Masonry Magazine September 2010 Page. 10
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Mackie Bounds
President
Mason Contractors Association of America
Get Involved on All Levels
I know we are all busy trying to get busy, and times are tough. At the same time, there are so many positive things happening, and it gives me great hope for the future. Each of us have already or are now making adjustments in our businesses, so we can better handle the current conditions. This also will enable us to do better when the good times come back. In addition, our association is working for us in a manner that will make the good times even better! That is all exciting!
After attending a great Mid-Year Meeting in Chicago and returning from our State Convention for the Texas Masonry Council, we still have work to do to get our message out. This is a huge task, but I am determined to continue speaking about the value that the MCAA brings to the contractor. Some of you may think you don't need the MCAA. I have asked many of you what makes the AGC so strong. You answered that there is a local, state and national association, and they all work together.
We, the Mason Contractors, can do the same. The local and state associations are equally as important as the MCAA. Each one is able to do for us what the other cannot. The MCAA is working with the federal government on legislation to increase our market share. We are working on safety issues with OSHA, technical issues, through ASTM, workforce development, certification programs, and the list continues to grow. Our partner, NCMA, and we have information that can be used by teams around the country as we call on our city councilmen and local school board members as we grow our market share.
There is no need for local or state associations to reinvent the wheel when the information is already there. Now, if we could get every region of the Brick Industry Association to participate with Vision 20/20, things will get even better. I must say I am disappointed with the lack of participation on the national level, but, hopefully, they will decide soon to be a part of a united industry working together for the same cause.
I want to encourage every mason contractor in the country to join at every level: local, state and the MCAA, and we will be successful. Even though we do great things through the MCAA, your local and state associations can give you things that we can't. Until we are members of all three, we will be missing valuable information. I say from my own experience here at home, the Central Texas Mason Contractors and Texas Masonry Council bring great value to us, along with the MCAA. Until next time, this old cowboy says, "Shoot for the moon and, even if you miss, you will land among the stars!" IMAS
COMING IN OCTOBER 2010
Be sure to catch the October 2010 issue of Masonry, which will feature articles covering current trends and examining industry issues, including
HARDSCAPING CASE STUDIES
Learn from others' experiences as we study hardscaping projects from start to finish. Best practices are shared as we discuss overcoming challenges, planning and scheduling, technique and method and products.
HARDSCAPING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
While the assortment of hardscaping tools and equipment is often diverse, we will focus on saws and blades, and the role of these essential tools in masonry hardscaping.
PAVERS
A look at the paver industry, and how mason contractors can expand their businesses by going into segmental paving.
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MCAA
New Members
The Mason Contracton Association of America is proud to welcome the following new members to the Association, MCAA like to take this opportunity to thank them for joining their fellow mason contractors nationwide in helping to build a stronge masonry industry. MCAAs members look forward to a long afilia tion with their firms
Central Mortar and Grout, LLC
1300 South 43rd Street East
Muskogee, OK 74403
(918) 683-3003
Local Supplier
T.V. John and Son, Inc.
5201 North 124th Street
Butler, WI 53007
(262) 781-9304
Class B
If your company is interested in becoming a member of Mason Contractors Association of America as a contracte supplier or instructor, please contact MCAA at (800) 536-222 or complete an application at www.masoncontractors.org.