Broadcaster Fall 2002

TABLE OF CONTENTS

74th Annual NYSAC Fall Conference The Sagamore Resort – Lake George click here
President’s Message click here
Government & Legal Affairs Report click here
www.nysac.com click here
ICFA Offers Members Free Legal Consultations click here
St. Peter’s Shrine Construction Almost Completed click here
Day Elected As New NYSAC President click here
McDowell Appointed Matthews’ National Sales Manager click here
Albany Area Cemeteries Now Equipped with Defibrillators click here
Garden Conservatory Breaks Ground click here
Green-Wood Cemetery’s Civil War Soldiers’ Monument Re-dedication a Rousing Triumph click here
Pledge of Allegiance Feature New From Matthews click here
Matthews Manufactures September 11 Family Keepsakes click here
New Book on Marketing to the “50+ Boomer” Now Available Through ICFA click here

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74th Annual NYSAC Fall Conference The Sagamore Resort – Lake George

COMMENTS FROM ATTENDEES                Photos of the Event

“Perfect … great facility …”

“…definitely like the half day program on Tuesday rather than Monday!”
Excellent location and facilities”

“Let’s come back to the Sagamore in three years!”

“Presentations & speakers were excellent … get at least one speaker like the ones we had this year, every year!”

    The annual NYSAC Fall Conference at the beautiful Sagamore Resort on Lake George had the highest cemeterian and supplier attendance in three years!
    As the above comments suggest, everyone who attended enjoyed informative sessions relating to our specific industry issues in New York State. Not only that, we had two outstanding keynote speakers who entertained and educated us on how to examine and position our cemeteries for the highest needs of our premium customers.
    The success of this conference was due to the commitment and program development of Joseph Dispenza, the Conference Chairman, and the professionalism of Beth Seme, NYSAC’s Executive Director, and Julie Allard, CMP, NYSAC’s Meeting Planner. Their efforts assured that all of the attendees and suppliers had an enjoyable and educational experience.
    The overwhelming support and generosity of our suppliers and conference sponsors assured that all attendees received the most up-to-date information available on products and services that help in operating our cemeteries. The participating suppliers in attendance were:

Mark your calendars now for next year’s conference being held at the majestic Otesaga Resort in Cooperstown, NY, September 14-17, 2003.

President’s Message
   The Sagamore Resort on Lake George is one of my favorite conference settings. The tranquil setting makes a perfect retreat for cemetery members to reflect on how to make our cemeteries and industry better. . . . . better for our lot owners, better for our visitors and, most important, better for our employees.
   The conference gives us time to reflect and share our thoughts on pending and future legislation and regulations, not only with our fellow cemeterians but also our regulators. Sharing knowledge increases our knowledge in assisting us to make wiser and more prudent decisions. The conference gives us time to reflect on our purpose, mission and focus. In all of us there is a labor of love, infinite compassion and an unending desire to help others in their most difficult time. Helping others is our joy, reward and satisfaction in a difficult industry that is so final and everlasting, truly making all cemeterians caregivers to the living and caretakers to the dead.
Special thanks to Joe Dispenza, Conference Chairperson, Beth Seme, Executive Director and Julie Allard, CMP, Meeting Planner who put everything together to make this conference a success, and a very special thank you to all members of the New York State Association of Cemeteries who make our association a success.

Chester S. Day
President, NYSAC

   The following regulations are being monitored:
   Directive 201.12-Holiday Burial. They amend the directive to state that “cemeteries will make every effort to make burials on holidays for religious reasons.”
   Sale of Vaults. The Cemetery Board has sent new regulations to GORR (Governor’s Office of Regulatory Reform) for their approval. We are on record in strong support of this measure.
   Pre-Construction Regulations. The Cemetery Board is drafting regulations for pre-construction which will require 50% escrowing of pre-construction sales.
   Merchandise prices are no longer regulated. You need to have your prices on file with the Division of Cemeteries.
   Pre-selling of service charges must be approved by the Cemetery Board. You must file your request with the Division of Cemeteries.
    The Anti-Combination Law Suit has been reassigned from Chief Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr., of the Northern District, to Senior U.S. District Judge Howard G. Munson. Our case is one of ten cases reassigned on March 21, 2002. We are awaiting his ruling.
    The 2002 Legal Fund Drive is going well. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed. For those who have not yet made their contribution, please do.

