By Chanell O'Farrill, Hollywood Forever & CFDA Board Member
Our recent California Funeral Directors Association committee and board meetings at the Signia by Hilton in San Jose brought forward several exciting updates and new initiatives. Below is a summary of what our committee volunteers are working on.
The Communications Committee is ramping up member engagement through creative content, including Instagram reels showcasing the upcoming convention venue and a Day of the Dead photo contest where members will share images and vote for favorites. We’re also excited to report increased website traffic and social media growth. In addition, our CFDA blog will cover key issues such as mental health awareness and strategies for attracting top talent.
Our Finance Committee presented a stable investment report and approved a new budget line item for strategic planning, which will help guide the association’s vision and efforts over the next several years.
The Legislative Committee discussed the changing dynamics of California’s Legislature in 2025, with a focus on upcoming legislation, including EDRS improvements and insurance issues. We are preparing to introduce EDRS-related legislation and will seek member and stakeholder feedback throughout the process.
The Membership Committee continues to focus on dues collection, with outreach efforts ongoing and a November 29 final drop deadline for unpaid members. The committee is also planning an April 1 membership pop-up event at American River College, designed to engage and connect CFDA members.
Our Professional Development Committee is working on two new training videos to add to CFDA’s resource academy: one on first call etiquette and another on FTC compliance. These videos are designed to help independent member funeral homes with employee trainings and sharing best practices. This year, CFDA will also be relaunching its Redwood Empire Scholarship alongside our annual CFDA scholarships, broadening opportunities for students to attend convention and receive financial assistance to support their studies.
Lastly, the Convention Committee shared exciting plans for our 2025 event, including the Sunday night special event at the Tech Interactive, “Embracing the Future,” and a President’s Banquet honoring our past with CFDA historical displays. The committee is also designing new, interactive exhibit hall activities to enhance vendor and attendee engagement. Don’t forget to save the date for this year’s convention – June 1-3 at the Signia by Hilton in Downtown San Jose. Registration, sponsorship, and exhibit information and pricing will be announced before the end of the year.
As a CFDA member, your continued involvement and feedback are vital to our shared success. If you have any feedback you would like to share with our CFDA leadership, please feel free to email cfda@forwardmgmt.com. Want to get involved? Join our group of volunteers who give back to the association by joining a committee – click here to learn more!