Prior to these meetings, each church will complete a survey that has been sent digitally through the District offices in regard to the UMPACT matter. Churches are asked to return the completed survey to our Conference insurance agent. This may be done by email to mcomeaux@mcinnistyner.com, by fax to the attention of Melinda Comeaux at (225) 923-3418 or by mail to McInnis Tyner, 7814 Office Park Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70809. If you have any questions regarding the survey, please call Melinda Comeaux at (225) 215-4975. We would like to receive this completed survey by Feb. 15. This data will help to establish a comprehensive premium rate which should be available by April 1 in time to guide our decision at the June Annual Conference session.
Following the terrorist attack of 9/11, churches in Louisiana began to experience sharp increases in property insurance premiums due to the catastrophic losses and the risk associated with potential future attacks. The Conference Council on Finance and Administration met with leaders of UMPACT in August 2005 to explore our participation. A week later, Louisiana was hit with the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. A month later we were hit by Hurricane Rita.
The CFA voted to place the Conference insurance coverage with UMPACT, which in turn opened the door for the churches of the Conference to get quotes from UMPACT for their coverage. Several churches have already placed their business with UMPACT.
Dates, times and venues for the UMPACT/Safe Sanctuaries meetings are as follows:
Acadiana, Feb. 25, 6-9 p.m., Covenant UMC in Lafayette;
Alexandria, Feb. 27, 6-9 p.m., First UMC in Alexandria;
Baton Rouge, Feb. 24, 2-5 p.m., First UMC in Gonzales;
Lake Charles, Feb. 26, 6-9 p.m., First UMC in Lake Charles;
Monroe, Feb. 29, 6-9 p.m., Lea Joyner Memorial UMC in Monroe;
New Orleans, Feb. 24, 3:30-6:30 p.m., First UMC in LaPlace;
Shreveport, Feb. 28, 6-9 p.m., Broadmoor UMC (Pearce Hall) in Shreveport. |
