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President's Letter:
Paul Elvig
Paul M. Elvig, ICCFA president for 2007-2008
Seeing the convention through fresh eyes
I spotted them halfway across the Exhibition Hall, sporting bright chartreuse "First Timer" ribbons. There were a lot of them around. Remembering my first convention and what it's like to be a fish out of water with no familiar faces in sight, I sought out all the first-timers I could just to say "hello." At my first convention, an official of what was then the American Cemetery Association sought me out, spent time talking to me and inquired about my background, taking a genuine interest in my own understanding of our profession. Now I am that association official and I get to "pass it forward."
Just getting to say "hello" and meet people from countries as far away as China and Peru, along with people from cities and towns in North America I've never seen-what an opportunity! I heard about how a pet cemetery got started and the pros and cons involved. I met a husband-and-wife first-timer "team." What a joy to listen to them share their experiences of operating a funeral home and how it brought their family into an enviously close relationship as they served their community's needs.
There also were first-time suppliers eager to show products and services to a unique group of funeral, cemetery and cremation providers. Listening to a first-timer share how a software program he had developed for managing cemetery records works reminded me of my first days in the industry when "cemetery records management" meant having a clean, typed set of index cards.
Introducing a first-timer to an "old-timer" is especially rewarding. Seeing the one light up when the other says, "I've heard of you" or "I've been to your property before" is like watching two distant relatives meet for the first time.
First-timers bring a fresh look at old problems and a contagious optimism. I was especially drawn to three men from Peru-Carlos, Alberto and Mario, who were interesting and delightful. Even with the so-called language barrier, we were able to enjoy each other's company and talk about Peru's funeral and cemetery culture.
Extended visits with first-timers is gratifying for those of us who may have started taking these annual educational events for granted. You get to meet people with a fresh perspective, discuss their hopes, dreams and aspirations and talk about what they hope to find at the convention. They remind us that our annual meetings are held in exciting, exotic locations and offer some of the best trainers and speakers available. Renewing old acquaintances can be great, but there is nothing like getting to know a first-timer for taking you back to your first time. The next time you attend a state or national convention and you see someone wearing a first-timer badge, don't pass up the chance to recapture the excitement over what our conventions are all about.
Paul Elvig
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