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 Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) or the Risk Management Society. Many corporations with Long Island based operations manage risk and insurance programs; they needed a live and in-person forum to exchange information and ideas. RIMS National, recognizing this need, brought the founding people and organizations together. In May 1996, the Long Island Chapter of RIMS was chartered at the National Conference in Toronto.
The founding member organizations were Cablevision (Optimum), Computer Associates, County of Suffolk, Diocese of Rockville Centre, Griffon Corporation, Oxford Resources, and World Wide Facilities. The Chapter has become a viable 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 three cornerstone recurring events:
- Seminar-meetings on various risk management, insurance, and benefits topics
- Golf & Lobster Classic
- Holiday Party
These Seminar-meetings average 45 participants per session and have been held at the Fox Hollow Inn, an exclusive restaurant in Woodbury, Long Island, the Main Event restaurant, and virtually. The Golf & Lobster Classic has been called by many ‘the best golf outing that I have been to’. Usually held at Nissequogue Golf Club, the event never fails to deliver excellent social interaction and a good time. The Holiday Party, usually held at the Fox Hollow Inn, also does not fail to uphold that standard. Participants interact which enable risk managers, associates, and affiliates to communicate, network, and socialize, which has been the objective of our Chapter since inception.
The Chapter maintains regular 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 officers of the Chapter are: Joe Corigliano (Ferrandino & Son), President; Sue Weingast (Episcopal Health), Vice President; Frank Franzini (Posillico), Treasurer; Greg Montenegro (Brookhaven National Laboratory), Secretary. The Long Island Chapter Board is expanded to include the following Directors and Advisers: Rich Serina, Matthew Millman, Steve Graziano, Mark Levine, David Farino, Glenn Femminella, and Phil Bauccio.
The Long Island Chapter maintains a website with information of interest, Agenda of Events and, spotlights on supporting organizations. It also has a presence on social media through LinkedIn and Facebook.
As an organization, our support for the Spencer Education Foundation and direct Risk Management school programs 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.
In 1998 at the 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. Financially, as each sponsoring Chapter realized profit from the Conference, success was also achieved.
A 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 recognized the Chapter with an award for Advancing the Profession of Risk Management. In 2013 & 2015, the Chapter was also recognized for Outstanding Membership Growth of about 19%. The Long Island Chapter has accepted these awards in recognition of the motivation and dedication of its members, a team of risk managers, 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 we are all volunteers. We greatly appreciate the support that has been given us throughout these 25+ years. Our Chapter always enjoys bringing the corporate risk, insurance, and benefits professionals together with the insurers and service providers to share ideas and explore new opportunities. We will continue to do so.