Masonry Magazine April 2004 Page. 8
President's Message
New Challenges Await Us!
Alan Griffin
President, Mason Contractors Association of America
On March 21, I was honored to be elected as President of the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), and the first President from the state of North Carolina. What a humbling experience it was to receive the trust of my fellow members and to follow a long line of very strong MCAA leaders. As I sit back and marvel at the tremendous achievements that my predecessors have attained, I wonder if I will measure up and match the level of accomplishments that have come before me. After all, the Association has grown at a remarkable rate over the past decade.
It is reassuring to know that my path of leadership has been laid before me through the MCAA's Long Range Strategic Plan that has been developed and continually updated by our Association's Board and staff.
As I reviewed the strategic vision that was recently revised at our Annual Meeting in March, I saw a tremendous challenge still awaiting our Association and industry. I am excited about the MCAA's plans to market masonry systems and gain greater market share in areas such as schools, municipal construction and light industrial. Never before has such a strong national mason contractor association promotional campaign been attempted. We are breaking new ground with this landmark campaign.
We also face mounting challenges in our nation's Capitol where efforts to minimize our prosperous future appear almost daily. Silica, ergonomics and other regulatory attacks will need to be faced head-on by our staff and members. Building codes and the growing concern from the move to green-friendly materials pose yet more challenges to our Association.
Fortunately, the MCAA developed a strategy to deal with each and every challenge facing our industry. Never before have we been so prepared to deal with every issue. The only question is resources: financial resources to fund the programs and campaigns that will protect the health and vitality of our industry and members. Our principle source of revenue is from membership dues. I would venture to guess that some of you reading this article are not members of the MCAA. Some of you believe that if you are a member of a local association, then your dues support the national association. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
What a humbling experience it was to receive the trust of my fellow members and to follow a long line of very strong MCAA leaders.
I would urge you all to visit our web site (www.masoncontractors.org) and review the benefits of being a member of the MCAA and what we can do for you. Then join our Association and help fund the programs that will provide you with better opportunities for a more profitable future.
Join the MCAA today! Visit www.masoncontractors.org, or call (800) 536-2225.
Masonry
April 2004
www.masoncontractors.org