I have vast experience serving and working on many executive boards, including service groups, non-profits, educational organizations and have served in all positions of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association from District Director to state President, as well as serving the last five years as a board member of the NFDA.
During my tenure with the MFDA Executive Board, I helped to establish a leadership model during my presidency, which among other things included increased membership interaction that directly resulted in reduced member apathy as well as increased membership for the first time in decades.
In the time spent on the NFDA Executive Board, I have been able to draw on the experience from previous leadership positions. I have learned that one of the most important features of an effective board is relationship building. A strong leader will understand how to work together with board members to bring a consensus to the board resulting in a unified "voice of one" instead of conflict and discord.
I’ve also spent the last five years traveling to state conventions across the United States to represent NFDA. At these conventions, I make sure to meet members, board members, and executive directors to understand the situations affecting funeral directors within their communities. My understanding of all the programs, resources, and assistance NFDA has to offer these members is important and provides me an opportunity to make appropriate recommendations that will benefit them.
The relationships I have been able to build with members of the NFDA is an essential part of accomplishing our mission. This was proven to be vital during the COVID-19 Pandemic when we needed to quickly pivot, transition, and get members the most up to date information.
I am bringing this knowledge and relationship to the NFDA to benefit not only the members but also the Association.
During my tenure with the MFDA Executive Board, I helped to establish a leadership model during my presidency, which among other things included increased membership interaction that directly resulted in reduced member apathy as well as increased membership for the first time in decades.
In the time spent on the NFDA Executive Board, I have been able to draw on the experience from previous leadership positions. I have learned that one of the most important features of an effective board is relationship building. A strong leader will understand how to work together with board members to bring a consensus to the board resulting in a unified "voice of one" instead of conflict and discord.
I’ve also spent the last five years traveling to state conventions across the United States to represent NFDA. At these conventions, I make sure to meet members, board members, and executive directors to understand the situations affecting funeral directors within their communities. My understanding of all the programs, resources, and assistance NFDA has to offer these members is important and provides me an opportunity to make appropriate recommendations that will benefit them.
The relationships I have been able to build with members of the NFDA is an essential part of accomplishing our mission. This was proven to be vital during the COVID-19 Pandemic when we needed to quickly pivot, transition, and get members the most up to date information.
I am bringing this knowledge and relationship to the NFDA to benefit not only the members but also the Association.
"I am honored to endorse Dutch Nie for the President-Elect position of NFDA. In my twenty-five years engaged as a Senior Adviser with the Michigan Funeral Directors, Dutch Nie has been one of the most ambitious and effective association leaders I have had the pleasure to know.
Dutch builds and enhances relationships with everyone he has the opportunity to encounter. As president of the Michigan Funeral Directors, Dutch brought a fresh and new approach to the presidency. He engaged members of the Board of Directors to be visible in their Districts, visit each Funeral Home and engage with Members. During his year as president, Member satisfaction increased dramatically on our annual Member Satisfaction Survey, in great part due to the leadership of Dutch Nie.
Dutch has been instrumental in supporting the creation of the MFDA Leadership Academy and more recently the NFDA National Emerging Leaders Program, each dedicated to developing future leaders for the funeral service profession.
Dutch is a participative leader, a dedicated Funeral Director and an individual to be emulated by others in the profession.
He will be a great credit to NFDA".
Bruce R. Matza, Principal, INNOVATIONS in MANAGEMENT
"Dutch was one of the most effective leaders it has been my great pleasure to work with as the state association’s executive, and continues as an extraordinary leader for NFDA."
Philip K Douma
Executive Director, Michigan Funeral Directors Association
Dutch builds and enhances relationships with everyone he has the opportunity to encounter. As president of the Michigan Funeral Directors, Dutch brought a fresh and new approach to the presidency. He engaged members of the Board of Directors to be visible in their Districts, visit each Funeral Home and engage with Members. During his year as president, Member satisfaction increased dramatically on our annual Member Satisfaction Survey, in great part due to the leadership of Dutch Nie.
Dutch has been instrumental in supporting the creation of the MFDA Leadership Academy and more recently the NFDA National Emerging Leaders Program, each dedicated to developing future leaders for the funeral service profession.
Dutch is a participative leader, a dedicated Funeral Director and an individual to be emulated by others in the profession.
He will be a great credit to NFDA".
Bruce R. Matza, Principal, INNOVATIONS in MANAGEMENT
"Dutch was one of the most effective leaders it has been my great pleasure to work with as the state association’s executive, and continues as an extraordinary leader for NFDA."
