As the academic year winds down, we tend to see the same patterns: minor maintenance problems becoming bigger ones, contracts getting signed without a close read, and informal practices—like porch pickups—creating unexpected risk. We’re also seeing an uptick in claims tied to unofficial housing, making this a good time to revisit expectations and daily habits that can quietly create exposure over time.
In this month’s News & Notes, we’re sharing practical reminders to help you stay ahead of those issues, from drain and sewer care that can help prevent costly backups to leak detection, smart home tools, a straightforward summer closing checklist, and contract basics.
As we move into spring, we also enter the start of severe weather season, a time when we typically see an uptick in both property and liability claims. Hail and wind events can quickly expose vulnerabilities in chapter facilities, while increased activity in and around the house can introduce additional liability considerations that may not always be top of mind.
In this month’s News & Notes, we’re taking a closer look at two areas where we continue to see losses occur: severe convective storms impacting chapter properties, and premises liability exposures related to how chapter houses are used, particularly when it comes to rentals, third-party access, and informal arrangements like porch pickups.
While these risks are different, the takeaway is the same: preparation matters. The steps taken before an incident, whether that is a storm or a liability claim, often have a direct impact on how smoothly recovery and resolution unfold.
From a practical standpoint, that includes:
- Completing regular property inspections and addressing maintenance concerns early
- Documenting the condition of the property, especially ahead of storm season
- Understanding where liability may exist when the property is used by others
- Communicating with members to ensure they know what to do and who to contact when something happens
At MJ Sorority, we focus on helping sorority chapters and house corporations stay prepared, not just protected. We work with top-tier insurance carriers who understand the complexities of sorority housing and the sorority experience, and we advocate for our clients throughout the process, from coverage development to claim resolution.
As you read this month’s articles, we encourage you to consider where a few intentional steps now can help reduce uncertainty later, both in preventing losses and in navigating them if they occur.
As winter winds down, now is the perfect time to check in on chapter operations and prepare for the busy spring season. From ensuring your facilities are weather-ready to planning safe, compliant events, a little proactive planning goes a long way.
In this issue, we cover roof care after winter, why reporting all property damage matters, and tips for planning safe, compliant spring events to keep members and chapter homes protected. Read the whole thing.
A resilient year doesn’t start with a claim or a crisis. It starts with clear expectations, smart planning, and a strong understanding of who is in your corner. As we head into the new year, we’re encouraging chapters and housing organizations to think about risk management as part of their day-to-day operations—not something that only comes into focus when there’s a problem.
MJ Sorority’s role is to be your advocate and advisor, not just the group that places your insurance. While insurance carriers make the final underwriting decisions, our job is to help you understand those requirements, prepare for them, and make informed choices that support your organization over the long term. We work alongside you throughout the year to reduce surprises and strengthen your overall risk position.
This January issue of News and Notes focuses on building that foundation—so you can move into the year ahead with confidence, clarity, and support. Read the whole thing.
As we wrap up another year, we’re taking a moment to celebrate all that your organizations, chapters, volunteers, and members have accomplished in 2025. In this month’s edition, you’ll find a year-in-review recap and a few timely tips to close out 2025 safely and confidently. Thank you for your leadership, dedication, and partnership.
As chapters prepare for Thanksgiving break and colder weather sets in, this month’s updates focus on simple steps to reduce risk and keep facilities safe. We’re sharing guidance on unofficial or privately rented houses, our Thanksgiving Break Checklist, a new webinar with Luminaut, some event planning resources and reminders, and practical slip-and-fall prevention tips for the season.
With the semester underway, September is a great time to hit pause, reset, and make sure your chapter is starting strong. In honor of Campus Safety Awareness Month, this issue highlights practical steps you can take to keep members safe, protect your property, and strengthen your chapter operations.
Fall is in full swing—and so are chapter events! From homecoming gatherings to formals, now’s the perfect time to double-check that your venues and vendors have the right coverage in place. It’s also a great season to tackle routine fall maintenance around the chapter house, ensuring everything is safe, comfortable, and ready for cooler months ahead.
In this issue of our monthly newsletter, you’ll also find trick-or-treating safety tips to help your chapter host community events responsibly, highlights from our recent CrowdChange webinar on smarter fundraising, and important reminders about preventing slips and falls as the weather turns colder.
As your members return and the academic year begins, we’ve gathered timely updates to help your chapter and housing operations run smoothly. This month’s highlights include:
- How to safely reopen your chapter house after summer (or any) break
- Why it’s critical to report all wind and hail claims—even minor ones
- Key back-to-school reminder about university certificates of insurance
- Floodplain awareness and your property’s FEMA designation
- A real-world phishing scam close call you’ll want to share
- A fresh nudge to explore Events Central for your fall planning
This month’s newsletter is focused on setting the stage for a smooth and safe break—and a strong start to the next academic year.
- Skip to the housing section where this month you’ll learn more about building resiliency at the chapter house – and why it’s more important than ever.
- Click straight through to the chapter services section for guidance on co-sponsored events
- In this month’s extra section, we teach you more about workers’ compensation audits and the importance of two-factor authentification to protect you from cyber threats.
As the academic year winds down, this month’s newsletter is packed with practical tips to help your chapter close out the year safely and smoothly. This month’s newsletter is focused on setting the stage for a smooth and safe break—and a strong start to the next academic year.
- Skip to the housing section where this month you’ll find tips for deep cleaning and mold prevention over the summer
- Click straight through to the chapter services section for guidance for reviewing officer transitions and answers to common questions about alumnae use of the facility.
A special edition newsletter from MJ Sorority to help you make the most of the summer season.