Latest / On Deathcare / ICCFA's Nadira Baddeliyanage on Advocacy, Leadership and 30 Years in Deathcare

Transcript

ICCFA's Nadira Baddeliyanage on Advocacy, Leadership and 30 Years in Deathcare · On Deathcare

• 0:01
  Hi,
• 0:01
  it is Tony Russo from OnDeathCare,
• 0:04
  and this week we are speaking with Nadira Badalianage.
• 0:08
  SPEAKER_01: She is the executive director of the ICCFA,
• 0:12
  and she is really kind of making the rounds and banging the
• 0:15
  drum for both the
• 0:17
  SPEAKER_01: upcoming ICCFA convention,
• 0:19
  SPEAKER_01: which is in just a couple of days as you're listening to this,
• 0:21
  SPEAKER_01: but also...
• 0:22
  SPEAKER_01: I see CFA University, and we're going to talk all about that.
• 0:25
  But our initial conversation is the one that really kind of
• 0:29
  piqued my interest,
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_01: because one of the reasons she's on the show is,
• 0:33
  SPEAKER_01: I argued in an earlier podcast,
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_01: she's kind of a
• 0:39
  It's increasingly important to have someone out in front of the
• 0:44
  company who's
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_01: literally the face of the company,
• 0:46
  SPEAKER_01: the person who's calling the shots,
• 0:48
  not the person who's making excuses for the person who's
• 0:51
  calling the shots.
• 0:52
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_01: No offense intended to my CEO friends out there,
• 1:16
  SPEAKER_01: but AI can do your job even better than it can do mine.
• 1:21
  And as a result,
• 1:22
  you have to get out there and say,
• 1:24
  this is why I believe in this company.
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_01: This is why I'm important to this company.
• 1:29
  SPEAKER_01: This is why this company is important to me.
• 1:31
  SPEAKER_01: And she's been doing it for a while.
• 1:33
  SPEAKER_01: And one of the things,
• 1:34
  the first thing we really talk about is how that was not in any
• 1:38
  way in her comfort
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_01: zone or her plan.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_01: for how to kind of rise to a force in this industry.
• 1:44
  But in the last 30 years,
• 1:46
  she's really gotten like from the mailroom to the boardroom.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_01: And she's done an excellent job.
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_01: She has respect all over the industry.
• 1:54
  SPEAKER_01: And as a matter of fact, let's just get right to it.
• 1:56
  We're going to have this conversation and I will be back with
• 1:59
  you at the end for a
• 2:01
  SPEAKER_01: little wrap up chat.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_01: But here's Nadira.
• 2:06
  First off,
• 2:06
  I want to welcome you back from Washington,
• 2:09
  D.C.
• 2:10
  and all that entailed.
• 2:11
  SPEAKER_01: We will get to that in a little bit,
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_01: but before we were talking in the pre-interview,
• 2:15
  SPEAKER_01: we touched on something that I want to talk to you about.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_01: I'd like you to talk to me about the transition that you guys
• 2:21
  you guys that you personally and also people like you have kind
• 2:24
  of made where
• 2:25
  executive directors and ceos are increasingly asked to be like
• 2:30
  both the face and
• 2:31
  the brains you get hired to be the brains and then they're like
• 2:34
  oh and now you're
• 2:35
  the face of it too and that's something you were saying that
• 2:38
  you've you've come to
• 2:38
  accept and to even embrace so can you talk to me about that
• 2:41
  transition and how you
• 2:43
  SPEAKER_01: came to be where you are and where you're going from there
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: Sure.
• 2:47
  SPEAKER_00: You know,
• 2:47
  SPEAKER_00: as I told you,
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: Tony,
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: this is,
• 2:49
  I just finished 30 years with ICCFA and I did not join as their
• 2:54
  executive director.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: Started at the very bottom and honestly cleaning the database.
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_00: I remember the gentleman who hired me,
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_00: my then boss told me I was highly overqualified,
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_00: different story how I got into this profession.
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_00: It's actually by accident.
• 3:11
  SPEAKER_00: Um,
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  But it was my second job and I came from a mortgage banking
• 3:15
  background and I stayed
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_00: because I absolutely love the people we work with and we serve every day.
• 3:22
  SPEAKER_00: There is purpose for me in it.
• 3:24
  SPEAKER_00: And so that's how I got into this business.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: But when I took over operations, I believe it was in 2010, 2011,
• 3:33
  of the entire organization,
• 3:35
  I was always a behind-the-scenes kind of person.
• 3:40
  SPEAKER_00: You put it very well, the brains of the organization.
• 3:43
  SPEAKER_00: And that was okay because it was a different time.
