Mason Contractors Association of America
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The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is the national trade association representing masonry contractors and suppliers in national legislative and political affairs, codes and standards composition, workforce development, education, market promotion and general industry advocacy.
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[edit] About the Mason Contractors Association of America
The Mason Contractors Association of America represents the needs of the industry mason contractors. Through strong programs, publications and services the MCAA promotes the interests of its members. By promoting the use of masonry, influencing reasonable codes and standards, work force development and public affairs, the association actively advances the use of masonry. In addition, the MCAA promotes recruits and assists in training of the industries workforce, impacts federal legislative and standard issues affecting contractors and provides educational programs for the key employees of member firms.
The Mason Contractors Association of America has a full time staff in Washington D.C. representing the interests of MCAA members. The Association works closely with key members of Congress, federal departments such as the Department of Labor, and with the Administration to advocate your interests. In addition to strong government affairs effort, the Association supports candidates for federal office through MAC PAC, their political action committee. By contributing to campaigns, the Association has been successful in electing candidates who are mindful of our industry's concerns.
The Association works to promote the use of masonry products to our industry customers. MCAA actively advertises in trade association publications, promotes technical publications and technical seminars and markets their web site and monthly magazine Masonry. The MCAA has also spearheaded the industry-wide promotion campaign MasonrySystems.org, the premier source for architects and specifiers designing with masonry.
MCAA fights for friendlier building codes and standards for the mason contractor and designer. MCAA is active in code arenas such as the ASTM, MSJC, ASCE, and the IBC. MCAA acts to represent the interests of their members and mason contractors in general.
Each year, MCAA conducts the MCAA Convention, featuring the annual meeting, as well as strong educational programming. The MCAA offers numerous networking opportunities where mason contractors can learn first hand from the industry's leading mason contractors. At the MCAA Convention, and throughout the year, the Association conducts various classes, targeted toward mason contractors. Some programs include Masonry Foreman Development, Basic Masonry Estimating, Masonry Quality Institute, and other critical topics such as Masonry Wall Bracing and Understanding Masonry Codes & Standards.
The MCAA is provides information on careers in masonry to our nation's students and parents. The MCAA provides free information to the nation's high schools on careers available in the masonry industry and an online database of training programs. The MCAA supports the establishment of both pre-apprentice and apprenticeship programs and assists local training programs to expand their on-going training efforts. The MCAA's two skills competitions, the Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition and International Masonry Skills Challenge, are industry recognized for their promotion of quality training.
[edit] Organizational History
[edit] Founding
In 1950, a small group of mason contractors concerned about the well being of the masonry industry, banded together to form the Mason Contractors Association of America. Its purpose is to help educate, train, and represent the mason contractor through its various programs aiding members to maintain its competitive edge against other construction methods.
In hopes of uniting existing local mason contractors organizations into a cohesive national force acting in one voice to affect issues that were impacting the industry. These visionary leaders worked diligently to create what today has become a strong national organization helping all mason contractors to compete effectively in today's tough construction environment.
The creation of the MCAA Show in 1951 opened up a whole new field for MCAA activities. It would be an excellent showcase for the entire industry, a membership tool and possible revenue-producing vehicle. The show was officially opened with a reception line and official ribbon cutting by the President at the entrance to the show in 1952.
[edit] 1950s
By 1954, the association had now developed beyond the formation stage and was beginning to tackle some of the issues that faced the masonry industry. The Material Handling Committee had several open forums relative to proposed packaging while the Apprenticeship Committee emphasized greater participation by local chapters in apprentice programs.
The year of 1955 continued the fast pace the association was setting. Memberships of the Mason Contractors Association of San Diego, Mason Contractors Association of Baltimore, Mason Contractors Association of Salt Lake City, Mason Contractors Association of Spokane, Washington, Mason Contractors Association of Pierce County (Tacoma), Washington, and individual member J.J. Steckling of St. Cloud, Minnesota were approved and swelled the MCAA ranks. This was a phenomenal growth since in 1950 MCAA had 9 chapters and in 1952 it had expanded to 22 chapters. Now in 1955, it took its place in the construction industry as a full fledged responsible national trade association with 48 chapters and 20 applications pending.
