Click here to read about what WAMIC members did to give back to their communities during the pandemic. Article written by Patrick Laws, WAMIC President, and posted in the mobile version of NAMIC's IN Magazine. This crisis is truly unprecedented. The federal government is racing to pass an economic stimulus package designed to ease the economic burden on Americans. Remember that we are mutuals. Our policyholders are the reason we exist. They are our owners. Mutuality has always meant that we share risk with each other. For well over a century that has meant sharing insurance risk, but this crisis may be the time for us to extend the definition of mutuality well beyond insurance. We encourage our mutual members to do everything they can to assist their policyholders through this crisis. Maple Valley Mutual Accepts the Dairy Challenge!
Maple Valley Mutual rises to the Dairy Challenge! On June 24th, Maple Valley Mutual sponsored drive up dairy give-aways in over 20 Northeast Wisconsin communities. Maple Valley funded nearly $70,000 in dairy purchases for the event. Maple Valley worked with local FFA and 4H chapters who organized, advertised and staffed the distribution. Mutual of Wausau Accepts the Dairy Challenge!
Mutual of Wausau rises to the Dairy Challenge! Mutual of Wausau donated $10,000 each to Peter's Pantry of Manitowoc, the Antigo Food Pantry, the Marathon County Hunger Coalition, the Auburndale High School Dairy Drive, and the Clark County Food Pantry and Resource Center for a total of $50,000. Mutual of Wausau requested that the pantries use donations specifically to purchase Wisconsin dairy products. Spring Grove Mutual Accepts the Dairy Challenge! Spring Grove Mutual rises to the Dairy Challenge! On June 11th Spring Grove Mutual went to Sun Brook licensed daycare in Green county to deliver $150.00 of Wisconsin dairy products. On June 15th they delivered $150.00 in Wisconsin Dairy products to Kids Club, a licensed day care in Rock county for the dairy challenge. Spring Grove Mutual chose the daycare centers because they feel with out the centers our employees can not go to work! The daycares were especially hard hit when they shut down and were not able to open due to COVID. They have struggled, and had to put in place extra precautions to be able to open. They were very appreciative to receive our donations! WRC Accepts the Dairy Challenge! Wisconsin Reinsurance Corporation rises to the Dairy Challenge! To honor National Dairy Month, each week in June WRC purchased and donated Wisconsin dairy products. The purchases and donations were:
Grinnell Re Accepts the Dairy Challenge!
Grinnell Re rises to the Dairy Challenge! Grinnell Re made a $500 donation to the Wisconsin Dairy Recovery Program. https://www.hungertaskforce.org/dairy/ Seneca, Sigel Mutual Accepts the Dairy Challenge! Seneca, Sigel Mutual rises to the Dairy Challenge! Seneca, Sigel Mutual board presented a $200 check to the Auburndale High School Dairy Drive. The drive began by giving out a gallon of milk and pound of cheese to families with students. AHS has since grown with the support of the local dairies and the community. The board also presented a $50 check to the Auburndale FFA Alumni for their upcoming dairy breakfast which will be held on 06/27/20. They have changed things up this year and will have drive-thru pick-up orders only. Seneca, Sigel also presented a check for $50 to the Pittsville FFA Dairy Breakfast. A date for the breakfast has not been set. The attached picture includes Joyce Karl from the Auburndale FFA Alumni and Mark Cournoyer from the AHS Dairy drive, as well as some our Board members (President Harvey Petersen, Loren Scheunemann, Dale Pagels, Tom Bauer and Carol Tomfohrde) and Dawn Look. Arlington Mutual Accepts the Dairy Challenge! Arlington Mutual rises to the Dairy Challenge! Arlington Mutual is donating $100 to a food pantry in each of their 9 counties of authority for a total of $900 in donations to help their neighbors. They have asked the pantries to designate the funds to purchase dairy products to help the area farmers.
Forward Mutual Mutual Accepts the Dairy Challenge!
Forward Mutual rises to the Dairy Challenge! As part of a group of area businesses, Forward Mutual donated $1000 toward the purchase of 840 1-pound packages of cheese curds for the Watertown Unified School District school lunch program. Their goal is to support local farmers, businesses, FFA, and Watertown families. Columbus Mutual Mutual Accepts the Dairy Challenge!
