08MAR09 Associations liking them? ©
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WELCOME!!! glad you could visit us, OUR TOPIC: " Associations, liking them?" THIS CHAT WILL PROBABLY BE COPIED TO www.funeralserviceprofessional.com FOR ANYONE TO ENJOY LATER. Just a few rules for everyone: 1. USE ONLY PLAIN BLACK TEXT  2 DO NOT USE COMPANY NAMES  3 DISCRIMINATION IS NOT ALLOWED.  If you would like chat reminders please send to: LOWELLMA@AOL.COM
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brud: yup there he is
Host_John: Hello everyone
Host_John: hope you had a good week
hrbeckham: hi
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Host_John: do you belong to any associations?
hrbeckham: yes
Host_John: in the current economy are you spending what you once did on association memberships?
Host_John: we are members of the State and National associations
harper has joined.
Host_John: the national continues to get us a good rate on our credit card service charge
hrbeckham: we are members of the state independent assoc, and and several national assoc.
Host_John: the state has started to offer better programs this year a long turn around for them
hrbeckham: we have debated about what the national assoc really does for us
south has joined.
harper: we belong to the national and the state but sometimes I wonder if it worth the price for the dues
Host_John: we have cut down to just two associations
Host_John: National and state
Host_John: there is no local association
Ray_V. has joined.
Host_John: we do Rotary and will not be renewing any local association that we do not participate in
hrbeckham: with the increase cost in membership I can see us limiting our membership to the associations that directly deliver benefits to us
ncfsl has joined.
Host_John: what benefits would you look for howard?
Host_John: we enjoy a low credit card rate with the national assn
daveb has joined.
Host_John: we would love to get our medical insurance reduced by some associaiton but none yet
hrbeckham: quality Ce courses, legeslative representation that supports our views and goals and good association benefits such as insurance and vendor programs
hrbeckham: a good, affordable family health insuranc e plan would be good
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ncfsl: I find many want 'something' from their associations, but only pay the fees and do not put anything else of themselves into it and then question "why doesn't the association do anything for us?"
Host_John: getting more savings from the associaitons would be nice
cnmmnc: good evening folks
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Host_John: NCFL families pay us for service and they get it, associations should deliver something for our dues!?
hrbeckham: I am on the board for our state assoc, I talk to other member firms in my area and bring their input to our board
hrbeckham: and give feed back aswell
ncfsl: Legislative updates conventions, con ed are all 'something'
cnmmnc: the state association in Nj is good at starting projects but cintinuing to fine-tune/work out the issues is another story...
hrbeckham: associations should be more than a social club
cnmmnc: continuing
Host_John: conventions are cash cows for most associations and they charge a fee to participate in legislative conclaves
ncfsl: When I served on our state's association board, I arranged the con ed free for members & still many would not show up for the meetings/classes & still they asked the question
daveb: a question--- if we are paying for a service should we not get the result?
Host_John: good point ncfsl there is a lot of apathy with our colleagues
ncfsl: What is the desired result for the masses?
ncfsl: They want to be spoonfed, in many cases.
harper: I want to know why you have to pay hundreds of dollars to go to a national convention when you are a member to buy products
hrbckham: most seem to be followers, some are leaders and doers but isn't that true in most of life?
harper: and the suppliers are paying thouands of dollars to be there
ncfsl: The State Board and the State Association could send out magazines, newsletters & faxes about a statute change & 5 years later you hear the same questions, "when did that happen?!?!"
