2018 NFDA Elections: Voting Matters August 12, 2018 Wednesday, August 1, is the first day eligible NFDA members can cast a ballot to elect the association’s officers, vote on proposed changes to the NFDA Bylaws and select the Members’ Choice Award winner. On August 1, all eligible NFDA members who have a valid, unique email address on file with NFDA will receive an email with their individual voting credentials and instructions on how to cast a ballot. Eligible voters who do not have an email address on file will receive a postcard, within the next week, with their voting credentials and instructions on how to cast a ballot. Votes must be cast by 11:59 p.m. C.T. on August 14, 2018. Board of Directors Officer Election A Message from the NFDA Board of Directors To help us be good stewards of this association, the Board of Directors needs to know how you think NFDA can continue to be the world’s premier organization representing all facets of funeral service. The NFDA Elections are one way you can do that. When you elect officers who will help move NFDA forward, you are making your voice heard. You are also able to have your say in the future of NFDA by thoughtfully considering and voting on proposed Bylaws changes. We have put forth technical changes that are intended to improve and clarify the Bylaws. We also are recommending a new, limited-membership category for a select group of companies with an established track record of supporting NFDA. We encourage you to tell us what you think by exercising your right to vote when the 2018 NFDA Elections open August 1. Thank you! Individuals elected to serve in officer positions on the Board of Directors will serve a one-year term that commences following the 2018 NFDA Convention. The individual elected to the office of president-elect will automatically become president following the 2019 NFDA Convention; he will also serve a term as immediate past president following his term as president. President-elect Candidate R. Bryant Hightower Jr., CFSP, Martin & Hightower Funeral Home Inc., Heritage Chapel, Carrollton, GA Treasurer Candidate Randall “Randy” P. Anderson, CFSP, CCO, Radney's Funeral Home Inc., Alexander City, AL Secretary Candidates Stephen R Kemp, CFSP, Kemp Funeral Home and Cremation Services LLC, Southfield, MI John “Jack” O. Mitchell IV, CFSP, CCO, CCSP, Mitchell-Wiedefeld Funeral Home, Inc., Baltimore, MD Information about how to vote and biographical information about the candidates for office can be found on the NFDA website, www.nfda.org/vote. Proposed Bylaws Changes Along with electing officers to serve on the Board of Directors, qualified association members are responsible for approving proposed changes to the NFDA Bylaws. This year, NFDA’s Board of Directors recommends the adoption of two technical changes to improve and clarify the Bylaws and the addition of a new, limited membership category for a select group of companies with an established track record of supporting NFDA. Click here for a summary and explanation of the proposed changes, including a marked copy of the NFDA Bylaws, showing the exact language changes on which you will be voting. Members’ Choice Award When you cast your votes in August, you will also select the winner of the 2018 Members’ Choice Award (formerly the Innovation Award). This award, given annually during the NFDA International Convention & Expo, recognizes the best new product or service introduced within the last year as selected by member vote. Visit www.nfda.org/memberschoice to learn more about the finalists