The TASB Risk Management Fund: Membership Has Its Privileges

by Herman Wilks & Roy Wheeler

For over thirty years the TASB Risk Management Fund (the Fund) has built its reputation on providing exemplary school-specific services to Texas educational entities.

The Fund’s membership currently extends to over 1,100 entities who participate in one or more programs which include Property/Casualty, Workers’ Compensation, and Unemployment Compensation. As the familiar slogan goes, membership does have its privileges and benefits to which Fund members can certainly attest.

With numerous competitive options available, what benefits might a member realize by joining the Fund? While we typically think in terms of certain coverage and service benefits, which are certainly attributable to Fund membership, there is actually a unique differentiator that sets the Fund apart from other competitors; the philosophy and belief that participation in the Fund warrants “giving back” to the membership. As a result, the Fund has been able to “give back” and members have benefited in a variety of the following ways: 

• Loss Prevention Grant Program - Since 1998, the Fund has awarded 1,381 grants valued at more than $3.4 million.

• Automated External Defibrillators (AED) - As a result of the University Interscholastic League mandate, the Fund has awarded 408 AEDs to qualifying members as a result of their multiple program participation and longevity with the Fund.

• Innovation Award Program - Beginning in 2004, the Fund has offered up to ten $1,000 annual awards to members for initiatives, products, or programs that are inventive, timely and effective. Since the inception of the program, we have offered 45 awards totaling $45,000. 

• Members’ Conference - Held annually in April, this year’s conference was the largest ever with more than 600 attendees! One and a half days of comprehensive training and educational sessions are provided free to members who pre-register. Additionally, members receive a maximum coverage credit of $500 per program just for attending the conference. At the close of the conference, three lucky members also received grand prizes of $1,000, $3,000, or $5,000 in the traditional renewal coverage credit drawing.

•  Regional Fall Seminars - Continuing on with the education and training theme, the Fund hosts one-day seminars across the state annually in the Fall, in which a variety of risk management topics/issues are presented. These seminars are presented to the members at no charge. The seminars commence in September and conclude in November. If you are interested in attending, look for information on the Fund Website in July.

• Membership Experience Renewal Reward (MERR) - This program rewards and recognizes members who contribute to the Fund’s continued success by meeting certain underwriting criteria, such as excellent loss experience and longevity.

Additional Benefits

• Direct Provider Contracting - The Fund in association with other political subdivisions formed the Political Subdivision Workers’ Compensation Alliance (Alliance) to provide direct health care provider contracting services for all of our members. The goal of the Alliance is to provide unsurpassed medical care for injured workers while reducing the overall medical cost component by accessing quality physicians and by utilizing nationally recognized treatment and return to work guidelines.

So as you can see, Fund membership certainly does have its privileges and benefits. It is truly our honor and pleasure to be of continued service to you, the members. For more information on all of the risk management programs and the benefits of membership in the Fund, call your Sales and Marketing Consultant at 800.482.7276, extension 6249, or visit our web site at tasbrmf.org.