We're glad you have an interest in hosting a statewide Maine Old Cemetery Association (MOCA) meeting. Meetings are held throughout the state three times a year - usually in spring, summer, and early fall. We try to vary the locations so that all three meetings for a given year are not in the same geographic area.

Host Group Responsibilities

Facility

Supply a meeting facility that is preferably handicap-accessible and will comfortably seat 75-100 people. MOCA will need several long tables for registration, membership, cemetery-related displays, and merchandise. Please make us aware ahead of time if there is a facility fee before committing to host. If the facility does not require a specific fee, MOCA will make a donation the host group.

Refreshments

Provide coffee and breakfast snack items available for registration and morning break time. MOCA and the host group split the $5 per person registration fee.  However, if this is not enough to cover the costs incurred by the hosting group, MOCA will make up the difference. We want hosting a meeting to benefit your group.

Lunch

Provide a soup/sandwich, dessert, and beverage-type lunch, typically in the $8-10 range. Other suggestions which we have had are make your own sandwich with side salads, assorted pizzas, or hot dishes (quiches, lasagnas, or a church supper style assortment of casseroles and side dishes).  The full amount goes to the host group. In the event a lunch cannot be provided, we can advise those attending to bring their own lunch. Often, providing the lunch is a good fundraising project for a local group.

Speakers

The host group provides one or more speakers for the morning sessions and someone to lead the afternoon tour of a local cemetery. For added interest, cemetery tour guides are encouraged to share the histories of some of those buried in the cemeteries. Whenever possible, we ask that an alternate afternoon activity, such as a museum or historical society facility, be available for those who are not able to navigate the cemetery’s terrain or in case of rain. 

The morning speakers typically talk about the history of the area, local legends, notable people, and the cemeteries. Other topics of interest are mourning customs, funeral home records and stories, cemetery mapping and records, cemetery projects and discoveries, and laws relating to cemeteries. The MOCA program coordinator is the Vice President and is available for consultation and suggestions. She/he may have a program idea/topic/theme or even speakers available for a specific topic.

• MOCA may promote the hosting organization's book, fundraising, membership, etc. during the same calendar year in which the MOCA event was scheduled.
• For profit business/vendor booths will not be permitted at MOCA meetings other than for the featured speaker(s) or the hosting organization per MOCA policy. 

Please contact us for additional information, suggestions and tips, and/or to begin planning to host a MOCA meeting.