Fall 2019 News Inside This Issue

News Extra Cyber Awareness Resources for Preferred Members 4

Exclusive Article The Value of Property Insurance Appraisals 5

Special Article 14 Ways to Overcome Burnout in the Workplace (Part One) 8

2020 Preferred Member Education Day Save the Date 9

Welcome New Preferred Members 10

Member Spotlight 10

Breaktime Fun -n- Games 11

Cities Held for Ransom Why are Public Entities Easy Targets for Cyber Crime By Scott Schleicher Underwriting Manager Cyber amp Technology Insurance Business - AXA XL

In May 2019 Baltimore found itself fighting off cyber crime ndash a ransomware attack that hit the city ndash the second known cyber attack in 14 months Business had come to a sudden halt as hackers took control of the cityrsquos computer systems demanding $76000 in cryptocurrency ransom

In a bold move the city refused to pay Since then city officials have been working hard to restore systems and employee access which could take months and could cost over $18 million

It was the first time Baltimore faced ransomware demands it certainly was not the first time it had been attacked

In 2018 hackers disabled Baltimorersquos 911 dispatch system However there was no ransom demand Instead officials worked to isolate the threat and restore systems which were down for 17 hours The cost of recovering from that attack is still unknown

Other cities have faced similar cyber-crime attacks When Atlantarsquos municipal operation systems were breached in 2018 the ransom demand was for approximately $55000 in Bitcoin City officials hesitated and hackers removed the payment portal leaving Atlanta offline The cost to recover is now expected to exceed $95 million

No matter the size of the public entity both ransoms and recovery costs are devastating particularly in municipalities that have limited funds Such was the case for the city of Leeds Alabama which was hit with a ransomware attack in 2018 Leeds a city of just under 12000 residents was forced to pay $12000 in cryptocurrency to regain control of its systems

And yet the ransoms are just the beginning of the costs that public entities will face when hackers take control of company systems The average cost for a business hit with a ransomware attack is over $825 million and over 40 employee working hours spent on recovery

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

FEATURE ARTICLE

Easy Prey Why are public entities being targeted repeatedly by hackers Because they are the perfect target Many public entities hamstrung by tight budgets and little funding available to spend on IT systems upgrades do not have enough security measures in place to ward off a ransomware attack

Statistics show that 44 of local governments face regular cyberattack threats and 28 do not know how often they are attacked More alarming is that 41 of those local governments surveyed do not know if their systems have been breached

Cybercriminals are aware that public entities are more vulnerable too Publicly announced ransomware attacks against state and local governments spiked in 2018 with 53 incidents recorded a 39 increase over 2017 The first months of 2019 were equally active showing no signs of the trend slowing

No city is immune Ransom demands of $250000 or more are not uncommon in small municipalities Should a town fail to pay by the stated deadline ransoms will go up or as in the case of Atlanta payment options disappear and towns are left with no recourse but to start over

That is where the cost of a ransomware attack can go far beyond the initial ransom demand Recovery is expensive What public entities are compelled to pay for include

bull System recovery services or new systems bull Claims services and related expenses

bull Forensics investigations bull Improving system security prevention and response

bull Recovery and remediation of any personalidentifiable information

The Evolution of Cyber Attacks

Even the most prepared public entity is still vulnerable to ransomware attacks Because of the fast payout ransomware attacks have become the method of choice for many cybercriminals Unlike cyberattacks of even five years ago when main systems were the target and recovery was faster ransomware attacks target everything

Now cyber thieves seek out both the systems and the servers where system backups are being stored Once the backups are encrypted public entities no longer are able to restore their systems The only option is paying the ransom

Thanks to the internet ransomware attacks have become big business Even inexperienced hackers can buy ransomware programs on the dark web and launch an attack It has become a fast payout for hackers ndash there is no reselling of personal data needed and little effort involved in extracting payment from organizations

Protection and Recovery

In order to avoid both paying ransom and having systems breached public entities of all sizes should be implementing cybersecurity measures It need not be expensive either Many public entities can put affordable basic cybersecurity protections in place with in the following ways

2CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

FEATURE ARTICLE

Training

Train all employees on the dangers of phishing and of accessing certain sites via the company internet during work hours Retail sites are not always secure and employees should understand how to identify sites and links that have little to no security Also employees should be trained in how to identify suspicious email and what steps to take when encountering one

Robust Patch Management System

Your organization can reduce the chances of a ransomware attack by patching the known vulnerabilities Establish a process by which your organization rolls out patches in a timely fashion

Offline Backups

One of the easiest ways for public entities to recover quickly from any cyberattack is to keep all backups offline and out of the reach of cybercriminals Storing to an offline location an offsite location or hiring a third-party backup service can keep your recovery data safe from attack

Software Protection

Commercially available security software can help reduce the risk of a ransomware attack crippling your organization While such software runs the gamut in terms of price and features most public entities can find an affordable option that can bolster their cybersecurity

Breach Response Planning

During a crisis is not the time to be making decisions on what to do next Starting now your organization should be working on a breach response plan When a breach occurs what are your first steps Who will you call first Who needs to be involved What should you be doing as you await outside help Having a plan in place can speed your recovery time significantly

Cyber Insurance

Public entities should be investing in cyber insurance that covers ransomware attacks By working with a carrier that specializes in cybersecurity public entities can get more bang for the buck Those insurance carriers give insureds access to forensics recovery teams and claims specialists as well as the knowledge and risk assessment that can help your organization recognize risks and help you create a response plan to complement your coverage

As cybercriminals target the organizations most likely to have gaps in their cybersecurity public entities are wise to look for ways to thwart cyber attacks and improve their approach to system security Ransomware is more targeted and much more in use now than even five years ago and the target is the smaller entity that may not be properly prepared

Because they are such easy marks for cyber criminals public entities large and small should be educating their employees tightening their security and planning how they will respond to a ransomware attack Also working with an insurance carrier that specializes in cybersecurity is an affordable way to protect the business and ensure that recovery services are in place should the unthinkable happen

Scott Schleicher is underwriting manager in AXA XLrsquos Cyber and Technology insurance business His specialty is helping cities municipalities and other public entities address their cyber risks

3

NEWS EXTRA

Cyber Awareness Resources for Preferred Members Several Florida cities have recently been infected with ransomware a malicious software that infects entire computer networks by freezing important equipment and files and essentially locking you out of your own data until the organization pays a ransom for a key to unlock the information Unfortunately ransomware has become a lucrative tactic for cybercriminals and no organization is immune from the threat When your systems come under attack it can be a frightening situation to navigate

Ransomware often travels through emails known as phishing attempts but it can also take advantage of backdoors or vulnerabilities Cybercriminals often prey on a userrsquos inattentiveness Nothing can protect a system like human vigilance Prevention is key train your employees and educate yourself

Here are some ways you can help prevent these types of attacks

1 Teach employees to recognize the signs of a phishing attack and encourage them to think before clicking Check the senders email address look for typos and beware of anything asking you to click on a link Emails with the attachments exevbs or scr even from a trusted source should not be opened These are executable files that are most likely a virus

2 Local and offsite backups are essential in keeping your information in a safe area that hackers cannot easily access It will also make it easier for you to repair your system in the event of an attack Use a cloud backup solution to protect your data Cloud backups add an extra layer of protection and redundancy Have multiple backups in case the last backup got overwritten with ransomware

3 Early Threat Detection - You can install ransomware protection software that will help identify potential attacks and find intrusions as they happen to prevent them Use a traditional firewall to block unauthorized access Windows offers a function called Group Policy that allows you to block the execution of files from your local folders which stops attacks that begin by placing malware in a local folder that then opens and infects the computer system

4 Make sure to download and install any software updates or patches for systems you use These updates can repair vulnerable security spots to help keep out attackers

5 Segment network access so that parts of the network can be separated from others in the event of a discovered threat

There are several cyber resources available online The Department of Homeland Securityrsquos Critical Infrastructure Cyber Community Voluntary Program (C3) provides cybersecurity resources to operators of critical infrastructure for State and Local Governments and provides webinars publications and best practices httpswwwus-certgovresourcessltt

Preferred now offers four new Target Solutions courses on Cyber Awareness Educating your associates is one of the best ways to prevent a cyber attack Cyber Awareness improves the awareness of threats to online security and provides best practices for safeguarding data As always these courses are available to Preferred members free of charge

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Classifying and Safeguarding Data for Corporate and Personal Use

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees End User Best Practices

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Security Awareness Essentials

