#GivingTuesday: One Day to do a World of Good

Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Client Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Giving Tuesday is a day dedicated to supporting local charities. As a community, we celebrate the season of giving with cherished meals with loved ones on Thanksgiving day. For the next few days, many rush out of the house to stock up on discounted gifts. But, Tuesday has been set aside to give back to the organizations that make a difference in our communities.

The Boys & Girls Club of East County would like to encourage you to embrace “One Day to do a World of Good” by participating in the organization’s celebration of #GivingTuesday.

Club members are getting into the spirit of giving. “Our Club Kids are hard at work raising cans and dry goods for our local food bank. We challenge you to donate this Giving Tuesday. Your gift today can transform a child’s life tomorrow. Donate $3, $5 or $10 dollars today to change a child’s life and spread the giving this season,” reads that organization's flyer.

Donations can be made at bgcec.org/donations/.

About the Boys & Girls Club of East County

The Boys & Girls Clubs of East County have been developing, implementing, and providing activities and programs to disadvantaged youth since 1961. Operating in the communities of El Cajon, Lakeside, La Mesa and Santee, the Clubs offer three full –service clubhouses with gymnasiums for children 5-10, and two Teen Centers in La Mesa and El Cajon designated for teens ages 11-18. Providing children with age appropriate activities, trained professional staff, state of the art computer labs; cool, clean, well maintained buildings and a safe, healthy atmosphere to learn and grow has been the ultimate goal of the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County. For more information, visit bgcec.org.

Client Spotlight: Rancho West Landscape Uses a Simple Newsletter to Drive Safety

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

To say Rancho West Landscape (RWL) is proactive in safety would be an understatement. They have made safety a top priority in their company. Their newsletter is among a variety safety initiatives they‘ve embraced. Each month, RWL is able to compress incredible content into a one-page company publication available in both English and Spanish. With the fast-paced schedule of daily business activities, maintaining the level of consistency in generating the newsletter is an achievement in and of itself.

Drew Garcia pictured with Christy Flores.

“Rancho West is always looking for a way to improve safety, training, process and communication,” says Drew Garcia, Vice President Landscape Group at Rancho Mesa Insurance. “This newsletter is a small example of their company’s culture that is rooted in safety. I always admire consistency in people and organizations. It has been a pleasure to work for Rancho West and watch activity like this continue with regularity.”

In the November 2019 issue, RWL announced their new safety program with Greenius. Greenius is an online safety platform designed to provide educational safety training to landscape professionals. To learn more, read Rancho West Landscape’s November 2019 newsletter Issue 16.

If you are interested in creating your own safety newsletter, Christy Flores, the writer, editor, and publisher of the RWL newsletter, broke down some of the key concepts she thinks about when generating the monthly issues:

• Look to make one key point and center the rest of the information around that point.

• Incorporate current events: time of year, weather, holidays, etc.

• Include company pictures to make it more personal.

• Recognize an employee or group of employees.

• Have fun with it (see the word search and incentive for participation).

• Keep it to one page, too much information is overwhelming.

• English and Spanish (hint: use Google translate and have someone read it over for clarity).

• Be consistent (Christy publishes monthly, but you can start off slow. Try publishing quarterly).

• Distribute newsletters with pay checks, post them in company common areas, and email if possible.

• Provide key contacts.  Christy keeps the area mangers phone numbers on every issue.

• Find the right person to own and enjoy creating the document.

• Find content online, in the news, through your association, and from your insurance broker/carrier.

• Newsletter templates are available on multiple websites and platforms. Christy uses Microsoft Publisher.

“I’m really proud of Christy for sticking to it. Without any recognition, she continued to create the newsletter to help make Rancho West a better company,” expressed Greg Duncan, President of Rancho West Landscape.

Rancho Mesa Insurance thanks RWL for allowing us to highlight their company in an effort to promote safety within the landscape industry.

About Rancho West Landscape
Rancho West Landscape has been servicing Southern California since 1990. As a local landscape contractor based in Murrieta, they have upheld the highest standard of service and continue to raise safety standards.

LANDSCAPES 2019 Conference Grows A Culture of Safety

Author, Drew Garcia, Vice President, Landscape Group, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa looks forward to participating in the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) LANDSCAPES event each year. From veteran industry icons to rookie start-ups, this event has information for everyone.

The 4-day schedule was packed as Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa, and myself championed two different Breakfast with Champions' table topics. We discussed the top five free safety phone applications for landscape professionals.

As much as we are supposed to lead the discussion at the tables I always end up coming away learning more from the group. We discussed how equipment continues to evolve, and we witness the result this has on productivity, yet not often do companies explore how they can leverage today’s tech to become a safer company. From communication to training, and overall awareness, technology is ready to make a difference in the landscape industry.

