b'~ r e s~ d e~ A~r~t~i~c~l~e ___________________ l :__:~ i~ n~t:_\'~s~ :__ On the Road Again Ronnie McG/othlin, MRCA President It\'s been an exciting 6as the Midwest months RoofingContractorsAssociation(MRCA) president! So many great things are happening travel within the association. As president, Ito different trade shows, meet with other roofing contractor association leaders, learn about what MRCA members are doing in their businesses, and alsospread the word about all the value MRCA has to offer. A lot can be accomplished during ameeting or on acall, boardconference A lot can bebut thereallearning and application of whati,c.;u,,-,,.: accomplishedwe discuss in those board meetings happens induring their early careers. If you know one of these hands-on, face-to-faceinteractions withotherGen-Yers, tellor her about what acareer during aboard meet himgreat roofing professionals.opportunity roofing can offer, and talk to himher or ing or on aDuring one of my first trips as MRCA presi about all of the great benefits MRCA provides to dent, Iwith the Chicago Roofing Contractors conference call, butmetroofing contractors. MRCA has amembership new Association (CRCA) leaders at the CRCA 27th An brochure listing all ofbenefits;MRCA the real learning andthosecontact nual Trade Show. MRCA is grateful to CRCA forheadquarters iflike aextra copies to share you\'dfew application ofits contribution to the $5,000 grant to the MRCAwith your colleagues. what Technical& ResearchCommittee.ReadmoreOn another trip, IMRCA member and we di,scuss in thosetoured about the grant on page 12 of this issue.formerMRCAPresidentJimBrosseau\'snew board meetingsI learned aby walking the exhibit floor, lotmulti-million-dollar facilityinRomeoville,IL, happens in hands-on,and I spread the word about MRCA to everyonewhichencompassesboth a roofingcompany I met,includingCRCAExecutiveDirector Billand atraining complex, makingit a face-to-face interac sportsvery McCuesandCRCAPresidentChrisAdler.Iunique place. Iimpressed with Jim\'s setup; was tions with other roof was so energized and can\'t wait for theMRCAhis unique and innovative approach is a perfect ing.example of what MRCA members can do. It reNationalConference"MRCA500Roadto professionals.Success" in Indianapolis in October, where we\'ll minds me of the unique perspective that MRCA be offering so much for MRCA members in termshas and how we as an organization are unlike any of demonstrations, speakers, informative sessions,otherthe way we advocate for roofing contractor in andnetworkingopportunities.Wewillalsobeand Jim\'s office is set up so that everyone can see featuring apanel discussion entitled \'\'TPO specialeach other, which really encourages and fosters Long-Term Performance," led by MRCA technicalteamwork and collaboration. advisor Rene Dupuis,PhD PE;anOccupationalIn the vein of collaboration,leadership MRCA Safety and Health Administration educational ses engagedin asuccessfuland collaborative very sion; and GERTA training. More information aboutstrategic planning session in April in Indianapothe MRCA 61st Annual National Conference willlis. We were able to brainstorm and engage each be coming soon-be sure to watch for it.other in conversations about MRCA and its goals I alsovisited theLocal11UnitedUnionofand vision. Kurt Steinkuhler has written a great Roofers,Waterproofers,andAlliedWorkersinsummary about our planning session later in this Westchester, IL. Touring the facility with Jay Retinaissue. AsKurt saysin his article (page 11 ), the and learning about the apprentice program therestrategic planning session really helped us to set was truly aexperience. Iabout younger uniquethinkstrong goals and avision for the future of clear roofers and the ways we as MRCA members can offerthemeducation,advocacy,andguidancecontinuedpage 10 on 4Midwest ValuesBusinessResourcesNetworking'