PDRMA Membership Application Process

Selective membership makes PDRMA unique among pools. Although any Illinois park district, forest preserve district, conservation district, or special recreation agency may apply for membership, only those meeting selective criteria are recommended for membership.

Membership criteria are extremely important to existing as well as future members. In order for our partnership to prosper, each partner must be committed to the same risk management principles. At PDRMA, these principles foster well-managed, high quality park and recreation agencies working together to reduce losses and support each other in their risk management programs.

The process typically begins with a meeting that includes the PDRMA Director of Member Services, your agency’s Executive Director, a representative from your Board of Directors, and any interested management staff. This meeting is held to determine if PDRMA membership is a mutual goal, discuss the application process, and present information including:

• PDRMA as an organization
• PDRMA’s governance structure
• Insurance coverage and limits
• Services information
• PDRMA’s membership criteria:
  • Employ at least one full-time management staff person
    
  • Submit membership applications and other information including loss history, most recent audited financial statements, and property values
    
  • Submit to an on-site loss control assessment conducted by PDRMA staff and receive a favorable recommendation. The assessment determines your agency’s commitment to safety and loss control while reviewing current safety and risk management programs
    
  • Have a loss-to-premium ratio of 60% or lower in three out of four lines of coverage. The ratio encompasses a five-year period as established by the agency, including the period immediately prior to applying for PDRMA membership
    
  • Submit an application or other fee, if applicable

After determining that your agency meets the criteria and is committed to PDRMA membership, the final steps will take place:

• PDRMA will provide a formal proposal that may include a meeting with your agency’s Board of Directors
  
• Your Board of Directors will formally adopt PDRMA’s new member resolutions including the Membership Term, PDRMA Bylaws, and Commitment to Loss Control
  
• PDRMA will schedule a formal new member orientation with your agency’s staff to cover:
  • A review of our services
  • Risk management services and claims administration information
  • Legal services information
  • Education and training information
  • Unemployment compensation services information
  • A review of your coverage
  • An introduction to your PDRMA risk management consultant

If you have any questions or would like to discuss membership, email Kevin Hoffman, Director of Member Services, or call him at 630-769-0332.