ORANGE COUNTY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM MEMORANDUM DATE: January 8, 2015 TO: Members, Board of Retirement FROM: Steve Delaney, Chief Executive Officer SUBJECT: OCERS Mission Statement Recommendation: Take appropriate action. Background: On November 17, 2014 the OCERS Board of Retirement took up consideration of a possible modification of the current OCERS Mission Statement: The role of the Orange County Employees Retirement System is to provide secure retirement and disability benefits, quality information concerning those benefits, and prompt, professional and courteous service that meets the highest standards of excellence. In carrying out that role, the Board of Retirement and staff are committed to act for the exclusive benefit of the plan and its participants, manage assets of the plan prudently, and administer benefits with impartiality. A mission statement should be an easily stated goal for what an agency such as OCERS seeks to accomplish. While the current OCERS Mission Statement is a positive vision for this agency, it is more a directive for agency actions and less a statement of purpose. For reference, you will find attached a set of slides that were considered at that November 17 meeting of the Board. Slide 8 laid out one possible new Mission Statement, simply to provide a basis to begin the Board s discussion. Slides 9-16 contained a series of Mission Statements of other public pension funds to help stir our collective creative thinking. I-5 OCERS Mission Statement Page 1 of 2 Regular Board Meeting, January 20, 2015
DISCUSSION As not all Trustees were present, the Board directed that staff return in January with three possible Mission Statement substitutions that had attracted the most interest coming out of the November Board discussion for further Board consideration: 1. We provide secure retirement and disability income to qualified public servants. Variants: a. We (OCERS) provide(s) reliable retirement and disability benefits to our members. b. Provide reliable retirement and disability benefits for the public sector. c. Provide a secure future for the public sector. 2. OCERS mission is to provide income to retired members, to survivors, and to disabled members of the system. [The first sentence of the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System Mission Statement.] 3. Providing expert administration and responsible investment of Orange County s public retirement program. [Derived from the Wyoming Retirement System Mission Statement.] A further consideration of these modification possibilities will take place on January 20. A white board will be ready to capture comments, thoughts and ideas. Submitted by: Steve Delaney Chief Executive Officer Attachments (1) I-5 OCERS Mission Statement Page 2 of 2 Regular Board Meeting, January 20, 2015
Mission Statement - Review November 17, 2014
OCERS Mission Statement The role of the Orange County Employees Retirement System is to provide secure retirement and disability benefits, quality information concerning those benefits, and prompt, professional and courteous service that meets the highest standards of excellence. In carrying out that role, the Board of Retirement and staff are committed to act for the exclusive benefit of the plan and its participants, manage assets of the plan prudently, and administer benefits with impartiality. 2
What are Mission/Vision Statements? Statements that explain who we are Type of organization Products/services Needs we fill Statements that explain our direction, our purpose, our reason for being What difference do we make Statements that explain what makes us unique Values People Combination of products and services 3
Importance Mission Statements 1. To ensure unanimity of purpose within the organization 2. To provide a basis, or standard, for allocating organizational resources 3. To establish a general tone or organizational climate 4
Mission vs. Vision The vision is more broad and future oriented the goal on the horizon The mission is more focused how you will get to the horizon 5
What is a Mission Statement? - 1 The Mission Statement is normally short, to the point something memorable -describes why the organization exists. 6
What is a Mission Statement? - 2 A mission statement is a declaration of what an organization or business aspires to be. The statement is: The organization s reason for being, A proclamation of why it exists, A clarification of who it serves, and could include an expression of what it hopes to achieve in the future. 7
A Possible Revised Mission Statement Our Vision A secure retirement for participants who devote a full career to public service. Our Mission We provide secure retirement and disability income to qualified public servants. 8
ALABAMA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS APPENDIX The mission of the Retirement Systems of Alabama is to serve the interests of our members by preserving the excellent benefits and soundness of the Systems at the least expense to the state of Alabama and all Alabama taxpayers. ALASKA STATE DIVISION OF RETIREMENT To administer State of Alaska and political subdivision retirement and benefit plans. ARKANSAS PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM APERS mission is to provide income to retired members, to survivors, and to disabled members of the system. To this end, the system prudently invests all contributions received, monitors reporting by participating employers, maintains records, and disburses monthly benefit checks to all those entitled. CONNECTICUT RETIREMENT SYSTEM Our mission is to provide statewide accounting and financial services, assist in the development and maintenance of all public accounts, and aid state agencies in the interpretation and implementation of accounting procedures. 9
APPENDIX Cont. EL PASO COUNTY, COLORADO RETIREMENT SYSTEM Provide secure and competitive retirement benefits through a professionally managed organization. Deliver quality service and communication to employers, members, retirees, beneficiaries and the public. INDIANA PUBLIC RETIREMENT SYSTEM We advance the achievement of retirement security for current future retirees and beneficiaries through our delivery of operational and investment excellence, exemplary customer service and trusted stakeholder communication. MARYLAND STATE RETIREMENT AGENCY To administer the survivor, disability, and retirement benefits of the System s participants, and to ensure that sufficient assets are available to fund the benefits when due. 10
