Our Work Awaits Us… Let Us Begin!
Report of the President
By Donald Grant
For nearly two years now, the theme of my President’s message has been “Our Work Awaits US … Let Us Begin.” It seems however that our work is never done. There is always a new challenge facing us, a new issue to deal with, a new problem to solve, and always an uncertain future to contemplate.
We face ever changing problems as mason contractors. Problems from competitive systems attacking our markets, demanding customers, continuous training of employees, collections, taxes, contract negotiations, change orders, punch lists all lending to the feel of utter frustration. We look back to earlier years of when we first got into business and longed for what we remember to be the simpler days and wonder why we deal with all today’s challenges.
It seems as though that our beginnings have no end and that it never seems to be easy. We all swear that had it been this hard to run a masonry business when we started, we never would have gone into the masonry business.
But we are in the masonry business. Most of us raised families by what we earned as a contractor. We provided a good living for the families of our employees. Many of us today are still raising families and hope to have a thriving business well into the future. And we all hope to have a thriving profitable business to turn over to our children.
That’s why we must continue to work hard to meet these challenges so that we can look to the future for better times for future mason contractors. We cannot shirk from our responsibilities to build a brighter future.
Your national association, the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) has faced our industry’s problems head on. Through our membership and involvement, your association has developed programs, services and materials to help us construct the brighter future we all seek for ourselves, our families and industry.
It’s been through your financial support and involvement that the MCAA has become active enough, viable enough and committed to fight on your behalf. Individually, we cannot solve our problems, but collectively, networking with one another, we have strength to accomplish our goals.
It is at convention time, that we reflect on our MCAA’s year of accomplishment and contemplate the year ahead. Ladies and Gentleman, fellow members of the MCAA, it is my distinct honor to report to you, that once again, our Association is strong, active and engaged in building a viable masonry industry for us all.
The MCAA has had many accomplishments and during the past year, we have accomplished many of the goals we set out for our Association. Equally important, we have established new goals that will guide us in years to come.
I am pleased to report that the Mason Contractors Association of America has achieved the following.
Recruitment & Training
As a critical component of running a successful and profitable mason contracting business is the availability of a well-trained workforce for us to employ. The MCAA had led the industry in the challenge to recruit new masons and provide quality training materials for our industry’s future labor pool.
Focusing the entire industry on recruiting has been our biggest challenge and keeping the industry focused on the long-term program of recruiting new masons will continue to be our challenge.
Masonry Career Day has become the rallying point to motivate the industry to act. This past year, the MCAA held the first Masonry Career Day with great success. Not before this had the industry been focused to act in a unified fashion, contractors and suppliers jointly going to schools to promote our industry as a viable career path. The career day galvanized us with a common goal. Although, career days don’t happen on the day we designated, by having one day selected as the national masonry career day, contractors and suppliers are motivated to establish their career day plans. We look forward to our second masonry career day which is February 27.
As contractors, we are short-term results oriented. We see results of our labors immediately as our buildings are completed. Unfortunately, recruiting our workforce is painfully slow. We must not become impatient or lose sight of our ultimate goal – a well-trained and qualified workforce.
Training Series
Our Masonry Training Series continues to gain acceptance and use. It is by far the most complete and comprehensive training manual for our industry. To meet further industry need, the MCAA is making plans to develop a Spanish version of our training series. We hope to have our Spanish series on the market in time for the fall school season later this year.
VICA
The MCAA continues to be committed to an integral part of the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America’s masonry program. This past year, 45 students from around the country completed in Kansas City to build the best masonry project. MCAA has brought the two winners here to Charlotte. They will be demonstrating their winning skills on the Expo show floor.
New Training Programs
The MCAA has targeted thirteen cities around the country in which no apprenticeship or training programs exist. It is our hope to assist in establishing local apprenticeship and training programs in those areas. This is an important part of insuring that we meet the challenge of developing a larger workforce. After all, if young people are interested in our industry, we must have the educational outlets available to train them.
Lastly, we have partnered with the Washington Conference of Mason Contractors to develop a Foreman Training Program. The pilot program is being run here at the MCAA Conference. As contractors, we must support this program fully. Our supervisory employees can make or break many of our projects and indirectly our companies. We must invest the time and money to train our foremen. We must resist the temptation to short cut their management training or worse, skip it entirely and just send them out to manage crews without the necessary skills.
Legislative Action
Government intervention in our business is one area that alone, we as contractors can do little about. OSHA regulations, taxes and other government requirements handcuff our abilities to manage our companies the way we choose. The MCAA’s involvement in the legislative process has grown steadily over the past five years.
Last year, the MCAA and its members were one of the major participants in a Construction Industry Legislative Conference. Five construction associations met in Washington to educate our elected officials on issues impacting construction. The Board has agreed to conduct our own legislative conference later this spring. By conducting the Masonry Industry Legislative Conference, it is our hope to focus members on Congress on issues affecting mason contractors and small business needs.