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Social Engineering

Preferred also offers access to the HR amp Cyber Support Center for all members who place their POLEPLI or ELLEPLI coverage with Preferred The Cyber Support Center includes several resources

bull Breach Healthcheck Measurable data breach exposure and protection with instant feedback

bull Privacy and Security templates including a customizable incident response plan (IRP) which can be tailored to meet industry and regulatory requirements

bull Resources for keeping staff up to date on a range of issues related to privacy data security and compliance

bull Latest news and events regarding data breaches regulations cyber threats and protective technologies

For more information on these and other Cyber related resources please contact your Preferred Loss Control Representative

4

FEATURE ARTICLE

Easy Prey Why are public entities being targeted repeatedly by hackers Because they are the perfect target Many public entities hamstrung by tight budgets and little funding available to spend on IT systems upgrades do not have enough security measures in place to ward off a ransomware attack

Statistics show that 44 of local governments face regular cyberattack threats and 28 do not know how often they are attacked More alarming is that 41 of those local governments surveyed do not know if their systems have been breached

Cybercriminals are aware that public entities are more vulnerable too Publicly announced ransomware attacks against state and local governments spiked in 2018 with 53 incidents recorded a 39 increase over 2017 The first months of 2019 were equally active showing no signs of the trend slowing

No city is immune Ransom demands of $250000 or more are not uncommon in small municipalities Should a town fail to pay by the stated deadline ransoms will go up or as in the case of Atlanta payment options disappear and towns are left with no recourse but to start over

That is where the cost of a ransomware attack can go far beyond the initial ransom demand Recovery is expensive What public entities are compelled to pay for include

bull System recovery services or new systems bull Claims services and related expenses

bull Forensics investigations bull Improving system security prevention and response

bull Recovery and remediation of any personalidentifiable information

The Evolution of Cyber Attacks

Even the most prepared public entity is still vulnerable to ransomware attacks Because of the fast payout ransomware attacks have become the method of choice for many cybercriminals Unlike cyberattacks of even five years ago when main systems were the target and recovery was faster ransomware attacks target everything

Now cyber thieves seek out both the systems and the servers where system backups are being stored Once the backups are encrypted public entities no longer are able to restore their systems The only option is paying the ransom

Thanks to the internet ransomware attacks have become big business Even inexperienced hackers can buy ransomware programs on the dark web and launch an attack It has become a fast payout for hackers ndash there is no reselling of personal data needed and little effort involved in extracting payment from organizations

Protection and Recovery

In order to avoid both paying ransom and having systems breached public entities of all sizes should be implementing cybersecurity measures It need not be expensive either Many public entities can put affordable basic cybersecurity protections in place with in the following ways

2CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

FEATURE ARTICLE

Training

Train all employees on the dangers of phishing and of accessing certain sites via the company internet during work hours Retail sites are not always secure and employees should understand how to identify sites and links that have little to no security Also employees should be trained in how to identify suspicious email and what steps to take when encountering one

Robust Patch Management System

Your organization can reduce the chances of a ransomware attack by patching the known vulnerabilities Establish a process by which your organization rolls out patches in a timely fashion

Offline Backups

One of the easiest ways for public entities to recover quickly from any cyberattack is to keep all backups offline and out of the reach of cybercriminals Storing to an offline location an offsite location or hiring a third-party backup service can keep your recovery data safe from attack

Software Protection

Commercially available security software can help reduce the risk of a ransomware attack crippling your organization While such software runs the gamut in terms of price and features most public entities can find an affordable option that can bolster their cybersecurity

Breach Response Planning

During a crisis is not the time to be making decisions on what to do next Starting now your organization should be working on a breach response plan When a breach occurs what are your first steps Who will you call first Who needs to be involved What should you be doing as you await outside help Having a plan in place can speed your recovery time significantly

Cyber Insurance

Public entities should be investing in cyber insurance that covers ransomware attacks By working with a carrier that specializes in cybersecurity public entities can get more bang for the buck Those insurance carriers give insureds access to forensics recovery teams and claims specialists as well as the knowledge and risk assessment that can help your organization recognize risks and help you create a response plan to complement your coverage

As cybercriminals target the organizations most likely to have gaps in their cybersecurity public entities are wise to look for ways to thwart cyber attacks and improve their approach to system security Ransomware is more targeted and much more in use now than even five years ago and the target is the smaller entity that may not be properly prepared

Because they are such easy marks for cyber criminals public entities large and small should be educating their employees tightening their security and planning how they will respond to a ransomware attack Also working with an insurance carrier that specializes in cybersecurity is an affordable way to protect the business and ensure that recovery services are in place should the unthinkable happen

Scott Schleicher is underwriting manager in AXA XLrsquos Cyber and Technology insurance business His specialty is helping cities municipalities and other public entities address their cyber risks

3

NEWS EXTRA

Cyber Awareness Resources for Preferred Members Several Florida cities have recently been infected with ransomware a malicious software that infects entire computer networks by freezing important equipment and files and essentially locking you out of your own data until the organization pays a ransom for a key to unlock the information Unfortunately ransomware has become a lucrative tactic for cybercriminals and no organization is immune from the threat When your systems come under attack it can be a frightening situation to navigate

Ransomware often travels through emails known as phishing attempts but it can also take advantage of backdoors or vulnerabilities Cybercriminals often prey on a userrsquos inattentiveness Nothing can protect a system like human vigilance Prevention is key train your employees and educate yourself

Here are some ways you can help prevent these types of attacks

1 Teach employees to recognize the signs of a phishing attack and encourage them to think before clicking Check the senders email address look for typos and beware of anything asking you to click on a link Emails with the attachments exevbs or scr even from a trusted source should not be opened These are executable files that are most likely a virus

2 Local and offsite backups are essential in keeping your information in a safe area that hackers cannot easily access It will also make it easier for you to repair your system in the event of an attack Use a cloud backup solution to protect your data Cloud backups add an extra layer of protection and redundancy Have multiple backups in case the last backup got overwritten with ransomware

3 Early Threat Detection - You can install ransomware protection software that will help identify potential attacks and find intrusions as they happen to prevent them Use a traditional firewall to block unauthorized access Windows offers a function called Group Policy that allows you to block the execution of files from your local folders which stops attacks that begin by placing malware in a local folder that then opens and infects the computer system

4 Make sure to download and install any software updates or patches for systems you use These updates can repair vulnerable security spots to help keep out attackers

5 Segment network access so that parts of the network can be separated from others in the event of a discovered threat

There are several cyber resources available online The Department of Homeland Securityrsquos Critical Infrastructure Cyber Community Voluntary Program (C3) provides cybersecurity resources to operators of critical infrastructure for State and Local Governments and provides webinars publications and best practices httpswwwus-certgovresourcessltt

Preferred now offers four new Target Solutions courses on Cyber Awareness Educating your associates is one of the best ways to prevent a cyber attack Cyber Awareness improves the awareness of threats to online security and provides best practices for safeguarding data As always these courses are available to Preferred members free of charge

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Classifying and Safeguarding Data for Corporate and Personal Use

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees End User Best Practices

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Security Awareness Essentials

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Social Engineering

Preferred also offers access to the HR amp Cyber Support Center for all members who place their POLEPLI or ELLEPLI coverage with Preferred The Cyber Support Center includes several resources

bull Breach Healthcheck Measurable data breach exposure and protection with instant feedback

bull Privacy and Security templates including a customizable incident response plan (IRP) which can be tailored to meet industry and regulatory requirements

bull Resources for keeping staff up to date on a range of issues related to privacy data security and compliance

bull Latest news and events regarding data breaches regulations cyber threats and protective technologies

For more information on these and other Cyber related resources please contact your Preferred Loss Control Representative

4

FEATURE ARTICLE

Training

Train all employees on the dangers of phishing and of accessing certain sites via the company internet during work hours Retail sites are not always secure and employees should understand how to identify sites and links that have little to no security Also employees should be trained in how to identify suspicious email and what steps to take when encountering one

Robust Patch Management System

Your organization can reduce the chances of a ransomware attack by patching the known vulnerabilities Establish a process by which your organization rolls out patches in a timely fashion

Offline Backups

One of the easiest ways for public entities to recover quickly from any cyberattack is to keep all backups offline and out of the reach of cybercriminals Storing to an offline location an offsite location or hiring a third-party backup service can keep your recovery data safe from attack

Software Protection

Commercially available security software can help reduce the risk of a ransomware attack crippling your organization While such software runs the gamut in terms of price and features most public entities can find an affordable option that can bolster their cybersecurity

