Masonry Magazine October 1999 Page. 7
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Donald Larsen
President,
Mason Contractors
Association of
America
As the only association that represents the interest of all mason contractors, the Mason Contractors Association of America may well be the greatest advocate you have as a contractor. The MCAA is your association, representing your interests before governmental agencies, business community and the all-powerful court of public opinion. In fact, the MCAA as an association is your advocate and does represent your interests in more powerful ways than any of us as mason contractors can alone.
But what does advocacy really mean? What role does your association play as an advocate each day? And what impact does it have on our businesses and our future? The role may be broader than you think and in most cases, it's in areas that we don't clearly see.
For example, when it is time to push for a new ban on government regulation, the MCAA is right there fighting for your interests. Your association lets you know when new industry problems develop and provides advisories on how to do business in a safe, legal and profitable manner. In most cases, even before problems arise, the MCAA champions the cause of the mason contractor both within the masonry industry as well as outside of the industry working for your interests.
In addition, just as you market your own services, the MCAA markets the entire industry to constituents who
You and Your Association...
The MCAA on Advocacy
count, carrying out numerous public relations activities that you don't ever see, extolling your interests. Besides being available to help your own operating needs with publications, seminars and features in our magazine, your association is available to help consumers by providing information on quality masonry construction as well as who the quality suppliers are. The MCAA is the repository for the values that underlie our industry and we remind you of these values every time an association publication comes out, a conference is held or an association activity is brought to the attention of the public.
When it comes time to advocate for an important contractor issue, the MCAA is there fighting for your interest, often times in the face of adverse criticism from those who would continue to put undue burdens on the backs of the mason contractor.
Your association partners with other organizations to advance causes that affect the masonry industry. The MCAA monitors what is happening in the areas of business, academia and government and is always prepared to jump in when questions about the masonry industry and more specifically mason contractor issues arises.
Although your association is always ready to play a vibrant advocacy role, don't leave everything to the MCAA. What can you do to play a more effective advocacy role? First of all, remain abreast of current issues. Read trade periodicals like Masonry Magazine and general business press as well as attend your trade show, THE MASONRY SHOW, so that you keep abreast about issues affecting you. Alert your association to any problems or controversies that surface in your part of the world. Contact peers when you have a problem and work together to resolve it. Remember that there is strength in numbers. Join association committees; you can help craft strategies to get things done. Participate in advocacy events sponsored by your association, whatever they may be. Finally, if you are not a member of the Mason Contractors Association of America, you should join today because through larger numbers there is strength. Ultimately, a stronger association can accomplish so much more.
50
FIFTY YEARS
OF EXCELLENCE 1949-2000
MCAA
MASONRY-SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 1999 7