by California Casualty | Calcas Connection, Good to Know, Safety |
While we worry about our teens texting while behind the wheel, what kind of example are we setting? Nearly one-third of drivers of all ages admit to texting, talking or checking a map app while on the road. With Americans spending an average of an hour a day on the road, that’s too many opportunities for a serious crash.
Technology can give us the boost we need to stay on task, avoiding texting while driving. There are a variety of apps to reduce your temptation to use a smartphone while behind the wheel. Most of us already use apps for workouts, calorie counting, music and banking – why not add one for safer driving?
Five Apps to Stop Phone Use While Driving:
- AT&T DriveMode, a free app for iOS and Android that silences incoming calls, restricts texting, and sends alerts when the app is turned off
- DriveSafe Mode, an app available for iOS and Android that prevents texting and emailing while driving and sends notifications when the phone is in use or when the driver shuts off the app
- Cell Control, a subscription service that allows businesses or families to block sending or receiving texts while driving and sends an alert if it is deactivated
- On My Way Realtime GPS (available at iOS app store), a free app that allows others to track where you are in real time without the need to send a text or make a call while driving, and lets them know when you arrive at your destination
- LifeSaver, a subscription service for both Android and iOS that blocks phone use, monitors driving behaviors, sends alerts when the driver arrives safely and allows them to earn points while using the app
Your phone may already have a Do Not Disturb While Driving feature. Search within your phone settings to activate it.
Some other tips to help drivers concentrate on the road and not on technology include:
- Mapping out the route before getting into the car
- Creating music lists at home to play on the ride
- Making calls to friends, work or relatives before the drive and after you arrive at your destination
TAKEAWAY:
Learn more about distracted driving and efforts to prevent it here.
by California Casualty | Calcas Connection, In Your Community |
California Casualty has a long-held tradition of recognizing and celebrating the charitable act of giving. In fact, our company’s two highest achievements – the Carl G. Brown, Jr. Award of Excellence and the PRIDE in the Code Award – are based on how individuals give to others.
As we celebrate our 105th year, we are proud of the support we’ve provided to the affinity groups you belong to, giving back in ways that made a difference for you and the people you work with.
In 2018, we gave almost $700,000 in grants, donations, awards and sponsorships that directly benefited fire victims, aided first responder and law enforcement families, recognized school and educator achievement, thanked nurses for their caring, and helped prevent teen distracted driving.
Some of the highlights included:
- $83,000 in Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grants, benefiting high school and middle school sports programs
Plains High, MT Athletics Grant
- $76,000 in California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence grants, in conjunction with the NEA Foundation
- $39,500 to relief funds that assisted educators, law enforcement officers and firefighters whose homes or apartments suffered damage or were destroyed in California fires
- $40,000 as part of a commitment to Impact Teen Drivers and the Create Real Impact program to end distracted teen driving
- $21,600 in Help Your Classroom grants to assist educators in funding classroom materials and projects
- $25,000 in the “Wherever Your Journey Takes You…We’ll Be There” sweepstakes, with the NEA and NEA affiliates, to promote having enough insurance coverage
- $15,300 in Music and Arts Grants
- $8,850 in Work Hard/Play Hard first responder awards
- $4,000 in Nurse’s Night Out thank you grants
Vicki Rodgers, CTA Member Benefits, receiving California Casualty’s CTA Disaster Relief Fund donation from Field Marketing Manager Norma Alfaro
Many of you may have also experienced the dedication of our Partner Relations Field Team, who presented at benefit fairs, volunteered at fundraisers and in classrooms, attended conventions and worked hand-in-hand with your group leaders explaining the power and value of membership.
One example is our Nebraska and Iowa Field Marketing Manager, Stephanie Whitmore. The executive directors of the state education associations she works with couldn’t say enough about the energy Stephanie possesses and the impressive work she does promoting group membership. They added that Stephanie is one of their best recruiters, and proves to them what a great partner they have in California Casualty.
What you may not be aware of are the countless hours and monetary donations made by our employees each year for youth sports programs, cancer research, the American Heart Association, local food banks, school supplies, holiday giving programs, comfort for homeless pets, and raising and training service animals.
Helping others is part of our DNA. Our CEO, Beau Brown, said, “The American heroes we work with give so much to help others, even in times of adversity, and we feel an obligation to say thanks by giving back in meaningful ways that let them know how grateful we are for all they do.”
