The History of the Long Island Chapter of RIMS
Long Island consists of a political/geographic community extending 130 miles east to west from the Queens border to Montauk Point and 50 north to south at various points.
For years, it was apparent that the Long Island community had the need for a Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) Chapter. Many corporations with Long Island based operations manage risk, insurance and benefits programs and needed a forum to exchange information and ideas. RIMS National, recognizing this need, brought the founding organizations together, and in May 1996, the Long Island Chapter of RIMS was chartered at the National Conference in Toronto.
The founding member organizations were Cablevision, Computer Associates, County of Suffolk, Diocese of Rockville Centre, Griffon Corporation, Northville Industries, Oxford Resources, The Robert Plan, Sbarro and World Wide Facilities. The Chapter has become a force in the Long Island community. The risk management membership has grown to over 30 members along with over 50 associate members and affiliates from the insurance community who participate in the Chapter's activities.
Since inception, the Chapter has sponsored monthly luncheon seminars on various risk management, insurance and benefits topics. These seminars average 35 participants per session and have been held at Bijou, an exclusive restaurant in Melville, Long Island. In addition, the Chapter maintains monthly Board of Director meetings and has sponsored risk manager-only meetings to focus and shape the direction of the Chapter for future seminar offerings and Chapter activities.
The current slate of officers for the Chapter are: Joe Corigliano (Suffolk County Water Authority), President; Sue Weingast (Episcopal Health Services), Vice President; Frank Franzini (Posillico Inc.), Treasurer; Greg Montenegro (Brookhaven National Laboratory), Secretary. The Long Island Chapter Board has expanded to include the following Directors and Advisers: Phil Bauccio, Bridget Crozier, David Farino, Glenn Femminella, Steve Graziano, Mark Levine, Matt Millman, Rich Serina, and Rosemarie White.
The Long Island Chapter publishes a website with information of interest, President's Message, Agenda of Events and, spotlights on friendly organizations. The Chapter has also established an internal job information exchange to assist risk managers in moving onto other endeavors.
While networking during the 1998 San Diego RIMS National Conference, the Long Island and New Jersey Chapters contemplated the creation of a joint Eastern Regional Conference between the chapters at a mutually agreeable location. After numerous meetings and conference calls, the proposed conference evolved into reality and the first Eastern Regional RIMS Conference was held in Atlantic City in October 2000. The Conference brought together over 300 members of the insurance community including 40 exhibitions and over 175 registered Risk Management personnel. The venture was a success from all perspectives. Educationally, twenty-five risk management sessions were presented and well attended; socially, networking opportunities existed throughout the four-day event in the exhibit hall, including the corporate-sponsored events, and financially as each sponsoring Chapter realized profit from the Conference.
It is apparent that the Long Island Chapter of RIMS has established itself as a force in the community. As an organization, our support for the Spencer Education Foundation has grown, along with our support to the local charitable organizations such as Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, Hurricane Sandy Relief, Little Flower Children's Home, and Long Island Newsday charities.
Our annual Golf & Lobster Classic and Holiday Party have become cornerstones which enable risk managers, associates and affiliates to educate, network and socialize, which has been the objective of our Chapter since inception.
The realization of the Chapter's goals was recognized by RIMS in the year 2000 with the receipt of the Chapter Programming Award and the Chapter of Excellence Award. For 2001 RIMS has recognized the Chapter with an award for Advancing the Profession of Risk Management. In 2013, the Chapter was also recognized for outstanding Membership growth of 19%.
The Long Island Chapter has accepted these awards in recognition of the motivation and dedication of its members, a team of risk manager's, associates and affiliates who have all contributed in their special way to the Chapter's success.
The Long Island Chapter has achieved much in our period of existence, but the Chapter realizes that "you never plan the future by the past.” Therefore, we will maintain our goals, keep sharp, and open our vision.