The Membership Committee

The Membership Committee

The Virginia Morticians’ Association, Incorporated

March 5, 2009

To: All District Secretaries and Members-At-Large

From: Chavelá D. Painter, Chairperson of Membership Committee

Re: The Virginia Mortician of the Year Award & Lifetime Membership

The Membership Committee is responsible for the task of selecting The Virginia Mortician of the Year. The award of this outstanding achievement is to be presented to the deserving recipient at the Presidential Awards Dinner during this year’s convention in Williamsburg.

The Virginia Morticians’ Association member chosen to receive this prestigious accolade must have exemplified impeccable leadership and made stupendous contributions to our illustrious organization, the funeral service profession and to his/her community. Additionally, candidates for consideration and eligibility: (1) Must be a financial member and an “active” member of VMA, (2) Must have attended and registered for the last three consecutive conventions, (3) Must have attended at least two board meetings or VMA functions during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

If there is a member in your district or a member-at-large who adheres to the qualities and guidelines of eligibility as stated above, please complete the attached Nomination Form and send it with a cover letter on behalf of the potential recipient. Also submit three letters of recommendation and any other pertinent information that will assist the Membership Committee in the selection process.

The application for Lifetime Membership is also attached. The criterion for this honor is indicated on the application. Be mindful and fully review the criteria to determine eligibility.

Please forward all information, to include the application and all supporting documents, to me at the address below on or before May 1, 2009 to allow the Membership Committee adequate time to meet, select, and notify the recipient prior to the convention. Information received after the deadline will NOT be considered. These are very distinguished honors so please only forward information of candidates that are eligible. Previous VMA Mortician’s of the Year are not eligible to receive this award more than once.

2008-2009 Membership Committee

Chavelá D. Painter, Chairperson

Mary Johnson Fields

Charles Harper

Tyrance Hughes

Karen McPherson

Ronnell Pearson

Richard Sales

Blanche Washington

Send Information to: Chavelá D. Painter

c/o O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home

3009 Chestnut Avenue

Newport News, VA 23607

Telephone Inquiries: (757) 380-8871

2008-2009

Virginia Mortician of the Year Award

Nomination Form

This special award is bestowed upon a VMA member, recognizing his/her professional skills and talents displayed through involvement at the local, state and national level. This award is an honor, presented to a member of the Virginia Morticians’ Association by his/her colleagues, citing expert leadership and professional integrity displayed within the Virginia Morticians’ Association, his/her community and other various capacities. This individual should have a dedicated spirit in the name of funeral service for the collective good of our VMA membership and the funeral service profession.

Please complete this form by typing or writing legibly in the spaces provided.

¨ Full Name of the Nominee: ___________________________________

¨ Funeral Home Affiliation: ___________________________________

¨ Address: __________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

¨ Phone: ___________________ Fax: ____________________

¨ Letters of Recommendation Submitted From:

1. Civic- ________________________________________________

2. District- _____________________________________________

3. Fellow Colleague- _____________________________________

For all of the following, please indicate in what capacity the candidate served:

¨ Contribution made to promote the good and betterment of VMA and the funeral service profession: ________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

¨ Contributions made to the welfare of his/her community: _________

_____________________________________________________________

¨ Evidence of leadership ability: ________________________________

¨ Evidence of professionalism: _________________________________

¨ Local, state and national association involvement: _______________

¨ Other pertinent information: _________________________________

Please attach additional pages if there is not enough space allocated for the information you wish to present.

Lifetime Membership Application

The honor of Lifetime Membership in the Virginia Morticians’ Association is granted to those members who meet the following criteria:

· Licensed in the funeral service profession for a minimum of 35 years. (Verification must be provided in writing from the Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers.)

· Paid dues and held membership in VMA for a minimum of 30 consecutive years. (Verification must be provided by the VMA General Secretary or by voucher of two “financial” members of the VMA.)

· Registered and attended the last 25 consecutive conventions of the VMA. (Verification must be provided by the VMA records or by voucher of two “financial” members of the VMA.)

· Complete application and verifications submitted on or before the due date.

Recognition will be granted in the following manner:

· A plaque presented to the member at the Annual Presidential Dinner at the convention

· Half price membership dues for the duration of his/her lifetime

¨ Full Name of the Member: _____________________________________________

¨ Funeral Home Affiliation: _____________________________________________

¨ Address: ____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

¨ Phone: ______________________________ Fax: _________________________

¨ Funeral Service License Number: _______________________________________

***Please submit a brief biography along with this application***

-FOR COMMITTEE USE ONLY-

Verifications of:

1. License for 35 Years- ________________________________________________________

2. Dues and Membership for 30 Years- ___________________________________________

Member Voucher 1 _____________________ Member Voucher 2 _________________

3. Convention Attendance for 25 Years- __________________________________________

Member Voucher 1 _____________________ Member Voucher 2 _________________