Frank F. Giglio, Chairman

www.nysac.com
   The NYSAC web site is now in operation and there have been over 600 “hits” since it began. If you haven’t had a chance to look at the site, try it today. The site includes information about NYSAC and the Board as well as the entire Cemetery Law and Directives from the Division of Cemeteries. The Bylaws of the Association are also readily available in case you ever need them.
   One of the most informative features is the link to all the legislation that has been introduced in New York that could affect the cemetery industry. Simply click on a bill number and you can see where it is in the legislative process and what activity has (or has not!) been made on the bill.
   Did you want to see an article in a past Broadcaster, but misplaced your “hard copy?” The site has the current and past copies of our publication.
    If your cemetery or supplier company has a web site and you would like it linked to nysac.com, please contact Heather Otis, the webmaster, heather@nysac.com.
   If you have any questions or comments on things that you might like to see, please email Al Vittum at al.vittum@choiceonemail.com. Check it out and let Al know what you think.

ICFA Offers Members Free Legal Consultations
   RESTON, VA (June 24, 2002) - The International Cemetery and Funeral Association has renewed a major benefit program allowing members to access free telephone legal consultations on labor relations, human resource management and employment law. Attorney Michael Pepperman of the Labor Relations and Employment Law Department at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP (ORM&H), addresses management questions on topics ranging from hiring and firing, to employee privacy and workplace violence, to wages and hours, to equal employment opportunity and wrongful discharge issues.
   The introduction of this benefit has been well received among members, generating frequent calls for information and advice. According to Pepperman, the topics most frequently addressed include disability leave and other leave of absence issues and termination procedures. In addition, he has offered consultation on questions regarding wage payment, sexual harassment policies and other employment concerns.
   “Hiring, firing and retaining staff is an area rife with legal pitfalls,” Pepperman said. “We’ve seen constant changes in federal and state legislation as well as new court rulings that make it difficult for managers to know what they need to do to remain compliant with the law. Fortunately, many of these issues can be addressed with a simple phone call, and we are more than happy to share our expertise in this area with ICFA’s members.”
   All ICFA members current on their dues may call ORM&H for unlimited telephone consultations. And for those who require additional assistance, ORM&H provides its legal services at special rates. ORM&H, established almost a century ago, has offices in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware and serves clients throughout the country. Pepperman has spoken on labor and employment issues at several ICFA conferences and regional industry meetings.
   For more information or to join the ICFA, call 1-800-645-7700 or visit the ICFA Web site at www.icfa.org.
   Founded in 1887, the ICFA is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, funeral and memorialization industry. Its membership is comprised of more than 5,800 cemeteries, funeral homes, memorial designers, crematories and related businesses worldwide.

St. Peter’s Shrine Construction Almost Completed
   Construction of a new burial section, St. Peter’s Shrine, at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery (MHR)is nearly complete. The statue of St. Peter, hand carved in Vermont, is 13 feet tall and weighs 8 tons. St. Peter’s Shrine, with 1476 grave spaces, is the first new shrine section developed at MHR in nearly 40 years.

Day Elected As New NYSAC President
   Chester S. Day, President of Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY, was elected President of the 550 member New York State Association of Cemeteries on October 1, 2002. He has served on the Association Board since 1995 as Director, Secretary and Vice President. He is also Secretary/Treasurer of the Metropolitan Cemetery Association.
   Established in 1929, the New York State Association of Cemeteries promotes the advancement of practical knowledge in the operation and maintenance of cemeteries, creates and maintains high ethical standards of conduct for cemetery employees and secures advantages obtained by mutual cooperation.
   Chester S. Day earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. He started his career with Kensico as Comptroller in 1974 and has served as a member of the Board of Directors and Vice President from 1976 to January 1, 1998, when he was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer of the Corporation.

McDowell Appointed Matthews’ National Sales Manager
   Matthews International Corporation is pleased to announce that Tom McDowell is once again serving as the National Sales Manager for its Bronze Division. In this position, he supports the efforts of Matthews’ regional managers and works closely with customers.
McDowell offers more than 30 years of experience in the memorialization industry including previous sales and sales management positions with Matthews as well as Gibraltar Mausoleum Construction Company and York Bronze. For the past two years he served as Matthews’ National Key Account Manager working closely with customers.
   He is an active member of the International Cemetery and Funeral Association, the National Catholic Cemetery Conference, the Southern Cemetery Association and many state associations.

