Of all products and services offered by Housing Authority Insurance Group’s Risk Control and Consulting Department, the 2009 Risk Control Symposium held at the Cheshire office suggested that members value one most of all.

“Consistently, the service most universally liked was the ability to talk to a risk control consultant,” said Jeff Weslow, Vice President of Risk Control and Consulting, of the third HAI Group Risk Symposium. “The speed in which we get back to them and how quickly they get their question answered is what’s most appreciated. People appreciate getting a human being who gets back to them promptly to answer their question.”

The Risk Control Symposium is a triennial daylong review session of member surveys centering on HAI Group’s products and services. Survey questions relate to what the Risk Control Department currently offers. Surveys indicate member satisfaction and act as a barometer for how we’re doing.

“It was an open and discussion-oriented day,” said Weslow, who indicated that survey participation grew 10 percent from the 2006 Symposium. “Part of the feedback will let us know where we need to focus our attention. They are taking a closer look at the work we’re doing in getting the word out. We are doing a lot technology-wise with Webinars to get the word out. Also, we made a big change in the Work Plan process. There’s a greater focus on what we do and how we do it.”

This year, surveys showed that auto safety training is another area to promote because many members have that exposure. This and other findings will be reviewed by Risk Control staff, management, and committee members for possible implementation.

“The symposium was well received with good participation,” Risk Control Committee chair Jim DiPaolo said. “The discussion included reviewing current Risk Control efforts and needs for the future. This was a first step in the planning process to obtain input and assist in the identification and establishment of risk control goals for the next three years.”