October, November, December 2017

Q4 eNewsletter

 





         President's Note 
  We have reached the home stretch of 2017—can you believe it?  While the year’s end is within sight and the holidays are approaching rapidly, our team continues to work hard for you by preparing for important events in the final quarter of 2017.
 
     One of the biggest events on our calendar is a free, FSI-hosted webinar on Tuesday, Nov. 14, which is aimed at helping you understand the importance of having a full trust team at your disposal. We are thrilled to bring together an entire group of death care professionals that we work closely with to educate you on the duties of all parties of a preneed or perpetual care trust team. It is truly a can’t-miss opportunity and we hope you can join us.
 
     The fourth quarter of every calendar year also brings the world’s largest annual gathering of funeral directors: the National Funeral Directors Association’s International Convention & Expo. This year’s NFDA Convention takes place in the beautiful Boston, MA. from Oct. 29 - Nov. 1. If you are attending, stop by to see us at booth #2446!
 
     As you read this fourth-quarter edition of our e-newsletter and wonder “where has the time gone?” please remember that we are always just one phone call away to answer any questions about your trusts as the year comes to a close. It continues to remain one of our primary goals to provide you with unparalleled customer service and personal support so that you can be confident every aspect of your trust program is taken care of. That way, you can focus on what’s most important: your business.
 
    From our entire team at FSI, enjoy the holiday season and time with your loved ones. We wish you all the best and look forward to speaking with you very soon!
 
Sincerely,


Bill Williams
President and CEO
Funeral Services, Inc.  

FREE Webinar Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. EST

The Importance of Building a Strong Trust Team
 

     To protect death care professionals from improper management of preneed and perpetual care funds, the duties of creating and operating a trust should always have n integrated approach - collaboration among several independent parties, each with a separate role and distinct set of responsibilities.

Join us on Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. for a FREE webinar

on

      “The Importance of Building a Strong Trust Team.”    

  • Distinguish between the duties of all parties of a preneed or perpetual care trust, which include the funeral or cemetery home, trustee, investment manager, trust administrator and attorney.
  • Understand the importance of building a full trust team and identifying parties that work well together.
  • Learn about a unique, turnkey solution available that streamlines the process of compiling a team of trust professionals.     
Your Hosts:
  • Bill Williams, CEO and President of Funeral Services, Inc. (FSI)
  • Paul White, Vice President of Client Development and Marketing of Funeral Services, Inc. (FSI)
  • Jim Breaux, Senior Vice President and National Sales Director of Live Oak Bank
  • Corie Gabriel, Private Client Group Director of Roosevelt Investments
  • Wendy Wiener, Esq., Partner at Broad & Cassel, LLP
Bill Williams, Jr., LFD
Paul White, LFD
 
      
Jim Breaux
Corie Gabriel
       
Wendy Wiener, Esq.
 Join us at the 2017 NFDA International Convention & Expo!
 Booth #2446
     The FSI team is attending the 2017 NFDA International Convention & Expo, Oct. 29 – Nov. 1 in Boston. This year, the world’s largest funeral service expo will offer:
  • Engaging educational sessions with industry experts,
  • Fun social events, including a spirited dinner cruise,
  • Keynote presentations from leadership expert Dr. John C. Maxwell and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman,
  • A howling good time Funeral Directors Under-40 Party at Laugh Boston, and much more!
     We invite you to join us for a fun and informative few days of networking and learning.
 
Make sure to stop by and visit us at the Expo at Booth #2446!

Find all the details for the convention here.

See you in Boston!

FSI In the News
 
     Over the last quarter, FSI and fellow colleagues have been sought out to provide thought leadership on a variety of topics in several industry publications. Here’s a quick look at some of the most recent stories featuring FSI:
 
What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You – Little Known Regulations that Can Get You in Trouble with the Law
     Regulatory oversights are easier to make than you think. They can also potentially put your business at legal and financial risk. Bill Williams, FSI president & CEO, and Wendy Wiener, Esq., partner at Broad & Cassel, discuss little-known regulations that all industry professionals should be aware of in The Director. Read the full story by clicking here.
 
I’ve Been Notified of a Regulatory Audit…What’s Next?
     For many licensees, a notice from the state that a regulatory audit is coming up strikes fear in the heart…but it doesn’t have to be that way. Bill Williams, FSI president & CEO, and Wendy Wiener, Esq., partner at Broad & Cassel, explain in the American Funeral Director. Read the full story by clicking here.
 
How to Enable Your Cemetery to Use the Unitrust Method
     At this point, you’ve probably heard about how the Unitrust Distribution Method can help grow your trusts, but if it’s not legally available to use in your state, what do you do? See how you can take steps to adopt unitrust—which has provided up to a 37 percent annual increase in funds—in your state by reading Bill Williams’ and Wendy Wiener’s story in ICCFA Magazine.
 
     Every time FSI is published by industry media, the article is posted on FSItrust.com. Check our ‘Resources’ tab frequently for continuous updates on FSI news and coverage!
Employee Spotlight:  
Debbie Wagner
     FSI is made up of a dedicated team of experienced professionals who work each day to provide you with excellent service. Each individual brings an important skillset that assists us in powering your trust. To help you get to know the FSI team better, we shine a spotlight on one employee each quarter.





Meet Debbie Wagner, 

FSI’s Assistant and
Client Services Associate
 
 
     Debbie Wagner joined FSI in 2014 and brings more than 20 years of experience in the administrative field to our team. Debbie is a valued member of FSI’s Administration Department as the “First Voice you hear when you call FSI”, she assists management with other administrative duties.  She also works with the Client Services Department on specific projects. Debbie was recently part of the system conversion team and helped with testing as well as data entry.

 

     In her time with FSI, Debbie has enjoyed working in an environment with a dedicated focus on client service. The most significant milestone she’s seen FSI accomplish is the implementation of PRISM, an exclusive computer system that is unique to the Death Care industry. She says that PRISM is changing the way our profession does business, and she is proud to be part of that accomplishment.

 

     For Debbie, the professional achievement that means most to her is building relationships of trust, integrity and respect. She is all about teamwork and says that her extraordinary co-workers—who each work as part of a team to achieve FSI’s common goals—are like a family to her. Those strong bonds are the aspect that she enjoys most about working at FSI.

 

     Debbie’s free time is best spent with her three grandchildren and family. She loves canoeing, hiking and just hanging out with her grandkids. When she’s on her own, she loves traveling, kayaking, yoga and spending time at the beach or in the mountains.

Calendar
Important FSI Dates to Remember:

October 29 - November 1, 2017
NFDA International Convention & Expo
Boston, MA
Stop by and see us at Booth #2446!


November 10, 2017 
Veterans Day
FSI offices will be closed in observance of Veterans Day.
 
November 14, 2017 
Free Webinar: The Importance of Building a Strong Trust Team
2 p.m. – Register at FSITrustWebinar.com
 
November 23-24, 2017
Thanksgiving

FSI offices will be closed in observance of Thanksgiving.
 
December 25-26, 2017
Christmas Day
FSI offices will be closed in observance of Christmas

 
Copyright © *|2017|*|Funeral Services, Inc.|*| All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:

Funeral Services, Inc.
Post Office Box 13407
Tallahassee, FL  32317
(800) 749-1340


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