• 3:47
  And I think what has happened is we have evolved so much that
• 3:52
  CEOs and executive
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_00: directors,
• 3:56
  SPEAKER_00: other organizations running different businesses,
• 4:00
  SPEAKER_00: any profession for that matter,
• 4:02
  I think the brains also has to become the face because we are
• 4:07
  serving communities
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  SPEAKER_00: and people that are very visual these days.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_00: I think also with technology where it is, they want to see.
• 4:17
  SPEAKER_00: They want, I think you relate better.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_00: And so for me,
• 4:21
  a new journey began where I had to become very comfortable
• 4:25
  talking about my career,
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_00: how I got here,
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_00: who I see CFA serves,
• 4:30
  SPEAKER_00: what I see CFA is all about.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_00: And something I learned along the way was just to be me.
• 4:37
  SPEAKER_00: There's no need to rehearse.
• 4:39
  SPEAKER_00: I know the business.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_00: I've been in this for 30 years.
• 4:42
  SPEAKER_00: You know,
• 4:42
  SPEAKER_00: just talk from your heart,
• 4:44
  SPEAKER_00: as I told you,
• 4:45
  because this is a profession that you need heart to serve our
• 4:50
  members for sure.
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_00: And so I got comfortable doing that.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_00: And I think that also comes with experience and age.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 5:00
  SPEAKER_00: The younger me was very nervous,
• 5:03
  SPEAKER_00: but I am comfortable with who I am today more than I was maybe.
• 5:08
  SPEAKER_00: And so that makes it easier.
• 5:10
  SPEAKER_01: It's funny.
• 5:12
  SPEAKER_01: I'm similar, except my bluster has gone away.
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  SPEAKER_01: I used to be more confident than I ought to have been.
• 5:18
  SPEAKER_01: Now I have the right amount of confidence.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_00: That's good.
• 5:22
  SPEAKER_01: As you were saying, that's what age will do.
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  I just wanted to talk about that because it's a really
• 5:27
  interesting place where the
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_01: expectations,
• 5:32
  SPEAKER_01: not of your,
• 5:33
  SPEAKER_01: quote,
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  SPEAKER_01: real employers,
• 5:35
  SPEAKER_01: not of,
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_01: let's say,
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_01: the ICCFBA board or whatever,
• 5:39
  SPEAKER_01: but your membership.
• 5:39
  SPEAKER_01: The membership wants to see you out there.
• 5:41
  The membership wants to know that you're out there doing what
• 5:45
  you can for them and
• 5:48
  That is an excellent segue,
• 5:49
  if I can pat myself on the back,
• 5:51
  to your trip to Washington.
• 5:53
  SPEAKER_01: You're back from Washington.
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  SPEAKER_01: Tell me how it went and what was different over the last couple of years.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_01: How has it changed in the time you've been going?
• 6:01
  Let me start by saying it is one of the most important work
• 6:07
  that ICCFA does on
• 6:08
  SPEAKER_00: behalf of our members,
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_00: this federal level advocacy.
• 6:12
  SPEAKER_00: It's a long week,
• 6:13
  SPEAKER_00: but it's a wonderful week and it's very energizing to see how,
• 6:18
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
• 6:19
  SPEAKER_00: legislation happens and
• 6:21
  SPEAKER_00: How it all works.
• 6:22
  SPEAKER_00: I remember my first visit.
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  My first impression of the capital was that it's run by 20 plus
• 6:28
  year olds.
• 6:29
  SPEAKER_00: I don't know if you remember that.
• 6:30
  SPEAKER_00: You said you had some experience, but...
• 6:33
  SPEAKER_00: in awe.
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  SPEAKER_00: You visit all these officers and,
• 6:37
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
• 6:37
  all these young folks just out of college and they're so
• 6:41
  passionate and so
• 6:42
  SPEAKER_00: interested.
• 6:43
  And I always want to know their background as well,
• 6:46
  as much as they want to know about us.
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_00: So this year was not any different.
• 6:51
  SPEAKER_00: So every year,
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_00: just a little bit before about our annual experience,
• 6:56
  SPEAKER_00: which used to be our convention,
• 6:58
  SPEAKER_00: I see CFA members and
• 7:00
  SPEAKER_00: members of the legal and legislative committee come into town.
• 7:05
  And we do it a little differently in the sense we make
• 7:09
  appointments with Congress
• 7:11
  and Senate officers and officials and heads who run the place
• 7:17
  to talk about the
• 7:20
  SPEAKER_00: issues that we have and bills we want passed on behalf of our members.
• 7:27
  SPEAKER_00: It is the number one benefit
• 7:29
  SPEAKER_00: We provide for our members.
• 7:32
  SPEAKER_00: So it's very important work.
• 7:34
  SPEAKER_00: We have our legal counsel, Paul Lemasters.
• 7:37
  SPEAKER_00: We have our lobbyists, Dykema, who work hand in hand.
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  SPEAKER_00: And we have a committee that help us through this process.