Breach Response Planning

During a crisis is not the time to be making decisions on what to do next Starting now your organization should be working on a breach response plan When a breach occurs what are your first steps Who will you call first Who needs to be involved What should you be doing as you await outside help Having a plan in place can speed your recovery time significantly

Cyber Insurance

Public entities should be investing in cyber insurance that covers ransomware attacks By working with a carrier that specializes in cybersecurity public entities can get more bang for the buck Those insurance carriers give insureds access to forensics recovery teams and claims specialists as well as the knowledge and risk assessment that can help your organization recognize risks and help you create a response plan to complement your coverage

As cybercriminals target the organizations most likely to have gaps in their cybersecurity public entities are wise to look for ways to thwart cyber attacks and improve their approach to system security Ransomware is more targeted and much more in use now than even five years ago and the target is the smaller entity that may not be properly prepared

Because they are such easy marks for cyber criminals public entities large and small should be educating their employees tightening their security and planning how they will respond to a ransomware attack Also working with an insurance carrier that specializes in cybersecurity is an affordable way to protect the business and ensure that recovery services are in place should the unthinkable happen

Scott Schleicher is underwriting manager in AXA XLrsquos Cyber and Technology insurance business His specialty is helping cities municipalities and other public entities address their cyber risks

3

NEWS EXTRA

Cyber Awareness Resources for Preferred Members Several Florida cities have recently been infected with ransomware a malicious software that infects entire computer networks by freezing important equipment and files and essentially locking you out of your own data until the organization pays a ransom for a key to unlock the information Unfortunately ransomware has become a lucrative tactic for cybercriminals and no organization is immune from the threat When your systems come under attack it can be a frightening situation to navigate

Ransomware often travels through emails known as phishing attempts but it can also take advantage of backdoors or vulnerabilities Cybercriminals often prey on a userrsquos inattentiveness Nothing can protect a system like human vigilance Prevention is key train your employees and educate yourself

Here are some ways you can help prevent these types of attacks

1 Teach employees to recognize the signs of a phishing attack and encourage them to think before clicking Check the senders email address look for typos and beware of anything asking you to click on a link Emails with the attachments exevbs or scr even from a trusted source should not be opened These are executable files that are most likely a virus

2 Local and offsite backups are essential in keeping your information in a safe area that hackers cannot easily access It will also make it easier for you to repair your system in the event of an attack Use a cloud backup solution to protect your data Cloud backups add an extra layer of protection and redundancy Have multiple backups in case the last backup got overwritten with ransomware

3 Early Threat Detection - You can install ransomware protection software that will help identify potential attacks and find intrusions as they happen to prevent them Use a traditional firewall to block unauthorized access Windows offers a function called Group Policy that allows you to block the execution of files from your local folders which stops attacks that begin by placing malware in a local folder that then opens and infects the computer system

4 Make sure to download and install any software updates or patches for systems you use These updates can repair vulnerable security spots to help keep out attackers

5 Segment network access so that parts of the network can be separated from others in the event of a discovered threat

There are several cyber resources available online The Department of Homeland Securityrsquos Critical Infrastructure Cyber Community Voluntary Program (C3) provides cybersecurity resources to operators of critical infrastructure for State and Local Governments and provides webinars publications and best practices httpswwwus-certgovresourcessltt

Preferred now offers four new Target Solutions courses on Cyber Awareness Educating your associates is one of the best ways to prevent a cyber attack Cyber Awareness improves the awareness of threats to online security and provides best practices for safeguarding data As always these courses are available to Preferred members free of charge

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Classifying and Safeguarding Data for Corporate and Personal Use

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees End User Best Practices

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Security Awareness Essentials

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Social Engineering

Preferred also offers access to the HR amp Cyber Support Center for all members who place their POLEPLI or ELLEPLI coverage with Preferred The Cyber Support Center includes several resources

bull Breach Healthcheck Measurable data breach exposure and protection with instant feedback

bull Privacy and Security templates including a customizable incident response plan (IRP) which can be tailored to meet industry and regulatory requirements

bull Resources for keeping staff up to date on a range of issues related to privacy data security and compliance

bull Latest news and events regarding data breaches regulations cyber threats and protective technologies

For more information on these and other Cyber related resources please contact your Preferred Loss Control Representative

4

NEWS EXTRA

Cyber Awareness Resources for Preferred Members Several Florida cities have recently been infected with ransomware a malicious software that infects entire computer networks by freezing important equipment and files and essentially locking you out of your own data until the organization pays a ransom for a key to unlock the information Unfortunately ransomware has become a lucrative tactic for cybercriminals and no organization is immune from the threat When your systems come under attack it can be a frightening situation to navigate

Ransomware often travels through emails known as phishing attempts but it can also take advantage of backdoors or vulnerabilities Cybercriminals often prey on a userrsquos inattentiveness Nothing can protect a system like human vigilance Prevention is key train your employees and educate yourself

Here are some ways you can help prevent these types of attacks

1 Teach employees to recognize the signs of a phishing attack and encourage them to think before clicking Check the senders email address look for typos and beware of anything asking you to click on a link Emails with the attachments exevbs or scr even from a trusted source should not be opened These are executable files that are most likely a virus

2 Local and offsite backups are essential in keeping your information in a safe area that hackers cannot easily access It will also make it easier for you to repair your system in the event of an attack Use a cloud backup solution to protect your data Cloud backups add an extra layer of protection and redundancy Have multiple backups in case the last backup got overwritten with ransomware

3 Early Threat Detection - You can install ransomware protection software that will help identify potential attacks and find intrusions as they happen to prevent them Use a traditional firewall to block unauthorized access Windows offers a function called Group Policy that allows you to block the execution of files from your local folders which stops attacks that begin by placing malware in a local folder that then opens and infects the computer system

4 Make sure to download and install any software updates or patches for systems you use These updates can repair vulnerable security spots to help keep out attackers

5 Segment network access so that parts of the network can be separated from others in the event of a discovered threat

There are several cyber resources available online The Department of Homeland Securityrsquos Critical Infrastructure Cyber Community Voluntary Program (C3) provides cybersecurity resources to operators of critical infrastructure for State and Local Governments and provides webinars publications and best practices httpswwwus-certgovresourcessltt

Preferred now offers four new Target Solutions courses on Cyber Awareness Educating your associates is one of the best ways to prevent a cyber attack Cyber Awareness improves the awareness of threats to online security and provides best practices for safeguarding data As always these courses are available to Preferred members free of charge

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Classifying and Safeguarding Data for Corporate and Personal Use

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees End User Best Practices

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Security Awareness Essentials

bull Cybersecurity Awareness for Employees Social Engineering

Preferred also offers access to the HR amp Cyber Support Center for all members who place their POLEPLI or ELLEPLI coverage with Preferred The Cyber Support Center includes several resources

bull Breach Healthcheck Measurable data breach exposure and protection with instant feedback

bull Privacy and Security templates including a customizable incident response plan (IRP) which can be tailored to meet industry and regulatory requirements

bull Resources for keeping staff up to date on a range of issues related to privacy data security and compliance

bull Latest news and events regarding data breaches regulations cyber threats and protective technologies

For more information on these and other Cyber related resources please contact your Preferred Loss Control Representative

4

EXCLUSIVE ARTICLE

The Value of Property Insurance Appraisals By Melvin Ngayan Regional Director - AssetWorks LLC

Every organization is exposed to a variety of risks This includes the potential for damage from events like fires or windstorms Preferred members contend with both of these risks making it important to be prepared Property appraisals that provide accurate insurable values and detailed exposure data can help reduce the impact felt by a risk occurrence and increase the resilience of your operation Letrsquos take a look at several strategies for how property insurance appraisals can help your organization better identify quantify and manage risk

Identifying Risk

During the property insurance appraisal process an appraisal professional collects several pieces of information about each building you intend to insure This information helps establish a complete picture of your property profile It includes basic building information ISO construction classification COPE and CAT data

The Value of Basic Building Information

A statement of values (SOV) is a declaration to insurance providers of which properties your entity intends to insure An updated SOV includes basic building information like building name building address GPS coordinates square footage occupancy the year built condition and more

For risk management professionals concerned about property risk exposures an up-to-date accurate SOV is critical Yoursquoll want to make sure all properties you wish to insure are reflected on your SOV and the properties you no longer wish to insure are removed this will put you one step closer to securing the proper insurance coverage for your entity

Why ISO and Similar Construction Classes Matter

Insurance Services Office (ISO) Construction Classifications correspond with the combustibility of a building Two important factors that determine a buildingrsquos ISO Construction Class are the material used in the construction of the building as well as the amount of time a passive fire protection system can withstand a standard fire-resistance test

