Masonry Magazine February 1984 Page. 10
MCAA CONFERENCE
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the International Masonry Institute's Market Development Program.
With the aid of color slides, Lackey covered IMI's involvement in areas such as code improvement and national client programs; masonry restoration and field testing of mortars and grouts; development of computer design aids for the architectural and engineering communities: national public relations and advertising campaigns, and local/regional masonry promotion programs.
Gregg Borchelt, assisted by Freda Pongetti of the Masonry Institute of Houston/Galveston staff, gave presentations on developing marketing goals and the recently completed Houston market study.
Sunday afternoon was devoted to three executive workshops on "Legal Aspects of Local Associations," "Administrative Procedures in Local Association Management," said "Preparation of Association Newsletters." Participating in the discussions were MCAA executive vice president George A. Miller, legal counsel George Plumb, and Masonry editor Stan Misunas.
Miller emphasized the importance of proper record-keeping by associations and the filing of reports in compliance with federal and state laws. Many huge headaches can be avoided by adhering to careful administrative procedures involving not-for-profit groups and promotional funds, he said.
Plumb advised local associations to annually review their legal status so they are in compliance with state and federal regulations governing associations. "It is very important to maintain the Internal Revenue Service tax-exempt status of each local association by filing the appropriate informational tax returns," he said.
Opening Session Hears Noteworthy Speakers
MCAA's 34th International Masonry Conference officially got underway on Monday morning, January 30, in the ballroom of the Hyatt Regency. The Opening Session began with the presentation of colors by a U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by the conferees. The invocation was delivered by the Rev. John Masterson of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New Orleans.
MCAA President Donald O. Leonard presided at the session and delivered his Report of the President (see elsewhere in this issue for the complete text of his address).
The succeeding speakers were U.S. Representative John N. Erlenborn of the 13th Congressional District of Illinois, and Paul Lenchuk, president of the National Concrete Masonry Association.
Rep. Erlenborn discussed the nation's current economic situation and painted an optimistic picture. "Things have improved and will keep improving," he said. "The coming year will reflect continued growth, with inflation and unemployment going down. Inflation has been reduced by two-thirds, and interest rates are one-half of what they were three years ago.
"But," he cautioned, "if we are going to reduce government spending, we must reduce the many costly, and sometimes needless, social programs that cost a lot of money." He pointed to some 50 federally sponsored retirement programs, both civilian and military, that are now in effect. The military, for example, can retire as early as age 38 with full benefits. "Considering the cost-of-living increases the government provides, some retirees, such as those from civil service, are earning more now than when they worked," he said.
Erlenborn further discussed the huge army of lobbyists.