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_00: So we have anywhere from about 15 to some years,
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_00: almost 30 people come into town and we divide into groups.
• 7:54
  And we talk to different folks and we also visit the FTC as you
• 7:58
  had brought that up
• 7:59
  SPEAKER_00: because they work on the funeral rules.
• 8:01
  SPEAKER_00: So that's what happened these few weeks.
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  SPEAKER_00: Now, there was a lot of
• 8:06
  SPEAKER_00: excitement this time in addition to us being there.
• 8:10
  SPEAKER_00: They were, you know, they were voting on bills.
• 8:12
  And so there was more energy and it seemed to me to be a little
• 8:17
  more crowded than other years.
• 8:19
  SPEAKER_00: But nonetheless, a very exciting time to be in Washington.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_01: Two quick questions.
• 8:25
  SPEAKER_01: Can you talk about some of the things that you were lobbying for?
• 8:29
  SPEAKER_01: And also,
• 8:30
  SPEAKER_01: if you're comfortable and allowed to,
• 8:32
  tell me who you were talking with and let everybody know what
• 8:35
  you guys were doing
• 8:35
  SPEAKER_01: while you were there.
• 8:36
  SPEAKER_00: So I'll just give you a general,
• 8:39
  SPEAKER_00: it's long to go in specific,
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  SPEAKER_00: but I will give you a general overlook.
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  SPEAKER_00: So
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  SPEAKER_00: We had appointments with staff members of the Senate Commerce Committee,
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  SPEAKER_00: the Senate Finance Committee,
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  SPEAKER_00: the House Energy and Commerce Committee,
• 8:55
  SPEAKER_00: and the House Ways and Means Committee to talk about some legislation.
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  SPEAKER_00: And in particular,
• 9:02
  the Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act that would
• 9:07
  regulate the body
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  SPEAKER_00: broker issue.
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  SPEAKER_00: Because there is not much regulation there.
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  SPEAKER_00: There is for tissue donation.
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  SPEAKER_00: But if like somebody passes and,
• 9:17
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
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  SPEAKER_00: says,
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  SPEAKER_00: I leave your,
• 9:19
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_00: leave my body to science and,
• 9:22
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
• 9:22
  SPEAKER_00: want to make a difference,
• 9:24
  SPEAKER_00: there are.
• 9:25
  SPEAKER_00: Some,
• 9:25
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
• 9:26
  bad players and sometimes you don't know what happens to the
• 9:30
  family is not aware of
• 9:32
  SPEAKER_00: what happens to parts of that deceased person's body.
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  SPEAKER_00: And so we are asking for more regulation.
• 9:40
  SPEAKER_00: and more transparency when it comes to that.
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  And because,
• 9:43
  you know,
• 9:44
  when they come to the funeral home,
• 9:45
  this was their wish,
• 9:47
  right?
• 9:47
  SPEAKER_00: This was their last wish.
• 9:49
  SPEAKER_00: So that's one of the issues that we are pushing forward.
• 9:54
  SPEAKER_00: And then,
• 9:54
  SPEAKER_00: of course,
• 9:55
  the Funeral Expenses Act that would allow health savings
• 9:59
  account funds left over
• 10:01
  SPEAKER_00: that's,
• 10:01
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
• 10:01
  SPEAKER_00: used tax-free for funeral costs after an individual's death.
• 10:07
  SPEAKER_00: You know,
• 10:08
  SPEAKER_00: before it goes to probate or anything like that,
• 10:10
  SPEAKER_00: that if you have anything left over in your HSA account,
• 10:14
  SPEAKER_00: that it should be allowed to use for your funeral costs.
• 10:19
  SPEAKER_01: The body donation thing is I've been gathering...
• 10:24
  SPEAKER_01: On that story, it's so complex.
• 10:28
  SPEAKER_01: I mean,
• 10:28
  SPEAKER_01: I think that the central question is going to end up being like,
• 10:31
  SPEAKER_01: when do your rights run out?
• 10:33
  SPEAKER_01: When you're dead, you don't have any more say in the matter.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_01: But up until you're dead, you do.
• 10:39
  SPEAKER_01: And that's one of the sticking points, right, with the organ donation.
• 10:43
  It's too false that what we are asking is that there is no
• 10:46
  transparency when you're
• 10:48
  SPEAKER_00: alive and when you agree to this is when we are that you'll be told that,
• 10:53
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
• 10:54
  SPEAKER_00: you know what can happen with your donation,
• 10:57
  SPEAKER_00: body donation.
• 10:58
  SPEAKER_00: So to be more transparent.
• 11:00
  And so we know when you make these decisions that these things
• 11:04
  could happen.
• 11:05
  SPEAKER_00: In an ideal world, we don't want it to happen.
• 11:07
  But as you know,
• 11:09
  I'm sure you know,
• 11:10
  there's so many really horrific stories out there on that.