APPENDIX Cont. MICHIGAN STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM PENSION PLAN The Bureau of Investments provides quality investment management services, professional expertise, and advice to the State Treasurer as fiduciary of the State of Michigan Retirement System and Michigan boards and agencies. The Bureau strives to provide consistent and cost-effective management of funds to achieve competitive investment returns that meet objectives within an acceptable level of risk for the benefit of employees, retirees, and citizens of the State of Michigan. NEW YORK CITY PENSION SERVICES We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in our relationship with you, our client. We endeavor to know and understand your financial situation and provide you with only the highest quality information, services, and products to help you reach your goals. OHIO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM To provide secure retirement benefits for our members. 11
APPENDIX Cont. OKLAHOMA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM The mission of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System is to provide and promote accountable and financially sound retirement programs for its members. SAN LUIS OBISPO The mission of the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust is to adequately fund and promptly pay the benefits accrued by Employees of San Luis Obispo County pursuant to the provisions of the San Luis Obispo County Employees Retirement Plan and consistent with Article 16, Section 17 of the California State Constitution. WYOMING RETIREMENT SYSTEM Providing expert administration and responsible investment of Wyoming s public retirement and supplemental savings program. 12
APPENDIX Cont. EMPLOYEE S RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF THE STATE OF HAWAII The Investment Office of the Employees Retirement System of the State of Hawaii supports the goals and objectives of the ERS, particularly through the investment intelligence gathering and portfolio management conducted on behalf of the ERS Board of Trustees. The Investment Office analyzes and recommends financial investment opportunities for the sole benefit of the ERS members and beneficiaries. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF IDAHO To provide a sound retirement system and high quality service and education to help Idaho public employees build a secure retirement. STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF ILLINOIS To provide an orderly means whereby aged or disabled employees may be retired from active service, without prejudice or hardship, and to enable the employees to accumulate reserves for themselves and their dependents for old age, disability, death and termination of employment, thus effecting economy and efficiency in the administration of the State Government. 13
APPENDIX Cont. IOWA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM The Iowa Legislature created the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) in 1953 to provide a dependable and economical retirement plan for Iowa s public employees. IPERS retirement benefits are intended to help Iowa s public employers attract and keep qualified personnel in public service. The benefits also help public employees care for themselves during retirement. The IPERS plan is defined benefit plan with a qualified plan status under federal Internal Revenue Code section 401(a). A defined benefit plan provides a lifetime benefit calculated using a formula. Your benefits grow with you during your working career. So, as your years of service and salary increase, your IPERS benefits also grow. At retirement, you receive the benefits you earned regardless of the performance of the stock market. This plan reinforces the notion that saving for retirement is important at every stage in your life. Indeed, IPERS has been designed to supplement both Social Security and private savings. That s why IPERS encourages its members to start saving early for retirement. 14
APPENDIX Cont. KENTUCKY RETIREMENT SYSTEMS The mission of Kentucky Retirement Systems (KRS) is to build the strength of the trust funds to ensure that adequate resources are available to meet all obligations, while helping members and beneficiaries achieve financial security in retirement. KRS is committed to efficiently and effectively administering the benefit programs established by the General Assembly. Members are current and former government employees or retirees, who either contribute money into our trust funds, or who are receiving pension benefits, or who will receive benefits or a refund of contributions in the future. LOUISIANA STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM To provide a sound retirement plan for our members through prudent management and exceptional service. MAINE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM Our mission is to safeguard, invest, and grow System assets consistent with the highest fiduciary duty, to ensure that retirement plans are funded based on sound actuarial standards, and to provide our members with best-in-class pension and 15 benefit services.
APPENDIX Cont. PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF MISSISSIPPI The mission of PERS is to provide secure benefits to our members and consistently deliver quality service by meeting our customers needs, operating efficiently and transparently, investing and managing assets prudently, and acting in the best interest of all members. MISSOURI STATE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM At the Missouri State Employees' Retirement System (MOSERS), serving people is our business. We pursue excellence in all aspects of pension fund management and strive to deliver superior service to all of our members and other stakeholders. NEBRASKA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEMS The Nebraska Public Employees' Retirement System recognizes the importance of a successful retirement and is dedicated to providing the highest quality service necessary to assist members in achieving this goal. EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF TEXAS The mission of the Employees Retirement System of Texas is to support the state 16 workforce by offering competitive benefits at a reasonable cost.