Greetings from Helena. I write this article on a rainy day, and the timing of the rain couldn’t be more of a blessing as it has been a dry few weeks here. In addition, I write this article as summer is coming to a close.
So, in keeping with the summer theme, let me start by giving you a fun fact about summer. It is said that pagans called the Midsummer moon the “Honey Moon” in honor of the mead made from fermented honey, which was part of wedding ceremonies performed during the Summer Solstice. Hence our modern use of the term “honeymoon.”
The passage of summer reminds us all of how quickly time itself passes. It’s hard to believe that the annual convention has already come and gone. The convention, held in the middle of June in Missoula, proved to be an interesting and informative one.
We saw a record in terms of vendor and associate member participation. This development is a testament to the strength of the association and its enduring value to Montana’s funeral providers.
Overall, the convention was well-rated by attendees. Initial convention feedback from our members indicates we had very interesting and informative speakers, a meaningful service of remembrance, and plenty of quality interaction between MFDA members and the vendors.
We here at MFDA are particularly grateful that Rick Evans with Garden City Funeral Home arranged for a quality pre-convention activity. Those who came to Missoula early were treated to what was truly a new experience for many: axe throwing. A big thanks to Rick and his crew for arranging such a fun and memorable night.
Of course, the best part of the annual convention is, as it always is, the opportunity for peer-to-peer contact. I have read extensively about the high value of attending trade conventions and conferences. There is strong consensus that the number one benefit of attending a trade convention identified by attendees was and is the opportunity to interact directly with their professional colleagues.
In other words, the opportunity to have face time with their peers is identified as the top reason to attend a state convention. So, too, with MFDA, each year, the annual state convention and trade show presents the best opportunity for members of Montana’s funeral industry to interact with each other and to explore beneficial educational and industry opportunities.
I am pleased to write that the MFDA board has already decided where next year’s convention will be held. After receiving much positive feedback and input from our vendors and members about their preference for the convention location, the MFDA board has decided the 2025 annual convention will be held in the Billings area.
Based on prior convention experiences, MFDA’s members and vendors feel that the Billings location on I-90 will make it more convenient for interested persons to attend the convention. As a result of this directive, my staff and I will identify a venue for the convention and reserve the dates to hold the festivities. Once that has been done, we will inform you about the time and place. We at MFDA are already looking forward to seeing you at that event.
In addition to having our summer convention behind us at the time of this article, the spring MFDA district meetings have also taken place since our last edition of the Directors Digest was published. In one of his last acts as president of the MFDA, Tyson Moore joined me and Terri James in May in traveling to the various district meetings held across the state.
The district meetings were held in Miles City, Billings, Great Falls, Butte and Missoula. The district meetings present a wonderful opportunity for the association to get out of Helena and into your community. The meetings also afford the benefit of providing MFDA’s members with quality educational opportunities, which has the bonus of satisfying two continuing education requirements. Attending the district meeting is truly one of my favorite duties as MFDA’s executive director.
During its board meeting at the convention, the board set the fall district meeting date for Nov. 14, 2024. In keeping with the schedule set by the board several years ago and with the positive input of the membership as to the same, the fall district meeting will be held virtually. More information about the fall district meeting setup will be provided by Terri when we firm up the schedule and speakers.
You will find inside this edition of Directors Digest photographs from both the state convention and the district meetings. I think you will find them amusing and, perhaps, a bit bemusing. On behalf of all of us at MFDA, we thank you again for the confidence you have shown in us. We will continue do our best to help the association and its members, like you, prosper.
We look forward to seeing you soon. Until then, remember this bit of perspective about the passage of time: Mosquitoes, summer’s pest, have been around for more than 30 million years. Doesn’t that make current events feel insignificant?