Simply meeting with our elected officials is not enough. We must help to elect more Representatives and Senators that support our issues. For this reason, the MCAA PAC has set a goal of $35,000 which will be given to the federal candidates who support our position. The MCAA PAC dollars are not association dollars. Nor are they your membership dues dollars. PAC revenues are personal contributions members’ give. I would urge all of you to contribute to the MCAA PAC.
Safety
A safe working environment is a way of life for anyone in construction. Responsible mason contractors spend thousands of dollars to train their workers in safety, because it is the smart thing to do. The MCAA has invested significant association resources to develop safety programs and materials to help your firm work safe. This year, the MCAA has completed Part II of our forklift training manual. This new addition is the “hands on” portion of forklift training that will help meet OSHA’s new forklift training requirement.
In addition, we have added six modules to our safety training topics. The new modules cover scaffold safety and silicosis-fall protection.
Lastly, the MCAA partnered with the ASA and Intec to offer our members a comprehensive computer safety software. This easy to use program has everything a contractor needs to meet OSHA requirements. It will be demonstrated in our booth at Masonry Expo. I encourage you to stop by for a demonstration.
Technical
This past year we have established a technical committee to collect, evaluate and disseminate all pertinent technical information gathered from organizations that effect the mason contractors. To meet the needs for the high tech 21st century the modern mason contractor must be more aware of any changes in construction standards for masonry which will effect his job quality and performance. Your Association has representatives and officers on the Council for Masonry Research (CMR), Masonry Alliance for Codes and Standards (MACS), the IMI, the ASTM, the Masonry Standards Joint Committee and just recently the formation of a task force to develop a standard practice for bracing of masonry walls during construction. A seminar is being presented with these new guidelines at our convention. Never before has the magnitude and involvement of the industry been so focused on seeking a solution to a masonry construction challenge. We owe a debt of gratitude to the volunteers serving on this task group for addressing this critical issue.
MCAA Conference & Masonry Expo
The MCAA Conference and Masonry Expo continues to be the pinnacle of activity for both the MCAA and the masonry industry. Masonry Expo, a partnering of the NCMA and the MCAA has seen steady growth through mutual goals and objectives. Our conference and Expo offers contractors exceptional educational programs, product comparisons, and thousands of dollars of cost savings. It pays to attend each year. These are just a few of the compelling reasons for all mason contractors to make attending our conference and Expo a yearly priority.
Member Communication
Keeping members informed of everything the Association is doing on their behalf is an important function. With so many new programs and services being added and existing programs being expanded, keeping members informed is a never ending task. Two publications that have improved this past year is “Masonry” Magazine and our newsletter “Update.” Both of these publications have become invaluable in promoting the MCAA and its programs. These publications have also become invaluable as an educational tool for mason contractors.
Association Growth
Making everything that the MCAA does possible, is due to the steady growth in membership. Our Association has had net membership growth for more than six years and this current year we anticipate another year of net membership growth. We have also established new chapter ties in Southern Illinois and the Nation’s Capital and we have targeted thirteen new chapter locations. In addition to new chapters, we have forged closer ties with our backbone, our existing chapters. Because it is through strong chapters that we will be able to accomplish greater goals.
Helping to build a stronger chapter network, we have just completed a “Chapter Operations Manual” which assists new chapters form and existing chapters improve their service to members.
Future
A national association’s main purpose is to set the agendas, the goals established through a long range of objectives established by committee work. National associations cannot accomplish anything without the strong support of its members and chapter network. Effective associations rely on its network to implement the vision. With a strong network of members and chapters, and a steady growth of involvement of our members the MCAA is enabled to set the highest goals and standards for the industry.
I am proud to be a part of the MCAA. I am honored to have served as your President these past two years. I would like to thank my fellow Senior Officers, Donald Larsen, Mike Johnston and Bill McConnell for sharing their time and support. I would also like to thank our Regional Vice Presidents Frank Campitelli, Alan Griffin, Robert Schuerman, Fred Kinateder, John Smith, Sr, Robert Fenimore, Ken Thompson, Rennie Tejeda and Robert Barkshire and Committee Chairmen Richard Matthews, Richard Felice, Paul Clements, Doug Nichols, Roy Swindal, Buddie Barnes, Mark Larsen, Ed Boettcher, III, Mariano “Skip” DiGiovanni, and John Smith, Jr. who have unselflessly dedicated themselves to making the MCAA such a driving force in the industry. And lastly, I would like to thank the entire MCAA Board, members and the dedicated MCAA staff for helping the MCAA accomplish all that we have.
Most of all I want to thank you, the members, for allowing me to represent you. I enjoyed my experience during a very exciting period of time. “It was the best of times: It was the worst of times.” We had an expanding market with fewer qualified craftsmen. Thank you for allowing me to serve this wonderful profession we have chosen and to lead the MCAA which is the glue that binds the masonry industry together.
Finally, I’d like to share with you a phrase I heard many years ago. It goes… Success comes in cans-failure in cant’s. The success of this organization will be determined by how many of the “cans” can be filled by our members. It takes “cans” from all of us to advance our association, our industry, ourselves. So as the baton is passed, I wish the new officers success in their tenure and pledge my assistance to them in achieving the goals and objectives of our Association.
Our work awaits us…let us begin!
Chairman’s Message Archive

