Welcome
Welcome and thank you for your interest in PDRMA membership. Here you will find an overview of PDRMA’s new member process including specific new member criteria. After reviewing the information below, please feel free to contact the PDRMA Director of Member Services to ask any questions you may have concerning PDRMA membership.

Overview
Selective membership makes PDRMA unique among pools. Though any park district, forest preserve district, conservation district or special recreation agency in Illinois 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 a partnership to prosper, each partner should be committed to the same risk management principles. At PDRMA, these principles mean well-managed, high quality park and recreation agencies working together to reduce losses and support each other in the implementation of risk management programs.

The Membership Process
The PDRMA membership process typically begins with a meeting that includes the PDRMA Director of Member Services, agency Executive Director, a representative from the Agency’s Board of Directors and any interested agency management staff. At this meeting the prospective new member will be provided with the following:

• An overview of the membership process
• An overview of PDRMA as an organization
• PDRMA’s Governance structure
• Insurance coverage and limits
• Services information
• New member membership criteria (as outlined below)

The following is a general overview of the major steps in the PDRMA membership process:

A meeting is scheduled with agency management and Board representatives to determine if PDRMA membership is a mutual goal; including a review of the PDRMA membership criteria:

• Employ at least one (1) full-time management staff person.
   
  
• Submit completed membership applications and other information that includes but is not limited to loss history, most recently completed 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 is conducted to determine the Agency’s commitment to safety and loss control and to review safety and risk management programs currently in place.
   
  
• Have a loss to premium ratio of sixty percent (60%) or lower in three out of four lines of coverage. The ratio will encompass a five year period as established by the Agency that includes the period immediately prior to making application for PDRMA membership.
   
  
• Submit an application or other fee, if applicable.

After determination is made that the applying agency meets membership criteria and makes a commitment to PDRMA membership:

• A formal proposal is provided that may include a meeting with the applying agency’s Board of Directors
  
• The applying agency’s Board of Directors formally adopts PDRMA’s new member resolutions including the Membership Term, PDRMA Bylaws, and Commitment To Loss Control
  
• A formal new member orientation is scheduled with agency staff that includes:
  • a general review of PDRMA’s many services
  • risk management services and claims administration information
  • legal services
  • education and training information
  • unemployment compensation services information
  • review of coverage
  • introduction of risk management consultant

If you would like to further discuss PDRMA membership please give us a call at
630-769-0332.