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.
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 talking about how to tell the difference between employees and independent contracts (and why that is important), wind and hail claims (again!), sharing an important webinar about adapting our chapter houses, and discussing Campus Fire Safety Month.
- Click straight through to the chapter services section for a new event planning resource and to learn more about our redesigned Coverages section of our website.
- Or jump to our special section for this month on cyber where we share a webinar covering what is called Business Email Compromise (BEC)– a type of cyber attack that is among the most prevalent.
Learn more about designing chapter houses with adaptability in mind in this webinar with our partners at Luminaut.
ACH transactions are electronic money transfers made between banks and credit unions across the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. While convenient and sometimes appropriate, you should NEVER fulfill a request to wire money from an email alone. Below are some examples of language vetted by a cyber law firm that can be helpful to include in your email signature as notice of your organization’s best cyber practices on this topic:
- [CLIENT] will never send an email requesting that wiring, ACH, or other payment instructions be changed or altered. if you receive a similar request from anyone, you should always confirm billing or payment instructions with a known contact in person or, if not possible, over the phone, so that you can confirm the identity of the sender. If you ever receive or have received a request from [client] regarding payment instructions via email only, please reach out to a known contact at [CLIENT] in person or by phone. Always contact our main number and do not utilize the phone number in the email you receive.
- Never wire transfer money based on an email request from our office without calling this office and speaking with someone personally to confirm wire information. When calling, do not use the phone number from the e-mail signature line. Even if an email looks like it has come from this office, or someone involved in your transaction, do not accept emailed wire instructions from anyone without voice verification. You will never be instructed to wire money related to a payment without verbal consent.
In this issue of News & Notes, our monthly newsletter, we cover the following topics: wind and hail claims, handling food allergies, sharing recent sprinkler system webinar, notice about new version of Insurance Summary, sharing new event planning self-guided presentation, and a cyber webinar.
Over the past several years, the United States has been plagued by property-related catastrophes, including, but not limited to, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, convective storms, frigid temperatures, excessive snowstorms, hailstorms and wildfires. The sorority houses insured under the MJ Sorority Insurance Program have not been immune to these unfortunate events with a tornado significantly damaging two sorority chapter houses in 2022 and forty-four freeze claims in December 24-25, 2022.
Due to billions of dollars in paid insurance claims, all insurance carriers are struggling with how to handle the situation. Regardless of your current deductible, MJ Sorority appreciates your claims submissions, even if they will not meet your deductible. This information helps us provide historical data to our carrier, ensuring that we can communicate accurately the impact that these changing weather patterns, especially in wind and hail, have had on the program’s insured properties.
If your property suffers wind and hail damage, please be sure to contact us.
Our team at MJ Sorority is always looking for ways to help clients manage risk. We continually identify and vet business partners that we believe will add value to your chapter house and simplify its operations.
Since the beginning of time, the biggest risk to your property is water related incidents. In the Sorority Program, water related claims make up 56% of the total property claims. These claims range from water seepage, internal pipes bursting, equipment breaking down (water heaters, ice machines), to sprinkler leakage incidents. We also see water claims ranked in the top five most frequent and most severe incidents.
The one phenomenon that has changed recently is the change in the weather pattern, specifically the increase in freezing claims of regular piping, as well as the automatic sprinkler system. In the last three years alone, we have seen a substantial increase in frozen pipes claims.
What we have learned from many of these claims is that in many situations freeze incidents are preventable. Unlike so many other changes in the weather pattern, the weather reports generally forecast an impending freeze, giving property owners advance notice to make the necessary arrangements to eliminate or minimize a claim.
One of the strengths of MJ Sorority in our risk analysis is the ability to uncover emerging vendor solutions to help our clients in their property risk management. In this pursuit, we uncovered a great tool to help property owners stay ahead of any of their sprinkler pipes freezing.
We are excited to partner with Salamander to share their freeze detection technology, which will help prevent future claims at your chapter house. Your participation in this webinar is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of your chapter house.
In this issue of our monthly newsletter, we cover background checks, mitigating the risk of wind and hail storms, share a webinar on security technology, review claims examples, our upcoming health promotions course, and more.
Ensuring the safety and security of the chapter house is obviously a top priority. The chapter house is not just a residence; it is a home where members build lifelong bonds, create cherished memories, and engage in activities that shape their futures. Given its significance, implementing robust security measures is essential to protect both the physical space and the well-being of its residents. One of the most advanced and effective security solutions available today is biometric entry systems.
Enhancing Security with Biometric Entry Systems
Biometric entry systems utilize unique biological traits, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or iris scans, to grant access. Unlike traditional locks and keys or even electronic keycards, biometric systems offer several distinct advantages that make them particularly well-suited for sorority chapter houses.
- Improved Access Control: Biometric systems ensure that only authorized individuals can enter the chapter house. Unlike keys or keycards, which can be lost, stolen, or duplicated, biometric traits are unique to each person and cannot be easily replicated. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
- Enhanced Safety: The presence of a biometric entry system can deter potential intruders and enhance the overall safety of the chapter house. Knowing that the house is equipped with advanced security technology can provide peace of mind to members, their families, and alumnae.
- Convenience and Efficiency: Biometric systems streamline the process of entering the house. Members no longer need to worry about carrying or losing keys and keycards. Access is granted swiftly and efficiently, making it easier for members to come and go while ensuring that security is never compromised,
- Accurate Tracking and Monitoring: These systems provide precise records of entry and exit times for all members. This feature is particularly useful for monitoring the house during events or identifying who was present in case of any security incidents. It also helps in managing the house occupancy efficiently.
- Durability and Low Maintenance: Biometric entry systems are typically more durable and require less maintenance compared to traditional locks. They are designed to withstand frequent use and are less susceptible to wear and tear. This longevity ensures a more reliable security solution over time.
If your chapter house utilizes a biometric security system, it is prudent to provide annual written notice to all individuals whose biometric information identifiers are collected or stored and specify the purpose of the collection and length of time the information identifiers will be held, stored, and used. Written consent and release of this information should be included in an annual housing agreement. Read more about our suggestions for Housing Agreements here.
Investing in a biometric entry system for the sorority chapter house is a forward-thinking decision that prioritizes the safety and well-being of your members. By leveraging advanced technology, the chapter can provide a secure, convenient, and efficient environment that supports the flourishing of its community. In a world where security concerns are ever-present, adopting biometric entry systems reflects a commitment to excellence and proactive care for all members of the sorority.
Join our business partner and security expert, Johnson Controls, to learn more about smart security strategies for your chapter house. Watch recording.
