Masonry Magazine May 2009 Page. 12
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Tom Daniel
President
Mason Contractors Association of America
Show Your Support Through Membership
As president of the MCAA, I am often asked why one would want to be a member, and what one gets out of a membership. Many times, it is difficult to explain intangible benefits (benefits you receive without seeing a direct impact to your bottom line). Getting contractors to understand this is, sometimes, difficult. Many MCAA activities benefit contractors throughout the country. Whether or not they are members, companies that do not participate hurt the rest of the industry indirectly through their lack of support.
The lack of support is actually harmful to our industry. The more support the MCAA has, the more resources and the greater the impact we have as an organization. One such example of this is an annual trip and event hosted by the MCAA that I am preparing to attend: the spring Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. This is one of the many activities in which the organization participates. If you do not participate, it weakens our efforts. We will be on Capitol Hill to express our industries needs and state our positions on issues that have an impact on your bottom line. Ultimately, if we are heard and our positions are successful (as some have been in the past), our entire industry will benefit from our efforts.
Some may wonder if their lack of attendance will affect the conference. One of the very first questions we are asked when we sit down with our elected representatives is the number of companies our organization represents. Our answer will set the tone for the remainder of the meeting and, typically, will impact our ability to reach out and be effective with the elected official. Your support strengthens our position in D.C. We will be presenting multiple positions on behalf of our industry.
We will be fighting to repeal and/ or reform the Estate Tax (a critical issue to family-owned businesses).
We are looking to repeal a 3% government withholding tax, which goes into effect in 2011 on all government work unless it is repealed.
We are looking to fight for a fair process when OSHA implements a silica issue in the near future.
We will be asking for sensible immigration reform.
We will be asking for higher lifecycle requirements where military construction is taking place.
COMING IN JUNE 2009
Be sure to catch the June 2009 issue of Masonry, which will feature articles covering current trends and examining industry issues, including:
CLEANING EQUIPMENT
We will discuss the three ingredients needed for successful clean down of masonry buildings: people, products, and equipment.
CONNECTORS, ANCHORS AND FASTENERS
Masonry takes a look at how seismic issues are addressed by the CAF industry.
SAFETY
Everything you need to know about fall protection for scaffolding and mobile platforms.
For advertising information, contact
Marvin Diamond
770.431.0867, ext. 208
Toll-free: 888.303.5639
E-mail: marvin@lionhrtpub.com
10 MASONRY May 2009 www.masoncontractors.org
MCAA
New Members
The Mason Contractors Association of America is proud to welcome the following new members to the Association. MCAA would like to take this opportunity to thank them for joining their fellow mason contractors nationwide in helping to build a strong masonry industry. MCAA's members look forward to a long affiliation with their firms.
Pond Masonry, Inc.
3141 Military Road
Haynesville, Maine 04497
Class A
John McBride Construction Company, Inc.
PO Box 370
Centerton, Ark. 72719
Class C
Stone Craft, Inc.
PO Box 476
Woodbury, Conn. 06798
Class A
Push Button Masonry
9872B Kapp Court
Peosta, lowa 52068
National Associate
If your company is interested in becoming a member of the Mason Contractors Association of America as a contractor, supplier, or instructor, please contact MCAA at (800) 536-2225, or complete an application at www.masoncontractors.org
We will be looking for a permanent fix to the alternative minimum tax, which will affect many small businesses if it is not changed.
Our annual legislative conference is just one of many events with which the MCAA is involved. Other important issues include ASTM, MSJC, and fighting for exemptions to OSHA-created rules that simply do not work in our industry. Obviously, these fights would go better with you than without; I would ask if you are not a member that you please consider becoming one today. Look for a report on this year's conference in the next issue of Masonry magazine. I will also let you know how my appointments went and give you an insider's look at the conference. IMAS
The Voice of the Masonry Industry