Did you know that...

In 1927...A Springfield, Ill., advertising agency provided a variety of advertising programs to funeral directors. That year, an executive in the firm develops the idea of grouping the agency’s funeral director clients into an association in order to better serve their common interests.

In May 1928...The “Order of the Golden Rule,” as the organization was then called, was officially established, adopting The Golden Rule credo (Service measured not by gold, but by the Golden Rule) as the cornerstone of the organization and its members. During the early years, the advertising agency controlled its activities.

In the mid-1950s...Plans were made to reorganize the Order to emphasize its potential as a professional association. The reorganization enabled members to make good use of a great many business and promotional services not being provided by any funeral service organization. As a first step, the Order of the Golden Rule was organized as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the state of Illinois. The service organization was incorporated as a separate, for-profit entity in 1956 to control the activities of the association. The Order grew steadily under this arrangement through 1970.

In 1960...The Knight Letter, focusing on OGR-related news and events, took a new form after 30 years, evolving from a one-page format to a printed, illustrated publication mailed monthly to members. The Knight Letter retired in 1999 when The Independent was introduced, incorporating bylined articles from death care experts into its editorial format.

In 1974-75...OGR hired its first executive director. At its Annual Meeting in New Orleans, 29 of the founding members raise $146,000 to form a new company—the OGR Service Corporation (OGRSC), owned entirely by members of the International Order of the Golden Rule. The new service company commenced operations on Jan. 14, 1975.

In 1996-97...In March 1996, the Board of Directors announced its decision to move the OGR headquarters from Springfield to St. Louis. The move was completed in March 1997.

In 1998...The boards of both OGR and OGRSC embarked on a legal reorganization whereby OGR was designated by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt, 501(c)(6) not-for-profit organization. This process was completed in June 1999.

In 2003...OGR instituted numerous celebratory activities in honor of its 75th anniversary, including an anniversary logo, special edition of The Independent, Awards of Excellence Scholarship Fund contributions, and Annual Conference activities centering on a “Family Reunion” theme.

In 2004...The Golden Services Group, a new, wholly owned, for-profit entity, was created to provide products and services to members, retiring OGR Service Corporation. OGR reinforced its image within the funeral industry and the public. A new industry-oriented OGR logo and trademarked tag line (“The Voice of the Independent Funeral Home”) was adopted, reflecting the association’s leadership position and commitment to the locally owned funeral home.

In 2005...OGR continued its challenge, begun in September 2003, to cancel SCI’s supplemental registration trademark of FAMILY FUNERAL CARE.  Collaborating in the effort were the Network of Independent Funeral Director Associations and hundred of individuals, funeral homes and organizations, which submitted documentation and donations to a fund established by OGR.

In 2006...Members embarked on a nationwide, grassroots campaign to reach students and communities about “family appreciation.” The fight to cancel the SCI trademark entered the testimony phase.

In 2007...Following 14 months of planning, the Board and staff identified critical strategies, goals and initiatives designed to meet the changing needs of the membership and the funeral profession.

And in 2008...OGR is currently celebrating its 80th year, incorporating an anniversary logo on association stationery and on the OGR web site, publishing a January/February anniversary edition of The Independent, and conducting anniversary-related activities at onsite meetings and conferences. Testing of a new web-based database is being conducted, with plans to unveil the system within the year. When completed, the system will allow members to view/edit their own records and various association documents, register for meetings, and perform other online functions.