Masonry Magazine June 2005 Page. 15
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Here are just a few of the things that MCAA's committee members have accomplished for the Association and the industry since the Midyear Meeting last fall. The full-length Committee Reports can be found on MCAA's web site at www.masoncontractors.ong
Education
* Revised the Masonry Foreman Development Course.
* Introduced a new Advanced Masonry Estimating Seminar.
* Will update the MCAA Resource Catalog, with scaled-back four-page paper version and a full online version.
* Experienced an increase in book sales via the web site.
* Combined educational offerings with CSI and TFM to increase opportunities for all attendees.
Legislative
* The Silica Task Force, led by MCAA, is scheduled to complete a set of alternatives to OSHA's draft silica proposal in May
* Working with the Califomia chapter to develop comments on CAL-OSHA's considered proposal to lower the PEL to one-tenth of the existing OSHA PEL
* The Association Health Plan (AHP) coalition, which includes MCAA, has made a strong pushto have AHP legislation passed this year.
* Marian Marshall, MCAA's Director of Government Affairs, has worked diligently on apprenticeship training legislation.
* The MCAA Legislative Conference in Washington, DC., will be held June 26-28. One highlight includes a special briefing at the White House just for MCAA's attendees.
* Involved in recent asbestos legislation, concerned that it may set precedence for other standards, such as silica
* Drafting a letter to OSHA requesting an interpretation of the overhand bricklaying exemption as it pertains to grouting
Marketing
* The International Excellence in Masonry competition increased submissions by 43% between 2004 and 2005
* Over the past 24 months, MCAA's web site has expanded its content by 5.000%, with a 10.000% increase in hits.
* The MasonrySystems.org campaign is also gaining momentum, with 250,000 hits to the site since its launched in October 2004.
* "Masonry: It Makes a Village" was a highlighted event at the 2006 Masonry Showcase.
* Helped the Masonry Industry Council through participation in the Federal Officials Seminar, exhibiting at World of Masonry, and a Design/Build seminar and booth at the Green Building Expo.
* Co-sponsoring the annual Professor's Workshop through The Masonry Society
Membership
* 124 new members have joined MCAA during the past fiscal year.
* Revised materials, got more members involved, and increased communications to maintain membership, yielding a 92% renewal rate to date.
* Rodesigned a new invoice, which looks more like ones fumished through accounting software that may prompt more attention.
* Will be publishing a 2005-2006 Member Directory.
Safety & Technical
* Introduced a full-scale wall bracing seminar at this year's Masonry Showcase.
* Discussing making an interactive wall bracing CD.
* Since signing the national alliance with OSHA last year, the relationship with OSHA staff has proved to be invaluable for MCAA and its members.
* Working closely with OSHA to develop training materials for MCAA members pertaining to the four key areas of the alliance.
* Developed a computerized safety program that, if followed properly, will aid contractors in implementing employee health and safety programs.
* Meeting with OSHA, NIOSH, CDC and other organizations on a variety of health and safety issues.
Workforce Development
* The "Check Out a Career in Masonry promotion continues to succeed, with over 1,300 requests from high school counselors for information.
* 100 of these counselors have requested career day presentations for their schools- five times more than the previous year,
* Will begin establishing pre-apprenticeship programs at many of these schools.
* The SkillsUSA Masonry Technical committee invited MCAA to rejoin as a full, voting member
* Using feedback from past events, the committee improved the Masonry Skills Challenge across the board.
* Planned the Fastest Trowel on the Block event this year, adding new features to the event and marketing it heavily
* The Arizona MCA and Calfomia Association will provide MCAA with the Spanish translation text of the Masonry Training Series Volumes 2 and 3 for publication and marketing
* Formed a masonry instructors subcommittee to provide a voice to this area of the industry concerning trends and instruction.
Opening Session Lunch
Opening Session
THE OPENING SESSION Lunch kicked off the Masonry Showcase convention in style with a tasteful four-course meal at the Fairmont Hotel.
MCAA President G. Alan Griffin started the afternoon's activities by giving his State of the Association address (see May 2005, pg. 14). Then, Gary Fencik, Chicago Bears Super Bowl Champ and all-time leader in interceptions and total tackles for the team, gave a rousing speech on what it takes to make a successful team and a successful business. "A successful team doesn't just happen," Fencik reminded the audience, "management makes it happen."
Annual Meeting
AT THE ANNUAL MEETING later that afternoon, MCAA executive staff and officers gave updates on the Association's achievements since the Midyear Meeting held in September in San Antonio. From the OSHA Alliance and marketing masonry to legislative and task force initiatives, MCAA has truly taken the lead in the industry. The main theme of the Annual Meeting, however, was not to linger on celebrating accomplishments of the past, but to start working on the goals of the future. Members approved the 2006 budget and a 20% dues increase for operations. Lynn Nash, Treasurer of the multi-state coali-