Masonry Magazine July 1976 Page. 17
IMI FUNDING CONCEPT & AFFILIATION
PLAN ANNOUNCED AT VICTORIA MEETING
Two major announcements involving the future of masonry industry promotion in North America were made at the Sixth Annual Promotion Meeting of the International Masonry Institute, June 20-23rd, Empress Hotel, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The theme was "Progress through: COOPERATION/COORDINATION"
In an opening day session titled "New Directions For Masonry Promotion In The U.S. & Canada", IMI Chairman David B. Soloff, Jr., announced that IMI's funding base of 1¢ an hour for each hour worked by masonry craftsmen, where IMI is in the collective bargaining agreement of contractor and craftsmen, would now be encouraged at the rate of 2¢ an hour. He pointed out the growing need for expansion of IMI funding to bring about masonry instruction in schools of architecture and engineering, to develop on-going network radio and television advertising and other such priorities. He stated that since IMI was formed six years ago, inflation has eaten away one-third of every penny received.
Also announced by the IMI Board was a wide-ranging plan establishing minimum standards for the operation of local masonry promotion institutes and a policy statement concerning requirements to be met by such groups to become official affiliates of IMI. Participating with Chairman Soloff in the discussion of the new IMI policy, which was interpreted as a progressive step that will strengthen local-regional promotion groups and the entire industry, were: George A. Miller, Executive Vice President of the Mason Contractors Association of America; John T. Joyce, Secretary of the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftsmen (BAC); and L. G. Carlisle, Director of the BAC Collective Bargaining Department.
Another business session involved IMI Executive Director Neal English and Ray Lackey, Senior V.P. of IMI's PR-Ad agency, Henry Kaufman & Associates. Titled "IMI's 1976 Program," it reported in-depth on the many programs underway and planned by IMI to create more work opportunities for mason contractors and craftsmen, and thus all in the masonry industry.
IMI Chairman David Soloff, Jr., addresses the opening session of the Sixth Annual Promotion Meeting.
While the nationwide Canadian air strike prevented a number of delegates from getting to Western Canada, many did manage to get there by planes, cars and ships from as far away as Maryland, Ontario, Hawaii, Texas and other distant points. Due to the strike, returning home proved even more difficult. Delegates and wives found it necessary to arrange transportation off Vancouver Island by ships and small, private planes which were being chartered for emergency transportation to the nearest U.S. city -Seattle, Washington.
Never-the-less, the majority of masonry industry leaders directly involved with, or concerned about, promotion of job opportunities attended and participated in the three-day meeting. In opening the meeting, IMI Chairman Soloff.
Opening session of the 1976 Promotion Meeting held at the Empress Hotel, Victoria, B.C. where delegates and their wives heard IMI's New Directions For Masonry Promotion in the United States and Canada.