Masonry Magazine January 1971 Page.23
IMI trustees and advisors map masonry promotion plans at board meeting in Washington.
From left foreground reading clockwise: George W. King and John T. Joyce, advisors; Neal English, executive director, Thomas F. Murphy, advisor, Donald R. Bidwell, chairman; David Soloff, Jr., trustee; Charles F. Velardo, secretary, Eugene George, trustee, and George A. Miller, assistant secretary.
IMI Off To Fast Start
Growth of the International Masonry Institute (IMI), which is the masonry industry's trust fund for promotion, is exceeding expectations, according to Donald R. Bidwell, IMI Chairman. He said IMI development is ahead of schedule in great part due to the number of MCAA Chapters and mason contractors who have amended their collective bargaining agreements with BM&PIU Locals. "This relatively simple and quick way of negotiating for IMI support has been most effective," he pointed out. "As a result," he said, "financial contributions began flowing to IMI earlier than anticipated. This has enabled fast action in getting national promotion underway to increase work opportunities in the masonry industry," the IMI Chairman stated.
IMI was officially launched in January of this year with leadership from MCAA President Allen Young, and BM&PIU's President Thomas F. Murphy. Bidwell, a Michigan contractor, serves as IMI Chairman with four other contractor Trustees, and five Advisors composed of the BM&PIU Executive Board and Research Director. The Trustees are: Bidwell, Chairman, of Plymouth, Michigan; Charles F. Velardo, Secretary, of Newton Highlands, Mass., George A. Miller, Assistant Secretary, of Chicago, III., Eugene George of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada; and David B. Soloff, Jr., of Chattanooga, Tenn.
"IMI experience to date," according to Bidwell, "makes it clear that there is no longer a question whether or not IMI will work. It is working, and the important thing now is to keep up the momentum so promotional activities can be expanded."
Regional Action Needed
He urges the smaller localities, near metropolitan areas currently supporting IMI, to seriously consider banding together into regional promotion efforts with support also provided for IMI. For example, in the Detroit area, which includes Mt. Clemens, Pontiac, and Wyandotte in local and IMI promotion, efforts are now underway to go statewide. Bidwell indicated that while most of the major cities are (Continued on page 38)
Thomas F. Murphy, left, BM & PIU president and IMI advisor, and Donald R. Bidwell, Michigan mason contractor and chairman of IMI's Board of Trustees, review "Walls to Save Dollars." IMI's promotion booklet detailing the cost advantages of masonry construction.