Alyssa Burley, Rancho Mesa’s Media Communications Manager, had re-arranged a hotel conference room into our mobile studio, “StudioOne.” Alyssa and I were able to interview six different landscape companies from across the country. In the next few months, NALP and Rancho Mesa will be releasing the final version of these safety interviews to help the industry share ideas and continue to build upon establishing a safe work environment.

I was also able to interview Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Margaret Hartmann and Loss Control Manager Steve Hamilton of Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) to provide insurance carrier perspective in regards to the landscape industry. In the months to come, you will hear how BHHC takes a proactive approach to claims management and injury prevention.

At the Kentucky Expo Center, Dave and I led a hour and fifteen-minute presentation on “the Four Secrets to Making Your Safety Program Improve Your Bottom Line,” which was full of audience interaction.

On the last night, I was selected to participate in the 50th Annual Awards of Excellence as the presenter for the safety portion of the program. I had the pleasure of announcing the winners of the Safety Awards and then join Rancho Mesa client Brett and Theresa Brennan of Urban Habitat, who collected a Gold Award for their Coachella Etherea Art Park Project.

Friday morning wrapped up the event and the team headed back to San Diego, CA. LANDSCAPES is held every October in Louisville, Kentucky. We hope you mark your calendar to join us, next year on October 20-23, 2020, for another incredible event!

Client Spotlight: Urban Habitat’s Project Gains National Recognition

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Drew Garcia, left, with Urban Habitat holding the Gold Award of Excellence plaque.

Urban Habitat’s Brett and Theresa Brennan were recognized by the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) for their Coachella Etherea Art Park Project on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at the 50th Annual Awards of Excellence Ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky.   

“When Urban’s project was announced you could hear the entire room take notice. A special moment for Brett and Theresa,” said Drew Garcia, Vice President of the Landscape Group at Rancho Mesa. “Sometimes I get so caught up in delivering for our landscape clients, from the insurance aspect, that I don’t get the opportunity to lift my head up and enjoy the beautiful work they create on a daily basis. Our team takes a lot of pride working with Urban Habitat and we are extremely proud of the amazing work they create on a daily basis.”

The Coachella Valley, CA based company received the Gold Award for their excellence and creativity in the Commercial Design/Build category. The NALP Awards of Excellence Program honors outstanding landscape projects. Judges assess excellence in design, craftsmanship, build, maintenance, attention to detail, in addition to specific criteria for various categories, is assessed for each. Urban Habitat received the Gold Award, the program’s highest category of excellence, for going above and beyond the standard. Rancho Mesa is honored to work with a company that shares our OneofOne® philosophy.

Drew Garcia reiterated, “This was a statement project, Urban was competing against National and Super-Regional Landscape Companies to win this award. To come out with a Gold Award among companies like that is incredible.”

About Urban Habitat
Urban Habitat has years of experience as Coachella Valley's premier landscape provider. Their vast experience and expertise includes small renovations to large scale industrial and commercial sites, resorts, hotels, master planned communities and public works projects. They specialize in design/architecture, landscape construction installation, grounds maintenance, arboricultural, and water management services. To learn more visit their LinkedIn page.

Rancho Mesa Film Studio Travels East to National Conference

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Drew Garcia interviewing Margaret Hartmann Senior Vice President Chief Marketing Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.

Media Communications Manager, Alyssa Burley, moved the Rancho Mesa filming studio east to Louisville, Kentucky for the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) 2019 LANDSCAPES Conference.

Alyssa joined Drew Garcia, Rancho Mesa's Vice President of the Landscapes Division and Program Manager for the NALP Lawn & Landscape Workers’ Compensation and Package Programs, as he interviewed several landscape industry professionals, including this year's safety award winners, and Margaret Hartmann & Steve Hamilton of Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.

LANDSCAPES is an educational event for landscape and lawn care professionals. The four day event is packed full of keynote speakers, expos, recognition ceremonies, networking, and more. Presenters included Drew and David Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa, as they educated attendees on the "4 Secrets to Using Your Safety Program to Improve Your Bottom Line."

About NALP
The National Association of Landscape Professionals is the national trade association representing nearly 100,000 landscape industry professionals in the United States, with additional members in Canada and overseas. Member companies specialize in lawn care, landscape design and installation, landscape maintenance, tree care, irrigation and water management, and interior plantscaping. Members also include students, consultants, industry suppliers, state associations and affiliate members. For more information, visit www.landscapeprofessionals.org.

