Dear SELF member,

If we were to start SELF today, what would be done differently? Are the conditions within the insurance marketplace different today than when SELF first began? What internal and external demands exist today that were not at issue 20 years ago? What are SelF’s core competencies and challenges?

These topics and several related issues were the lead-off items at the board’s Strategic Planning Session this past February. Topics that are both common to all Joint Powers Authorities and particularly relevant as JPAs celebrate 20 or more years of operation and service.

Certainly insurance marketplace conditions have changed since the formation of JPAs, yet the repetitive “hard” and “soft” insurance industry cycles remain as much a part of today’s market dynamics as they did twenty plus years ago. Adding to the market dynamics is the expansion of JPAs beyond their regional territories and member demographics. Further, the tradition of JPAs enrolling homogenous members (schools for schools; cities for cities; special districts for special districts) is being challenged by cross-over JPAs that enroll a mix of public entity members. Yes indeed, “the times, they are a changin’.”

The board’s Strategic Planning Session culminated in the following Action Plan for 2006/2007:

• revisit the culture of SELF - mission, Vision, organizational Values, Goals
• leadership Development - Planning transition, training new leaders
• Workers’ Compensation Program - Increasing financial stability and membership
• layers of Attachment to liability Program - Providing variable retentions and increasing limits
• evaluate Staff Size and Structure - economies of process and production
• member education - Delivery, service, consult and education efforts
• marketing & Public relations outreach - broaden and strengthen communication and association alliance efforts

As SELF approaches its 21st year of operation, your board is committed to its mission of providing exemplary risk financing programs and services to its public education members.

Tom Osborne
Executive Director