FCAT has several specific needs that volunteers could help with. These range from occasional, short-term activities to on-going commitments that nevertheless do not require major amounts of time. Some examples are described here.

Recruiter

This an opportunity to bring FCAT to the attention of potential members from among your friends, business associates, and persons in groups (religious, civic, political, social) who you believe would benefit, as you have, from knowing about and being a member of our Alliance. Among these might be persons with a child just reaching the age of majority, someone with a relative who is ill, persons who have just moved into the state, or any others who might be at a 'teachable' stage of their lives.

As a recruiter you would use such encounters as a chance to talk about the value of having conversations with family about advance directives and about lowering potential stress by making advance plans for disposition of a body. It is a chance to share one of our brochures with them. We'll be glad to send you some brochures; just ask. Any number can play this role; time involved is a few minutes here and there.

Newsletter Editor - help us educate others!

Description

Design and edit the bi-annual newsletter for FCAT, the Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Triangle.

FCAT's mission is education and advocacy of consumer rights within the funeral industry, and our newsletter is one of the vehicles we use to accomplish this mission. Prior newsletters may be viewed online at www.fcat-nc.org. Newsletters are mailed twice a year to approximately 1,000 members of the organization. FCAT board members and others contribute articles to this insightful publication. FCAT may also institute e-letters in the near future. The newsletter editor will be instrumental in the design and distribution of these electronic pieces as well.

Requirements

The Newsletter Editor must be located within 150-mile radius of Raleigh, NC, and must be available to attend occasional meetings with FCAT board members as needed. Requirements for this position include:

• Computer literacy
• Experience using Publisher or other word-processing/design software
• Excellent writing & editing skills
• Ability to communicate with others using clarity & diplomacy
• Project management experience & ability to meet deadlines within a given time-frame
• Attention to detail

Membership Leader

This is most appropriate for a resident of Chapel Hill or vicinity. A visit at least weekly to the Chapel Hill Post Office on Estes Drive to pick up mail. Review of that mail into membership applications. Opening those applications and entering data into the membership data base (name, address, amounts, etc.) and deposit of checks at any First Citizens Bank branch. Forwarding of new membership records to the person who sends out membership kits. Volunteer should be able to use email and a menu-driven membership database program. Time involved is 40 minutes a week.

Membership Fulfillment

As memberships are received, we need someone to compile the kit components, address the envelope and mail them out.  Time required to complete the task is usually less than one hour per month.  Volunteer should be able to receive new member information by email.

Surveyor

Participate in collecting data from funeral establishments and cemeteries. Phoning to request General Price Lists and ask clarifying questions. Visits to facilities as appropriate, data entry into provided spreadsheets. All with the scope of volunteer time and resources.

Volunteer Coordinator

A volunteer for volunteers: Someone who would reach out to current members by telephone and email to talk about FCAT and the importance of volunteers and to develop opportunities to volunteer with FCAT. Time would be variable and flexible.

Oversight and Legislative Liaison

Here's a chance to see government regulation in operation.

NC Board of Funeral Service

The NC Board of Funeral Service meets monthly, usually in Raleigh. It would be wonderful to have one or two volunteers (probably from Raleigh) who could, in turns, attend Board meetings and report back the nature of topics and discussions. The Board meets at its office on Wade Avenue.

This Board meeting on the second Wednesday of each month (except August). These dates are subject to change. Please check the Current Events page on the Board’s website for confirmed dates. The agenda may include reports on operations, enforcement actions, professional training for funeral directors, and disciplinary actions.

NC Cemetery Commission

This Commission meets quarterly (Jan, Mar, Jul, Oct) and regulates some 176 cemeteries that sell pre-need contracts for graves, mausoleums and columbariums. We have one observer who is attending these meetings, but we also need additional volunteers who can become familiar with the meeting process and substitute for the current person as needed. This takes the latter part of a morning plus time to write up notes on the meeting. It is a good way to become involved if you can easily get to the area near the Ralleigh Beltline and Wake Forest Road.

What Next?

Let us know who you are. Give a call one of our leaders or send email to them (see contacts page). We look forward to working with you.