Employee Spotlight: Sam Clayton and Jeremy Hoolihan Visit Lambeau Field with Sentry Insurance Company

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa’s Sam Clayton, Vice President of the Construction Group, and Jeremy Hoolihan, Account Executive of the Construction Group, were the guests of Sentry Insurance Company at the Green Bay Packers vs. the Oakland Raiders game played on October 20, 2019. Sam and Jeremy were two of the four brokers selected from California for this amazing experience, based on Rancho Mesa’s relationship with Sentry.

Sam and Jeremy are pictured with Nic Hernandez, West Coast Underwriting Manager for Sentry, outside the historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

About Sentry
Sentry Insurance started in 1904 and has grown to become one of the largest, and financially secure mutual insurance companies in the nation. They have recently opened their West Coast Regional office in Irvine, CA. At Sentry, because they are a mutual insurance company, their business is built on a foundation of service to their policyholders. Although they’ve grown and changed a lot over the past 110 years, one thing hasn’t changed. They still work to serve policyholders, and to help their clients’ businesses thrive. For more information, visit www.sentry.com.

Rancho Mesa Wishes Two Family Members a Happy Retirement

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Within the last the last few months Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc. has said farewell to two longtime family members, Merry Rosseau and Kathy Scheuerman. Both contributed many years to Rancho Mesa’s success. They will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of working with them.

October 25, 2019 marked Merry Rosseau’s last day at Rancho Mesa. Merry spent 15 years at Rancho Mesa as a Senior Account Manager. Prior to that, she was an Office Manager for 13 years for the San Diego Branch of Colonial Western Agency. Her career in the insurance industry began with San Diego Federated/GAF Insurance Services, a subsidiary of the former San Diego Federal/Great American Saving Bank doing Personal Lines Insurance and ending as a manager.

Merry enjoys sewing, visiting quilt shops, and participating in craft shows. She also likes to bake and cook. Her favorite thing to do is spending time with family and friends, but her most favorite thing is to spend time with her three grandchildren.

Kathy Scheuerman started with Rancho Mesa in 2001. For almost 18 years she had various duties including receptionist, issuing certificates of insurance, supporting health benefits, and surety departments.

Kathy resides in El Cajon with her family. She enjoys various arts and crafts, including drawing, sewing and soap making.

We thank Merry and Kathy for their years of hard work and dedication to the team. They will be deeply missed but we wish them all the best in their new retired lives!

Rancho Mesa Celebrates Halloween

Author, Lauren Stumpf, Media Communications Assistant, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Happy Halloween! On Thursday, October 31, 2019, Rancho Mesa's Ashley Hunter, Yvonne Gallagher, Rachel Bristol, Alyssa Burley, Christina Haake, Shane Medlin, and Colin Cadman dressed up to celebrate Halloween.

Left to right: Crazy Cat Lady (Ashely Hunter), Cat (Yvonne Gallagher), Dwight Schrute (Rachel Bristol), Mary Poppins(Alyssa Bruely), Devil (Christina Haake), Darth Vader (Shane Medlin), and Hot Dog (Colin Cadmin)

Rancho Mesa Attends 7th Annual State of Nonprofit & Philanthropy Summit

Author, Alyssa Burley, Media Communications and Clients Services Manager, Rancho Mesa Insurances Services, Inc.

Rancho Mesa’s Sam Brown and Chase Hixson.

San Diego’s warm clear skies provided a cheerful backdrop for The Nonprofit Institute’s 7th Annual State of Nonprofit and Philanthropy Summit at the University of San Diego’s Mother Rosalie Hill Hall in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences. The Summit hosted nearly 260 attendees on October 18, 2019 who gathered to hear the results of the 2019 Leader Survey, participate in dialog with public, private, and social sector leaders, and explore trends in philanthropic giving and donor behavior, public trust, and the impact of public policy on nonprofits.

“The purpose of the Summit is to highlight the current state of the nonprofit sector and philanthropy that supports it, as well as key trends that affect how these organizations are able to operate, fulfill their mission and meet critical needs in the community,” according to the event’s webpage.

Rancho Mesa’s Vice President of the Human Services Group Sam Brown, and Account Executive Chase Hixson understand the challenges shared by their clients in fulfilling their missions.

“The USD Nonprofit Institute supports nonprofit leaders in so many important ways. Every attendee had something to learn or wisdom to share. We are incredibly lucky to have this in San Diego. Rancho Mesa is proud to support this important event,” said Sam Brown.

Rancho Mesa is honored to sponsor the Annual State of Nonprofit & Philanthropy Summit and support the local nonprofit community.

Rancho Mesa Set to Open 2nd Office

Rancho Mesa is proud to announce that we will be opening a second office in downtown La Mesa, CA.

“This is an exciting time for us, we’ve been looking for over a year and it’s amazing to be returning to La Mesa where it all started back in 1998” said Dave Garcia, President of Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.

Construction is well underway and the scheduled move in date is the latter part of this year.