Masonry Magazine May 2004 Page. 15
Annual Meeting
The voice of the mason contractor was heard loud and clear during the MCAA Annual Membership Meeting, held on the second day of the convention. From Committee Reports on initiatives throughout the past year to discussions of future projects, members proved that they're in it for the long-haul and are fighting every step of the way for their industry (see the "Committee Reports" sidebar at right).
Election of Officers
After two years of determination and hard work, Bill McConnell passed the leadership of the MCAA to the new President, G. Alan Griffin. McConnell has played an instrumental role in expanding the Association and moving the Association into the position of being regarded as a key leader in the masonry industry. Griffin will continue to pursue many of the goals that McConnell and the MCAA staff have set forth for the Association, as well as some new goals of his own (see page 6).
The new elected officers of MCAA are as follows:
**President**
G. Alan Griffin, Griffin Contractors, Inc., Morganton, N.C.
**Vice President**
Frank Campitelli, Baltimore Masonry, Inc., Eldersburg, Md.
**Secretary**
Tom Daniel, GBC Concrete & Masonry, Lake Elsinore, Calif.
**Treasurer**
Mackie Bounds, Brazos Masonry, Inc., Waco, Texas
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Here is just a taste of some of the things that MCAA and its members have completed over the past year, as well as the strides they are making for the industry in 2004. The full-length Committee Reports can be found at MCAA's web site (www.masoncontractors.org).
**Education**
* Sold out the 2004 Foreman Development course.
* Looking to update the Masonry Quality Institute.
* The MCAA Resource Catalog will be updated this year.
* MCAA has experienced an increase in book sales via the web site.
**Legislative**
* Leading the charge on OSHA's draft proposals on exposure to silica and hexavalent chromium.
* Working to get Associated Health Plans passed, as well as legislation that will provide a tax credit to defray the cost of apprenticeship training.
* Continuing to work with the Federal Access Board concerning use of pavers for pedestrian access routes.
* MCAA signed an alliance with OSHA focusing on fall protection, scaffolding, forklift safety and wall bracing (For more information, see page 46).
* Pressing the Department of Defense for a more standardized method of lifecycle costing
* Pushed OSHA into rewriting the directive concerning leaving materials on scaffolding at the end of the workday.
**Membership**
* Introduced a four-color prospect brochure promoting the key advantages of MCAA membership.
* Will create a new Membership Manager position for MCAA this year.
* Looking to revise the outdated membership video.
**Safety & Technical**
* Assisted in the OSHA-MCAA alliance and the OSHA material storage on scaffolding issue.
* Worked out a compromise with OSHA concerning the Scaffolding Access through Integral Ladders
* The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has asked MCAA to sit on a planning committee to develop a "Best Practices" document that will help masons avoid muskoskeletal disorders.
* The Council for Masonry Research is researching masonry design boundary limits.
* The Masonry Standards Joint Committee has completed all new issues for the 2005 Code cycle.
* Held the Masonry Wall Bracing Design Course educational seminar at the new MCAA National Headquarters.
**Workforce Development**
* Launched the High School Recruitment Campaign.
* Made changes to the International Masonry Skills Challenge.
* Introduced the Masonry Career Training database on MCAA's web site.
**Marketing**
* Expanded MCAA's web site and hired Tim O'Toole, MCAA's Manager of Website Development.
* Signed a partnership agreement to co-locate Masonry Showcase with the Construction Specifications Institute's Construct America show in 2005.
* Working with the Masonry Institute of Washington to advance the "Masonry: It Makes a Village" program.