TAKEAWAY:
See some of the ways California Casualty gives back to the groups we partner with at www.calcas.com/newsroom.
by California Casualty | Educators, News |
Despite losing homes and setting up classes in a temporary building 25 miles away in Chico, Paradise Intermediate School (PINT) staff are back at work helping students. The vacant Orchard Supply Hardware store where the school is now housed is not the most inviting environment. Employees have done the best that they can under the circumstances. PINT School Lounge Makeover
California Casualty is gifting the School Lounge Makeover to offer a more soothing, useful area for instructors and support personnel to take a break, relax and recharge. PINT School Lounge Makeover
Principal Cris Dunlap, who is one of 35 PINT staff members who lost a home in the fire, said this offer means so much. “We’ve focused so much on giving students a learning space and place to be with their teachers and friends. As educators, we put others ahead of ourselves. It’s so nice that California Casualty recognizes the valor of our teachers and everything they are doing to keep the district going and keeping kids happy and learning.”
“We’ve seen the dedication of administrators, teachers and staff firsthand and we’re proud to show our appreciation,” said California Casualty Sr. Vice President, Mike McCormick.
Eon Office designers will be work with PINT staff to create the school lounge of their dreams. The finished project will be revealed later this spring. The lounge will be relocated back at Paradise Intermediate School once repairs there are completed.
Learn more about California Casualty’s School Lounge Makeover at www.schoolloungemakeover.com.
by California Casualty | Peace Officers |
You’ve been on patrol for a few years and now you are thinking about moving up the ranks or maybe moving to a bigger department with more opportunities? Your resume can help you stand out above other candidates.
The job search for police officers is not like a normal job search. It’s a different world in law enforcement. You may be looking to make a lateral move in your department or moving to a bigger department where more opportunities are available. Or maybe it’s time to see if you have what it takes to move up in rank? Even though the process is challenging, extensive, and technical, your resume doesn’t have to be. We’ve compiled some easy pointers for you to use to help find the right fit for your resume and your career.
- Don’t worry about the length of your resume. Unless you’re switching careers, your resume will need to hold more information than the customary two pages.
- Write an attention grabbing career objective that should reflect the next rank or position you are aiming for.
- Strive for clarity when explaining your experiences. This can help filter out the least important info the reader needs to see.
- Use action verbs in your descriptions to present a picture to the reader, rather than a list of job duties. Ex: patrolled, inspected, implemented, enforced, assessed, etc.
- If you completed your professional development with the same organization, try lumping the classes you took together to avoid repeating yourself. If you didn’t, just list your training courses with specific organizations, locations, and years.
- When adding your affiliations and community involvements, try only using a few lines and use symbols to separate each listing.
Your resume can be a strong first impression with the right format and verbiage. These tips can help yours stand out from the other candidates. For a resume example, click here. For more law enforcement resume examples and tips, click here.
by California Casualty | News |
Congratulations to the five 2019 California Teachers of the Year who were recently honored during the annual gala for their exceptional impact on students, schools and their communities.
2019 California Teachers of the Year
The 2019 Teachers of the Year, who represent thousands of dedicated educators across the state, are:
- Rosie Reid, Mount Diablo Unified School District
- Eric Boomer, Upper Lake Unified School District
- Kim Holtz, Manhattan Beach Unified School District
- Michael Henges, Redondo Beach Unified School District
- Angel Mejico, Corona-Norco Unified School District
Ms. Reid will also represent California in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
“These teachers are a critical piece of maintaining California’s leadership in education and we thank them for being an inspiration to us all,” said California Casualty CEO Beau Brown after attending the annual ceremony.
“This year’s California Teachers of the Year ceremony was a celebration of the wonders of education and the amazing instructors who have dedicated their lives to our children,” said AVP Lisa Almeida. “We at California Casualty are so proud to support these awardees and all of the amazing educators across the state of California.”
As the Presenting Sponsor, California Casualty’s continued support is helping to make possible these other California School Recognition Programs:
- California Distinguished Schools – honoring exemplary public schools which demonstrate significant gains in narrowing the achievement gap
- California Exemplary Districts – celebrating the achievements of districts that have implemented model practices with positive impact on student outcomes
- California Green Ribbon Schools – recognizing schools and districts for excellence in whole-school environmental sustainability
- Classified School Employee of the Year – highlighting those who symbolize the profession’s commitment to education
California Casualty is proud to join the California Department of Education, the California Teachers of the Year Foundation and California Teachers Association in honoring educators who make a difference for their students and communities. California Casualty field representatives will present awards and attend other special recognition ceremonies, enhancing the company’s 67-year commitment to educators.