• 11:15
  Well,
• 11:15
  I read stiff,
• 11:16
  so I know all the things that could happen to Hawaii.
• 11:20
  SPEAKER_00: And last but not least,
• 11:22
  we also keep pushing the legislation to benefit cemetery trusts
• 11:28
  by increasing that
• 11:30
  SPEAKER_00: tax deduction for cemetery plots itself.
• 11:34
  It's stuck in a place from a long time ago,
• 11:37
  and we have been working on that.
• 11:39
  SPEAKER_00: I mean,
• 11:39
  SPEAKER_00: there are some other issues,
• 11:41
  SPEAKER_00: but these are the main ones that we will be pushing forward.
• 11:46
  SPEAKER_00: You know,
• 11:46
  SPEAKER_00: we met with quite a few representatives,
• 11:51
  but Linda Sanchez from California was one that we also attended
• 11:55
  a reception.
• 11:56
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I want to say like about 20 representatives we met this time.
• 12:02
  I've been involved in that and it is just an exhausting way to
• 12:05
  spend that kind of time.
• 12:07
  SPEAKER_01: And so when you come back, how do you get your notes organized?
• 12:11
  SPEAKER_01: Because you've come back and now you've got to kind of do the,
• 12:16
  SPEAKER_01: pardon the pun,
• 12:16
  SPEAKER_01: post-mortem on your trip.
• 12:18
  SPEAKER_01: And now you've got to get ready for your next big event,
• 12:21
  SPEAKER_01: which is,
• 12:21
  SPEAKER_01: as we're speaking,
• 12:22
  SPEAKER_01: in less than three weeks.
• 12:24
  SPEAKER_00: That's right.
• 12:24
  So fortunately,
• 12:26
  we have a very good team at Dykema who actually does most of
• 12:33
  the post work.
• 12:34
  SPEAKER_00: And we also have Paul Lamasters,
• 12:36
  SPEAKER_00: who's ICCFS general counsel,
• 12:38
  who will be preparing for the legal and legislative session
• 12:42
  that we would have and
• 12:44
  to share all this and an update with ICCFS board as well as the
• 12:49
  committee.
• 12:50
  SPEAKER_00: I do have support there.
• 12:53
  SPEAKER_01: Hey, folks, Tony Russo here.
• 12:54
  SPEAKER_01: I just wanted to take a second to remind you,
• 12:57
  SPEAKER_01: ask you,
• 12:58
  SPEAKER_01: suggest that you subscribe to our newsletter.
• 13:03
  SPEAKER_01: It is ondeathcare.com.
• 13:06
  SPEAKER_01: And when you sign up for that,
• 13:07
  SPEAKER_01: you will get in addition to updates about the podcasts that we put out.
• 13:10
  SPEAKER_01: And there are as many as three podcasts a week.
• 13:13
  SPEAKER_01: Sometimes there are also stories and stories.
• 13:16
  little blurbs and updates of things that I come across that I
• 13:20
  think you think would
• 13:22
  SPEAKER_01: be important.
• 13:23
  And I've found over the last week that there are stories that
• 13:27
  you guys really like
• 13:28
  SPEAKER_01: to see,
• 13:29
  SPEAKER_01: and I'm trying to do more of them.
• 13:30
  SPEAKER_01: So please go to ondeathcare.com and check
• 13:34
  Read a couple stories,
• 13:35
  and when you see that it's worth getting,
• 13:37
  hit the subscribe button.
• 13:39
  SPEAKER_01: I try not to be a nudge about it.
• 13:41
  SPEAKER_01: I don't email every day, maybe three times a week on a busy week.
• 13:45
  SPEAKER_01: But let's get back to the show.
• 13:47
  SPEAKER_01: This is your second ICCFA experience.
• 13:50
  SPEAKER_01: Yes.
• 13:51
  I can't tell you how excited slash interested I was to see that
• 13:56
  you were shaking
• 13:56
  SPEAKER_01: things up a little bit.
• 13:57
  SPEAKER_01: This is not an industry that flocks to when you're shaking things up.
• 14:02
  SPEAKER_00: Very true.
• 14:04
  So if you don't mind,
• 14:05
  I'll go back to a little bit about how this concept came to be.
• 14:09
  SPEAKER_01: Absolutely, please.
• 14:10
  SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
• 14:10
  SPEAKER_00: So every couple of years we gather here,
• 14:14
  SPEAKER_00: we have a main strategic plan,
• 14:16
  SPEAKER_00: a vision for ICCFA,
• 14:18
  SPEAKER_00: and we tackle little parts of it,
• 14:22
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
• 14:23
  SPEAKER_00: because you can't do it all at once.