[edit] 1970s
There was a surge of enthusiasm to create new programs for the Industry during 1970. On July 22, President Allen Young and Thomas F. Murphy signed the official documents in Washington D.C. that created the International Masonry Institute. The fund was administered by five trustees appointed by MCAA. This was the start of a productive relationship.
In keeping with this fast pace, the International Masonry Industry All-Weather Council released the first edition of the "Recommended Practices for Cold Weather Masonry" in October. Thirteen editions and approximately 100,000 copies of the manual were distributed in the United States and Canada. The U.S. Corps of Engineers were major users of the booklet and many agencies adopted the manual as a guide.
After 27 years at 208 South Lasalle Street in Chicago, the Executive Office of the MCAA was moved in 1976. It became necessisary to find larger quarters, so MCAA departed for Oakbrook Terrace.
[edit] 1990s
All the MCAA Committees were developing new projects in 1995. The Apprenticeship Committee was working on a curriculum for a three year bricklayer training course, the Safety Committee was developing Tool Box Talks and videos, the Legislative Committee had created an MCAA Policital Action Committee, a Foreman's course was in the works and being working on by the Education Committee, the Membership Committee was developing a Membership Service Program and Directory, and the Marketing Committee was developing a profile program which would assist all the other efforts in determining their course of action.
1997 saw the MCAA kick off its first Masonry Career Day and it drew wide attention to the issue of on-going recruitment. The purpose was to activate recruitment efforts and to draw positive attention to the masonry industry. It was a national success and Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist declared a proclamation officially declaring February 28th Masonry Career Day. Other efforts in Illinois, Arizona, California, Texas, and Washington brought the apprenticeship story to the students in middle and high schools.
[edit] 2000s
In the year 2000, the MCAA celebrated its 50th birthday.
The MCAA began to establish a permanent home and headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois in 2003. The new headquarters provides flexibility for growth while helping to ensure the long term financial health of the MCAA. The building is a hub of activity with association meetings and educational offerings.
[edit] Organizational Structure
MCAA members are represented by Officers who are elected by the membership every two years. The Executive Committee consists of ten Regional Vice Presidents along with the four Executive Officers (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer) and Past Presidents. The Executive Board meets twice formally each year to conduct and review association business.
The full board also consists of State Chairmen for each state and seven Committee Chairmen.
[edit] OSHA-MCAA Alliance
In 2004, the MCAA signed an alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA's alliance with MCAA focuses on reducing and preventing injuries and fatalities from workplace exposure concerning wall bracing, fall protection, scaffolding and forklift hazards. Both organizations have agreed to develop training and education programs on these issues, targeting mason contractors and their employees. MCAA will assist OSHA in identifying safety and health issues specific to the industry that can be addressed in web-based electronic tools and other electric assistance products on both organizations' web sites.
OSHA and MCAA will cross-train personnel in the Association's best practices or effective approaches, as jointly determined by the groups. They will both pursue opportunities to speak, exhibit or appear at conferences, local meetings, or other chapter or national Association events that serve the industry.
The alliance also calls for working with other alliance participants on specific issues and projects on fall protection, wall bracing, scaffolding and forklift safety. Additionally, MCAA and OSHA will convene or participate in forums, roundtable discussions or stakeholder meetings to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or provide input on safety and health issues.
In addition to developing and disseminating case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health, OSHA and MCAA will share information on best practices of MCAA's work sites with others in the industry and publicize the results through outreach and training programs developed by both organizations.
Finally, MCAA members will be provided information on the potential benefits of participating in OSHA's cooperative programs such as compliance assistance, partnerships, Voluntary Protection Program and Consultation, and its Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
