return to ensure all attendees arrive back safely.
- Consider a “sober hour” before boarding to help ensure members and guests are fit to travel.
5. Follow Your Organization’s Transportation Policies
Every sorority has its own guidelines—be sure to follow your national organization’s transportation policies to stay compliant and reduce risks.
By planning ahead and implementing these best practices, you can help make transportation a smooth, safe part of your chapter’s events.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your Client Executive with any questions or concerns about event transportation.
As a property owner of a sorority chapter house, you likely keep a close eye on the building’s interior, exterior, and overall maintenance to ensure it remains safe and well-kept. However, there’s one critical area that might not get the same level of attention — the roof. Since it’s “out of sight,” it often becomes “out of mind.” Unless there’s visible interior leaking or a recent windstorm, roofs rarely make it onto a regular inspection or maintenance plan.
Why This Matters Now
If you’ve been keeping up with MJ Sorority’s newsletters over the past two years, you know the property insurance market is experiencing significant challenges. Insurance companies are grappling with rising property claims due to changing weather patterns, which has led to several adjustments, including:
- Increasing property rates and premiums
- Raising standard deductibles for all causes of loss
- Implementing higher deductibles for specific risks like wind, hail, and water damage
- Adding stricter coverage limitations for roof damage
- In some cases, withdrawing from certain markets entirely, such as homeowners insurance in Florida and California
Fortunately, the insurance company providing sorority property coverage has taken a more balanced approach to these market shifts. However, to maintain comprehensive coverage, proactive risk management — like roof maintenance — is key.
The Value of Annual Roof Inspections
We’ve consulted with roofing contractors, and the message is clear: regular roof inspections are essential. Here’s why:
- Early Problem Detection: Routine inspections catch small issues before they turn into major (and costly) problems, helping to prevent damage to the structure.
- Extended Roof Lifespan: Addressing minor repairs early helps prolong the life of your roof, protecting both the building and your financial investment.
- Budget Planning: Insurance companies are increasingly concerned about property owners not accounting for the lifespan of roofing materials. Proactive inspections help you plan and budget for the inevitable roof replacement, rather than being caught off guard.
Getting Started
Travelers Insurance offers a helpful resource to guide your roof inspection planning: How to Build a Commercial Roof Inspection Plan.
The frequency of roof inspections will depend on various factors, so we recommend consulting with a qualified roofing contractor to determine the best schedule for your chapter house. As insurers continue to scrutinize roof conditions, incorporating regular inspections into your property maintenance program is more important than ever.
By taking these proactive steps, you not only help protect your chapter house but also contribute to maintaining stable and comprehensive insurance coverage for the sorority community.
This month’s newsletter is full of important information. Read the whole thing or check out the following sections that are pertinent to your role:
- Skip to the housing section where this month we’re reminding you about spring maintenance, roof inspections, and sharing a webinar from our partners at Krittenbrink Architecture.
- Click straight through to the chapter services section for some risk management reminders about renting out your chapter house.
- Or jump to our extra section this month sharing a webinar on generational differences.
Join our partners at Krittenbrink Architecture for this Housing Forum on the Road webinar.
As we kick off the new year, it’s the perfect time to ensure your chapter and house corporation are set up for success. This month’s newsletter is packed with essentials to help you start the year strong – read the whole thing or check out the following sections that are pertinent to your role:
- Skip to the housing section where this month we’re reminding you about insurance basics and values, and we’re sharing a recent webinar on real estate financing.
- Click straight through to the chapter services section for a new tool for pre-event planning.
- Or jump to our claims section this month covering some practical steps to protect your chapter and house corpoation’s funds.
As we wrap up another year, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible sorority women, leaders, and volunteers who make your organizations so strong.
This month’s newsletter is full of important information. Read the whole thing or check out the following sections that are pertinent to your role:
- Skip to the housing section where this month we’re reminding you about preparing for winter break, and we’re sharing our Winter Weather Bulletin in case you missed it.
- Click straight through to the chapter services section for an explainer on additional insured.
- Or jump to our special section this month covering some winter reminders for drivers.
The November newsletter is full of important information. Read the whole thing or check out the following sections that are pertinent to your role:
- Skip to the housing section where this month we’re reminding you about preparing for Thanksgiving break, and we’re talking about flu season.
- Click straight through to the chapter services section for a new resource for event planning and an explainer on additional insured.
- Or jump to our special sections this month covering some risk management reminders for drivers and for cyber risks.
Check out the 2024 Winter Weather Bulletin for important winter weather risk management reminders.
Fall has officially arrived, and this issue of the newsletter is full of important resources. Read the whole thing or check out the following sections that are pertinent to your role:
- Skip to the housing section where this month we’re reminding you about how best to manage your chapter and house corporation funds, and we’re talking about wind and hail claims (again!).
- Click straight through to the chapter services section for our new Event Planning Toolkit.
- Or jump to our special sections this month covering some risk management reminders for drivers and for cyber risks.