As part of the 2017 risk management initiatives in North America, Adventist Risk Management, Inc. (ARM) is calling on all Church organizations to create a risk management committee. This applies to schools, churches, conferences and unions. As a body of the Church, we must prioritize the risk management function in our organizations in order to reduce security-related losses. It is essential that the organization's management budgets the time and resources for the protection and management of the assets entrusted to their care. Establishing a safety committee sets the tone, that identifying and managing risks is crucial in the long term for the ministry of our organizations. "We need to put the risk management function first in our organizations."
Why do you need a risk management committee?
Your church, school, camp or conference risk management committee can help the organization understand that risk management is part of the ministry. The Bible offers many tips on how we should treat each other and how we should use the gifts and talents we have been given. You must also include key people from various aspects of the departments within your organization, such as those working directly with youth, physical facilities, and activity coordinators.
Here are six program points by which this committee will begin:
- Provide risk management education to church members, employees and students. ARM has a large number of free resources for each department, which you can download, print, read and share with your coaching.
- Conduct and review self-inspection reports that identify avoidable risks.
- Take steps to remove all 15-passenger pickup trucks in use and ensure that these vehicles are no longer used, leased or borrowed.
- Churches can begin by registering at Safety Sabbath 2017.Schools can do exercises on a regular basis, but consider integrating a new type of training into the schedule. Build an organizational contingency plan and conduct at least one simulation exercise as part of this plan (information on how to perform various simulation exercises is available on the ARM website).
- You can proactively prevent actual losses by treating these risks before someone gets hurt."It's important to understand the risks your organization faces. Do you know what types of accidents occur, including "near misses?" Investigate accidents and document all incidents.
- The vast majority of losses in our churches and schools are related to lack of maintenance. Provide seasonal and regular maintenance to avoid losses due to poor maintenance.
Risk management is an integral part of the department
Your risk management committee should be asked to report to the church or school board on its activities. Recommendations resulting from inspections should be presented to the Board for action. By integrating the activities of your risk management committee with those of your department's board, you will allow risk management to become an integral part of it.
ARM is there to support you in your approach. We provide risk management tools and resources, which are available free on our website. We encourage you to share the "Solutions" electronic newsletter with your church or school ministry. Help us integrate risk management into your organization's department.