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Host_John: we do expect a lot for the 3 or 400 a year we pay
Host_John: although that gets you round trip to LA these days
hrbeckham: I really liked the free 1 day floor pass that some of the vendors gave out to a national convention in Orlando a few months ago. Only complaint is the floor was only open from 9am -3pm. not enought time to see all i wanted to on the floor
daveb: Mass fda s gettiing better- fax service and it Seems they are going forward with a lot of what we have asked them
cnmmnc: Nj is email exclusively, no more faxes
hrbeckham: our state independent assoc sends out monthly news letters, faxes, and emails to keep members updated on issues
daveb: emails in Mass also
harper: Wv has email for several years
Host_John: I agree the exibition floor should be open longer hours for the national
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Host_John: Hi Ron
RonHast: Hi 2 U.....
ncfsl: but the receiver must take the time to read it and verify how the data affects them
Host_John: the e-mails are a good tool for associations but some of the smaller assns dont' like how easy it is to forward their message to non paying members.
brud: agree about the exhibit floor
brud: vendors spend thousands to exhibit only to be given a short small window
harper: that's true if it's emaled,faxed or mailed
Host_John: some have difficult navigation to their site with passwords and the like, making it very difficult to get in and view their stuff
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Host_John: open forum funeral chatter until the top of the hour
Host_John: Back on topic now
RonHast: Most of us here have probably heard...." I think funeral service is a rip off....but the funeral director we know is a gem." That's All That Matters.
Host_John: Associations, Liking them?
mooville: most of your politicians will listen to there local funeral director
cubsone: I like our state's association, and our local fd association - there is comaradare(sp) with exchanging ideas with others in the profession - more is learned after the Ce calss by talking with each other
Host_John: Please do not use Association names
daveb: john this is heated discussiosn dont jump in and out
Host_John: Understood dave
mooville: lets call it the big assoc
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Host_John: no need just keep it generic
cnmmnc: lol the big %%%.
daveb: the "raether" group hehehe
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Sam_Moore: Hello Room
RonHast: Some local associations are excellent -- especially if it breeds working together and builds respect. And many do. In that case, I give that group an A+.
Host_John: As I said earlier I see better service starting to come from state associaions and more info coming from national associations
cubsone: This still gets back to the root of associations - they are only as good as the people who are passionate in keeping the association in a forward motion
daveb: State gets an A Nfda phhhtt
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mooville: too many different laws & ways of doing business with nfda.....not say its wrong, but Nfda cant really help with any effort
Host_John: perhaps the associations are seeing a drop in members
mooville: I believe they are....state and Nfda
RonHast: John, I may be confused. What is the basis of not mentioning an association or other name?
Host_John: I think apathy on the part of funeral professionals is astounding
Host_John: Ron what is the scense in bashing in anyone by name
cubsone: most members still ask the question of what am I getting for the dollars I spend on dues? Each association has to keep reinventing itself to answer this basic question.
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Host_John: as members we should ask for what we want
RonHast: It may not be bashing - it may be a compliment. It may be a warning for something like investing in a State association preneed fund that is millions in debt!
Host_John: what do you want from your association?
funeralethics: Too many associations?
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RonHast: And those situations exist!!
Host_John: I agree Ron but I'd still rather not use names
mooville: no....you just need to be selective on what one can do for you
Host_John: what do you want from your association
Host_John: I want information on how to improove my business and to keep me current on what legislation and trends are
RonHast: Don't we all want beneficial, even handed, non-self serving efforts for the association?
Host_John: not to mention making me a better speller !
Host_John: LOL
mooville: me to
mooville: on spelling
RonHast: John, as well as it's well understood, it's well said.
cubsone: Our state association has lobbiests in our state house and senate, anything that has to do with funeral s and burials gets immediate attention yet the membership does not know all of the legilation that gets looked at
Host_John: how do we tackle apathy amongst our colleagues?
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RonHast: John: How does your association know how to improve your business? Just curious.
Host_John: I see CEU's as key in getting apathy stamped out
mooville: i think apathy is a nice word...a lot of folks are lazy
Host_John: that is for them to find out Ron
cubsone: That is difficult many fd's are the rulers of their own kingdoms and do it their "own way" and to hell with everyone else.
Host_John: I am very busy surving the families we are honored to have call us
RonHast: Apathy comes from some members who recognize the dismal failures, and share that thought. We can't just take for granted that all they do is right, when most of the leaders don't even know what a funeral arrangement is!
funeralethics: John, the apathy really is appalling. The Funeral Rule has been in effect for 25 years, yet most Gpls have a lot of violations.
