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INDUSTRY NEWS Pandemic Flu Preparedness Survey Results Released Today; Centers for Disease Control Offers Business Planning Checklist Today, the International Facility Management Association released the results from its pandemic flu preparedness survey taken of its membership. 39 percent of the membership were in the process of creating or updating a plan, while 35 percent said that such planning has not been considered. Only seven percent had plans completed or implemented. According to a statement issued by the White House last week, up to 40 percent of the workforce could be absent in the event of a major flu outbreak, therefore it recommended the need for all businesses to have a plan in place. The Centers for Disease Control offers a useful Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist and related materials at www.cdc.gov/business. The so-called "bird flu," technically known as H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, is a viral respiratory infection that afflicts some of the bird population overseas but has not, to date, directly mutated to infect humans. According to media reports, the only known human cases are due to individuals who have handled infected birds without wearing protective gear. While there has been no transmission of this disease from human to human, officials are concerned that over time the strain may mutate with other more common forms of influenza and thereby infect a large number of people. This evening at 8 PM eastern time, ABC TV is airing a made-for-TV movie (not a documentary) titled "Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America." Although the network stresses that the film is a fictional work, it will offer a Viewer's Guide on the avian flu virus that has been prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. FCC Publishes Final Regs for Junk Fax Last month, the Federal Communications Commission published its final rule implementing the Junk Fax Prevention Act and the important "established business relationship" exemption to it. Businesses using faxes to communicate with customers will be pleased to learn that FCC upheld the exemption to the general prohibition on junk fax when there is an established business relationship (ERB). The exemption does not include a time limit on the ERB. The sender of the fax has a duty to prove that an ERB existed but no specific recordkeeping requirements were made. The recipient's fax number must have been obtained in the context of an ERB, including those obtained from the recipient's own directory, advertisement or internet site unless the recipient posts a notice stating otherwise. Senders may also use third-party directories if they can take reasonable steps to show the recipient consented. Any faxes sent under an ERB must be related to the products and services of the sender. The FCC regulations require an opt out notice on the first page of the fax so the recipient can decline to receive future faxes. Senders need provide only one type of opt out mechanism among which can include a website, email adress, toll-free telephone number or toll-free fax number. However, the opt out mechanism chosen must be available 24/7 and the request must be honored as soon as possible but no longer than 30 days after the request was made. The FCC declined to exempt small businesses and trade associations from providing cost-free opt out mechanisms. The full text of the final rule is available at the FCC website at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-42A1.pdf. ICFA NEWS Join the ICFA in Albuquerque—Fun for the Whole Family The ICFA Fall Management Conference, October 4-7, at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico offers cemetery and funeral service professionals a beautiful location for an executive retreat as well as a relaxing family getaway. This multi-cultural city set in the desert of the Southwest has something to offer everyone, including museums, art galleries, shopping, fine dining and an abundance of outdoor activities. Looking for a fun family activity? There are plenty of things to do without even leaving the resort! The Tamaya Resort's stables offer trail rides with experienced equestrians who will lead you on an adventure through the Pueblo backcountry with spectacular views of the Sandia Mountains and Rio Grande River. The less adventurous can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Tamaya in a horse-drawn hay wagon. Learn more about the art and culture of New Mexico by visiting the Tamaya Cultural Museum and Learning Center. Observe and even participate in traditional pueblo bread baking in the grand courtyard with an authentic Huruna. The resort's recreation coordinator, Srai-Wi Family Adventures, offers a variety of on-site activities including:
You won't want to miss the International Balloon Fiesta, one of Albuquerque's biggest events and a tradition dating back more than 30 years! On October 6-15, 2006, more than 800 balloons will fly from the 35th Balloon Fiesta Launch Field. The 10-day event features mass ascensions at dawn, fire glow demonstrations at night, fireworks shows, flight competitions and more. To learn more about the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, visit www.tamaya.hyatt.com or call 505.867.1234 to make reservations. Be sure to mention you are with the ICFA in order to get the group rate. Fall Management Conference programs will be mailed to ICFA members in late spring. Call the ICFA at 1.800.645.7700 for more information. Revolutionize Your Management Style—Attend the Advanced Seminar for Quality Funeral Care! Are you familiar with Deming's "15 Points" of Quality Funeral Service? Many students of funeral management have reported that their knowledge and practice of these points have revolutionized their management style and strengthened their relationships with families. Learn about these and other important service-based principles in the Advanced Seminar in Quality Funeral Care presented by Funeral Director Todd Van Beck. Van Beck will provide you with a set of goals based on the work of Dr. Edwards Deming, as well as the tools necessary to achieve those goals. You will leave with resources to bring back and put to use at your business, including:
