Frequently Asked Questions
Jamie Holliday
Holliday Masonry
We receive numerous questions every time we talk to a new masonry firm about joining RMCA. Below you will find answers to many of those questions:
What will being a "member" of RMCA do for me? Among other things, RMCA membership is going to open doors to many advantages, none more important that our Residential Masonry School for ongoing training of new masons. This program is registered with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries as a certified bricklayer apprenticeship program, one of only three in the entire state. This is not a weekend program, but a major three-year commitment by the employers and employees to become a Residential journeyman bricklayer, capable of building anything "masonry." As an added bonus, we are receiving group discounts on products and services via a coupon program through our Associate members.
What's the difference between a member and a "certified" member? Members are an elite group of individuals who have had the foresight to recognize the need to belong to an organization dedicated to improving the masonry industry. Marketing to the design community with our monthly flyer, promoting the use of masonry, providing technical assistance to architects and to each other, and providing continuing education to employees are just a few of the ways we are strengthening our market share and helping our companies grow. A certified member is an RMCA member willing to take that extra step needed to show his peers and the professional community that they are dedicated and willing to commit whatever it takes through continuing education to be the best mason and masonry contractor they can be. In time, this could be the most valuable "label" you can obtain.
How do I get "certified" and what does it do for me? Certification is the culmination of educational courses, taught by experts in their field, to the residential masonry contractor members during a 2-1/2 day program once a year. Such topics as human resources issues, project management, "growing your business and making it profitable", WA State Contract Law, WA State Insurance, OSHA/WISHA regulations, estimating and bookkeekping are only a few of the covered topics from previous Certification weekends. We have guest speakers, hold workshops, and generally learn the answers to many of our questions about our changing industry and, most importantly, learn how to "prosper" within this new environment. All of these classes are geared specifically to Residential Masonry subcontracting. Every shred of information presented at this intensive wekend event can be used to improve your bottom line.
"What's the "big deal" about becoming CERTIFIED? Certification" itself is going to benefit each indivual differently. Specifically, we can approach architects and developers, advertising our skilled employees (as a result of our Residential Masonry School) and demonstrate our commitment to our trade through our participation in the "Certification" process. Once architects, builders, developers and general contractors understand the level of quality and consistency that comes with the "Certification" label, we will begin to see them require that *only* Certified Residential Masonry Contractors are allowed to bid and/or work on their projects!
That all sounds great, but I don't have a lot of time - what is the commitment? You get back, two-fold, what you put in. Just belonging, without getting any more involved, will improve your business by helping expose masonry to more architects and designers, thereby generating more jobs. Attending meetings, seminars, and group functions improves
How much will that cost? RMCA is footing the bill for the guest speakers. Classes, meals and accomodations, when needed, will be covered by a low, one-time registration fee. Remember, in numbers, there are always discounts.
Isn't this excluding smaller companies? No, not at all. We specifically set up the Residential Masonry Contractors Association (RMCA) to embrace smaller contractors. As stated earlier, there are discounts for large groups. The established programs and events have a substantial cost savings to every company equally. Some programs are not even available to individual companies. Each member company will enjoy ALL the benefits, and their costs will be much lower because they are part of an association, versus on their own as sole proprietors.
So how much does it cost to belong? Membership for one year is $240 (based on $20/month and pro-rated). You will be invoiced by our treasurer.
Is that all? Yes. There will be charges for certain individual events, as stated above.
Revised 4/1/2009
Courtesy of Jim Frisch, VP, RMCA