November 2019
Thankful for The Little Things

October 2019
Here’s to Another Successful Midyear 2019

September 2019
Texas Masonry Council: The Legacy

August 2019
The American Dream

July 2019
2019 Legislative Conference Recap

June 2019
Safety Doesn’t Happen on Accident

May 2019
Doing Our Part

April 2019
Preparing for D.C.

March 2019
More Than a Little Luck

February 2019
Show Your Love For The Industry

December 2018
The Opportunities are Endless

November 2018
2018 MCAA Midyear Meeting Recap

October 2018
Every Person’s Potential

September 2018
Recent Updates

August 2018
Masonry’s Future

July 2018
An Offer You Can’t Refuse

June 2018
Worthwhile Work

May 2018
Masonry All Around

April 2018
We’re Washington Bound

March 2018
The Changing Tide And Road Ahead

February 2018
A New Beginning

January 2018
Givers Gain

December 2017
The Reason for the Season

November 2017
Always, Always, Always Something To Be Thankful For

October 2017
Another Exciting Midyear Meeting

September 2017
Learning From North Carolina

August 2017
Let’s Help Close The Skills Gap

June 2017
Calculating Your Return on Investment

May 2017
Sweet Tea and Grits

April 2017
Silica, Auctions and Policy

March 2017
Things to Remember

February 2017
Looking Forward

January 2017
A Fresh Start

December 2016
Making Our Industry Stronger

November 2016
MCAA Midyear Meeting Does Not Disappoint

October 2016
Have You Made Your Pledge to the Foundation?

September 2016
Who Moved My Cheese?

August 2016
Get Ready for MCAA’s Midyear Meeting

July 2016
Making a Difference

June 2016
Southern Hospitality

May 2016
The 2016 MCAA Legislative Conference

April 2016
MCAA: Looking out for your interests

March 2016
Let’s share our passion!

February 2016
Thanks for letting me give back

January 2016
A week of masonry you can’t miss

December 2015
Giving back

November 2015
A successful Midyear Meeting in the Florida Keys

October 2015
Seeing the future before our eyes

September 2015
Join us for the Midyear Meeting

August 2015
The MCAA Midyear Meeting is approaching

July 2015
Spread the Word: Masonry Doesn’t Burn

June 2015
Busy on ‘The Hill’ for you

May 2015
Progress in the making

April 2015
A voice in Washington

March 2015
Another successful Convention in Vegas

February 2015
An exciting year ahead

January 2015
MCAA Convention is approaching

December 2014
Defining success

November 2014
Coming together for our industry

September 2014
Hitting the road and making a difference

August 2014
Staying busy for you

July 2014
MCAA Midyear Meeting approaching

June 2014
MCAA staying busy and making progress

May 2014
Be a voice in your industry

April 2014
The MCAA is on the move

March 2014
It’s all about helping each other

February 2014
Ready for action

January 2014
Thanks

December 2013
Happy holidays

November 2013
MCAA Midyear update

October 2013
Ushering in a busy fall season

September 2013
Workforce a familiar friend

August 2013
The MCAA in D.C.

July 2013
A Lot Happening

June 2013
Eye opening

May 2013
Why not be a member?

April 2013
First South of 40 Conference

March 2013
Positive movement

February 2013
Headed to Vegas

January 2013
New beginning

December 2012
It’s finally over

November 2012
My trip to the Rockies

October 2012
The 2012 election

September 2012
Stay involved

August 2012
Networking

July 2012
Summer time

June 2012
Exciting time

May 2012
Working for you

April 2012
Join us in D.C. next month

March 2012
New beginnings

February 2012
Farewell!

January 2012
One more to go!

