REGULAR BOARD MEETING

MINUTES

January 12, 2005

The North Carolina Board of Funeral Service met for a duly scheduled Board Meeting on January 12, 2005, at the Board’s office located at 1033 Wade Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Present: Larry Andrews, Mark Blake, Jack Briggs, Windell Daniels, Rudy Lea, William Manson, George Parrott, Jody Tyson and T. E. White.

Also Present: Paul Harris, Executive Director; Stephen N. Dirksen, General Counsel; Patricia Hayes, Michael Rulison, Dan Shackleford, William Betts and Lyn Cochrane.

Executive Director Paul Harris called the meeting to order at 9:05. Mr. Harris gave the invocation and read the Board of Ethics statement, Governor Easley’s Executive Order #1. No one recused themselves at this time.

Mr. Harris administered the Oaths of office to Windell Daniels and George Parrott.

Mr. Harris opened the floor to receive nominations for president. Mr. Lea nominated Mr. Briggs and Mr. Blake seconded. Mr. Parrott moved the nominations be closed. Mr. Daniels seconded and the nominations were closed. There being no further nominations, Mr. Briggs was named president.

Mr. Harris opened the floor to receive nominations for vice president. Mr. Daniels nominated Mr. Lea and Mr. Blake seconded. Mr. Daniels moved the nominations be closed and Mr. Parrott seconded and the nominations were closed. There being no further nominations, Mr. Lea was named vice president.

Mr. Harris opened the floor to receive nominations for secretary. Mr. White nominated Mr. Tyson and Mr. Andrews seconded. Mr. Daniels nominated Mr. Parrott and Mr. Lea seconded. Mr. Daniels made the motion to close the nominations. Mr. Manson seconded. The nominees made brief comments after which Mr. Harris called for the vote. Mr. Andrews, Mr. White, Mr. Manson and Mr. Blake voted for Mr. Tyson. Mr. Briggs, Mr. Daniels and Mr. Lea voted for Mr. Parrott. Mr. Tyson was named secretary.

Mr. Harris presented the gavel to Mr. Briggs and the new officers assumed their positions at the head table.

At this time the floor was opened to public comment. Michael Rulison, President of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Triangle, introduced himself and briefly explained his organization.

Since this was the first Board meeting with the newly seated members, Mr. Briggs asked the members to introduce themselves after which he made a statement regarding the Board and their duty to the citizens of North Carolina.

Mr. Harris stated the minutes for the December 10, 2004 meeting had been mailed. Mr. White made the motion to accept the minutes and Mr. Daniels seconded. The motion carried.

Attorney’s Report: Mr. Dirksen reported that the status of cases pending was provided to the Board for their review. Mr. Dirksen presented a resolution regarding a licensee that had voluntarily surrendered their funeral license and entered into a consent order with the board but had filed bankruptcy and would be unable to make restitution to the preneed recovery fund as ordered. Discussion ensued. Mr. Tyson made the motion to accept the resolution and Mr. Daniels seconded. The motion carried.

Executive Director’s Report: The new law book was in and would be mailed to licensees as soon as possible. Copies would then be mailed to the funeral homes in conjunction with the mailing of their funeral establishment license.

All new Board member appointments had been received and all had been sworn it

2005 renewals as of January 11, 2005, indicate 2002 active licensees, 101 inactive licensees, 574 establishments, 62 crematories, 8 chapels, 6 unaffiliated. 542 preneed applications had been received. Of those received, 418 had been processed and the difference was incomplete applications. The new renewal process that had been implemented appears to be working well.

Mr. Harris reviewed the December financials and the preneed report. Questions ensued.

The computer system upgrades will be implemented later this year.

Committee requests will be given to Mr. Briggs following this Board meeting and those assignments will be posted before the February meeting.

New Business: Mr. Harris presented the 2005 calendar for discussion on Board meeting dates. It was decided the 2^nd Tuesday and Wednesday of each month would be posted with the possibility of no meetings in April or June. May and December clinic dates were discussed. Mr. Harris will have the dates to present at the February 8 (or 15^th?) meeting.

Old Business: There was none.

Mr. Harris submitted the list of Board members and staff address and telephone numbers. He stated the Board Member and staff cell numbers were not for distribution.

The Board website has been updated with the new law and new Board members.

Mr. Tyson had questions regarding the policy on continuing education programs for embalmers and the attendance of funeral directors at those programs.

Mr. Daniels complimented Mr. Dirksen on his diligent work on reducing the disciplinary caseload.

Mr. White introduced Mr. William Betts, President of the Funeral Directors and Morticians Association of North Carolina, Inc. At this time all the Board Meeting guests introduced themselves.