A new year, a new edition of the Directors Digest. By the time this edition of the MFDA magazine is published, we will already be a couple of months into the new year.
As I reflect back upon this year now gone by, I am grateful for all the blessings in my life. These blessings include my long-standing good fortune to serve MFDA’s members as your association executive director and, in this capacity, to run an organization dedicated to helping their local communities. Thank you for being part of the MFDA family and for placing your confidence in me.
At this time of year, I am often reminded of the wonderful story of a farmer who grew potatoes to feed both his family and his community. This farm had no horse or modern equipment to transport his potatoes to market. Thus, the farmer had to bag up his potatoes for sale, throw several bags over his shoulders and walk to town.
As the farmer was walking to the market, a neighbor with a horse and cart happened by. The neighbor kindly offered to provide the farmer with a ride. The farmer eagerly accepted, climbing into the cart. The neighbor noticed that, though the farmer sat alongside him, the farmer still had the bags of potatoes slung across his shoulders. Upon seeing this, the neighbor suggested the farmer ease his burden by setting the potatoes on the floor of the cart. “No,” the farmer replied, “it would not be right to expect you to carry the weight of my potatoes as well!”
So it is with those, like you, who help Montana’s grieving families and persons in need. You are like the neighbor in the just recited story who recognizes those in need of an assist and who is willing to share the burden of immeasurable loss. You have a career and occupation that is unlike most others in that you are trained to shift the weight of others onto yourselves. For this, you should be recognized and appreciated. And to this end, MFDA seeks to recognize your efforts by devising strategies to help you carry your own “potatoes.”
Although 2023 has come to an end, this does not mean that things have slowed down for the association. In early December, the association sent out its 2024 membership and associate membership renewals. If you have not renewed your membership as of yet, you should resolve yourself to get that task done.
What’s more, at the end of December, MFDA membership coordinator Terri James and I began to collaborate on finalizing the association’s budget for this year. We know that, in this very difficult economic environment, every MFDA member is looking for ways to stretch a dollar, improve organizational efficiency, find great third-party products and partners and grow your customer relationships. Thus, in 2024, MFDA will be redoubling its efforts to assist your business in each of these areas and in maximizing the value of association membership. A great place to start those efforts is by having our membership fully engage with MFDA. The association is your one-stop place for interacting with your industry peers, receiving leadership training and development opportunities, and meeting your continuing education obligations.
Further, in 2024, MDFA will continue to be your voice in the halls of Congress and the Montana Legislature. MFDA has developed deep relationships with key state legislative leaders and all of Montana’s members of Congress. By renewing your membership with MFDA, you can be assured Montana’s funeral industry’s collective voice is heard both in our nation’s capital and in Helena. And, of course, MFDA’s annual trip to Washington, D.C., is one of the more informative member initiatives — combining a civic and history lesson with relationship building, lobbying and relationship building. As such, MFDA’s Board highly encourages you to join us in D.C. in March during NFDA’s annual Advocacy Summit.
If the association has learned one thing since the COVID-19 pandemic, it is that MFDA can never grow complacent in carrying out its century-long mission. While we beat back efforts during the 2023 Montana legislative session to fundamentally change the regulation of Montana’s funeral industry by eliminating the Board of Funeral Service, much work still needs to be done in terms of having the Montana Department of Labor serve as a helpful partner in administering the board moving forward. The fact that the board isn’t meeting on a quarterly basis is problematic both for the industry and the public.
I have already received a bucket full of positive feedback from our members and guests regarding the venue for the 2024 state convention. Again, the venue will be the Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown. The association is currently putting together the guest speakers, activities and agenda for this year’s event. I can make and keep a New Year’s promise that the annual convention and tradeshow will be another great happening with great opportunities for both fun and professional development.
For our vendors and associate members, if you have not received the key registration information for the exhibitor and sponsorship kits, please let us know so. Feel free to reach out to me or Terri to reserve your booth before the trade show space fills up. The vendor spaces filled up early last year, so get your place reserved now.
We trust that 2024 will be the best year yet for you. We also hope you will keep that resolution you made, which only an estimated 8% of you will keep.
I look forward to seeing you in person in 2024!