Register today for any of the three remaining seminars, including
ICFA University Housing Deadline: May 31 Housing is filling up fast for the 2006 ICFA University, July 21-26 at the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee. If you have not returned your registration form, do so before the end of May to ensure the housing placement of your choice. After May 31, students will be assigned to rooms on a first-come, first-served basis. ICFAU is a five-day intensive academic program offering cemetery and funeral service professionals more than 24 hours of classroom learning time and exceptional networking opportunities through on-campus housing and dining. ICFAU offers students a comprehensive program and the selection of five schools covering every area of the cemetery and funeral service profession: Cemetery Administration & Management, Cremation Services, Funeral Home Management, Land Management & Grounds Operations and Sales & Marketing. For the ultimate learning experience, students are encouraged to return to ICFAU for consecutive years. Those with four or more years of attendance can create their own curricula by selecting courses from among all of the colleges. Complete programs and registration forms are available on the ICFA Web site at http://www.icfa.org/icfau06.htm or by calling 1.800.645.7700. Experience the Benefits of ICFA's Mentoring Program Do you have newly hired employees who have great potential but little experience? If so, they are ideal candidates for ICFA's mentoring program, developed by the Women's Forum. The program will provide a network of support for career-minded individuals in the cemetery and funeral service profession and will help them develop and thrive within the company and in their careers. The ICFA will match interested applicants with personal mentors—people who can encourage them in their professional and personal growth. Companies participating in the program will benefit not only by being appreciated as an employer that supports employee development but also through the introduction of new ideas into their company. Mentoring programs have been proven to result in higher retention rates of career-minded staff and increased levels of employee morale. Make your staff aware of this excellent mentoring opportunity by printing out and distributing these application forms at your business: www.icfa.org/pdf/mentee.pdf. Application forms are also available for professionals interested in volunteering as mentors: www.icfa.org/pdf/mentor.pdf. The program is open to all individuals employed by ICFA-member cemeteries, funeral homes and related businesses. For more information about the ICFA mentoring program click on this link: www.icfa.org/pdf/article_1.06.pdf Application forms can be faxed to 703.391.8416. If you have questions or would like more information, email Danielle at dskinner@icfa.org; or call 1.800.645.7700. Call for Presentations—2007 Wide World of Sales Conference As preparations begin for the ICFA's 2007 Wide World of Sales Conference, January 17-19 at Treasure Island in Las Vegas, Nevada, the ICFA Sales & Marketing Committee invites ICFA members and attendees who wish to speak at this event to submit proposals for presentations. The Wide World of Sales Conference draws 400+ sales managers and counselors, as well as company owners, suppliers, insurance agents and others. The committee is looking for practical, "how to" presentations related to preneed sales, at-need sales, family service, marketing and sales team management. Interested candidates should submit their proposed presentation to the ICFA headquarters no later than June 30. Instructions for preparing your proposal are available by downloading them at http://www.icfa.org/docs/call_for_presentations.doc or by calling the ICFA at 1.800.645.7700. CLASSIFIED ADS Territory Representative Two regions are now open in upper Midwest for individuals to serve our existing client base and open new markets. Tribute's precast concrete products are well known in the Industry. Technical knowledge is not required, but professional sales skills are. Minimal overnight travel. Excellent compensation, benefits and incentive package. Email resume to timh@tributeinc.com. Computer Software Do you know where all your information is? Are you tired of the same old options out there? Are you looking for more from your computer system? MACCSTM, from FPA Software, is the complete mortuary and cemetery solution, providing all the functionality and features needed to effectively manage and operate a memorial park and mortuary today. From pre-need sales prospecting all the way through interment (and everything in between!), MACCSTM provides an easy to use, flexible, and completely integrated system for a memorial park and mortuary providing funeral services. Consistent with our approach of providing a completely integrated solution, the MACCSTM Mapping module provides GIS mapping capabilities integrated in real-time with information in the MACCSTM cemetery property database. Mortuary case management, service tracking, cemetery property management, integrated mapping, accounts receivable, pre-need trusts, serialized casket inventory, complete reporting and forms management - MACCS has it all. Please feel free to contact us at 818-501-3390 or visit our website at www.fpasoftware.com/maccs to learn more about MACCSTM. Reach Thousands of Cemeteries and Funeral Homes With Your Classified Ad!
