The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Governor Justin Lee.

The opening prayer was led by R. T. Delhomme and the pledge was led by David Credeur.

A motion by Ray Ducote to dispense with reading of the minutes of the previous meeting held in Franklin, LA on April 28, 2009, seconded by Bill Wimberly. Motion passed.

No treasurer's report due to the absence of Marjorie Melancon, however Dan LeBlanc reported he received a phone call from Marjorie indicating she was unable to attend the meeting and the checkbook balance as of this date was $4,541.05. No action was taken due to not having a complete report.

Gene Walters, Executive Director of the Louisiana Funeral Directors Association gave a report on LFDA business. The Convention in New Orleans was well attended and profitable. The association made a $17,000.00 profit. The Fall Seminar will be held in Lake Charles, LA on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009.

This was a report only no action necessary.

In reference to State Board business, no representative from the State Board was in attendance. Jarrod Gardiner and Bill Wimberly did mention they have attended board meetings and advised the membership there was some discussion reference to CEU’s and electronically filed Death Certificates.

Electronically filed Death Certificates were to be online by January 2010 and no information was available at this time if it is achievable. The Louisiana Attorney General’s office recently released an opinion regarding the requiring of Funeral Directors and/or Embalmers to obtain continuing education hours. It is the opinion of the Attorney General that the rule requiring a minimum of 4 hours of continuing hours in not enforceable as written in the rule and can only be enforceable by the State Board by a Legislative Act passed by the Louisiana Legislature. Roy Geesey moved that the Secretary of S.W.L.F.D.A. e-mail the Louisiana State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalming that the Southwest Louisiana Funeral Directors Association is going on record supporting the requirements of Continuing Education and is requesting the State Board to legitimize the process of requirements for Continuing Education, seconded by Ray Dupre. Motion passed.

It was announced that he next meeting will be held in Opelousas, LA at the Evangeline Downs Race Track on November 19, 2009 and the horses will be running.

Two hours of continuing education was provided from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM this date at the Riverfront Restaurant in Abbeville. Brian Arceneaux , Sales Representative with Batesville Casket Company presented a program dealing with Cremation Options and was assisted by Jim Tully, Jr. also a Sales Representative with Batesville.

The Third Annual Southwest Louisiana Funeral Directors Association 9 Hole Golf Scramble was held before the meeting. Thanks to Bill and Linda Lindley with Bass-Mollett and Jim Tully, Jr. with Batesville Casket Company for the gifts and sponsorships for the golf tournament.

Hosting the meeting were Delhomme Funeral Home of Lafayette, Martin & Castille Funeral Home of Lafayette and Vincent Funeral Homes of Abbeville and Kaplan.

There being no futher business, Casey Melancon moved to adjourn, seconded by Bill Wimberly. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM.

A fellowship hour and dinner buffet was enjoyed by all after the meeting.

Respectively Submitted by:

Dan LeBlanc, Sr. CFSP

Secretary