• 14:26
  SPEAKER_00: And we meet every couple of years to revisit our roadmap,
• 14:30
  SPEAKER_00: per se,
• 14:31
  SPEAKER_00: here in Sterling,
• 14:33
  SPEAKER_00: Virginia,
• 14:33
  SPEAKER_00: where ICCFA is headquartered.
• 14:35
  And so we had the immediate leadership team representation from
• 14:40
  the past presidents
• 14:41
  SPEAKER_00: and ICCFA staff team.
• 14:43
  And we all,
• 14:44
  you know,
• 14:44
  we attend so many conventions,
• 14:47
  Tony,
• 14:47
  and so many events.
• 14:48
  SPEAKER_00: And it seems to be
• 14:51
  SPEAKER_00: the same format.
• 14:53
  SPEAKER_00: And we wanted something different.
• 14:55
  And we wanted to focus on an experience because we really take
• 15:01
  pride in putting our
• 15:03
  SPEAKER_00: content together for all of our events.
• 15:06
  And we want to bring this profession together and to share
• 15:10
  ideas and to learn and grow and
• 15:12
  SPEAKER_00: embrace innovation that's coming up.
• 15:15
  AI is like a big topic and we wanted to do it in a way that was
• 15:19
  different and fun
• 15:20
  SPEAKER_00: and,
• 15:21
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
• 15:21
  SPEAKER_00: bring some energy into what is always,
• 15:25
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
• 15:26
  SPEAKER_00: like the mundane.
• 15:27
  SPEAKER_00: In that group, I remember a thought was thrown out about
• 15:31
  a music festival and how they have everything in one room and
• 15:35
  the different stages.
• 15:37
  SPEAKER_00: And so that's where this initial concept began.
• 15:40
  SPEAKER_00: And instead of having breakout rooms separately and everything,
• 15:44
  SPEAKER_00: we wanted to have everything in the expo hall.
• 15:47
  SPEAKER_00: So now we have three stages working at different times with speakers,
• 15:52
  SPEAKER_00: the breakouts,
• 15:53
  SPEAKER_00: the expo,
• 15:54
  SPEAKER_00: the food and beverage,
• 15:55
  SPEAKER_00: the meeting of the members.
• 15:57
  SPEAKER_00: It all happens in one place.
• 16:00
  SPEAKER_00: And as we go along,
• 16:01
  SPEAKER_00: we'll tweak some of those,
• 16:03
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
• 16:03
  SPEAKER_00: what we learned from the first year,
• 16:06
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
• 16:06
  SPEAKER_00: shorten some sessions,
• 16:07
  maybe shorten the expo hours was something that came out from
• 16:11
  the surveys.
• 16:13
  SPEAKER_00: But it all happens in one place.
• 16:15
  and it keeps people together and there's high energy and
• 16:19
  there's always something happening.
• 16:20
  SPEAKER_00: You know, each stage goes on, one goes off.
• 16:23
  SPEAKER_00: It has an energy that is a real experience.
• 16:27
  SPEAKER_00: And so that's how the idea came to be.
• 16:30
  SPEAKER_00: And so this is our second one.
• 16:32
  SPEAKER_00: It will take place April 29th through May 1 in Fort Worth, Texas.
• 16:37
  SPEAKER_00: And we are really looking forward to it.
• 16:40
  SPEAKER_00: And this is where we want to keep growing and making it better each year.
• 16:44
  SPEAKER_01: Now, I know that this is just the second year.
• 16:47
  Are there any additions or subtractions that people should know
• 16:50
  about from year to year?
• 16:52
  SPEAKER_00: You know, I'm sure we'll switch it up as we go and learn.
• 16:55
  Like I said,
• 16:55
  we've shortened the expo hours a little bit this year because
• 16:59
  it seemed longer.
• 17:00
  SPEAKER_00: And you're always there.
• 17:02
  SPEAKER_00: It's always open.
• 17:03
  SPEAKER_00: There's never a time that it's closed, right?
• 17:05
  SPEAKER_00: So we will learn...
• 17:07
  SPEAKER_00: One thing we liked,
• 17:08
  SPEAKER_00: and I think attendees and exhibitors also liked,
• 17:11
  SPEAKER_00: is that we have like a food court area where you come together.
• 17:15
  SPEAKER_00: And as you know, we serve meals throughout our expo hours.
• 17:19
  SPEAKER_00: And so it's kind of like a cafe.
• 17:22
  format where you can grab something and even the exhibitors can
• 17:26
  walk out from their
• 17:27
  SPEAKER_00: booths and have a conversation.
• 17:29
  SPEAKER_00: So it's all about having those conversations,
• 17:32
  SPEAKER_00: making the connections,
• 17:33
  SPEAKER_00: growing those relationships,
• 17:35
  SPEAKER_00: and we'll do our best to make it better each year.
• 17:38
  SPEAKER_01: It's very exciting.
• 17:38
  SPEAKER_01: I'm not going to get a chance to go this year.
