Three acts of kindness

Words: Jennifer MorrellLast month, the MCAA held its annual Midyear Meeting, this time in Milwaukee, Wis. — the hometown of MCAA chairman, Mark Kemp. The meeting was well attended, and everyone enjoyed the many fun and educational activities coordinated by the MCAA staff and board members.

MCAA committee and board meetings took place, along with the first-ever rounds of “Speed Dating,” which consisted of short, concise business-to-business meetings between mason contractors and manufacturers/suppliers (you’ll see more coverage on all of this in our November issue). Delicious dinners and even a Brewers game added to the Wisconsin feel. Networking, education and overall fellowship were in abundance, along with brats, cheese and beer.

Of all the takeaways from this meeting, the most important might have come from Mark during the TEAM Awards, held at the Harley Davidson Museum. In a packed room of MCAA members and TEAM Award recipients, we paused for Mark to speak before we enjoyed dinner. Mark, who is one of the most positive people I know, talked about the concept known as “Three Acts of Kindness.” In general, we all should try to do this every day. Small acts, large acts — any acts of kindness matter.

Mark is a great leader for our association and comes from a place of gratitude and positivity, with a pay-it-forward mentality. We’re lucky to have Mark and all of our MCAA staff and board members working to move the masonry industry forward every day.

If you missed this year’s meeting, you should plan to attend next year. But meanwhile, we hope you’re planning to attend the MCAA Annual Convention to be held during World of Concrete/World of Masonry in early-February 2015. It’s a week not to be missed for mason contractors and anyone in our industry.
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