December 2011
The life of a mason contractor

November 2011
Join us in Vegas

October 2011
The Future is Around the Corner

September 2011
This ole cowboy is excited!

August 2011
As the world turns

July 2011
Update From the President

June 2011
The Strong Spirit of our Industry

May 2011
A Bright Future

April 2011
Springtime Updates from MCAA

March 2011
Tidbits From MCAA

February 2011
Time Flies By

January 2011
The MCAA Convention: A Priceless Experience

December 2010
The End of the Year

November 2010
Busy Times!

October 2010
South of 40

September 2010
Get Involved on All Levels

August 2010
What Are We Doing?

July 2010
Have a Great Summer

June 2010
Adding Dollars to the Bottom Line

May 2010
MCAA Key Accomplishments 2009-2010

May 2010
The Government is Working, 24-7

April 2010
MCAA is Working for the Mason Contractor

March 2010
Moving Forward

February 2010
A Fond Farewell

January 2010
A New Year

December 2009
Start the Year Strong

November 2009
The Greening of our Industry

October 2009
A Successful Midyear Meeting

September 2009
MCAA in D.C.

August 2009
Brick Voids

July 2009
Vision 2020 Moving Forward

June 2009
Success On The Hill

May 2009
Show Your Support Through Membership

March 2009
On a Positive Note...

February 2009
Vision 2020

February 2009
State of the Association

January 2009
The Silver Lining

December 2008
How Is Your Business Doing?

November 2008
Fastest Trowel on the Block

October 2008
Thoughts on the 2008 Election

September 2008
Industry Cooperation for Positive Change

August 2008
Networking: Not Just a Buzz Word

June 2008
Impact on the Hill

April 2008
Join Us Next Month in D.C.

March 2008
Were you at the World of Masonry in January?

February 2008
New Horizons

January 2008
State of the Association

January 2008
Thanks for an Enjoyable Term as President

December 2007
Wrapping up Another Year

November 2007
Greetings From Italy!

October 2007
MCAA, World of Masonry Join Forces

September 2007
MCAA Looking to Expand Masonry Markets

August 2007
Certification: Good Efforts and Bad Rumors

July 2007
Positive Changes on the Horizon

June 2007
MCAA Appoints New Executive Director

April 2007
Isn’t It Time You Joined With Us?

February 2007
Advancing Masonry in a Global Economy

February 2007
Certification Can Strengthen Our Markets

January 2007
A New Battle Rages in Washington

December 2006
National Initiatives Will Build a Stronger Industry

October 2006
Totally Engaged in Washington

September 2006
MCAA's Skills Competitions Create Enthusiasm for Training

August 2006
Heeding Huckabee's Call for Action

July 2006
MCAA Membership Can Pay Real Dividends

April 2006
I Can't Wait To Get Started!

March 2006
Coming Together to Advance the Industry

February 2006
Coming Together to Expand Our Opportunities

January 2006
Strategic Planning Creates Successful Future

December 2005
The work of the Construction Industry Silica Task Force

November 2005
It's Time You Joined the MCAA

September 2005
Volunteerism Advances America and Our Industry

April 2005
Advancing the Masonry Industry

March 2005
Strong Reasons to Go to Masonry Showcase

February 2005
Contractors Taking the Promotion Initiative

January 2005
We Need Your Help!

December 2004
Elections 2004: An Interesting Political Year

November 2004
The Internet is Opening New Doors for Contractors

October 2004
Mason Contractors + Specifiers = Construct America

September 2004
Your Influence Can Impact the Election

June 2004
Stepping Up to Sell Masonry Systems

April 2004
New Challenges Await Us!

April 2004
The State of the Association

February 2004
The MCAA: Getting Plugged into Washington

January 2004
Contractors Organize to Tackle Promotion

November 2003
The Strength of Unity

September 2003
Military Construction: Traditional Masonry or Modern Design

June 2003
Partnership with CSI Benefits Industry

April 2003
Strength Through Advocacy

February 2003
A New Year, a New Congress and a New Outlook

January 2003
Masonry Showcase ... Take Your Business Further

December 2002
Let's Not Lose Sight of Training

November 2002
MCAA Is Working Hard On Your Behalf

August 2002
Phoenix ... Rising From the Ashes

July 2002
Industry Beginning To Think Together

May 2002
Industry Training at a Crossroads

April 2002
Coming Together As Contractors

March 2002
A Steadying Force in Uncertain Times

February 2002
Changing of the Guard

January 2002
Associate Members Play a Key Role in Industry

February 2000
A Half Century of Service...A Half Century of Leadership

January 2000
Fifty Years of Serving the Masonry Industry

March 1993
Meeting the Challenges Ahead

February 1961
A Message from Stephen D. Raimo