RonHast: And the board of directors' information might not ever get published to the membership!
Host_John: a keen interest would occur if you got ceu's for attending meetings
funeralethics: What meetings, John?
Host_John: you would get so many more on convention floor if the exhibitors could offer ceu's for visitst to their booths
RonHast: John.....ceu's for attending meetings? What kind of meetings?
cubsone: Ceu's are given in our state for attending meetings, yet we see the same 25 to 30 people there and no one else
mooville: then you he from fd that ceu are a way for the assoc. to increase revenue
Host_John: State Board meetings, state associations meetings and national meetings.
funeralethics: the cemetery assn. seems to have much better ceus than that other fd assn.
RonHast: Let's go back to basics. Our work is not shooting rockets to the moon!! It is very simple and very important. If we can't u nderstand that, then we surely don't need an association to tell us how to do it!!
cubsone: cemetery boards have better lobbiests - think of why they are not a part of the Funeral Rule?
Host_John: Ron what do you think the associations should do?
funeralethics: naw, cub, most are nonprofit
cubsone: guess I work in an area of aggressive cemeterians.
funeralethics: I know there are for-profit cemeteries, too, and hear terrible complaints about them.
RonHast: Start with the basics of being honest and fair with all concerned, including those we're privileged to serve. There are those in this service now that care primarily about the bottom line. Associations need to take the high road and hold it there!
hrbeckham: well good discussion tonight hate to go but a busy week ahead Good night and God bless you all
funeralethics: It was the associations that fought the Funeral Rule for many years.
Host_John: I see it in other directions too
funeralethics: nite, beck
RonHast: Associations don't want to step on the toes of their members that get in the gray zone. That disqualifies them from being professional.
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cubsone: What the individual fd has seemed to forgotten is the high road the association takes
Host_John: getting savings on insurance, energy, and products
funeralethics: If associations aren't going to be pro-consumer, they won't be pro-business, too.
RonHast: cubsone, please explain...
mooville: Nfda had a chance to maybe sunset it a couple of years ago and did not make it happen
RonHast: Exactly John. They exist as a business, and for their own purposes masked by funeral service leadership.
cubsone: Many associations have to take the high road to be able to serve all of their members - The association has the responsibility for all of the membership, not just 1 or 2 the high road is the global vision of the association.
mooville: you got it
Host_John: self policing
Host_John: preventing errors before they are made
RonHast: John....those supposed savings are often easily gained directly from the source. Don't depend on it, for sure.
Host_John: they can take the lead, and find us a good insurance carrier for our liabilities
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Host_John: one that specializes in our needs
Host_John: our auto insurance
RonHast: I've been provocative enough for one session. Thanks for the chat.....r.
cnmmnc: au revoir
Host_John: our hearse does not go too far nor does the limo yet we pay the same rate for those cars as the cars that do all the running around
Host_John: Night Ron, always good to see you
RonHast: :-)
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cubsone: Good night all
Host_John: Night Cub
mooville: good nite everyone
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Host_John: night moo
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cnmmnc: my previous boss fell for the "funeral Director's Package" too...
Host_John: have you ever seen a seminar on Identification
Host_John: one on casket quality
Host_John: one on arrangements
Host_John: I learn more by visiting funeral homes than I learn at convention
cnmmnc: thats true John
cnmmnc: I learned that much at Frank E. Campbell in Nyc
daveb has joined.
Host_John: offering CEU's at a cost is not doing it, I get all my ceu's on a saturday afternoon
Host_John: we should get ceu's for many other things
Host_John: learning how you do arrangements is worth something towards my education
cnmmnc: our state board puts the ceu courses up for approval, something like "Pet funerals" won't get approved
daveb: have a question -- if we bow out of Nfda who do we pay our extortion fee to Bmi./ascap to
cnmmnc: look for non-copyrighted music and dont pay them...
