Risk Management

Kiwanis is a service organization but the law still holds the organization liability for its negligent acts which might cause injury. Liability Insurance is vitally needed and the role it fills allows Kiwanis to conceive and execute fundraising and community service programs.

Risk of injury to persons and of damage to property of others exists in all Kiwanis activities. Clubs and Safety coordinators must analyze basic risk factors and discover those which can be managed so claims will not result therefrom.

Within the scope of activities sponsored by local clubs there are several such areas wherein the risk may, and should, be transferred to others. Here is an area where clubs in particular may make a major contribution in keeping such claims away from Kiwanis and from its insurance carrier.

Sponsored Events:
These are events wherein an outside firm or organization actually presents the event, furnishes equipment, or sells products or services. Such events are carnivals, circuses, rodeos, sporting events, air shows, auto shows, and races are among those which fall into this category. In such cases, the individual or firm involved should assume all liability arising therefrom.

Contracts or agreement for such activities should be in writing and they should include:

1. A hold-harmless provision whereby the operator agrees to hol Kiwanis and its members harmless as to any and all claims for injury or death resulting therefrom and for damage to property of others which might arise from the event, and

2. Provision that the operator will furnish to the Kiwanis sponsors prior to the event evidence of insurance to cover any claims which might arise to a limit of at least $1 million for bodily injury and property damage, including premises, operations, and products exposures.

Such evidence must be in the form of a certificate of insurance issued and countersigned by an authorized representative of the insurance carriers of the supplier and should contain provisions for a written notice of cancellation or material modification of coverage to the sponsor at least thirty days prior to such cancellation or change becoming effective. The certificate should name the Kiwanis club and Kiwanis International as additional named insured.

Important note: In these cases listed above, the issuance of a certificate of insurance does not end the responsibility of the club. The positive action and surveillance of the safety coordinator and members of the club are required.

For additional information, contact Kiwanis International Risk Management or lori@balancedrockinsurance.com.

While planning fundraisers and activities, your club will want to keep an eye toward safety to avoid accidents and reduce liability. Some activities inherently involve some risk, while with others, the risks aren’t as obvious. Especially if you are the safety coordinator for a club or district, there’s a lot to know about risk management: what is covered by insurance and what is excluded, what activities beg a waiver, and how to report a claim if an accident does occur. Use these tools to educate yourself and other club leadership on how to financially protect your club and physically protect members and participants.

• Certificate of Insurance 
• You Are Covered - Overview of General Liability Insurance for clubs in US and Canada, including who is insured, coverage, key exclusions, claim reporting information, and FAQs
• Request Certificate of Insurance with Additional Insured Wording
• Special Release - Safety Coordinator
• Risk Management Techniques
• Sample Affirmation and Liability Release
• Hold Harmless Agreement
• Sample Waiver of Subrogation
• How to Report a Liability Claim
• Incident Investigation Report
• How and When to Use the Waiver of Liability Form
• Certificate of Insurance Requirements
• Loss Prevention Worksheets