May 2016

 
Welcome to the latest edition of the Institute Update
 

A very warm welcome to our newest members Kate Barker, Robert Hyde, Joy Atkinson, Claire Druett, May Andrews, Annette Jones, Marie-Louise Goode, Jane McCausland, Christine Jolly and James Duke.

The IoCF in its new home

Thanks to Barbara's hard work, the IoCF now has a fantastic new office space in its new premises in Burton Latimer. Here is a reminder of the full postal address:

The Institute of Civil Funerals
186a, Station Road
Burton Latimer
Kettering
Northamptonshire NN15 5NT

New letterhead paper, complimentary slips etc. bearing the IoCF address, are now available to purchase. New style business cards are being developed (double sided).

As confirmed in the last update, the phone number is unchanged as 01480 861411 - and the new phone system allowing calls to be diverted when Barbara is away from the office for any length of time, is working well.

Important diary changes

Just a reminder, as we mentioned in the last newsletter, we have had to change the date of Conference in 2017. The full updated (and correct!) diary for 2016-17 is given in full below.

The next event is a seminar day for practicing celebrants on 25th June, which will be hosted by Civil Ceremonies Ltd. Anne Barber hopes that many IoCF members will attend what promises to be a very interesting and informative day. Places are still available - speaker details can be found here and the booking form here.

Barbara will be there for the day to supply information and answer questions about IoCF membership for those celebrants who have not yet joined the Institute.

Growth of the IoCF

We have already welcomed many new members to the Institute this year and our numbers are growing. The increased income that the rise in the number of subscriptions is generating is very welcome. As a 'not for profit' organisation, the monies are used solely for the benefit of the members. As you will appreciate, there are increased administration costs to match the increase in our number and, as ever, we look to work as effectively as possible.

One way we have been able to reduce costs is in the reduction of postage of feedback forms. We appreciate that there will always be some families who cannot receive their questionnaire electronically but if, when seeking permission for this to be sent out, please could you, if at all possible, find a family member who would be willing to accept the form by email.

Facebook

The high volume of usage of our Facebook group is testament alone to its popularity and success. It is proving to be the perfect platform for sharing resources, seeking help with funeral ceremonies, discussing current issues in our profession and, perhaps, most importantly of all, for 'offloading' to others who understand the unique pressures and stresses of our work.

As you will be aware, usage of the site has brought about the need for extra Terms and Conditions which we have brought to your attention as they arose. However, can I again please stress the importance of not posting anything which would allow the identification of a funeral company, crematorium or specific family.

This is even more important on your own Facebook pages. Anything at all which relates to a particular ceremony, even a poem provided by the family, should not be shared unless they have given absolute permission to do so. Hence, the latest addition to the Facebook T&Cs, is a reminder that any post or comment made on the Facebook group should not be reproduced on any other social media page or forum, without the express permission of the original author.

We are all very appreciative, I know, of Ann Adlem's support with the Facebook group and council were also very pleased to welcome her as a newly co-opted member of the board at our last meeting. Ann is thrilled with the way the group is being used but she does still want to emphasise the need for posts to start with a keyword that can easily be found by a search at a later date. Poems particularly do need adding to the resources file so that they too can be accessed quickly when needed. Do please read Ann's suggestions to help with this below.

Best wishes
Christine Ogden

 
Facebook and Keywords
 

The Facebook page is providing a valuable outlet for members to share stories (good or bad), grumbles, pictures and useful resources. For those who have not taken up the offer to join yet there will be a further invite coming your way soon. One of the most important things to remember when posting are the KEYWORDS used as a heading at the beginning of the each NEW post. So here are some suggestions/ideas to start you off and to help you get into the habit:

POEM - followed by DAD/MUM/BABY/GRANDAD etc (pick one)
POEM - followed by HORSE LOVER/GARDENING/WINE LOVER
POEM - followed by DR WHO etc
LOVING OUR JOB
FUNERAL DIRECTORS LEAVING CHAPEL
FRUSTATED - followed by whatever problem
HELP - followed by SUBJECT
OFFLOADING -
CHAT

There are so many ideas. If anyone has any suggestions to add please let me know and I will update the list.

Capitalization of the keywords helps members to take notice so please remember to do that if you can. One final thing, if you do upload a poem as a normal post can you please upload to files also for safekeeping.

I hope you are all enjoying the FB page and look forward to seeing you soon.

Ann Adlem

 
Merchandise
 

 
Lapel pins and window stickers are available for purchase from Barbara.
The lapel pins are £2 each and the window stickers £1 each.
 

 
Stationery
 

The full list of IoCF stationery is available on the Stationery Order Form (found in the Members' Area). One amendment to mention - the card presentation sleeves are now available at a new price, pack of 10 for £5.00.

For additional ceremony products Celebrant Supplies is a 'trade only' site for celebrants.

 
Diary Dates

Speaker details for the CCL Seminar for Practicing Celebrants can be found here and the booking form here.

 
And finally ...
 

Congratulations to the following members who have reached another milestone in their work, ranging from 1300 to 50 funerals (in no particular order):

Jenny Gibbs, Heather Peet, Sally Band, Mandy Helsby, Lindis Pattison-Tadman, Wendy Eastman, Margaret Price and Sarah Chapman.

Thanks for reading
Barbara