ARTICLE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Barbara Kemmis Phone: (312) 245-1077 499 Northgate Parkway Wheeling, IL 60090-2646 Barbara@cremationassociation.org CANA RECEIVES 2023 POWER OF ASSOCIATIONS SILVER AWARD FOR PEER SUPPORT MEETINGS WHEELING, IL—The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) earned a Power of Associations Silver Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its successful Peer Support US Group Meeting initiative. For more than two years, CANA and Funeral Professionals Peer Support (FPPS) have organized virtual peer support meetings for funeral professionals in North America. CANA hosts virtual peer support meetings on the third Tuesday of every month. Peer Support Meetings provide an opportunity for funeral professionals to connect with other each other to share the challenges they face on the job. Participants trade stories of burnout, mistakes, difficult cases, and more. They ask questions in a safe and private space to gather information for themselves and their colleagues. Mental health becomes a priority as they find time to attend and talk about their struggles. These meetings are filled with people who can sympathize and share similar experiences and provide support for overcoming the challenges of the work. Even if they never attend a meeting, funeral professionals have expressed positive feelings knowing that the program is available. It’s seen not only as a resource in case they should need it, but also as tangible recognition of their unique experience and value to their community. “Congratulations to the Cremation Association of North America for exemplifying the impact associations have on the industries and professions they represent, and on society at large,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. “It’s always so incredibly satisfying to see associations going above and beyond their everyday mission to change the world. We’re very proud to spotlight this award-winning initiative.” “CANA shares this award with Funeral Professionals Peer Support and the many facilitators and participants at these monthly meetings,” said CANA Executive Director Barbara Kemmis. “From its very founding, peer support meetings are pure service to the profession.” Kim Zavrotny, US Director of Funeral Professionals Peer Support, said "We thank CANA for believing in and supporting our mission. The partnership that has been created between our organizations is so valuable to our industry and the individuals that serve in our profession." To learn more about Funeral Professionals Peer Support Meetings, visit cremationassociation.org/selfcare. Want to participate? You can attend the next meeting on the third Tuesday of the month at 8pm ET/7pm CT/5pm PT. No registration is required, so participants can join at cremationassociation.org/peersupport. ABOUT CANA Founded in 1913, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is an international organization of over 3,500 members, composed of funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, industry suppliers, and consultants. CANA members believe that cremation is preparation for memorialization.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Barbara Kemmis Phone: (312) 245-1077 499 Northgate Parkway Wheeling, IL 60090-2646 Barbara@cremationassociation.org
CANA RECEIVES 2023 POWER OF ASSOCIATIONS SILVER AWARD FOR PEER SUPPORT MEETINGS
WHEELING, IL—The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) earned a Power of Associations Silver Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its successful Peer Support US Group Meeting initiative. For more than two years, CANA and Funeral Professionals Peer Support (FPPS) have organized virtual peer support meetings for funeral professionals in North America. CANA hosts virtual peer support meetings on the third Tuesday of every month.
Peer Support Meetings provide an opportunity for funeral professionals to connect with other each other to share the challenges they face on the job. Participants trade stories of burnout, mistakes, difficult cases, and more. They ask questions in a safe and private space to gather information for themselves and their colleagues. Mental health becomes a priority as they find time to attend and talk about their struggles.
These meetings are filled with people who can sympathize and share similar experiences and provide support for overcoming the challenges of the work. Even if they never attend a meeting, funeral professionals have expressed positive feelings knowing that the program is available. It’s seen not only as a resource in case they should need it, but also as tangible recognition of their unique experience and value to their community.
“Congratulations to the Cremation Association of North America for exemplifying the impact associations have on the industries and professions they represent, and on society at large,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. “It’s always so incredibly satisfying to see associations going above and beyond their everyday mission to change the world. We’re very proud to spotlight this award-winning initiative.”
“CANA shares this award with Funeral Professionals Peer Support and the many facilitators and participants at these monthly meetings,” said CANA Executive Director Barbara Kemmis. “From its very founding, peer support meetings are pure service to the profession.”
Kim Zavrotny, US Director of Funeral Professionals Peer Support, said "We thank CANA for believing in and supporting our mission. The partnership that has been created between our organizations is so valuable to our industry and the individuals that serve in our profession."
To learn more about Funeral Professionals Peer Support Meetings, visit cremationassociation.org/selfcare.
Want to participate? You can attend the next meeting on the third Tuesday of the month at 8pm ET/7pm CT/5pm PT. No registration is required, so participants can join at cremationassociation.org/peersupport.
Founded in 1913, the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) is an international organization of over 3,500 members, composed of funeral homes, cemeteries, crematories, industry suppliers, and consultants. CANA members believe that cremation is preparation for memorialization.