Columbus Mutual rises to the Dairy Challenge! Columbus Mutual Insurance Company donated $100.00 each to the Dodge County Food Pantry, the Columbus Fall River Food Pantry, and the Richland Community Food Pantry for total donations of $300. McMillan Warner Mutual Accepts the Dairy Challenge!
McMillan Warner Mutual rises to the Dairy Challenge! McMillan Warner Mutual Insurance Company donated $500 to Soup or Socks of Marshfield, WI. Soup or Socks will use the funds to provide Weber’s Farm store gift certificates so those in need can purchase dairy products of their choice. Kenosha County Mutual Accepts the Dairy Challenge!
Kenosha County Mutual rises to the Dairy Challenge! Kenosha County Mutual Insurance Company donated $400.00 to The Sharing Center, Inc. in Trevor, WI to be used for the procurement of dairy and meat products from local distributors. Mt. Pleasant Perry Middleton Mutual Accepts the Dairy Challenge!
Mt. Pleasant Perry Middleton Mutual rises to the Dairy Challenge! They donated $500 to Green Cares Food Pantry to be used to purchase dairy products to distribute. Pella Mutual Accepts the Dairy Challenge!
Pella Mutual rises to the Dairy Challenge! Pella donated $200 to the Marion Food Pantry which they are using to purchase dairy products for families in need. Ellington Mutual Accepts the Dairy Challenge!
Ellington Mutual rises to the Dairy Challenge! On March 7th, Ellington dropped off a "first" installment of items for distribution later today by the Hortonville Community Food Pantry. On March 13th, Ellington dropped off the second installment of dairy products to the Hortonville Community Food Pantry. Merrimac Lodi Mutual Accepts the Dairy Challenge!
Merrimac Lodi Mutual rises to the Dairy Challenge! Merrimac Lodi Mutual donated $500 ($250 ea) to two local food pantries to be used for the purchase of dairy, chicken, beef and/or pork products in an effort to show support for the farm industry and help our area residents. Dupont Mutual Accepts the Dairy Challenge!
Marion, WI - Rising to the Dairy Challenge, Dupont Mutual Insurance Company announced that they have donated $200 to their local food pantry for dairy products. Sugar Creek Mutual Accepts the Dairy Challenge
Elkhorn, WI - Yet another WAMIC mutual member has risen to the Dairy Challenge! Sugar Creek Mutual proudly donated $200 to the Walworth County Food Pantry in Elkhorn today, with all the proceeds being designated for a donation of butter from our Wisconsin dairy farmers. Reedsburg Westfield Mutual Accepts the Challenge!
Reedsburg, WI - Reedsburg Westfield Mutual Insurance Company wasted no time in accepting the Dairy Challenge issued by United Mutual. The local FFA is handing out gallons of milk every Monday at two schools in town during the lunch pick-up for families. They are giving out approximately 150 gallons per Monday. Reedsburg-Westfield Mutual manager Lisa Rockweiler said, "We are donating $400 to cover approximately 1 week" The FFA hopes to continue this weekly until Memorial Day. United Mutual Challenges WAMIC Members to Support the Dairy Industry
Medford, WI - To show their support of the dairy industry in Wisconsin, United Mutual Insurance Company purchased $200 worth of butter, cheese, and milk. The company donated the food to local food pantries to help Wisconsin residents in need during the pandemic. East Farmington Office Customer Service Representative Judy Strohbeen, on behalf of United Mutual Insurance, donated $100 worth of milk to the Open Cupboard, a food shelf servicing Osceola and Dresser WI area. They provide 7-10 days of food, household, clothing, bread, bakery, veggies, school supplies, and winter gear for families. United Mutual President Tony Wilke challenged all WAMIC member mutuals to do the same. WAMIC Participates in DATCP Agriculture Teleconference Tuesday morning the leaders of multiple Wisconsin ag-related industries participated in a conference call with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Patrick Laws participated on behalf of WAMIC members. The call lasted about 50 minutes. DATCP provided an overview of the agency's response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Leaders from various sectors that both support and rely on the ag industry reported on their responses to COVID-19. They all expressed concern about the lack of funding for agriculture in the recent stimulus package. WAMIC President Patrick Laws explained business income coverage to the conference attendees. He advised attendees that a typical farm policy would not provide business income coverage for farmers for losses caused by the pandemic or actions of civil authorities. A representative of Rural Mutual Insurance Company, who also participated in the call, echoed Laws's remarks. We put together some pro tips to help you adjust to working remotely. Travel Letter for Employees template In response to Emergency Order #12 issued by Governor Evers this morning, WAMIC has developed a Travel Letter for Employees template. While we do not expect the authorities to stop motorists to enforce the Safer at Home order, it may be prudent for members to provide a copy of this letter to all employees. Members should customize the letter with accurate contact information for inquiries. Employees should keep the letter on hand to provide to the authorities upon request. Travel Letter for Employees template Annual Policyholders' MeetingsOur members have done a wonderful job of keeping us informed regarding their response to this crisis. At this point, most, if not all, mutuals have canceled their upcoming annual policyholders' meetings. OCI's expectation is that, once the crisis has passed and state restrictions have been lifted, mutuals will reschedule their annual meetings. The FAQ section at the bottom of this page will provide more detailed information regarding the statutory requirements for both Chapter 611 domestic mutuals and Chapter 612 town mutuals. Office ClosuresSome companies have chosen to close their offices to walk-in traffic to protect both policyholders and staff. Companies have posted the policy on their social media accounts. We recommend that companies use their agents to communicate this policy as well. Jakie Sperberg of Pella Mutual shared this notice that they are attaching to all renewals. Eagle Point Mutual shared these documents that are part of their response plan: Premium PaymentsI've had several questions about premium payments. Many policyholders will undoubtedly struggle to pay their bills, including premiums, as businesses continue to be shut down by the government. Some may lose their jobs while others are not receiving a paycheck. Each company will have to determine how best to handle late premium payments. Personnel Seminar to Be Rescheduled In light of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, WAMIC's primary concern is the welfare of WAMIC members, staff, and presenters. We have made the decision to cancel the Personnel Seminar scheduled for April 7th and 8th. Our current plan is to work with the hotel and presenters to reschedule for later this year. We will provide further details once we have finalized our plans for rescheduling this event. We will process refunds for all the registrations we have received already just in case we are unable to reschedule the seminar. The WAMIC 2020 Short Course has been canceled. WAMIC staff is working on offering some of the Short Course sessions as webinars to help members obtain agent CE and FMDC credits. We will provide more information in the future. Travel Restrictions for WAMIC Staff The WAMIC Staff is currently restricted from any non-essential travel until further notice. However, WAMIC will maintain normal business hours. Patrick and Jody are available by phone and email, and they will continue to provide support for WAMIC members throughout this crisis. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Patrick Laws via email at [email protected] or by phone at (920) 860-6828. Q: Is insurance exempt from the Safer at Home order issued by the Governor?A: Yes, insurance services are defined as an essential business in two sections of the emergency order. Q: What do the statutes say about emergency situations?Wisconsin Statute Chapter 611.55 provides boards with emergency powers in the event of a national emergency. The statute allows the Board of Directors of a mutual insurer to pass emergency by-laws to ensure continuity of the operation of the mutual. Q: We have canceled our annual policyholders' meeting. What are the statutory guidelines for rescheduling the meeting?Chapter 611 Domestic MutualsWisconsin Statute Chapter 611.40 through 611.425 governs annual policyholders' meetings for companies organized under Chapter 611. Chapter 611 states that Wisconsin Statute Chapter 181 provides additional regulations for annual meetings. It is important to note that Chapter 181.0701 specifically allows corporations to hold annual meetings by means of remote communications as authorized under § 180.0709 provided that the corporation's by-laws have been amended to allow this. Statutes require a 10-day notice of the annual policyholders' meeting. Companies that are rescheduling their meetings should be cognizant of this requirement. Chapter 612 Town MutualsWisconsin Statute Chapter 612.11 governs annual policyholders' meetings for companies organized under Chapter 612. This statute requires a 30-day notification to policyholders if the annual meeting date or location is changed. Members should keep this in mind when they are eventually able to reschedule their annual meetings. Q: Who do we notify at OCI that we have canceled our annual meeting?A - L Town Mutual Supervisor: Kristin Forsberg - [email protected]
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