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I am thankful for this industry and the opportunities it has provided us over the years.
November 2019

Thankful for The Little Things

Chairman’s Message

By

Here we are in November already. Time surely flies when you are having fun.

Here we are in November already.  Time surely flies when you are having fun.  November always has me thinking about the many things I have to be thankful for.  I have a great family, friends, and have had a good career in the masonry industry that has provided a great life for us.  I attribute a lot of my success to the wisdom and guidance I have gained from fellow contractors over the years.  To each of you (I hope I have told you before), thanks.

We have a lot to be thankful for in the masonry industry.  As you saw in last month’s article about the The Masonry Foundation Awards First Grants that were distributed by The Masonry Foundation, masonry associations around the nation are doing great things to gain wall share and push workforce development.  Through the Foundation, we are able to capture and share programs that are working regionally and share throughout the nation.  A few of the ones that I am most excited to see include:

AZ Masonry Council's 2019 Direct Design Software Campaign

Although the Direct Design Software is already available through the NCMA, the grant approved for Arizona’s Masonry Council is to provide the software and training to engineers.  This will increase the awareness in the structural engineering community when designing masonry projects.  Training and support will help to increase utilization of the software.  The easier we make designing with masonry, the more likely we will continue to see it in structural wall systems.

Masonry Craft Training- NCCER connect system

The Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council, Inc. (FCMEC) is working with NCCER to expand the existing connect system to include masonry craft training.  This program will extend that availability to the masonry industry by adapting the NCCER masonry craft curriculum to a digital, Internet-based format that can be used by individuals.  The program will adapt three levels of masonry training, including safety and Level 1 basic training.  Once developed, the program can be used by masonry training programs throughout the nation. It will help guide instructors that may not have a background in masonry for the safety and classroom portion of the Level 1 training.  I am excited to see that our industry is stepping up to the table to compete in the digital world for education.



North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association Workforce Development Initiative

You have heard me brag multiple times on the success of the North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association (NCMCA) with their workforce development initiative.  They have worked with the North Carolina Community College system’s Apprenticeship North Carolina division to create the state’s first association-sponsored Masory Pre-Apprenticeship.  Allowing high school students 16 or older to work for mason contractors for a guaranteed hourly wage of at least $12.00 per hour and earn high school credit toward graduation is a win-win.  It has been such a success that approximately 100 students participated as masonry pre-apprentices during the summer of 2019.   They are sharing their “best practices” and templates for recruitment programs with sister masonry promotional groups. Our own Texas Masonry Council is sending members from the Workforce Development committee to visit North Carolina’s program this month and I look forward to getting some systems in place to help our state.

Of course, these were only a few of the grants that were approved.  Check out the The Masonry Foundation Awards First Grants for more information about our great progress as an industry.

As I said, I am thankful for this industry and the opportunities it has provided us over the years.  I pray that during this month of gratitude you are able to take time to enjoy with your loved ones.  Don’t forget to thank those that make it possible for you to enjoy this great life we have here in the United States, and for the men and women that put brick and block into the wall to build the beautiful masonry buildings we all love!

Chairman’s Message Archive

The American Dream

August 2019
The American Dream

Doing Our Part

May 2019
Doing Our Part

Preparing for D.C.

April 2019
Preparing for D.C.

Recent Updates

September 2018
Recent Updates

Masonry’s Future

August 2018
Masonry’s Future

Worthwhile Work

June 2018
Worthwhile Work

A New Beginning

February 2018
A New Beginning

Givers Gain

January 2018
Givers Gain

Things to Remember

March 2017
Things to Remember

Looking Forward

February 2017
Looking Forward

A Fresh Start

January 2017
A Fresh Start

Who Moved My Cheese?

September 2016
Who Moved My Cheese?

Giving back

December 2015
Giving back

An exciting year ahead

February 2015
An exciting year ahead

Defining success

December 2014
Defining success

Staying busy for you

August 2014
Staying busy for you

Ready for action

February 2014
Ready for action

Thanks

January 2014
Thanks

Happy holidays

December 2013
Happy holidays

MCAA Midyear update

November 2013
MCAA Midyear update

The MCAA in D.C.

August 2013
The MCAA in D.C.

A Lot Happening

July 2013
A Lot Happening

Eye opening

June 2013
Eye opening

Positive movement

March 2013
Positive movement

Headed to Vegas

February 2013
Headed to Vegas

New beginning

January 2013
New beginning

It’s finally over

December 2012
It’s finally over

My trip to the Rockies

November 2012
My trip to the Rockies

The 2012 election

October 2012
The 2012 election

Stay involved

September 2012
Stay involved

Networking

August 2012
Networking

Summer time

July 2012
Summer time

Exciting time

June 2012
Exciting time

Working for you

May 2012
Working for you

New beginnings

March 2012
New beginnings

Farewell!

February 2012
Farewell!

One more to go!

January 2012
One more to go!

Join us in Vegas

November 2011
Join us in Vegas

As the world turns

August 2011
As the world turns

A Bright Future

May 2011
A Bright Future

Tidbits From MCAA

March 2011
Tidbits From MCAA

Time Flies By

February 2011
Time Flies By

The End of the Year

December 2010
The End of the Year

Busy Times!

November 2010
Busy Times!

South of 40

October 2010
South of 40

What Are We Doing?

August 2010
What Are We Doing?

Moving Forward

March 2010
Moving Forward

A Fond Farewell

February 2010
A Fond Farewell

A New Year

January 2010
A New Year

Start the Year Strong

December 2009
Start the Year Strong

MCAA in D.C.

September 2009
MCAA in D.C.

Brick Voids

August 2009
Brick Voids

Vision 2020

February 2009
Vision 2020

State of the Association

February 2009
State of the Association

The Silver Lining

January 2009
The Silver Lining

Impact on the Hill

June 2008
Impact on the Hill

New Horizons

February 2008
New Horizons

Wrapping up Another Year

December 2007
Wrapping up Another Year

Greetings From Italy!

November 2007
Greetings From Italy!

We Need Your Help!

January 2005
We Need Your Help!

The Strength of Unity

November 2003
The Strength of Unity

Changing of the Guard

February 2002
Changing of the Guard

“The MCAA is truly trying to move the masonry industry forward.”

Thomas Cummer
Cummer Masonry, Inc.
MCAA member since 2003

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