Client Spotlight: YardApes' Philanthropy Recognized in Lawn & Landscape Magazine

Par for the Course

August 6, 2018
Story by Kate Spirgen, Lawn & Landscape

The YardApes Quad AM Golf Classic has raised thousands of dollars for local nature preserves and nonprofits. Photo courtesy of YardApes.

Back in 1999, when Yardapes was a small company, the seven or eight employees would get together about once a month to go golfing and let off some steam. “We used to call it the Hack Fest because some people could barely swing a club or hit the ball, so we’d just go have fun and then have a cookout afterward,” says Shayne Newman, founder and owner.

Then, an employee suggested turning the Hack Fest into a charity event, and after two or three years of talking about it, Newman decided to just go for it. Now in its 13th year, the annual YardApes Quad AM Golf Classic is a huge success, benefitting nonprofits in Connecticut to the tune of $43,500 since 2006. “We’ve had a lot to learn but we’ve been really successful,” he says.

And that’s just one of many projects YardApes employees take part in. Newman is a big believer in the idea that if you do good things, good things will come back around. But once the company started giving back, he realized how much recognition the company would get from the community and the landscaping industry. Not to mention the team-building aspect of volunteerism.

^{Reproduced with permission.}

Fleet Safety Workshop Video Now Available On-Demand

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

On Thursday, July 26, 2018, Stephanie Bartley from Liberty Mutual presented the Fleet Safety Workshop for Rancho Mesa Insurance Services clients at San Diego Christian College in Santee, CA.

Stephanie discussed how to increase vehicle safety, control vehicle accidents, and safeguard long-term profitability, the essential points of a fleet safety and accident prevention program, plus defensive driving skills. 

Attendees came away with a better understanding of the importance of adopting fleet safety strategies that go beyond compliance, how company profitability can be positively impacted, and strategies to increase safe driving behaviors & reduces costs.

The video of the workshop is now available via the Risk Management Center or by submitted a video request form.

Contact Alyssa Burley at (619) 438-6869 for questions about the Fleet Safety Workshop on-demand video.

Workshop Video Library Offers On-Demand Training

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Leaving the office or job site to attend a workshop can be difficult for some Rancho Mesa clients. So, we've provided two easy ways to access the workshop videos on-demand from the video library within the Risk Management Center or through the Workshop Video Request Form.

To view a workshop video on-demand, login to the Risk Management Center, navigate to the Risk Management Library and locate the Rancho Mesa folder. There, you will find the Workshops & Webinar list. 

To request a video if you don't have access to the Risk Management Center, go to the Workshop page on the RanchoMesa.com website, scroll down to the “Previous Workshops” section. Click on the “Request a Workshop Video” button, complete the form and we’ll send you a link to view the video.

Requesting a video via the RanchoMesa.com website makes it easy for employees who may not have access to the Risk Management Center to watch valuable training videos, or for prospective clients who want to see the types of resources that are available to clients.

Available on-demand workshop videos include:

• Early Return to Work Program
• Employee Benefits: EaseCentral
• Employment Law Update 2018
• Fleet Safety
• Fraud Within the CA Workers’ Compensation System
• Heat Illness Prevention

• Mod Doctor (Landscape)    
• Nonprofit Risk Management
• On-Site Health & Safety
• OSHA Reporting Series: Generating the 300A Electronic Report
• Risk Management Center Overview

Contact Alyssa Burley at (619) 438-6869 for questions about the Risk Management Center, workshops, webinars or on-demand videos.

Talking Risk: Daniel Frazee Delivers Talk To ICW Group Risk Managers

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Insurance Company of the West (ICW) risk consultants gathered on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 for training and to hear Daniel Frazee, Executive Vice President at Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. speak about the importance of the broker/risk manager relationship.

Daniel covered in detail the important role risk consultants can play in developing a strong relationship with employers. He encouraged the new employees to study claim trends, look for cause and nature of injuries, and listen with intent as they build partnerships with businesses.

Daniel also recommended asking pointed questions in initial meetings about what specifically businesses are looking for in their relationship with a workers' compensation carrier. Tying those answers together and working in step with brokers were critical pieces to Daniel’s message to the group.

“It is always a pleasure working with Tom Joliff and his team of risk consultants," said Daniel Frazee. "It just continually reminds me what a forward-thinking insurance company ICW is. They have been so proactive with their growth, adding quality talent to ensure that their servicing remains strong for their policyholders. Having a chance to speak to these new employees allowed us to share some of Rancho Mesa’s service tenants and philosophies, as well. Building on this partnership to ultimately reduce risk for our clients is very satisfying.”

"Daniel did a great job," said Tom Jolliff, Sr. Risk Management Consultant for ICW Group. "What we were looking for from Daniel today was just to give a little input to our associate risk managers about the broker/producer relationship with the carrier and also the risk management consultants. And the information that he provided was exactly what we were looking for. Daniel is a perfect example of somebody who's a great business partner with ICW Group. I've dealt with him for over ten years and I understand you know what that relationship with the broker and the risk management consultant means. So, he was really my first choice when it came to thinking about somebody to talk to our new folks. That's really why I chose Daniel."

About ICW Group
Based in San Diego, ICW Group Insurance Companies is the largest group of privately held insurance companies domiciled in California. Quoting more than $3 billion annually, ICW Group represents a group of Property, Auto and Workers’ Compensation insurance carriers, including Insurance Company of the West and Explorer Insurance Company. For more information, visit www.icwgroup.com.

