I want to start off this President’s Corner Message wishing you all good health and resilience as we work together to understand, manage and persevere past this pandemic. While it is our jobs to manage uncertainties like COVID-19, this pandemic has presented us with a great opportunity. It’s up to us to contribute at all levels of the organization, to lead and drive strategy and manage operational recovery so that our organizations emerge on the other side stronger.
However, we understand that many of our members have been hit hard by COVID-19. In addition to the RIMS COVID-19 Resource Center, the Opis online networking forum continues capture some really fascinating conversations about managing this new risk and the Society also has an active Career Center for those who have lost employment during the crisis. RIMS Client Services (CST@RIMS.org) team remains available to answer any membership questions, including Transitional Membership options, as well as provide information about the Society’s latest initiatives.
Last week we would have hosted RIMS 2020 in Denver. For decades, our Annual Conference has been an industry mainstay. It always delivers the best-of-the-best in risk management insight and solutions. However, this year, I think we all recognize the importance of meeting face-to-face and how special the conference interactions really are.
While the in-person meetings were missed, our chapters have risen to the occasion and are producing exceptional resources to engage our communities. RIMS Dallas Fort-Worth Chapter, Los Angeles Chapter and Chicago Chapter have teamed up to offer a series of panel discussions, as have our chapters in the Southern California region. Many of our other chapters are also offering great programming while some have gone the extra mile to focus on charitable giving. I want to commend them all – and especially the volunteers who run them. I encourage risk professionals far-and-wide to follow them on social media and check out their individual websites for upcoming activities.
Many of our industry partners are following suit. Sedgwick, Origami Risk, Gallagher, Spencer and many others would-have-been exhibitors held virtual RIMS events featuring the content they had planned to share in Denver. RIMS Risk Knowledge library is continuously updated with reports from our partners, RIMS Risk Management Magazine’s May issue captures the latest trends and, overall, the Society has ramped-up its online learning opportunities.
The pandemic has also emphasized the importance of advocacy. RIMS continues to work with government officials and industry partners to ensure risk professionals’ voices are heard during the legislative process. RIMS External Affairs Committee successfully issued this letter to Congress stating our position on a Pandemic Risk Insurance Act. We have started a grassroots effort, streamlining the process for you to engage your local elected officials on the matter. The committee is also reviewing trends in workers’ compensation, business interruption and other liability issues. RIMS advocacy page is kept up-to-date with the Society’s most recent initiatives.
Finally, RIMS continues to plan optimistically for future events. This week, we will send out our call for session submissions for RIMS ERM Conference 2020 (November 3 and 4). Additionally, planning for RIMS 2021 is underway with the session submission process ready to begin mid-June and the exhibition booth selection process starting July 14th.
As we continue to learn from this global health pandemic, one thing has become abundantly clear, the RIMS community is strong, nimble and is genuinely dedicated to supporting others in the field and advancing the profession. This Society will continue to advocate for you and work hard to help you expand your risk management network. Day-by-day, week-by-week and month-by-month, we will grow and we will learn. And, while these days feel long, I am absolutely confident that we will emerge stronger.
Sincerely,
Laura Langone
RIMS 2020 President