|
97 Years of Promoting the Funeral Profession
and the Public’s Understanding of Death Care
The profession of funeral service is changing as well as the public’s perception of it. Family expectations present new competitive challenges to the funeral director. Membership in an association is essential to keep your firm on top – and ahead of the competition. In this state, we have a dual membership in both the State and National association, keeping on top of critical information and resources at both levels, “For the Life of Your Business”.
Here are some of the benefits offered by the National Funeral Directors and the NM Funeral Service Association:
Information:
- NFDA publishes The Director magazine, the nation’s premier association publication. It is now Free, as part of a firm’s membership, to all individual licensees who want to subscribe to it. The same folks who subscribe to The Director, are automatically put on the state mailing list to receive the state newsletter and legislative news bulletins.
- 2 Websites, NFDA’s www.nfda.org, and New Mexico’s www.nmfsa.org, which are linked, are sources of information, trends, events, and resources to help you.
- Breaking news, instant updates and information on the news that shapes your business is e-mailed directly to you, or faxed if you prefer.
Professional Development:
- Opportunities to obtain CEUS through NFDA on-line learning
- An annual state convention and mid-winter meeting, supplemented this year by at least one regional educational program; an opportunity to network with peers at these events.
- National Convention & Expo, featuring cutting edge speakers and tradeshow.
Legal and Compliance Issues:
- Free initial consultation from legal and regulatory counsel, including issues related to OSHA
- 24-hour OSHA support line at 800-633-2674*
- Discounted General Price List review service
- Legal forms
- Compliance-related training opportunities related to continuing education; speakers at meetings
- New Code of Professional Conduct, setting high ethical standards to demonstrate commitment to families among members of a professional association
* ( “ If you have an OSHA question, there is an NFDA OSHA hotline that you can call with very knowledgeable representatives. They walk you through and help take care of your problem. You feel so relieved.” Shelia Hocker, Albuquerque, NM)
Products and Services
- NFDA’S substantial music license discount providing savings of 50-60%
- Member-priced Website development and assistance
Public and Government Relations
- For a Life Worth Celebrating consumer education campaign designed to educate consumers, raise the public’s perception of funeral service and get you noticed in your community. Joseph Larkin, of Farmington can give a testimonial of how that campaign helped his business. Members get free template materials.
- Free media-relations consulting from NFDA
- Representation in the New Mexico State Legislature (through lobbyist John Lee Thompson) and at the national level through NFDA’s 2 full time lobbyists located in Washington, DC.
- Timely information from both state and national government relations people, on public policy issues, proposed legislation and activities impacting funeral service and small business. (This member service benefit is often overlooked and under appreciated, but vital to your business).
As of 2003, MEMBERSHIP in the Association is BROADLY INCLUSIVE, through ‘firm-based’ membership, meaning that when the company joins, EVERY individual licensee in the firm at ALL locations becomes a member, allowing, in the case of New Mexico, for over twice as many individual funeral service practitioners to enjoy the benefits of membership, at an average lower cost per individual than in previous years, when each individual had to pay dues.
Dues are based on the total caseload of the firm, on a sliding scale. State and National dues are combined into one payment.
|