Providing an underwriter with a buildingrsquos ISO Classification allows them to better estimate the potential for and the amount of damage that might be caused by a fire In a building with a classification of 1 (Frame Combustible) a fire will spread more quickly and damage more of the building than in a building with an ISO Classification of 6 (Fire Resistive) Pair that with additional data like the distance to the nearest fire hydrant and sprinkler type and an underwriter can get a clear picture of your fire-related exposures Buildings which are less susceptible to damage from fire can be insured at a more favorable rate than a building which may sustain more damage

5CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

EXCLUSIVE ARTICLE

How Collecting COPE and Secondary COPE (CAT) Data Can Help

COPE stands for construction occupancy protection exposure It includes characteristics such as the type of construction material used number of stories fire protection and more Secondary COPE characteristics or Catastrophe (CAT) modeling data relate to the buildingrsquos susceptibility to damage from windstorms or seismic activity Both COPE and Secondary COPE data help present the likelihood that an organization will experience losses due to a catastrophic event and quantify the potential property losses In the absence of this data some insurers and catastrophe modeling programs automatically assume a worst case scenario

For example providing underwriters with data like roof pitch the presence of roof straps details about windows the presence of objects that may become missiles and more help these modeling programs better understand the likelihood that your building will sustain damage in the event of high winds As with ISO Construction Class buildings which are less susceptible to damage from windstorms or seismic events can be insured at a more favorable rate than a building which may sustain more damage

Overall identifying risk by establishing a complete picture of your property profile might lead to greater confidence in and understanding of your risk exposure As a bonus this information can be used by your organization to help better prepare for and reduce hazards

Quantifying Risk

Having accurate up-to-date insurable values for all buildings and structures on your Statement of Values can help ensure you are insured-to-value and covered in the event of a loss

One of the most important considerations when quantifying risk is to insure the correct value For example if you simply insure the cost of constructing the building it is likely your insurable value will be inflated Including the non-insurable aspects associated with the construction of the building (eg cost to prepare the land the foundation underground piping) can lead to overpayment on premiums

Most likely yoursquoll want to insure-to-value using Replacement Cost New

Replacement Cost New - The amount required to reproduce the entire property in like utility and function It is based on current market prices for materials labor equipment contractorrsquos overhead profit and fees It does not include provisions for overtime bonuses or premiums on materials

A property insurance appraisal can provide the most accurate up-to-date insurable value if it (1) is based upon each individual property and the specific attributes of that property (2) is performed in accordance with generally accepted appraisal techniques and the Uniform Standards for Professional Appraisal practice and (3) that incorporates various sources to develop cost conclusions for each buildingstructure An appraisal provides a third-party opinion of value that is explainable defendable supportable and best of all you donrsquot have to do it

Accurate valuation data can help ensure you arenrsquot over- or under- insuring your property By looking at this data alongside of exposure data underwriters and insurers can truly quantify risk for your organization

Managing Risk

Property insurance appraisals that provide detailed building information and accurate valuation data help secure the right insurance coverage for your organization In addition having access to detailed information about the properties on your Statement of Values can help you better manage risk

Accurate detailed property information supports informed decision making provides proof-of-loss documentation gives you more insight into your risk exposures enables you to develop risk mitigation strategies and can help speed up processes like insurance renewals and claims

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 6

EXCLUSIVE ARTICLE

Herersquos a look at some of the additional benefits of property insurance appraisals

Property Insurance Appraisals through Preferred

Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust (Preferred) has contracted with AssetWorks LLC to conduct comprehensive property insurance appraisals for Preferred members This service is being offered at no additional cost to all members who have their property insurance placed with Preferred

The appraisal includes onsite physical inspections of all buildings insured with Preferred While onsite an AssetWorks appraisal team member will collect relevant building details including 26 data points related to windstorm exposures alone and take photographs of the outside of the buildings When back in the office the appraiser will use the data collected along with various valuation sources to determine the appropriate replacement or reproduction cost for the building

In addition insurable land improvements outside of a building and particular to a parcel of land will be inventoried and appraised Land improvement entries will have a full description and be listed per site Included are assets such as fencing outside lighting park benches playground structures signage and flagpoles boardwalks piers and docks

At the conclusion of the appraisal the following deliverables are provided

bull Certification Letter certifies the third-party objective opinion and valuation methodology used (eg in accordance with the uniform standards for professional appraisal practice) to conduct the property appraisal

bull Insurance Summary Report offers a quick snapshot of an organizationrsquos buildings with limited building detail and valuation information

bull Insurance Detail Reports takes a deep dive into building detail including photographs and all data points collected (eg basic attributes ISO construction Classifications COPE and CAT data)

bull Value Variance Reports provides a comparison of building values before and after the property insurance appraisal

If you have questions regarding your property appraisal please contact your insurance agent

Mel Ngayan is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and holds a BS in Environmental Engineering Mr Ngayan is a Regional Director with AssetWorks LLC and has been serving clients with onsite appraisal services since 1997 His tenure at AssetWorks LLC has included the planning management and execution of numerous capital asset cost accounting studies and property appraisal projects for municipalities county governments and other public sector entities As a lead valuation consultant Mr Ngayanrsquos responsibilities included the training and management of appraisal staff in the Eastern Region as well as the task of managing large and complex projects

Mr Ngayan is Marshall amp Swift Commercial Building Appraiser Certified Mel possesses significant technical expertise in the procedures and methodologies used to value machinery amp equipment buildings amp building services infrastructure land improvements and land parcels He possesses a practical knowledge and understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Government Accounting Auditing and Financial Reporting (GAAFR) Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement 34 (GASB 34) and various other audit concerns related to capital asset reporting Mr Ngayan is also experienced in providing insurance replacement and proof-of-loss information to our clients to assist in addressing their insurance reporting needs Mr Ngayan also has significant experience appraising architecturally unique and historical buildings

7

SPECIAL ARTICLE

14 Ways to Overcome Burnout in the Workplace (Part One) By Michael L Stahl amp Ryan S Gallik - The Mental Hygiene Project

This year in 2019 the World Health Organization officially recognized burnout as a legitimate diagnoses Amazingly the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States reports that more than 466 million Americans suffer from some form of mental illness with burnout being included in that list With the fast pace of modern day society people seem to have less time and more frustrations ndash even with all the technology that is supposed to make our lives easier

With burnout being one of the mental health injuries that has become prevalent in both public and private organizations here are seven of the fourteen practical strategies you can use in your every-day life to avoid and overcome burnout

diams Start your day with the powerful positive input of high-energy music Everyone enjoys different kinds of music so you need to use what YOU like Just be sure you start the day listening to the kind of high-energy music that gets you pumped up and feeling good It could be rock and roll or country or jazz or pop or whatever makes you feel great about yourself It is important to start the day off with positive energy and enthusiasm in order to effectively tackle the challenges that you might encounter If you put yourself in a good mood before you have to deal with problems you could be facing it makes the frustration much easier to handle

diams Do not dwell on your past shortcomings Do everything you possibly can to learn from your mistakes in all aspects of your life and to make things right to the best of your ability After that do not dwell on the person that you once were while ignoring the person that you are now This can lead to decreased productivity depression and burnout If you cannot get over something that went wrong in your life remember this quote ldquoDo not blame yourself for past errors You are no longer the same person who made them and you cannot blame a person who does not existrdquo

diams Get an ldquoaccountability partnerrdquo to help you stay focused You can share with this person your needs fears and victories An accountability partner is someone you can trust and feel comfortable enough with to just ldquobe yourselfrdquo You should meet with this person at least once a week to talk about your goals progress set-backs and thoughts on your personal and professional life Your accountability partner keeps you on track and moving forward in all aspects of your development The friendship and discussion you share with this person will help you to look at things objectively understand yourself better and be more well-rounded NOTE An accountability partner should be a person other than your spouse or significant other

diams See the funny side of life ndash allow yourself to laugh and enjoy life without being serious all the time Laughterhelps ease stress and bring mountains back down to mole hills where they belong Learn to see humor in difficultsituations A good hearty laugh is the best stress releaser of all Give yourself and the people you work with aldquolaugh-a-dayrdquo Put a ldquohumor boardrdquo in your work area Have a designated bulletin board where anyone can postcartoons jokes or even funny pictures This gives everyone a chance to ease anxieties You can also use whatcan be called ldquocomic memosrdquo This is where you attach a funny cartoon to the routine sometimes boring memosor pieces of paperwork that have to be given out Another idea for easing tension is to choose various people inthe office to take turns telling a family friendly ldquojoke of the dayrdquo The more you laugh the less you worry and thehealthier you feel

diams Slow down ldquoTake inventoryrdquo of your work personal life accomplishments and goals Take the time to reflect andthink This revitalizes the mind and refreshes the spirit Slow the chaos in your mind to allow yourself to just thinkand reflect MAKE time to do this

diams Plan time where you can take off work even if you have to plan weeks or months ahead ndash make the effort to give yourself a break Too many people are under the impression that it is impossible to take to a break because of being on call or constant emergencies If you plan early enough and stick to your commitment with everyone on your team knowing well in advance of when your time off will be you can make it work The truth is if you do not allow yourself time to relax away from work you could become bitter and resentful even when you are there Ultimately your work will overwhelm you not because you took a few days off but because you burned yourself out so badly that you experienced emotional meltdown Allow yourself some time to relax ndash guilt free

8CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

SPECIAL ARTICLE

diams When you feel overwhelmed plan out your meal break with friends or family Make it a point to not talk about your work Talk about your hobbies sports recent movies or entertainment or whatever you enjoy This gives you a release from the ldquopressure cookerrdquo of stress Sometimes it just helps to get away briefly in the middle of your day

The Mental Hygiene Project focuses on mental health and wellness programs that create committed focused employees strong mental health and lower on the job risk as well as effective inspired leaders Our Psychological Empowerment 360 training provides a foundation to mitigate avoid and provide education on resources for mental health injuries For more information go to wwwmentalhygieneprojectcom

Stay tuned for Part Two of ldquo14 Ways to Overcome Burnoutrdquo in the next Preferred newsletter For questions or more information on the Mental Hygiene Project or Psychological Empowerment 360 contact Ryan Gallik or Michael L Stahl through wwwmentalhygieneprojectcom

Michael L Stahl is the Founder of Motivation Concepts and Co-Founder of the Mental Hygiene Project He can be reached at 407-375-8271 or through www mentalhygieneprojectcom

Ryan S Gallik is the Founder of Ryan Gallik amp Associates and Co-Founder of the Mental Hygiene Project He can be reached at 352-434-9119 or through www mentalhygieneprojectcom

9

2020 Member Education DayThursday - March 19 2020

Orlando World Center Marriott

SAVE THE DATE

EXCLUSIVE ARTICLE

How Collecting COPE and Secondary COPE (CAT) Data Can Help

COPE stands for construction occupancy protection exposure It includes characteristics such as the type of construction material used number of stories fire protection and more Secondary COPE characteristics or Catastrophe (CAT) modeling data relate to the buildingrsquos susceptibility to damage from windstorms or seismic activity Both COPE and Secondary COPE data help present the likelihood that an organization will experience losses due to a catastrophic event and quantify the potential property losses In the absence of this data some insurers and catastrophe modeling programs automatically assume a worst case scenario

For example providing underwriters with data like roof pitch the presence of roof straps details about windows the presence of objects that may become missiles and more help these modeling programs better understand the likelihood that your building will sustain damage in the event of high winds As with ISO Construction Class buildings which are less susceptible to damage from windstorms or seismic events can be insured at a more favorable rate than a building which may sustain more damage

Overall identifying risk by establishing a complete picture of your property profile might lead to greater confidence in and understanding of your risk exposure As a bonus this information can be used by your organization to help better prepare for and reduce hazards

Quantifying Risk

Having accurate up-to-date insurable values for all buildings and structures on your Statement of Values can help ensure you are insured-to-value and covered in the event of a loss

One of the most important considerations when quantifying risk is to insure the correct value For example if you simply insure the cost of constructing the building it is likely your insurable value will be inflated Including the non-insurable aspects associated with the construction of the building (eg cost to prepare the land the foundation underground piping) can lead to overpayment on premiums

Most likely yoursquoll want to insure-to-value using Replacement Cost New

Replacement Cost New - The amount required to reproduce the entire property in like utility and function It is based on current market prices for materials labor equipment contractorrsquos overhead profit and fees It does not include provisions for overtime bonuses or premiums on materials

A property insurance appraisal can provide the most accurate up-to-date insurable value if it (1) is based upon each individual property and the specific attributes of that property (2) is performed in accordance with generally accepted appraisal techniques and the Uniform Standards for Professional Appraisal practice and (3) that incorporates various sources to develop cost conclusions for each buildingstructure An appraisal provides a third-party opinion of value that is explainable defendable supportable and best of all you donrsquot have to do it

Accurate valuation data can help ensure you arenrsquot over- or under- insuring your property By looking at this data alongside of exposure data underwriters and insurers can truly quantify risk for your organization

Managing Risk

Property insurance appraisals that provide detailed building information and accurate valuation data help secure the right insurance coverage for your organization In addition having access to detailed information about the properties on your Statement of Values can help you better manage risk

Accurate detailed property information supports informed decision making provides proof-of-loss documentation gives you more insight into your risk exposures enables you to develop risk mitigation strategies and can help speed up processes like insurance renewals and claims

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 6

EXCLUSIVE ARTICLE

Herersquos a look at some of the additional benefits of property insurance appraisals

Property Insurance Appraisals through Preferred

Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust (Preferred) has contracted with AssetWorks LLC to conduct comprehensive property insurance appraisals for Preferred members This service is being offered at no additional cost to all members who have their property insurance placed with Preferred

The appraisal includes onsite physical inspections of all buildings insured with Preferred While onsite an AssetWorks appraisal team member will collect relevant building details including 26 data points related to windstorm exposures alone and take photographs of the outside of the buildings When back in the office the appraiser will use the data collected along with various valuation sources to determine the appropriate replacement or reproduction cost for the building

In addition insurable land improvements outside of a building and particular to a parcel of land will be inventoried and appraised Land improvement entries will have a full description and be listed per site Included are assets such as fencing outside lighting park benches playground structures signage and flagpoles boardwalks piers and docks

At the conclusion of the appraisal the following deliverables are provided

bull Certification Letter certifies the third-party objective opinion and valuation methodology used (eg in accordance with the uniform standards for professional appraisal practice) to conduct the property appraisal

bull Insurance Summary Report offers a quick snapshot of an organizationrsquos buildings with limited building detail and valuation information

bull Insurance Detail Reports takes a deep dive into building detail including photographs and all data points collected (eg basic attributes ISO construction Classifications COPE and CAT data)

bull Value Variance Reports provides a comparison of building values before and after the property insurance appraisal

If you have questions regarding your property appraisal please contact your insurance agent

Mel Ngayan is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and holds a BS in Environmental Engineering Mr Ngayan is a Regional Director with AssetWorks LLC and has been serving clients with onsite appraisal services since 1997 His tenure at AssetWorks LLC has included the planning management and execution of numerous capital asset cost accounting studies and property appraisal projects for municipalities county governments and other public sector entities As a lead valuation consultant Mr Ngayanrsquos responsibilities included the training and management of appraisal staff in the Eastern Region as well as the task of managing large and complex projects

Mr Ngayan is Marshall amp Swift Commercial Building Appraiser Certified Mel possesses significant technical expertise in the procedures and methodologies used to value machinery amp equipment buildings amp building services infrastructure land improvements and land parcels He possesses a practical knowledge and understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Government Accounting Auditing and Financial Reporting (GAAFR) Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement 34 (GASB 34) and various other audit concerns related to capital asset reporting Mr Ngayan is also experienced in providing insurance replacement and proof-of-loss information to our clients to assist in addressing their insurance reporting needs Mr Ngayan also has significant experience appraising architecturally unique and historical buildings

7

SPECIAL ARTICLE

14 Ways to Overcome Burnout in the Workplace (Part One) By Michael L Stahl amp Ryan S Gallik - The Mental Hygiene Project

This year in 2019 the World Health Organization officially recognized burnout as a legitimate diagnoses Amazingly the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States reports that more than 466 million Americans suffer from some form of mental illness with burnout being included in that list With the fast pace of modern day society people seem to have less time and more frustrations ndash even with all the technology that is supposed to make our lives easier