Albany Area Cemeteries Now Equipped with Defibrillators
   Cemetery offices at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna, and St. Mary’s Cemetery in Troy are now equipped with Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for the treatment of sudden cardiac arrest. AEDs are electronic instruments that analyze the heart rhythm and deliver an electric shock, if necessary, to the heart of a person in cardiac arrest. Early CPR and defibrillation dramatically increase survival rates of these victims.
   Albany Diocesan Cemeteries have purchased these units to help protect cemetery visitors and staff. Twenty-two staff members, including managers, office staff, and field personnel have been certified in CPR and AED use.

Garden Conservatory Breaks Ground
   The Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York, was the place in mid-September for the Official Ground Breaking Ceremony for its 18th Community Mausoleum, the Garden Conservatory. The beautiful September afternoon hosted the assembled staff, business associates, families and friends as the construction phase of this project got underway.
   John P. Toale, Jr., President of Woodlawn, hosted the event by welcoming and acknowledging those who have helped make this project a reality. After the presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance, performed by the Charles Bejart American Legion Post, Rev. David S. Lothrop, National Chaplain of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, led the group in a brief remembrance service. Then Jonathan Butler, Chairman of the Cemetery’s Building and Grounds Committee, led the group in breaking ground.
   This project is the culmination of three years of work for Mr. Toale, Mr. Butler, staff and John Gary and Barry Boudreaux of J. Stuart Todd, Inc. of Dallas, Texas. After Mr. Toale contracted with J. Stuart Todd to master plan the cemetery, it was decided that one of the first priorities was to build a new Community Mausoleum. This led to many design meetings that pared the ideas and design concepts down to the final product.
   “The work of the architects and our Building and Grounds Committee has led to a project that will lead our design criteria for the next phase of developing The Woodlawn”, reflected Toale. The Mausoleum, with 2,326 casket spaces and 200 niches, will feature three large courtyards, a fountain, Angel statue, and large roof skylights for an abundance of natural light to shine on the flowers, small trees and shrubs planted throughout.
   Mausoleum space has been available for sale since January of 2001. It has been well received in the community and the project is right on schedule. In the summer of 2002, Woodlawn requested bids from qualified mausoleum contractors and we are pleased to announce that Carrier Mausoleum Contractors of Montreal, Canada and Portland Oregon will be building the Garden Conservatory.
   Carrier has over 20 years experience building mausoleum and columbarium projects all over Canada and the United States. “Woodlawn is very excited to have Carrier commit to our lot holders to build our newest mausoleum in the spirit of quality, value and schedule”, said Toale on Carrier’s selection.
   The project will be well underway in the Fall of 2002, with an anticipated completion in January of 2004. Johnny Carrier said, “It is an honor to have our company work in one of the most historic and prestigious cemeteries in the United States. We look forward to providing the lot owners and Trustees of Woodlawn with the Garden Conservatory Mausoleum, a great addition to their facilities.”

Green-Wood Cemetery’s Civil War Soldiers’ Monument Re-dedication a Rousing Triumph
   More than a year of work culminated on August 25, 2002, with the re-dedication of Green-Wood Cemetery’s Civil War Soldiers’ Monument. The monument, originally dedicated in 1869 by New York City to honor the 148,000 men from there who fought to preserve the Union, had suffered from exposure and vandalism over the years. The cemetery, with the help of a grant from New York City’s Department of Cultural Affairs, created life-size bronze casts of the four soldiers, replacing the original zincs, restored the monument’s four missing metal trophies of service with the use of old photographs, and cleaned and repointed the granite.
   On August 25, hundreds of people, including Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s representative, gathered to honor the heroes of the Revolutionary War Battle of Long Island, which was fought in 1776 across what is now Green-Wood Cemetery. Then, Civil War re-enactors from the 14th Brooklyn, Companies E and H, the 52nd New York Volunteers, and the 119th New York Volunteers, marched to the front of the monument to the cadence of the 119th’s Fife and Drum Corps. Henry Clark, an actor from Old Bethpage Village in period costume, played New York’s Civil War Governor Edwin Morgan, and wowed the crowd with his re-dedication speech. With the re-enactors framing the Civil War Monument, President Richard J. Moylan spoke of his long dedication to this project as well as the tireless work of Vice President Nicholas S. Pisano in obtaining the $150,000 in grants for this quarter million dollar project, then unveiled the bronze soldiers, in all their pristine glory, to the crowd. The re-enactors followed that by thrilling everyone as they fired volleys from their muzzle loaders in salute. It was truly a memorable day.