And more ... For a limited time, ICFA members can purchase the McQuaig Job Survey, the McQuaig Word Survey and the McQuaig Self-Development Survey for just $100 per assessment, a savings of up to 50 percent off the regular price. The member discount offer expires December 31, 2006. Companies assessing more than 100 candidates per year are eligible for additional discounts. For additional information, visit http://www.icfa.org/pdf/mcquaig2.pdf and http://www.icfa.org/pdf/mcquaig.pdf. For questions and to sign up for the program, contact Michael Gravelle at The McQuaig Institute at 1.800.387.5455, ext. 361, or mgravelle@mcquaig.com. Join today! The 2006 Music Licenses are available for just $220, no additional fees. Covers ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Any U.S. funeral home, cemetery or related business is eligible for membership as a Music License Member. Join today! The ICFA Store allows members to purchase the latest ICFA resources and training products online. Some products are available for immediate direct download, including the newly released Wirthlin Report on consumer attitudes and article packages on cremation, cemetery and funeral home valuations and trust funds. The ICFA News Page takes you to sources throughout the world for industry news and updates. It brings you the most comprehensive selection of funeral service and cemetery news available anywhere, along with frequently updated general news items related to national and world events. The News Page reports the news before anyone else and is one of the most visited page on the ICFA Web site. Stop in each day and you'll see why. The Network is an online e-mail service that offers ICFA members an easy, free way to share questions and answers to everyday on-the-job challenges. Recent discussions have examined issues such as working with the Muslim community, distance between burial sites, direct mail marketing, the growing popularity of geocaching at cemeteries, recruiting staff and more. Ideal for smaller companies with smaller budgets. Join today! The ICFA Internet Expo is the largest online exposition in the cemetery and funeral service industry. Cemetery and funeral home owners and operators will find 300+ providers in more than 100 product and service categories. Exhibit space is provided as a free, exclusive benefit to all ICFA supplier and professional members. Check it out today! Need a labor relations and employment law attorney? Check out ICFA's HR Law Benefit program offering members no-cost telephone legal consultations, paid for by the ICFA via an exclusive retainer agreement. ICFA members now also have access to an attorney for tax-related questions regarding trust earnings, care fund allocations, capital gains, investments and more. The ICFA has retained Leslie Schneider, CPA, a tax attorney with Ivins, Phillips & Barker in Washington, D.C., for telephone consultations for up to 20 minutes with no obligation. To take advantage of this member benefit, call Schneider at 202.393.7600. The ICFA and Applied Merchant Systems of Chicago, Illinois, currently offer members a Credit Card Processing Program with a special low discount rate of 1.75 percent, with no per transaction processing fee. This new benefit makes it less expensive for cemeteries, funeral homes, memorial designers and related businesses to accommodate customers who wish to pay via credit card. For more information, call 1-800-675-6573. The ICFA Insurance Program, administered by Driver Alliant, allows members to purchase commercial property and casualty insurance -- including general liability, commercial property, automobile liability and physical damage, umbrella liability, professional liability, workers compensation, employee benefits and more -- at rates they probably would not be able to afford on their own. To advertise in the ICFA Wireless: The ICFA accepts limited advertising in the ICFA Wireless newsletter, a bi-weekly newsletter e-mailed to all ICFA members that are current on their dues and have provided a current e-mail address. For rates and to place your insertion, contact Kim Ferguson at kferguson@icfa.org or 1.800.645.7700. To unsubscribe from the ICFA Wireless: Send an e-mail with "unsubscribe" in the subject line to: wireless@icfa.org. Please include your name and company name in the body of the e-mail. International Cemetery and Funeral Association 107 Carpenter Drive, Suite 100 Sterling, VA 20164 1.800.645.7700 703.391.8400 Fax: 703.391.8416 www.icfa.org Copyright 2006 International Cemetery and Funeral Association. |
