Over 150 delegates attended the Funeral Futurist’s presentation on Marketing to your Community through the Internet. In his opening remarks, Heppell stated that Internet usage is rising faster than the cremation rate. The cremation rate in North America is approximately 35% – now double that to 70% and that is the number of Internet users in North America.

He stressed that Internet marketing is more the just website promotion and covered such topics as:

• Considerations in setting up a Web site
• The elements of an effective Web site
• Email collection methods
• Electronic newsletters and mailers
• Viral marketing

Heppell revealed the results of his pre-convention eNewsletter campaign, which include many of the audience members, as well as informing them about the pros and cons of html vs. text newsletters.

His gem of the presentation was to do with Viral Marketing – using others to spread information. Heppell explained that after every arrangement he makes, and after uploading the obituary to the funeral home website, he sends the following email to all of the family members who provided their email addresses.

Kathleen and James…
I have uploaded the obituary notice to our website at www.YourFuneralChapel.com. You can go to it directly by clicking here. Feel free to forward these links to friends and family as we have found that it is an easy way to let a lot of people know about services times – especially on such short notice. Let me know if you need help with anything else.
…Rob (744-3595)

He then informed them, “This email would get sent to extended family and friends – probably the same people who would send flowers – so hopefully your website has the ability to receive orders!”

Heppell closed the presentation with a sneak peak into how Web 2.0 will affect Funeral Service. Web 2.0 includes blogs, podcasts, YouTube, MySpace, Flickr, Wikipedia, LinkedIn, and even the use of Google’s tools such as its Calendar. (click image for video clip)

At the end of the presentation, Steve Moeller of Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was selected as the winner of the 30GB iPod drawing of those who responded to the pre-convention survey.

Following the presentation, Robin thanked the delegates and extended a special thanks to Linda Budzinski, Karen Gray, and all of the staff and board members of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association for an excellent convention!

Victoria, BC – Royal Roads University announced today the creation of the Eric Douglass Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, the legacy of a colourful Edmonton entrepreneur who left the family farm at 13 and went on to achieve success in Alberta’s transport, construction and development sectors. The centre has been created with a $1.7 million bequest from the estate of Eric Douglass, who, with his wife Helena, had been a long-time supporter of RRU’s Faculty of Management.

The first activity to be launched at the centre will be a mentorship program that will match would-be entrepreneurs from the university’s Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Studies program with mentors who will provide guidance in skills development, networking, and developing socially responsible enterprises.

“Our goal is not just to help people make a profit but to make a difference in the world while they’re doing it,” said Dr. Brent Mainprize, the RRU business professor who has been named director of the new centre. “Entrepreneurs are leaders of change, who better than them to be leaders of socially responsible change?”

Funeral Futurist Robin Heppell, an RRU Entrepreneurial Studies graduate, addressed the audience on the benefits the program and the importance of mentorship. “Although mentorship was not a major focus of the program, mentorship was always around us. Peer-to-peer mentoring is a by-product of this program, but more importantly we could always rely on advice and guidance from our External Entrepreneurial Advisors, Shelley Peever and Roger Mundell,” reflected Heppell. “And it goes without saying that mentorship is just one the invaluable attributes of Dr. Mainprize. I would not be in the position that I am today without the great counsel offered by these mentors,” he added.

Heppell then shared the time that Mundell imparted some negotiation tactics called the “Friday Afternoon Phone Call.” He concluded by conveying his excitement about the creation of the Eric Douglass Centre for Entrepreneurship. “It is initiatives like this that makes me proud to be Royal Roads Alumnus. It is just not a university that just enrolls students and grants degrees, but is genuinely committed to the continual development of its learners and the betterment of the community.”

The centre will also lead research, outreach and teaching activities, for example developing entrepreneurial education workshops for educators, writing Canadian case studies, and providing economic development support to First Nations and other communities.

RRU’s president emeritus, Dr. Gerry Kelly, who first met Eric and Helena Douglass 20 years ago in Edmonton, says the new centre is a fitting legacy that reflects the couple’s work ethic and Eric’s entrepreneurial spirit. “Eric could see possibilities others couldn’t see and he had the fortitude to take chances as only an entrepreneur can do,” said Kelly. “Helena supported Eric throughout his career, so this really is a joint honour for this remarkable couple.”

Westerville, Ohio – Robin Heppell, CFSP, was awarded the designation of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Heppell is the first recipient of this designation in Western Canada.

A number of professions grant special recognition to members upon completion of specified academic and professional programs and the “CFSP” is funeral service’s national individual recognition. The Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, since its 1976 founding, has had as its goals:

• to recognize those practitioners who have voluntarily entered into a program of personal and professional growth
• to raise and improve the standards of funeral service
• to encourage practitioners to make continuing education a life-long process in their own self-interest, the interest of the families they serve, and the community in which they serve

David A. McCall, owner McCall Bros. Funeral Directors, who hired Heppell as an apprentice 20 years ago stated, “Robin is highly respected in Victoria for both, his profession and community involvement. I believe him to be of excellent character and to display a high level of dedication and integrity. His recognition by the Academy demonstrates his ongoing desire of self-improvement which translates into providing the best, possible service for families.”

To initially receive this award, the practitioner must complete a 180 hour program of continuing education activities and events. In addition, the practitioner is required to accumulate 20 hours per year to recertify. Credits are awarded by the Academy for work leading to personal and / or professional growth in four areas: Academic
Activities, Professional Activities, Career Review, and Community and Civic Activities.

For more information about Academy membership and certification may be obtained by contacting:
Kimberly Gehlert, Executive Director
Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice
P.O. Box 2275, Westerville, OH 43086
(614) 899-6200 – www.apfsp.com