Pledge of Allegiance Feature New From Matthews
   To commemorate the 60th anniversary of Congress officially recognizing the Pledge of Allegiance, Matthews International Corporation is introducing a cast bronze “Pledge of Allegiance” feature plaque.
   Available in horizontal (30” x 18”) and vertical (18” x 30”) orientations, the new feature includes the words to the Pledge of Allegiance framed by sculpted portraits of a soaring eagle, an ethnically diverse group of young children with their hands over their hearts, the Statue of Liberty and a waving flag against a background of mountains and trees.
   “With the renewed spirit of patriotism that Americans are displaying, this feature will create a meaningful tribute in parks, schools, cemeteries and other public venues,” explained Mary Ann Glover, Matthews manager of product development. “It is designed to evoke a sense of national pride.”
   For more information about the Pledge of Allegiance feature plaque or Matthews’ complete collection of statuary and bronze features, please contact your Customer Satisfaction Representative at 888-838-8890.

Matthews Manufactures September 11 Family Keepsakes
   In the year since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the tragic events are a fading memory for some people while the loved ones of the innocent victims continue to mourn their loss.
   To mark the one-year anniversary, communities throughout the United States held memorial services on September 11, 2002. Tributes ranged from prayer services honoring the victims to concerts from world renown symphony orchestras.
In Shanksville, Somerset County, the site where United Flight 93 crashed in a field when heroic passengers struggled for control of the plane diverting it from an intended target in Washington, D.C., more than 550 friends and family members of the 40 passengers attended a private ceremony on September 10. During the service, the victims’ loved ones each received a remembrance packet that included a 7 1/2” x 10 1/2” magnesium replica of the cast bronze memorial plaque honoring the Flight 93 passengers and crew that was manufactured and donated by Matthews International Corporation in September 2001.
   The replica includes the American flag emblems and copy that reads:
   “This memorial is in memory of the brave men and women who gave their lives to save so many others. Their courage and love of our country will be a source of strength and comfort to our great nation. God Bless America.”
   The names of the 40 passengers and crew members are listed alphabetically above the words, “United Flight 93… September 11, 2001.”
   “Almost immediately after the tragedy, the employees of Matthews’ Pittsburgh plant wanted to contribute to the healing of the nation and particularly the people closely affected by the crash in Somerset County since the location was in a neighboring county from our facility,” explained Dave Jones, Matthews’ vice president of sales and marketing who spearheaded the Somerset memorial project.    “Memorialization is an important part of the healing process. We are honored to memorialize the people who sacrificed their lives aboard United Flight 93 to preserve our country’s freedom.”

New Book on Marketing to the “50+ Boomer” Now Available Through ICFA
   RESTON, VA (June 21, 2002) - Cemetery and funeral home owners eager to reach Baby Boomers age 50 and over now have an authoritative resource to help them. “The 50+ Boomer: Your Key to 70 Million Customers” offers a guide to marketing to the largest, most affluent market in the United States, and is available to the industry exclusively through the International Cemetery and Funeral Association.
   The need to understand and communicate effectively with the 50+ Boomer is becoming increasingly important for cemeteries and funeral homes as these individuals begin considering preneed cemetery and funeral purchases for their parents and themselves. Among the topics covered in the book are:
· 15 things you should know about the 50+ Boomer;
· developing a relationship with the 50+ Boomer;
· using service to successfully market to the 50+ Boomer;
· generating leads with the 50+ Boomer;
· applying old techniques to make new sales inroads with the 50+ Boomer;
· turning the 50+ Boomer’s individuality into a memorialization opportunity.
   Author Don Potter is chief executive officer of Potter, Katz, Postal & Ferguson, an advertising, marketing and media agency in North Hollywood, California. His clients include cemeteries, funeral homes and suppliers to the industry, as well as leading national and regional companies from other industries.
   “The 50+ Boomer” is available for $15.50 to ICFA members and $19.50 for nonmembers by calling 1-800-645-7700.
Founded in 1887, the ICFA is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, funeral and memorialization industry. Its membership is comprised of more than 5,800 cemeteries, funeral homes, memorial designers, crematories and related businesses worldwide.