• 17:41
  SPEAKER_01: I'm hoping to go next year.
• 17:43
  SPEAKER_01: The first convention I went to was the Kena convention,
• 17:47
  SPEAKER_01: and they had the exhibitors and the presentations in the same room,
• 17:51
  SPEAKER_01: and I really did like that very much.
• 17:53
  SPEAKER_01: So when I heard that you were doing that,
• 17:54
  SPEAKER_01: plus more presentations and the rest,
• 17:58
  SPEAKER_01: I thought that that would be a really,
• 18:00
  SPEAKER_01: I'm not nuts about the big,
• 18:01
  SPEAKER_01: big conventions as it is.
• 18:03
  SPEAKER_01: And the idea of chasing around, you know, where is Hall H-3 or whatever?
• 18:09
  SPEAKER_01: I like everything right where I can see it.
• 18:11
  SPEAKER_01: So I was really excited to see that this is what you were doing.
• 18:14
  SPEAKER_01: And I'm excited to see that you're continuing on with it.
• 18:17
  SPEAKER_00: Yes,
• 18:17
  SPEAKER_00: so I want to make a small,
• 18:19
  so we always had a general session and within the expo hall and
• 18:24
  the food and
• 18:25
  SPEAKER_00: beverage.
• 18:26
  But what we changed was we brought all the education within
• 18:30
  that one place.
• 18:31
  So we were the pioneers of the format to have the food and the
• 18:35
  exhibits and the
• 18:37
  SPEAKER_00: general session all in one place.
• 18:39
  SPEAKER_00: But then what we did was we've also incorporated the breakouts.
• 18:43
  SPEAKER_00: So that's what's different.
• 18:44
  By the time this comes out,
• 18:46
  I believe everyone who's going will already have their tickets.
• 18:50
  SPEAKER_01: But what they may not have their tickets for,
• 18:52
  SPEAKER_01: and something that I'm interested in talking about,
• 18:54
  SPEAKER_01: is the university that's coming up.
• 18:57
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, yes.
• 18:57
  SPEAKER_00: So the ICCFA University, let me first start with this.
• 19:02
  SPEAKER_00: We do it in conjunction with Emory University in Atlanta.
• 19:06
  SPEAKER_00: It's a great facility.
• 19:09
  SPEAKER_00: We have moved there, I think, the last couple.
• 19:11
  SPEAKER_00: It's like going back to school.
• 19:13
  SPEAKER_00: So we have the colleges and the deans.
• 19:26
  SPEAKER_00: and the professors that come in,
• 19:29
  SPEAKER_00: as well as students,
• 19:30
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
• 19:31
  SPEAKER_00: have their meals together in the cafeteria.
• 19:33
  SPEAKER_00: You know, we have events like trivia night and bowling.
• 19:37
  SPEAKER_00: So it's a whole experience.
• 19:39
  And I have to say,
• 19:41
  it is my most favorite educational program we put together.
• 19:45
  SPEAKER_00: I like them all, but this is just so different.
• 19:49
  You can't compare that education you receive in that week to
• 19:53
  anything else that's
• 19:54
  SPEAKER_00: out there currently,
• 19:55
  SPEAKER_00: and that we've learned from our testimonies.
• 19:59
  SPEAKER_00: So we have the College of the 21st Century, and that...
• 20:04
  SPEAKER_00: The dean is Glenda Stansbury, and that's about celibate training.
• 20:08
  SPEAKER_00: We have College of Cremation Services.
• 20:10
  SPEAKER_00: Cliff Dempsey runs that school.
• 20:12
  SPEAKER_00: Hospitality and Customer Experience by Laurie Bolton.
• 20:16
  SPEAKER_00: Land Management and Ground Operations by Gino.
• 20:20
  SPEAKER_00: Leadership Management by Gary Freitag.
• 20:23
  SPEAKER_00: Technology by Nick Tempeh.
• 20:25
  SPEAKER_00: the J.S.
• 20:26
  SPEAKER_00: Chenille College of Sales by Patrick Downey,
• 20:29
  SPEAKER_00: and the Todd Van Beek College of Funeral Home Management by Mike Watkins,
• 20:33
  SPEAKER_00: and a new College of Graduate Studies,
• 20:36
  SPEAKER_00: which is growing in popularity by Robbie Poppy.
• 20:40
  every school,
• 20:41
  every college,
• 20:42
  every year ups their curriculum and there's something new.
• 20:46
  SPEAKER_00: And usually students attend four years to graduate.
• 20:49
  We have the graduation ceremony,
• 20:52
  you know,
• 20:52
  with the valedictorian and the speeches.
• 20:55
  SPEAKER_00: But what's so important about this week are the connections you make.
• 21:00
  SPEAKER_00: And
• 21:01
  Something I learned in this profession early on is people love
• 21:04
  to share and people
• 21:05
  SPEAKER_00: love to help each other.