Philip K Douma
Executive Director, Michigan Funeral Directors Association
Experience with NFDA and any other national funeral service organizations:
NFDA Treasurer 2021-Present
NFDA Secretary 2019-2021
NFDA At-Large Representative 2017-2019
NFDA House Operations Committee Chairman 2021-Present
NFDA Spokesperson Committee 2017-Present
NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Task Force 2019-Present
NFDA Audit Task Force 2017-Present, current Chairman
ABFSE NBE Committee 2021-Present
ABFSE Curriculum Committee 2018-2021
ICFSEB Job Task Analysis Committee 2022
NFDA Advocacy Committee 2016-Present
NFDA Disaster Preparedness Task Force 2006-2015
NFDA Professional Educational Committee 2015-2016
NFDA Mass Fatality Template for States Work Group 2015
REAL Project, Midwest Group (MI, IN, KY, IA) Participant, 2014
Experience with state and or local funeral service organizations:
MMSF Michigan Mortuary Science Foundation Trustee 2014-Present
MFDA Service Corporation Board President 2016-Present
MFDA Service Corporation Board Treasurer 2015-2016
MFDA Service Corporation Board Secretary 2014-2015
MFDA Immediate Past President 2014-2015
MFDA President 2013-2014
MFDA President Elect 2012-2013
MFDA Treasurer 2011-2012
MFDA Recording Secretary 2010-2011
MFDA Executive Committee 2010-2014
MFDA Nominating Committee 2010-2012, 2014-2016
MFDA Executive Committee 2010-2014
MFDA Continuing Education Workgroup 2015-2016
MFDA/Gift of Life Task Force 2013-2016
MFDA Audit Committee 2010-2012
MFDA District Director 2006-2010
MFDA District #2 President 2005-2006
MFDA District #2 Vice-President 2004-2005
MFDA District #2 Secretary/Treasurer 2003-2004
MFDA Member Services Committee Chair 2015-Present
MFDA Disaster Committee 2003-2008
Membership Committee 2002-2004
Michigan Mortuary Response Team (MI-MORT), Founder and Commander, 2008-2016
National Disaster Mortuary Response Team (DMORT), Mortuary Officer, 1997-2016
Experience with any other non-profit organizations:
Milan City Board of Review Committee Member 2022-Present
Milan Chamber of Commerce Board Member 2015-2017
Milan Main Street Subcommittee 2014-2016
Arbor Prep High School Board Member 2010-2013
Rotary Club of Milan, Michigan 2014-2021 (President-Elect 2016-2017)
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North 1992-2014 (President 1997-1998)
American Legion 1990-Present, Current Finance Officer
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Life member 1990-Present
NFDA Treasurer 2021-Present
NFDA Secretary 2019-2021
NFDA At-Large Representative 2017-2019
NFDA House Operations Committee Chairman 2021-Present
NFDA Spokesperson Committee 2017-Present
NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Task Force 2019-Present
NFDA Audit Task Force 2017-Present, current Chairman
ABFSE NBE Committee 2021-Present
ABFSE Curriculum Committee 2018-2021
ICFSEB Job Task Analysis Committee 2022
NFDA Advocacy Committee 2016-Present
NFDA Disaster Preparedness Task Force 2006-2015
NFDA Professional Educational Committee 2015-2016
NFDA Mass Fatality Template for States Work Group 2015
REAL Project, Midwest Group (MI, IN, KY, IA) Participant, 2014
Experience with state and or local funeral service organizations:
MMSF Michigan Mortuary Science Foundation Trustee 2014-Present
MFDA Service Corporation Board President 2016-Present
MFDA Service Corporation Board Treasurer 2015-2016
MFDA Service Corporation Board Secretary 2014-2015
MFDA Immediate Past President 2014-2015
MFDA President 2013-2014
MFDA President Elect 2012-2013
MFDA Treasurer 2011-2012
MFDA Recording Secretary 2010-2011
MFDA Executive Committee 2010-2014
MFDA Nominating Committee 2010-2012, 2014-2016
MFDA Executive Committee 2010-2014
MFDA Continuing Education Workgroup 2015-2016
MFDA/Gift of Life Task Force 2013-2016
MFDA Audit Committee 2010-2012
MFDA District Director 2006-2010
MFDA District #2 President 2005-2006
MFDA District #2 Vice-President 2004-2005
MFDA District #2 Secretary/Treasurer 2003-2004
MFDA Member Services Committee Chair 2015-Present
MFDA Disaster Committee 2003-2008
Membership Committee 2002-2004
Michigan Mortuary Response Team (MI-MORT), Founder and Commander, 2008-2016
National Disaster Mortuary Response Team (DMORT), Mortuary Officer, 1997-2016
Experience with any other non-profit organizations:
Milan City Board of Review Committee Member 2022-Present
Milan Chamber of Commerce Board Member 2015-2017
Milan Main Street Subcommittee 2014-2016
Arbor Prep High School Board Member 2010-2013
Rotary Club of Milan, Michigan 2014-2021 (President-Elect 2016-2017)
Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North 1992-2014 (President 1997-1998)
American Legion 1990-Present, Current Finance Officer
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Life member 1990-Present