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PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Carrie Fortner,
(512) 334-5504
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OGR’s NEW LOOK EMPHASIZES
DEVOTION TO CUSTOMER SERVICE
NOV. 2, 2011 – AUSTIN, TEXAS – The International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR), one of the world’s largest and oldest professional associations of independent funeral homes, announces the launch of a new logo. The new logo, along with its partner DUO logo, will unify brand identity with a fresh twist, focused on the future.
“The new logo and branding is a positive celebration of the many changes OGR has embraced over the past three years; it reinforces the values that unite OGR members,” Dianne Hughes, OGR’s executive director, said.
Three golden, interlocking circles form the organization’s corporate brand. These circles represent the deceased, the family and the funeral director. Together, the circles form a right-facing arrow, symbolizing the shared journey forward. The logo is a sign of trust to client families, conveying a member’s dedication to an ethic of reciprocity. Golden Rule® funeral homes subscribe to, and advocate for, the highest standard of integrity and service in the funeral profession.
The partner logo, DUO … Do Unto Others, is OGR’s outward-facing brand. It reinforces the creed upon which OGR was built, with the hand representing the pledge every member makes to abide by the Golden Rule with every client family.
“The addition of the DUO logo puts in unique form the beginning words of what the Golden Rule stands for, “Do unto others …,” the way each of us should take care of the families we are privileged to serve every day,” said Mike Lewis, OGR president-elect and co-owner of Lewis Funeral Homes Inc. in Milton, Fla.
OGR was founded in 1928 and is affiliated with more than 700 independent funeral homes that share common goals: exemplary service, uncompromising care and compassion to families in their time of need. Please visit www.ogr.org for additional information.
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More shipping updates in 2010
You may recall the "Known Shipper" mandate (which was ultimately enacted on August 1, 2009) began to receive a lot of attention and caused quite the stir within our industry. For most of 2009, Eagle's Wings Air was inundated with requests from funeral homes and shipping services from
across the country seeking clarification
and direction in order to ensure their
business was compliant.
As the only air transportation management company uniquely focused on serving the entire death care community, we were happy to offer our insight and transportation expertise to more than 1,000 funeral homes in order to protect service for client families. After some industry concern, funeral service professionals from across the country rose to the occasion, and enrolled their firms with the appropriate airlines. Who says funeral directors are "slow to change"........?
Well, it's time for another Transportation Security Administration (TSA) initiative which will impact the air cargo world and airline handling procedures. From a funeral service perspective, the upcoming change is different than last year's known shipper challenge. Our phone has started to ring here with questions (Deja Vu), and I'd like to offer the following points for your consideration:
- Effective August 3, 2010, Congress has mandated that 100% of air cargo going onto a passenger aircraft must be "screened" prior to loading. This requirement will include all cargo segments including human remains.
- To my knowledge, the pending change will not have any effect on the Known Shipper program requirements. More information regarding the Known Shipper mandate from August 2009 is available on our website within the News & Events section.
- The 100% cargo security screening requirement is one which the airline industry must meet. The air carrier is currently required to screen 50% of cargo. This requirement will increase to 75% by May 1, 2010 in advance of the August 1st deadline. Technically, your funeral home does not need to take further action.
- From our perspective, we have two primary concerns regarding the pending change:
- Potential bottlenecks at the local airline warehouse during tender. Each airline will have their own strategy of how to ensure timely service to the human remains shipper.
- Invasive screening procedures of human remains at the local airline warehouse. Shipments triggering an "alarm" indicating a potential security issue must be opened and physically inspected. Each airline operates under an approved security program (which is confidential) and will seek to address this issue internally.
- There is good news......the national funeral service trade associations; the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); and the airline industry have been in discussions since last year regarding how to handle the screening of human remains with dignity and respect. I'm confident more information will be distributed soon.
- Additionally, the TSA has offered a potential solution for Human Remains Shippers through the Certified Cargo Screening Program (CCSP). For more information on the CCSP, contact mail CCSP@dhs.gov.
I will be attending the Air Cargo 2010 conference in March where I will connect with our airline partners and my transportation industry colleagues. As an Indirect Air Carrier (IAC), Eagle's Wings Air will also be attending a special TSA session where I expect to hear the latest updates from an air cargo industry perspective. While the presentation will be confidential in nature, rest assured EWA is actively engaged within the air cargo world.
EWA is deeply committed to serving as an air transportation resource for our nationwide client base of funeral homes and shipping services. Please e-mail any questions or concerns you have regarding the change to me at frank.kaiser@eagleswingsair.com.
Both myself and our staff look forward to serving you in the future. For additional information, please contact us at (866) 550-1392 or visit www.eagleswingsair.com.
My Best,
Frank Kaiser
President / Co-owner
frank.kaiser@eagleswingsair.com
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