With burnout being one of the mental health injuries that has become prevalent in both public and private organizations here are seven of the fourteen practical strategies you can use in your every-day life to avoid and overcome burnout

diams Start your day with the powerful positive input of high-energy music Everyone enjoys different kinds of music so you need to use what YOU like Just be sure you start the day listening to the kind of high-energy music that gets you pumped up and feeling good It could be rock and roll or country or jazz or pop or whatever makes you feel great about yourself It is important to start the day off with positive energy and enthusiasm in order to effectively tackle the challenges that you might encounter If you put yourself in a good mood before you have to deal with problems you could be facing it makes the frustration much easier to handle

diams Do not dwell on your past shortcomings Do everything you possibly can to learn from your mistakes in all aspects of your life and to make things right to the best of your ability After that do not dwell on the person that you once were while ignoring the person that you are now This can lead to decreased productivity depression and burnout If you cannot get over something that went wrong in your life remember this quote ldquoDo not blame yourself for past errors You are no longer the same person who made them and you cannot blame a person who does not existrdquo

diams Get an ldquoaccountability partnerrdquo to help you stay focused You can share with this person your needs fears and victories An accountability partner is someone you can trust and feel comfortable enough with to just ldquobe yourselfrdquo You should meet with this person at least once a week to talk about your goals progress set-backs and thoughts on your personal and professional life Your accountability partner keeps you on track and moving forward in all aspects of your development The friendship and discussion you share with this person will help you to look at things objectively understand yourself better and be more well-rounded NOTE An accountability partner should be a person other than your spouse or significant other

diams See the funny side of life ndash allow yourself to laugh and enjoy life without being serious all the time Laughterhelps ease stress and bring mountains back down to mole hills where they belong Learn to see humor in difficultsituations A good hearty laugh is the best stress releaser of all Give yourself and the people you work with aldquolaugh-a-dayrdquo Put a ldquohumor boardrdquo in your work area Have a designated bulletin board where anyone can postcartoons jokes or even funny pictures This gives everyone a chance to ease anxieties You can also use whatcan be called ldquocomic memosrdquo This is where you attach a funny cartoon to the routine sometimes boring memosor pieces of paperwork that have to be given out Another idea for easing tension is to choose various people inthe office to take turns telling a family friendly ldquojoke of the dayrdquo The more you laugh the less you worry and thehealthier you feel

diams Slow down ldquoTake inventoryrdquo of your work personal life accomplishments and goals Take the time to reflect andthink This revitalizes the mind and refreshes the spirit Slow the chaos in your mind to allow yourself to just thinkand reflect MAKE time to do this

diams Plan time where you can take off work even if you have to plan weeks or months ahead ndash make the effort to give yourself a break Too many people are under the impression that it is impossible to take to a break because of being on call or constant emergencies If you plan early enough and stick to your commitment with everyone on your team knowing well in advance of when your time off will be you can make it work The truth is if you do not allow yourself time to relax away from work you could become bitter and resentful even when you are there Ultimately your work will overwhelm you not because you took a few days off but because you burned yourself out so badly that you experienced emotional meltdown Allow yourself some time to relax ndash guilt free

8CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

SPECIAL ARTICLE

diams When you feel overwhelmed plan out your meal break with friends or family Make it a point to not talk about your work Talk about your hobbies sports recent movies or entertainment or whatever you enjoy This gives you a release from the ldquopressure cookerrdquo of stress Sometimes it just helps to get away briefly in the middle of your day

The Mental Hygiene Project focuses on mental health and wellness programs that create committed focused employees strong mental health and lower on the job risk as well as effective inspired leaders Our Psychological Empowerment 360 training provides a foundation to mitigate avoid and provide education on resources for mental health injuries For more information go to wwwmentalhygieneprojectcom

Stay tuned for Part Two of ldquo14 Ways to Overcome Burnoutrdquo in the next Preferred newsletter For questions or more information on the Mental Hygiene Project or Psychological Empowerment 360 contact Ryan Gallik or Michael L Stahl through wwwmentalhygieneprojectcom

Michael L Stahl is the Founder of Motivation Concepts and Co-Founder of the Mental Hygiene Project He can be reached at 407-375-8271 or through www mentalhygieneprojectcom

Ryan S Gallik is the Founder of Ryan Gallik amp Associates and Co-Founder of the Mental Hygiene Project He can be reached at 352-434-9119 or through www mentalhygieneprojectcom

9

2020 Member Education DayThursday - March 19 2020

Orlando World Center Marriott

SAVE THE DATE

EXCLUSIVE ARTICLE

Herersquos a look at some of the additional benefits of property insurance appraisals

Property Insurance Appraisals through Preferred

Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust (Preferred) has contracted with AssetWorks LLC to conduct comprehensive property insurance appraisals for Preferred members This service is being offered at no additional cost to all members who have their property insurance placed with Preferred

The appraisal includes onsite physical inspections of all buildings insured with Preferred While onsite an AssetWorks appraisal team member will collect relevant building details including 26 data points related to windstorm exposures alone and take photographs of the outside of the buildings When back in the office the appraiser will use the data collected along with various valuation sources to determine the appropriate replacement or reproduction cost for the building

In addition insurable land improvements outside of a building and particular to a parcel of land will be inventoried and appraised Land improvement entries will have a full description and be listed per site Included are assets such as fencing outside lighting park benches playground structures signage and flagpoles boardwalks piers and docks

At the conclusion of the appraisal the following deliverables are provided

bull Certification Letter certifies the third-party objective opinion and valuation methodology used (eg in accordance with the uniform standards for professional appraisal practice) to conduct the property appraisal

bull Insurance Summary Report offers a quick snapshot of an organizationrsquos buildings with limited building detail and valuation information

bull Insurance Detail Reports takes a deep dive into building detail including photographs and all data points collected (eg basic attributes ISO construction Classifications COPE and CAT data)

bull Value Variance Reports provides a comparison of building values before and after the property insurance appraisal

If you have questions regarding your property appraisal please contact your insurance agent

Mel Ngayan is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and holds a BS in Environmental Engineering Mr Ngayan is a Regional Director with AssetWorks LLC and has been serving clients with onsite appraisal services since 1997 His tenure at AssetWorks LLC has included the planning management and execution of numerous capital asset cost accounting studies and property appraisal projects for municipalities county governments and other public sector entities As a lead valuation consultant Mr Ngayanrsquos responsibilities included the training and management of appraisal staff in the Eastern Region as well as the task of managing large and complex projects

Mr Ngayan is Marshall amp Swift Commercial Building Appraiser Certified Mel possesses significant technical expertise in the procedures and methodologies used to value machinery amp equipment buildings amp building services infrastructure land improvements and land parcels He possesses a practical knowledge and understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Government Accounting Auditing and Financial Reporting (GAAFR) Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement 34 (GASB 34) and various other audit concerns related to capital asset reporting Mr Ngayan is also experienced in providing insurance replacement and proof-of-loss information to our clients to assist in addressing their insurance reporting needs Mr Ngayan also has significant experience appraising architecturally unique and historical buildings

7

SPECIAL ARTICLE

14 Ways to Overcome Burnout in the Workplace (Part One) By Michael L Stahl amp Ryan S Gallik - The Mental Hygiene Project

This year in 2019 the World Health Organization officially recognized burnout as a legitimate diagnoses Amazingly the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States reports that more than 466 million Americans suffer from some form of mental illness with burnout being included in that list With the fast pace of modern day society people seem to have less time and more frustrations ndash even with all the technology that is supposed to make our lives easier

With burnout being one of the mental health injuries that has become prevalent in both public and private organizations here are seven of the fourteen practical strategies you can use in your every-day life to avoid and overcome burnout

diams Start your day with the powerful positive input of high-energy music Everyone enjoys different kinds of music so you need to use what YOU like Just be sure you start the day listening to the kind of high-energy music that gets you pumped up and feeling good It could be rock and roll or country or jazz or pop or whatever makes you feel great about yourself It is important to start the day off with positive energy and enthusiasm in order to effectively tackle the challenges that you might encounter If you put yourself in a good mood before you have to deal with problems you could be facing it makes the frustration much easier to handle

diams Do not dwell on your past shortcomings Do everything you possibly can to learn from your mistakes in all aspects of your life and to make things right to the best of your ability After that do not dwell on the person that you once were while ignoring the person that you are now This can lead to decreased productivity depression and burnout If you cannot get over something that went wrong in your life remember this quote ldquoDo not blame yourself for past errors You are no longer the same person who made them and you cannot blame a person who does not existrdquo

diams Get an ldquoaccountability partnerrdquo to help you stay focused You can share with this person your needs fears and victories An accountability partner is someone you can trust and feel comfortable enough with to just ldquobe yourselfrdquo You should meet with this person at least once a week to talk about your goals progress set-backs and thoughts on your personal and professional life Your accountability partner keeps you on track and moving forward in all aspects of your development The friendship and discussion you share with this person will help you to look at things objectively understand yourself better and be more well-rounded NOTE An accountability partner should be a person other than your spouse or significant other

