From the President By Christopher L. Jacobson, MFDA President
Happy New Year! Your MFDA Board and I hope your holidays were filled with JOY, PEACE, and perhaps some REST. As we all know, the holidays are not only difficult for those who have experienced a loss, but also challenging for funeral service professionals. I am beyond thankful for each one of you for the sacrifices you make which often include missing holiday festivities with your families in order to serve those who are grieving. Minnesota was well represented at the National Funeral Directors Association convention in the windy city of Chicago. We had over fifty funeral directors from our wonderful state attending. There was an inviting array of learning opportunities covering a wide range of topics. The showroom was, as always, sensational. Chuck Bowman, NFDA President, made an important point: “Funeral directors are similar to first responders. We have to experience strong emotions, often on our own, while dealing with what needs to be done at the time.” It was a good reminder of the importance of self-care. How are you, as a funeral professional, taking care of yourself? Our keynote speaker, Seth Godin, is an author, entrepreneur, and teacher.
Seth emphasized that funeral service is a profession, not an industry. He said we create a story, an experience, and a change happen. The community wants us to reach out and connect with them and provide something special. Seth relayed how Frank Lloyd Wright took a paper bag, designed a house on it, and forever impacted architecture. He made something special out of a plain paper bag. What are you doing in your funeral home that is remarkable to others? Funeral service is profession that requires that we evaluate and possibly rethink how we provide for the people we serve. In funeral service and in life, there is a difference between management and leadership. Leadership is not about authority. Instead, leadership is about creating and managing change; it’s about innovation and risk taking. Seth encouraged us to being willing to be creative, take risks, and move out of our comfort zones. What have you learned as you evaluate your funeral service, and how are you moving forward? In early December, the MFDA Board met in Bloomington for our annual winter meeting. We were excited to meet Alex Treitler, the new Executive Director for
Children’s Grief Connection. Coral’s departure from this organization left quite a void; however, we are confident CGC is in great hands as Alex leads. Joe Sellwood from Cook Girard Associates provided us with a legislative update. MFDA is extremely appreciative of his hard work and advocacy for our profession. We also heard from Michael Sharkey, MFDA’s new legal consultant. Michael works in both Mortuary Law and Litigation Law. He is also the General Counsel for Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association. Please keep an eye open for 2020’s upcoming events and trainings. Opportunities to sharpen your skills from embalming to restoration and our May 27-29 convention will provide you with a variety of ways to further your education and build relationships with your peers. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as your President for the last half of 2019 and look forward to 2020 being full of growth and new adventure in this profession. Blessings to you and your families, Christopher L. Jacobson 2019-20 MFDA President
Seth emphasized that funeral service is a profession, not an industry. He said we create a story, an experience, and a change happen. The community wants us to reach out and connect with them and provide something special.
Want to renew your MFDA membership online?
Visit www.mnfuneral.org and sign-in to your MFDA members-only account. Need your log-in info? Call Miki at 763-416-0124 or email mtufto@mnfuneral.org
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