The Municipal Association of SC Risk Management Services held its first conference August 25 – 27, 2025, in Columbia.
In 2024, SC Municipal Insurance Trust and SC Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund members submitted an overwhelming affirmative response when asked if they were interested in a risk management conference. RMS staff then worked hard to plan a conference that members would enjoy while also receiving knowledge that can be shared with their employees. There were over 70 attendees at the conference.
On the first day, attendees participated in an ice breaker led by Loss Control Manager Bethany Pendley. They discussed challenges that municipalities face regarding auto incidents, with each group collaborating and providing feedback explaining what practices their municipalities have implemented to reduce auto losses.
The afternoon session ended with motivational speaker Shelley Forney discussing the dangers associated with distracted driving. Her 9-year-old daughter, Erica, was hit by a car 17 years ago while riding her bicycle home from school. She later succumbed to her injuries on Thanksgiving Day.
Shelley discussed inattention blindness, which occurs when a driver is using a cellphone while driving. Drivers also increase their crash risk by eight times when texting and four times when talking on the phone. An average of nine people lose their life each day because of accidents caused by distracted driving. She provided counter measures to help prevent distracted driving, such as resources on www.nhtsa.gov, raising awareness during April, which is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and having someone who has been impacted by a distracted driving accident speak to employees.
On the second day of the conference, the meeting began with a legislative update from Municipal Association Director of Advocacy Casey Fields. She discussed bills that will be tracked during the upcoming legislative session, resources that the Municipal Association provides for municipal officials to track bills, and the meetings that take place throughout the state to allow municipal officials to meet with their congressional leaders.
Association General Counsel Eric Shytle presented on First Amendment auditors. He provided examples of first amendment audits and the general guidelines that municipal officials should follow. Attorney David Morrison presented on best practices when dealing with sovereign citizens.
SC Criminal Justice Academy instructors Bob Bianco and Mike O’Connell provided an update on South Carolina’s Act 218, which requires law enforcement agencies to have policies and procedures for nine critical areas.
During lunch, attendees were treated to an ice cream social where they were able to meet different vendors that provide services to SCMIT and SCMIRF members. Five attendees were able to win door prizes provided by the vendors.
Attorney Fred Williams discussed steps that should be taken before, during and after terminating an employee which can help reduce risk. He emphasized having proper, written documentation in the employee’s file.
Meteorologist Tim Miller discussed changing weather patterns in South Carolina. He explained why the state has seen an increase in temperature over the years and why more severe weather is occurring in the state.
Tony DesChamps, claims manager, moderated a workers’ compensation panel with Sonji Spann and SC Workers’ Compensation Commission Commissioner Cynthia Dooley. The panel discussed the role of the commission and the importance of employer involvement in workers’ compensation claims. The session ended with an interactive discussion of why having safety policies and procedures in place is important. Members were provided a list of resources that are available to help implement policies and procedures that may not be in place.
On the final day, Pendley moderated a cybersecurity panel featuring two SCMIRF members who had experienced a cybersecurity incident. The members discussed the cyber incident that occurred at their municipality as well as actions taken after the incident.
Find Great People Senior HR Consultant Shellie Haroski presented on the importance of performance management. She emphasized coaching employees throughout the year and providing job expectations. Managers should have conversations throughout the year, instead of once when an evaluation occurs.
The conference ended with attendees playing a game of risk management trivia. The team, “A Rose and Three Thorns,” won with a total of 58 points.