diams See the funny side of life ndash allow yourself to laugh and enjoy life without being serious all the time Laughterhelps ease stress and bring mountains back down to mole hills where they belong Learn to see humor in difficultsituations A good hearty laugh is the best stress releaser of all Give yourself and the people you work with aldquolaugh-a-dayrdquo Put a ldquohumor boardrdquo in your work area Have a designated bulletin board where anyone can postcartoons jokes or even funny pictures This gives everyone a chance to ease anxieties You can also use whatcan be called ldquocomic memosrdquo This is where you attach a funny cartoon to the routine sometimes boring memosor pieces of paperwork that have to be given out Another idea for easing tension is to choose various people inthe office to take turns telling a family friendly ldquojoke of the dayrdquo The more you laugh the less you worry and thehealthier you feel

diams Slow down ldquoTake inventoryrdquo of your work personal life accomplishments and goals Take the time to reflect andthink This revitalizes the mind and refreshes the spirit Slow the chaos in your mind to allow yourself to just thinkand reflect MAKE time to do this

diams Plan time where you can take off work even if you have to plan weeks or months ahead ndash make the effort to give yourself a break Too many people are under the impression that it is impossible to take to a break because of being on call or constant emergencies If you plan early enough and stick to your commitment with everyone on your team knowing well in advance of when your time off will be you can make it work The truth is if you do not allow yourself time to relax away from work you could become bitter and resentful even when you are there Ultimately your work will overwhelm you not because you took a few days off but because you burned yourself out so badly that you experienced emotional meltdown Allow yourself some time to relax ndash guilt free

8CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

SPECIAL ARTICLE

diams When you feel overwhelmed plan out your meal break with friends or family Make it a point to not talk about your work Talk about your hobbies sports recent movies or entertainment or whatever you enjoy This gives you a release from the ldquopressure cookerrdquo of stress Sometimes it just helps to get away briefly in the middle of your day

The Mental Hygiene Project focuses on mental health and wellness programs that create committed focused employees strong mental health and lower on the job risk as well as effective inspired leaders Our Psychological Empowerment 360 training provides a foundation to mitigate avoid and provide education on resources for mental health injuries For more information go to wwwmentalhygieneprojectcom

Stay tuned for Part Two of ldquo14 Ways to Overcome Burnoutrdquo in the next Preferred newsletter For questions or more information on the Mental Hygiene Project or Psychological Empowerment 360 contact Ryan Gallik or Michael L Stahl through wwwmentalhygieneprojectcom

Michael L Stahl is the Founder of Motivation Concepts and Co-Founder of the Mental Hygiene Project He can be reached at 407-375-8271 or through www mentalhygieneprojectcom

Ryan S Gallik is the Founder of Ryan Gallik amp Associates and Co-Founder of the Mental Hygiene Project He can be reached at 352-434-9119 or through www mentalhygieneprojectcom

9

2020 Member Education DayThursday - March 19 2020

Orlando World Center Marriott

SAVE THE DATE

SPECIAL ARTICLE

14 Ways to Overcome Burnout in the Workplace (Part One) By Michael L Stahl amp Ryan S Gallik - The Mental Hygiene Project

This year in 2019 the World Health Organization officially recognized burnout as a legitimate diagnoses Amazingly the National Institute of Mental Health in the United States reports that more than 466 million Americans suffer from some form of mental illness with burnout being included in that list With the fast pace of modern day society people seem to have less time and more frustrations ndash even with all the technology that is supposed to make our lives easier

With burnout being one of the mental health injuries that has become prevalent in both public and private organizations here are seven of the fourteen practical strategies you can use in your every-day life to avoid and overcome burnout

diams Start your day with the powerful positive input of high-energy music Everyone enjoys different kinds of music so you need to use what YOU like Just be sure you start the day listening to the kind of high-energy music that gets you pumped up and feeling good It could be rock and roll or country or jazz or pop or whatever makes you feel great about yourself It is important to start the day off with positive energy and enthusiasm in order to effectively tackle the challenges that you might encounter If you put yourself in a good mood before you have to deal with problems you could be facing it makes the frustration much easier to handle

diams Do not dwell on your past shortcomings Do everything you possibly can to learn from your mistakes in all aspects of your life and to make things right to the best of your ability After that do not dwell on the person that you once were while ignoring the person that you are now This can lead to decreased productivity depression and burnout If you cannot get over something that went wrong in your life remember this quote ldquoDo not blame yourself for past errors You are no longer the same person who made them and you cannot blame a person who does not existrdquo

diams Get an ldquoaccountability partnerrdquo to help you stay focused You can share with this person your needs fears and victories An accountability partner is someone you can trust and feel comfortable enough with to just ldquobe yourselfrdquo You should meet with this person at least once a week to talk about your goals progress set-backs and thoughts on your personal and professional life Your accountability partner keeps you on track and moving forward in all aspects of your development The friendship and discussion you share with this person will help you to look at things objectively understand yourself better and be more well-rounded NOTE An accountability partner should be a person other than your spouse or significant other

diams See the funny side of life ndash allow yourself to laugh and enjoy life without being serious all the time Laughterhelps ease stress and bring mountains back down to mole hills where they belong Learn to see humor in difficultsituations A good hearty laugh is the best stress releaser of all Give yourself and the people you work with aldquolaugh-a-dayrdquo Put a ldquohumor boardrdquo in your work area Have a designated bulletin board where anyone can postcartoons jokes or even funny pictures This gives everyone a chance to ease anxieties You can also use whatcan be called ldquocomic memosrdquo This is where you attach a funny cartoon to the routine sometimes boring memosor pieces of paperwork that have to be given out Another idea for easing tension is to choose various people inthe office to take turns telling a family friendly ldquojoke of the dayrdquo The more you laugh the less you worry and thehealthier you feel

diams Slow down ldquoTake inventoryrdquo of your work personal life accomplishments and goals Take the time to reflect andthink This revitalizes the mind and refreshes the spirit Slow the chaos in your mind to allow yourself to just thinkand reflect MAKE time to do this

diams Plan time where you can take off work even if you have to plan weeks or months ahead ndash make the effort to give yourself a break Too many people are under the impression that it is impossible to take to a break because of being on call or constant emergencies If you plan early enough and stick to your commitment with everyone on your team knowing well in advance of when your time off will be you can make it work The truth is if you do not allow yourself time to relax away from work you could become bitter and resentful even when you are there Ultimately your work will overwhelm you not because you took a few days off but because you burned yourself out so badly that you experienced emotional meltdown Allow yourself some time to relax ndash guilt free

8CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

SPECIAL ARTICLE

diams When you feel overwhelmed plan out your meal break with friends or family Make it a point to not talk about your work Talk about your hobbies sports recent movies or entertainment or whatever you enjoy This gives you a release from the ldquopressure cookerrdquo of stress Sometimes it just helps to get away briefly in the middle of your day

The Mental Hygiene Project focuses on mental health and wellness programs that create committed focused employees strong mental health and lower on the job risk as well as effective inspired leaders Our Psychological Empowerment 360 training provides a foundation to mitigate avoid and provide education on resources for mental health injuries For more information go to wwwmentalhygieneprojectcom

Stay tuned for Part Two of ldquo14 Ways to Overcome Burnoutrdquo in the next Preferred newsletter For questions or more information on the Mental Hygiene Project or Psychological Empowerment 360 contact Ryan Gallik or Michael L Stahl through wwwmentalhygieneprojectcom

Michael L Stahl is the Founder of Motivation Concepts and Co-Founder of the Mental Hygiene Project He can be reached at 407-375-8271 or through www mentalhygieneprojectcom

Ryan S Gallik is the Founder of Ryan Gallik amp Associates and Co-Founder of the Mental Hygiene Project He can be reached at 352-434-9119 or through www mentalhygieneprojectcom

9

2020 Member Education DayThursday - March 19 2020

Orlando World Center Marriott

SAVE THE DATE

SPECIAL ARTICLE

diams When you feel overwhelmed plan out your meal break with friends or family Make it a point to not talk about your work Talk about your hobbies sports recent movies or entertainment or whatever you enjoy This gives you a release from the ldquopressure cookerrdquo of stress Sometimes it just helps to get away briefly in the middle of your day

The Mental Hygiene Project focuses on mental health and wellness programs that create committed focused employees strong mental health and lower on the job risk as well as effective inspired leaders Our Psychological Empowerment 360 training provides a foundation to mitigate avoid and provide education on resources for mental health injuries For more information go to wwwmentalhygieneprojectcom