Host_John: Dave I see value in the credit card program they offer a low rate
Host_John: plus the discount on BMI & ASCAP
Host_John: those are the only two reasons we still belong
Host_John: I guess this would be the time I ask all of you
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Host_John: Why do you belong to your association?
Host_John: Credit Card rate, BMI & ASCAP, and local news
daveb: good Qestion John --- Why do belong?
Host_John: yes and I'd like to see some answers

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cnmmnc: well i'd like to avoid a cliche but comradery
RonHast: Couldn't resist chiming in with another thought!
Host_John: please do Ron
Host_John: OPEN FORUM FUNERAL CHATTER UNTIL NEXT TIME
connectingdirectors.com has joined.
RonHast: Nfda made it possible for the music licensing to charge all funeral directors. And they get a Cut for doing so. Others get it for a lower cost because they give the benefit to the funeral directors. And they do the same with insurance, etc.
RonHast: They are in business for themselves. Not the funeral director.
connectingdirectors.com: hello
Host_John: Ron I see so many non profits skating, the Federal Government needs to curb them
Host_John: NO ONE MAKES over 100 K if they are in a non profit
trsbcmi: Nfda lost me with thier obsession with Asia and lack of support a nationwide preneed law.
RonHast: There are some Excellent insurance plans through Fd (state) insurance plans. But the main beneficiary should be the funeral director (for dues paid), not a profit for the association especially if it makes it non competitive, as some do
Host_John: kick backs should be disclosed ROn
Host_John: most just blindly pay dues
RonHast: If associations would give members benefits unavailable on an individual basis, that would then be a benefit. But many don't. Like The Largest Claimed Association. Yet members take them for granted, and it isn't fair or honest.
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Host_John: I think their numbers are dropping
Host_John: numbers in members are dropping
daveb: should we quit Nfda?
RonHast: Just a little point to start with. I'll quit now. But there are plenty more examples. If you have a good State or local association, I'd vote to support them. But not just for the sake of sending in dues and expecting they are representing us.
Host_John: Dave Please do not use names
lola: Does anyone know what Nfda plans to do with their new "excellence in Associations"?
RonHast: Dave: That should be your decision.
Host_John: I lost faith in change when the association worked so hard to get fd's and embalmers exempt from fair wage and hour protection
daveb: Ok should we uit national stay with Sate or quit both
RonHast: How In The World Would They Know??????? So Sad.
trsbcmi: I'd say state associations are much more critical than Nfda. Each state has unique issues that State Fda's. The state has much more impact on your business than the feds.
RonHast: Mygosh John, this is getting like popcorn. Can't leave it alone!!
Host_John: the lack of member voting has been an issue with me
Host_John: good example Ron
Host_John: how come I dont get to vote?
Host_John: only the hand chosen get to vote
RonHast: Cheers to all you good people. Nice we have a chance to chew the rag on John's terms. Still can't understand why names can't be used, as there is no liability to do so.
daveb: John is like the ranks sauce on the popcorn hehehe
Host_John: we have non member state assocations electing the officers of the larger association I think?
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RonHast: One thing I can tell you about John (I used his Name). His heart is in the right place but I think he needs a Gps sometimes.
Host_John: Ron we know you are you
Host_John: we know who I am
RonHast: Are we famous John?
Host_John: but for chat screen name XYZ to slamb and grind someone by name is not good for anyone
Host_John: we know who you are
Host_John: they know who I am
RonHast: But John, can we use their name to give a compliment?
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Host_John: been doing this for 10 years or so and not sued yet
Host_John: came close
Host_John: but not yet
trsbcmi: I know who Ron is. He buys his ink by the truckload! Lol!
RonHast: Cute trsbcmi
Host_John: and I am glad to read his product
RonHast: Imagine, no more ink. Out of style.
Host_John: times have always been a changing, good to see you all
Host_John: time for me to scoot
RonHast: Bye again. Thanks all.
Host_John: Have a great week
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Host_John: Night all
Host_John: End Recording