Schedule/Sessions

Breakfast

Keynote - A Piece of the Puzzle: Eight Traits of a Quality Teammate

• Speakers:

• Kevin Kush, Boys Town

How well do the members of your organization or team work together? Are you a smooth, well-oiled machine or a fractured collection of in-it-for-yourself individuals? In a straight forward no-excuses style, Kevin Kush discusses eight traits that can turn any group or organization into a cohesive, high-performing team. Including; respecting everyone, handling adversity, adapting to change, and the importance of having high energy and being accountable. Coach Kush’s passion for performance is contagious and will help lead your team to greater productivity and success!

SESSION 1 - Let Me Help You - Out of a Million Dollars: The Truth About Volunteer Liability & Risk Management

• Speakers:

• Karen Kalzer, Helsell Fetterman LLP

• Rosemary Moore, Self Employed

• Melanie G. Tyree, Catholic Mutual Group

Nonprofit organizations rely on volunteers to implement their mission, but inevitably, volunteers can also comprise a source of significant liability for the organization. This session is intended to review and address prospective liability to volunteers and caused by volunteers. This includes outlining the types of claims that can result from use of volunteers (ie personal injury, auto, outrage, attempts to create an employment relationship, D & O liability), identifying claims trends based on national statistics,  reviewing relevant law regarding duties to supervise and to protect, establishing criteria to enable reasonable care in the selection of volunteers, clear communication establishing training and status, steps to disengage or terminate the volunteer if necessary, and developing methods to reduce or share liability (effective releases, volunteer handbooks).
 

Break

SESSION 2 - What Would You Do? A Discussion About Navigating LGBT Issues

• Speakers:

• Catherine Cano, Jackson Lewis P.C.

• Bob Drake, Self Employed

• David Lopez, Office of the Nebraska Attorney General

• Amy Lund, First National Bank

This session will include a survey of LGBT issues related to employment, accommodations/business services/civil rights and insurance. The session will start with a brief overview of terminology and definitions. Panelists will summarize the development of LGBT legal protections in the workplace, including the EEOC’s current efforts to pursue LGBT discrimination claims under Title VII, OSHA’s stance on restroom access, and court cases addressing the collision of LGBT issues and religious accommodation/religious organizations. Panelists will discuss court cases involving LGBT issues related to public, customer, and client services, and civil rights. Panelists will also address how different insurance policies cover these legal issues. 

Break

SESSION 3 - Risk Management and Defensive Strategies for Religious Employers

• Speakers:

• Larry Baker, Christian Brothers Services, Inc.

• Elizabeth Capek, Munich Re Specialty Insurance

• Stephen Henne, The National Catholic Risk Retention Group

• Carmon Popler, Montgomery McCracken

Religious employers have a number of unique risks and defensive strategies available to them in employment litigation. This session will seek to “remind” religious employers what they should be doing to place themselves in the best defensive posture possible in the unfortunate event of an employment claim. The panelists will discuss applicable law, case studies, recent developments, hot litigation/enforcement areas, and best practices. The session will be interactive and attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists regarding any situations they might face.

Lunch

SESSION 4 - Childhood Sexual Abuse: Defending and Resolving the Next Wave

• Speakers:

• Jeremy Dwork, Meyers | Fozi LLP

• Judy Frymark, Church Mutual Insurance Company

• Peter Persuitti, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

• William Pipkin, Austill, Lewis, Pipkin & Maddox, P.C.

This presentation will address best practices for handling what may be among the most difficult of claims – allegations of child sexual misconduct by individuals in positions of leadership and authority.  The panelists bring a wealth of experience and perspective on this controversial and challenging area.  Initial response is pivotal and can be complicated by the often high profile of the institutions and individuals involved. Initial investigation presents a crucial opportunity to shape the claim and achieve necessary understanding and insight regarding the validity and viability of the claim. The panelists will discuss best practices for identification and preservation of applicable privileges and immunities. Hear tips on conducting an effective investigation which recognizes the sensitive nature of the claims while fulfilling the need for a thorough review of the allegations. Those involved in the claims process have an obligation to uncover illegitimate claims but need to try and do so without compounding or further antagonizing the situation. Claims handlers and counsel must recognize mandatory reporting requirements and potential criminal issues and be prepared to properly advise those involved regarding their obligations. These claims often involve significant time gaps between the alleged misconduct and filing of a claim. The panelists will address complications presented by unavailability, often due to death, of those involved and the absence of records.  The discussion will cover issues including statutes of limitation and bankruptcy, which may provide defenses for the individuals and institutions involved. 
 

Networking Cocktails