Stay tuned for Part Two of ldquo14 Ways to Overcome Burnoutrdquo in the next Preferred newsletter For questions or more information on the Mental Hygiene Project or Psychological Empowerment 360 contact Ryan Gallik or Michael L Stahl through wwwmentalhygieneprojectcom

Michael L Stahl is the Founder of Motivation Concepts and Co-Founder of the Mental Hygiene Project He can be reached at 407-375-8271 or through www mentalhygieneprojectcom

Ryan S Gallik is the Founder of Ryan Gallik amp Associates and Co-Founder of the Mental Hygiene Project He can be reached at 352-434-9119 or through www mentalhygieneprojectcom

9

2020 Member Education DayThursday - March 19 2020

Orlando World Center Marriott

SAVE THE DATE

10

Preferred would like to welcome the following new members

Byrneville Elementary School Kinder Cub School Inc

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Old Plantation Water Control District Receives FASD Safety Award for 2019 Submitted by Chris Kittleson Director of Loss Control Technical Services - Public Risk Underwriters of Florida Inc

Old Plantation Water Control District and Pat OrsquoQuinn District Superintendent received the FASD Safety Award for 2019 at the Florida Association of Special Districts (FASD) Annual Conference in Ft Myers The Safety Award is sponsored by the Districtrsquos participating FASD Associate Member insurance carrier Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust

The safety award recognized Old Plantation Water Control District under the direction of the District Superintendent Pat OrsquoQuinn for developing an excellent working relationship with Preferred Loss Control in a collaborative effort to mitigate risk to the District as well as its employees More specifically the District Superintendent was extremely supportive of the Districtrsquos safety programming and risk management initiatives

Mr OrsquoQuinn utilized a ldquohands onrdquo and proactive approach to ensure that all aspects of safety were aligned with daily operations of the District This is evidenced by ensuring all employees are provided with proper safety training personal protective equipment and the proper tools to safely complete their job duties In addition Mr OrsquoQuinn works to continuously improve the risk profile of the District by consulting with Preferred Loss Control on matters pertaining to safety and health as well as the Districtrsquos legal representatives and regulatory bodies to ensure that any and all liability is properly abated

Southwest Florida PRIMA Chapter Approves Seven Scholarships for Attendance of 2019 Florida State PRIMA Conference Submitted by Public Risk Underwriters of Florida Inc

The Southwest Florida PRIMA Chapter approved seven (7) scholarship applications for attendance to the 2019 Florida State PRIMA Conference held in Naples October 20-23 The following scholarship applications were approved by the Board

ndash Dawn Shorter City of North Port ndash Laura Pastore City of Margate ndash Courtney Buckles City of Punta Gorda ndash Tarey Franxman City of Ft Walton Beach ndash CiCi Messon City of Lauderhill ndash Aundrekia Williams Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School ndash Melissa Tuck City of Wildwood

The PRIMA Board elected to award scholarships to individuals outside of the Chapter region to encourage more RiskHR professionals to join PRIMA and attend the Conference

We hope that you will be able to attend this great event that is put together by and for HRRisk Management professionals 

Preferred is a Conference sponsor and proud supporter of Florida PRIMA We will be manning a booth at the Conference during exhibit hours Please come by and see us there 

Pictured (L to R) Kevin Hart Secretary FASDDistrict Manager South Broward Drainage District Pat OrsquoQuinn Safety Award RecipientDistrict Superintendent Old Plantation Water Control District Tanya Quickel President FASDDirector of Administrative amp Financial Services at City of Wellington Florida

BREAKTIME FUN -N- GAMES

Thanksgiving Mixed Trivia

KEY STAFF CONTACTS

1 Which state in the United States produces the most Turkeys

a Texas b Tennessee c North Carolina d Kentucky

2 What retail department store held the first Thanksgiving Parade

a Gimbelrsquos b Sears c JC Pennyrsquos d Macyrsquos

3 What year did the NFL start playing footballl games on Thanksgiving

a 1934 b 1966 c 1920 d 1934

4 What country produces the most sweet potatoes (aka yams) every year

a United States b China c Russia d Brazil

5 Pumpkin was once believed to be a remedy or cure for what skin condition

a Acne b Warts c Psoriasis d Freckles

6 How many Turkeys are estimated to be eaten by Americans on Thanksgiving

a 535 Million b 325 Million c 125 Million d 240 Million

7 On what year was Thanksgiving declared a legal federal holiday in the United States

a 1789 b 1621 c 1941 d 1863

8 What Native American Indian tribe celebrated the first Thanksgiving feast with the Pilgrims

a Huron b Wampanoag c Abenaki d Chippewa

9 What does the term ldquoCornucopiardquo mean

a Horn of Plenty b Coping with Corn c Basket of Gords d Who Cares Lets Eat 

10 What is a Turkey Trot

a Footrace b Male Turkey Mating Dance c Ballroom Dance d All are correct (ab and c)

11  A Turkey is pardoned every year by the US President Where have those Turkeys gone after being pardoned

a Morven Park b Frying Pan Park c Disneyland d All are correct (ab and c)

12 What American grocery manufacturingprocessing conglomerate first introduced Stove Top Stuffing In what year

a Kraft in 1995 b McCormick in 1964 c General Foods in 1972 d Pepperidge Farms in 1948

Please visit wwwpgitorgResourcesFall 2019Article Index for Thanksgiving Mixed Trivia answer key

As a member of Preferred your first call should always be to your agent if however you need help beyond your agent please feel free to contact us as indicated below

Marketing Operations Loss Control Claims marketingpublicriskcom jmartinpublicriskcom mstephenspublicriskcom ftuckerpgcs-tpacom 321-832-1455 321-832-1691 321-832-1658 321-832-1401 Kurt Heyman Jennifer Martin Mike Stephens Fred Tucker

11

Standard Presort

US Postage PAID

Permit 1979 Orlando FL

P O BOX 958455 - Lake Mary FL 32795-8455

BREAKTIME FUN -N- GAMES

Thanksgiving Mixed Trivia

KEY STAFF CONTACTS

1 Which state in the United States produces the most Turkeys

a Texas b Tennessee c North Carolina d Kentucky

2 What retail department store held the first Thanksgiving Parade

a Gimbelrsquos b Sears c JC Pennyrsquos d Macyrsquos

3 What year did the NFL start playing footballl games on Thanksgiving

a 1934 b 1966 c 1920 d 1934

4 What country produces the most sweet potatoes (aka yams) every year

a United States b China c Russia d Brazil

5 Pumpkin was once believed to be a remedy or cure for what skin condition

a Acne b Warts c Psoriasis d Freckles

6 How many Turkeys are estimated to be eaten by Americans on Thanksgiving

a 535 Million b 325 Million c 125 Million d 240 Million

7 On what year was Thanksgiving declared a legal federal holiday in the United States

a 1789 b 1621 c 1941 d 1863

8 What Native American Indian tribe celebrated the first Thanksgiving feast with the Pilgrims

a Huron b Wampanoag c Abenaki d Chippewa

9 What does the term ldquoCornucopiardquo mean

a Horn of Plenty b Coping with Corn c Basket of Gords d Who Cares Lets Eat 

10 What is a Turkey Trot

a Footrace b Male Turkey Mating Dance c Ballroom Dance d All are correct (ab and c)

11  A Turkey is pardoned every year by the US President Where have those Turkeys gone after being pardoned

a Morven Park b Frying Pan Park c Disneyland d All are correct (ab and c)

12 What American grocery manufacturingprocessing conglomerate first introduced Stove Top Stuffing In what year

a Kraft in 1995 b McCormick in 1964 c General Foods in 1972 d Pepperidge Farms in 1948

Please visit wwwpgitorgResourcesFall 2019Article Index for Thanksgiving Mixed Trivia answer key

As a member of Preferred your first call should always be to your agent if however you need help beyond your agent please feel free to contact us as indicated below

Marketing Operations Loss Control Claims marketingpublicriskcom jmartinpublicriskcom mstephenspublicriskcom ftuckerpgcs-tpacom 321-832-1455 321-832-1691 321-832-1658 321-832-1401 Kurt Heyman Jennifer Martin Mike Stephens Fred Tucker

11

Standard Presort

US Postage PAID

Permit 1979 Orlando FL

P O BOX 958455 - Lake Mary FL 32795-8455

Standard Presort

US Postage PAID

Permit 1979 Orlando FL

P O BOX 958455 - Lake Mary FL 32795-8455