• 21:07
  SPEAKER_00: So when you make these connections and let's say you go back and you are
• 21:11
  SPEAKER_00: experiencing something that you need help with,
• 21:13
  SPEAKER_00: now you have this whole network to depend on.
• 21:16
  And that is like the number one reason why you should attend
• 21:21
  the ICCFA University.
• 21:23
  SPEAKER_01: I had the pleasure last year of interviewing one of the graduates,
• 21:27
  SPEAKER_01: and it was Alana Navin,
• 21:31
  SPEAKER_01: I believe.
• 21:31
  She was excited about being able to do something that she
• 21:36
  hadn't ever done.
• 21:38
  SPEAKER_01: done before.
• 21:38
  SPEAKER_01: So for her professionally,
• 21:40
  SPEAKER_01: if I recall correctly,
• 21:42
  she decided to go to a cemetery management course because that
• 21:46
  was a weak spot for
• 21:48
  SPEAKER_01: her.
• 21:48
  And if she wanted to be able to be a general manager of a
• 21:51
  funeral home and
• 21:52
  SPEAKER_01: cemetery,
• 21:53
  SPEAKER_01: she wanted more access to cemetery management courses.
• 21:55
  And that was the thing that I never really got about ICCFA
• 21:59
  University until she
• 22:01
  SPEAKER_01: talked to me about it.
• 22:02
  SPEAKER_01: Like, it's not just for getting better at what you're already doing.
• 22:06
  SPEAKER_01: but also for learning new things that you can also get better at.
• 22:10
  SPEAKER_00: Correct.
• 22:11
  SPEAKER_00: And I think I watched, she's the lady from Atlanta, correct?
• 22:14
  SPEAKER_01: She could be, yeah.
• 22:15
  Yeah,
• 22:16
  because I remember watching that and thinking,
• 22:19
  wow,
• 22:19
  that was great what she shared.
• 22:21
  SPEAKER_00: And, you know, this is so impactful to the people that attend.
• 22:27
  SPEAKER_00: They remember this and they, you
• 22:30
  SPEAKER_00: forward.
• 22:30
  And the other thing I wanted to share is ICCFA's Educational
• 22:35
  Foundation gives out a
• 22:36
  SPEAKER_00: hundred scholarships for the ICCFA University each year.
• 22:41
  SPEAKER_00: And so, I mean, that's huge.
• 22:43
  SPEAKER_00: That's a huge advantage.
• 22:45
  SPEAKER_00: And I think everybody should be taking the opportunity to come and learn.
• 22:49
  SPEAKER_00: And even if you have graduated,
• 22:51
  SPEAKER_00: they keep coming back every year because there is that connection there
• 22:56
  you know,
• 22:57
  the sense of community that,
• 22:59
  I mean,
• 23:01
  they can't put a price on that.
• 23:03
  SPEAKER_01: Yes,
• 23:03
  and one of the things that I wrote last year and I'll write
• 23:06
  this year and I wrote
• 23:06
  the year before is I always like to try to kind of tweak the
• 23:11
  ownership not too far
• 23:12
  SPEAKER_01: before.
• 23:13
  SPEAKER_01: Like if you have an employee who gets a scholarship,
• 23:15
  give them the time off so that they can go and take advantage
• 23:19
  and make your
• 23:20
  SPEAKER_01: workplace better and more,
• 23:24
  SPEAKER_01: you know,
• 23:25
  SPEAKER_01: more
• 23:26
  SPEAKER_01: complete, I guess, by getting this education.
• 23:29
  I like to speak with young funeral directors and with new
• 23:34
  funeral directors.
• 23:35
  SPEAKER_01: They're not always young funeral directors.
• 23:38
  SPEAKER_01: And that is always a frustration.
• 23:40
  SPEAKER_01: Like, yes, I would love to be able to go, but I can't get the time off.
• 23:43
  SPEAKER_01: I get the scholarship off.
• 23:44
  SPEAKER_01: And I can't get the time off.
• 23:46
  And that's a pity because people need to keep learning and
• 23:50
  growing all the time
• 23:51
  SPEAKER_00: because this profession,
• 23:53
  SPEAKER_00: like every other industry,
• 23:55
  SPEAKER_00: is changing,
• 23:55
  SPEAKER_00: right?
• 23:56
  SPEAKER_00: And so I think it's really important.
• 23:58
  SPEAKER_00: I learn something new all the time.
• 24:00
  SPEAKER_00: I love to read.
• 24:01
  SPEAKER_00: I like to keep up with what's the trends.
• 24:04
  SPEAKER_00: I talk to our members.
• 24:05
  SPEAKER_00: I learn about what their challenges are.
• 24:08
  SPEAKER_00: So I think that's, you know, to keep growing is so important.
