MIIA sponsors workshops on health costs, cybersecurity, public interactions

Managing rising health care costs, avoiding cybersecurity attacks, and stemming public harassment of municipal employees are top of mind for many municipal officials.

Here’s some information that supports these concerns:
• Total health care expenditures in Massachusetts increased by 8.6% from 2022 to 2023 to a total of $78.1 billion, or $11,153 per resident.
• According to the MassCyberCenter, a new organization falls victim to ransomware every 14 seconds, and local governments are ideal targets.
• In a 2024 National League of Cities survey, 73% of mayors, councillors and city managers reported experiencing harassment as part of their work, and nearly 60% felt political harassment had gotten worse since they entered office.

MIIA is presenting three hands-on workshops during the MMA’s annual conference, Connect 351 to help municipal organizations manage these challenges.

Keeping Your Cool When the Public Is Losing Theirs
Friday, Jan 23, 2-3:15 p.m.
This dynamic workshop will equip municipal employees with essential skills to navigate the unique challenge of serving a public that may be frustrated, confrontational or uncivil — often due to circumstances beyond any single employee’s control.

Participants will explore how emotional intelligence serves as the foundation for remaining calm and professional under pressure, including a practical three-step defusing technique to de-escalate tense interactions before they spiral.

The session will cover critical strategies, including:
• When and how to end abusive conversations while maintaining dignity for all parties
• Techniques for supporting colleagues who face incivility
• The power of deep listening as a de-escalation tool

Attendees will also draft statements and questions that demonstrate genuine empathy and transform adversarial exchanges into productive dialogues.

This seminar will be led by Cally Ritter, principal of Positive Ripple Training and Consulting, and will feature Southborough Assistant Town Manager Vanessa Hale, who will share her experiences with handling tough customer situations.

From Challenge to Change: Rethinking Municipal Health Costs
Friday, Jan 23, 3:30-4:45 p.m.
Rising health care costs continue to challenge municipalities, straining budgets and impacting the ability to attract and retain employees.

This workshop will offer a forward-looking perspective on how local governments can navigate these financial pressures through informed decision-making, collaboration and innovation.
The workshop will examine the factors driving municipal health care expenses, including workforce demographics, benefit design and regulatory obligations, while showcasing practical approaches to managing costs without compromising employee well-being. Participants will engage in discussion to identify actionable strategies to help their communities.

The panel will be moderated by Pat Haraden, president of Lockton Company and a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals.

Panelists will be:
• MIIA Health Benefits Trust Director Chris Bailey
• Paul Sweeney, senior vice president, Municipal/Labor and Diversified Sales, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
• Kevin Brousseau, secretary-treasurer of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO

Creating Cyber Resiliency: A Tabletop Exercise Card Game
Saturday, Jan 24, 1:30-2:45 p.m.
This interactive workshop, led by the MassCyberCenter, will engage participants in realistic cybersecurity scenarios through collaborative gameplay.

In a card game called CyberSecure Deck: Defend the Network, players will take on roles to navigate threats, make strategic decisions, and strengthen their understanding of cyber risk management in a dynamic, hands-on environment.

Panelists will include:
• MassCyberCenter Director John Petrozzelli
• Attorney Greg Bautista, a partner with Mullen Coughlin
• David Dowd Jr., vice president of claims at MIIA
• Susan Noyes, director of the Office of Municipal and School Technology in the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security

Lin Chabra, senior risk manager at MIIA, will moderate the discussion.

For full details, registration, and MIIA Rewards eligibility, visit the Connect 351 website or consult the event app.

Written by Joyce McMahon