Vigilance Risk Solutions Delivers Active Shooter Awareness and Preparedness Workshop

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Ty Smith from Vigilance Risk Solutions giving a presentation at the Active Shooter Awareness and Preparedness workshop.

On Wednesday, August 8, 2018, Ty Smith from Vigilance Risk Solutions (VRS) presented the Active Shooter Awareness and Preparedness workshop for Rancho Mesa Insurance Services clients.

This dynamic two-hour course covered the evolution of the active shooter threat, industry trend evaluations, how to spot a potential threat, psychology of a shooter, the vigilance mindset, run-hide-fight, decision making, supervisor responsibilities and so much more.

"This was easily the most important workshop we've had all year," said Sam Brown, Vice President of the Human Services Group at Rancho Mesa Insurance. "I can't wait to have VRS back and I have no doubt that we will fill the room again." 

About Vigilance Risk Solutions
Vigilance Risk Solutions offers industry-leading risk mitigation services to organizations large and small through an effective three-step approach.  This process is a proven pathway to the layered and holistic security required to protect people, assets, operations, and reputation. For more information, visit www.vigilancerisk.com.

Employee Spotlight: Rancho Mesa Welcomes Steven Rose

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Steven Rose, Media Communications Intern

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is pleased to announce Steven Rose has joined our team as an Media Communications Intern.

Steven, a full-time graphic design student at Platt College, assists Rancho Mesa's team as a production assistant and video editor in the media communications department.  

In his free time, Steven enjoys designing visual graphics, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services sincerely welcomes Steven to the RMI team!

Support United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County at the 36th Annual Golf Classic

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa Insurance Services is pleased to announce the UCP 36th Annual Golf Classic will be held at the El Camino Country Club in Oceanside, CA on Monday, August 20th, 2018 to benefit United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County (UCP).

As a supporter of UCP's mission and the event's grand sponsor, Rancho Mesa hopes you'll join us at the event to support this vital organization.

For tournament information or reservations, call (858) 571-5365 or visit ucpsd.org.

Public service announcement promoting the UCP association of San Diego County Golf Tournament.

About United Cerebral Palsy of San Diego County
The mission of UCP of San Diego County is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people affected by cerebral palsy and other disabilities. By making solid steps, UCP can build a better community for all in the process. For more information, visit ucpsd.org.

Safety Spotlight: ICS Hosts Employee Wellness Fair

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Industrial Commercial Systems (ICS), a mechanical contractor based in Vista, CA, hosted an employee wellness fair at their headquarters on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

Employees gathered at the event to learn about living healthy. Vendors from across San Diego County gathered to educate ICS employees about their products and services. Vendors and sponsors included an organic local produce co-op, healthy food companies, gym, health insurance provider, dentist, massage therapist, credit union and more.

The event was designed to encourage employees to visit each booth and learn something new.

"The wellness trail is our little trail of health and wellness," said Jennilyn Magee. "Each different vendor has something to do with either mental health, physical health, personal health, anything like that. You follow the trail, you learn something new, and you get a stamp, and you turn it in for a prize that relates to health."

Employees enjoyed healthy snacks, music and a dunk tank where management took the plunge to get their employees excited about their health and wellness.

"We're doing the Dice Challenge. And, when you roll the dice in here, you're going to challenge me to one of these little boxes here [workouts]. You can do up to three and get three tickets for our raffle. And, you're keeping healthy and staying fit," Vanessa Hayes explained.

Throughout the event, employees gathered stamps and raffle tickets in order to win various prizes.

"Our sole purpose of launching an employee Wellness Program is to promote physical and mental well-being, said London Adams, Human Resources Manager for ICS. "We pride ourselves as being a family-based company where our people and culture are our greatest assets. Providing education and energetic tools, combined with fun activities and challenges will ultimately create a shift towards healthy living habits."

About ICS

ICS specializes in the installation of HVAC and Plumbing systems. As one of the region's largest merit shops, ICS delivers quality services at the best possible value. At ICS, it really is our people that make the difference. We have handpicked and developed construction teams that are clearly "a notch above the rest." Our loyal workforce has shared values which stress: customer focus, quality, teamwork, job ownership and an attitude based on success. Construction teams are trained on ICS installation standards. For more information, visit www.1ics.net. Like/follow ICS on Facebook or LinkedIn.

Congratulations, Shane and Sierra!

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa is pleased to congratulate Shane and Sierra Stone on their recent wedding. The ceremony took place on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at the Cordiano Winery in Escondido, CA.

Sierra Stone began her career with Rancho Mesa in 2016 and is currently an Account Coordinator. Shane is an Aviation Rescue Swimmer in the United States Navy.  

The couple loves spending time with family and friends, traveling, hiking, camping, exploring, and enjoying all that nature has to offer.

Photos by Rachael Brown.

Heat Illness Prevention Workshop Now Available On Demand

Author, Alyssa Burley, Client Services Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Last month, Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies’ Zadock "Zee" Reid provided Rancho Mesa clients with Heat Illness Prevention training. The workshop was designed to increase awareness in order to make work a safer place for employees. The presenter covered:

• Modified temperature guidelines
• Pre-shift meetings
• Supervisory expectations
• Clarification on Access to Water
• Clarification on Access to Shade    
• Rest & Recovery periods
• Monitoring employees
• Weather Monitoring
• High Heat Procedures
• Emergency Response

For those who were unable to attend the workshop, the videos are now available on demand within the Risk Management Center, and can easily be accessed by using the key words “Heat Illness Prevention” in the search box. Or, they can be requested via the Workshop Video Request Form.