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 Welcome
to the fall issue of the AASCIF News. I can’t believe
that this issue is the last AASCIF Newsletter the
California Fund will be responsible for. Where did the two
years go? As some of you know, I informed State Fund’s Board of Directors
of my decision to retire at the end of this year. Acting as President
of AASCIF has really been icing on the cake of my 38-year State Fund career.
It has been a genuine pleasure to work closely with the men and women
of AASCIF and to further the goals of this wonderful organization. Acting
on your behalf, I recently testified in Washington D.C. in support of
Federal legislation to put a terrorism reinsurance mechanism in place.
I am pleased to report that the out-look for enactment of such legislation
now looks fairly positive.
AASCIF is a unique organization. Our members
all pursue the same goal of strengthening our various workers’ compensation
systems and improving our services to employers and injured workers. I
think we’re doing a very good job, despite myriad obstacles and challenges.
Our sharing of experiences, both good and bad, has proven beneficial to
millions of people who depend on us to deliver the ‘goods.’
The synchronization
of our activities fosters new ideas and solutions to both old and new
problems.
I would be remiss if I did not thank my
fellow officers for all their help
during my tenure as AASCIF President. Vice Presidents Lane Summerhays,
David Stuewe, Russell Oliver and Carl Swanson, Secretary/Treasurer
Dianne Oki and Past President John Leonard have been wonderful
to work with and they have provided invaluable contributions to the organization.
No, I haven’t forgotten First Vice President Patricia Johnson.The
truth is, I want to single her out in order to wish her much success during
her term as President of this fine organization. Pat is a wonderful woman,
a savvy executive and an outstanding leader. As a matter of fact, Pat
has written a fine column for this issue which appears on the facing
page. After you read Pat’s article I’m sure you will agree
with me that AASCIF is in good hands.
I also look forward to our first collaborative
venture with the Canadian
association in Vancouver, BC during 2003. Incidentally, both my sons
asked me if my retirement from State Fund means they won’t be able
to
go to Vancouver next year. I told them not to worry. I wouldn’t dream
of missing the annual conference. The difference next year will be that
my wife and I won’t have to fly back immediately after the conference
so I can report to work. Janet, Casey, Ryan and I can take time after
the meeting to take in the beauty of Vancouver and environs.
However, that’s in the future. Let’s
move on to the matter at hand which is the current edition of this Newsletter:
In addition to Pat’s article, Curtis Larsen of Montana, Michelle
Landers of Kentucky and Doug Hayden of New York explore the
often-overlooked issue of employer’s liability coverage. Their fine
work begins on page 4. Armin Holdorf
of New York discusses ways of measuring effective loss prevention strategies
on page
16. Add to this our usual helpings of ‘Dim Sum,’ and ‘Around
AASCIF,’
and you have an issue I think you’ll enjoy.
I would briefly like to put the spotlight
on my coworkers at State Fund
who produced this publication during the last two years. I invite the
Communications staff who wrote, edited and designed the publication,
the Print Shop staff who made the Newsletter look so crisp and the Mail
Room crew who saw to it that you all received your copy, to take a
well-deserved bow.
When I announced my retirement plans to
the employees of State Fund
I wrote, “I have developed an intense pride in the organization you
have nurtured and developed. I am confident you will continue to
enhance its success.” These words also apply to the members of the
American Association of State Compensation Insurance Funds. I wish
you all good health and much happiness in the coming years.
Kenneth C. Bollier
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