• 24:12
  And one thing I missed mentioning is we also have a PLPA,
• 24:17
  you know,
• 24:17
  the pet group.
• 24:18
  SPEAKER_00: They have a short course before the ICCFA University.
• 24:23
  SPEAKER_00: They use the same venue.
• 24:26
  SPEAKER_00: And that's growing, too.
• 24:28
  SPEAKER_00: And so there's something for everybody.
• 24:30
  It doesn't matter what area you want to,
• 24:32
  you know,
• 24:33
  learn more and to learn what's newer.
• 24:36
  SPEAKER_00: There is something for everybody, as I mentioned, all those colleges.
• 24:39
  SPEAKER_00: And I think it's not an opportunity to pass.
• 24:43
  SPEAKER_01: Excellent.
• 24:44
  And that is pretty much all I have for you,
• 24:47
  unless you have something else for me.
• 24:48
  SPEAKER_01: Is there something I should have asked and didn't,
• 24:50
  SPEAKER_01: or something you thought you'd get the opportunity to say,
• 24:53
  SPEAKER_01: but I didn't provide it?
• 24:54
  SPEAKER_00: No, I think that what we set out to do, we talked about.
• 24:59
  But I see CFS committed to serving our members,
• 25:04
  to serve their families better.
• 25:06
  SPEAKER_00: And we are always open to new ideas and to try new things.
• 25:10
  SPEAKER_00: And that's something I love about this organization.
• 25:13
  And I have a great leadership team,
• 25:16
  past and present,
• 25:18
  who support us in these initiatives.
• 25:21
  SPEAKER_00: And so,
• 25:23
  SPEAKER_00: you know,
• 25:23
  SPEAKER_00: it's all in all a wonderful organization,
• 25:26
  SPEAKER_00: and I'm so privileged,
• 25:28
  SPEAKER_00: and I feel very proud to be a part of it.
• 25:31
  SPEAKER_01: 30 years.
• 25:31
  SPEAKER_01: 30 years.
• 25:32
  SPEAKER_01: Congratulations.
• 25:33
  SPEAKER_01: Thank you.
• 25:34
  SPEAKER_00: That's insane.
• 25:34
  SPEAKER_00: Yes.
• 25:36
  If you had bought a house on your first day,
• 25:38
  you'd also be paying off your mortgage system.
• 25:39
  SPEAKER_00: That's right.
• 25:43
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for having me, Tony.
• 25:45
  SPEAKER_00: It's been an absolute pleasure.
• 25:47
  SPEAKER_00: All right.
• 25:48
  SPEAKER_01: Thanks.
• 25:49
  SPEAKER_01: See, what I tell you, super charming, super bright.
• 25:52
  SPEAKER_01: You know, the thing about...
• 25:55
  The thing I've said this before,
• 25:56
  but I like saying it,
• 25:57
  so I'll say it again.
• 25:59
  People are always worried about,
• 26:01
  you know,
• 26:01
  the questions I'm going to ask them.
• 26:02
  And I'm like,
• 26:03
  you are an expert on you and you're an expert on the thing I'm
• 26:08
  asking you about.
• 26:08
  SPEAKER_01: Don't be afraid.
• 26:10
  SPEAKER_01: Just be an expert.
• 26:11
  And this is just a great example of an expert being an expert
• 26:15
  and being comfortable
• 26:16
  SPEAKER_01: in how much they know about what they do for a living,
• 26:19
  SPEAKER_01: which is,
• 26:20
  SPEAKER_01: I think,
• 26:20
  SPEAKER_01: important.
• 26:21
  SPEAKER_01: Thanks,
• 26:22
  SPEAKER_01: as always,
• 26:22
  to our paid subscribers who help fund all of the work that I do
• 26:27
  and make me feel
• 26:28
  SPEAKER_01: good because I feel like it's important enough for people to pay for,
• 26:31
  SPEAKER_01: which is awesome.
• 26:33
  This show has been written,
• 26:34
  produced,
• 26:35
  edited,
• 26:35
  transmogrified by me,
• 26:37
  Tony Russo.
• 26:38
  Feel free to reach out with questions and suggestions if
• 26:42
  there's someone I should
• 26:42
  SPEAKER_01: have on the show,
• 26:43
  SPEAKER_01: if there's something I should talk about on the show,
• 26:46
  if there's a news piece that I've only given short shrift to
• 26:49
  and you think I need
• 26:50
  SPEAKER_01: to expand it.
• 26:51
  SPEAKER_01: let me know.
• 26:52
  SPEAKER_01: Happy to take requests, happy to fulfill them when I can.
• 26:56
  SPEAKER_01: And that will do us for this time.
• 26:59
  SPEAKER_01: And we'll be back with another show on Wednesday.
• 27:01
  SPEAKER_01: So I'll talk to you then.