RCOC is a national, not-for-profit association formed as a strategic alliance committed to serving Canada's full service restoration industry. While led by volunteers, it has hired a professional manager, Sheryl McKean, to coordinate and manage the day to day operations of the organization. This organization was established in 2008 to bring together companies with common goals of bettering Canada's disaster restoration industry. During the keynote address at the conference the RCOC made a full presentation to the industry disclosing its goals, vision and membership plans. With eight of the largest disaster restoration banner groups in Canada being the first to join this organization, they employ more than 10,000 professionals in more than 400 locations from coast to coast. These members stimulate Canada's economy by generating more than $1.2 billion in annual revenue. The Vision of RCOC is committed to representing Canada's full-service restoration industry. Their Mission is to promote the image and interests of Canada's full service restoration contractors to industry stakeholders and the public. Ken Robinson (President of Paul Davis Services of Canada) is the first Chair of the Restoration Contractors Organization of Canada. During his presentation he stated the main advocacy focuses of this group will be; Health & safety matters, taxation at both the provincial and federal levels, workers compensation and insurance premiums, appropriate business categorization by lenders and regulators and gain recognition as specialists in the area of disaster restoration while increasing public awareness of our professionalism and expertise. Then Sheryl McKean, the first General Manager of the group presented her background, vision and summary plan for this organization. RCOC was formed because independent restoration companies trying to initiate change in key areas that affect their business met with little success. Key industry leaders recognized that a larger voice was needed. It was determined that an association making up a majority of the industry would be far more successful in being heard. With that in mind, RCOC was formed to ensure that all stakeholders in the restoration process, from regulators to the public we serve, understand and recognize the importance of Canada's full-service restoration industry and the challenges that it faces. Currently their focus is on matters relating to health & safety and they are looking at ways for promoting the many safe practices in our industry. They will also be working with regulators to achieve more appropriate regulatory categorizations which more accurately reflect the special nature of our business. They believe that being recognized as a distinct industry and accurately categorized (i.e. not being 'lumped in' with general contractors) will result in benefits to there members and all industry stakeholders. The main goal of this industry organization is to ensure that the disaster restoration industry's voice is heard. Members of RCOC share common concerns, pressures and limitations. Working as a group they hope to be able to address these matters and bring about positive change in our industry. RCOC plans to communicate with its members on a regular basis providing progress reports, surveying our industry and inviting input on key issues. This is a lofty goal and I can only hope that by locking arms together as an industry, regardless of what colour or banners we wear, this organization will be a huge success and greatly enhance this great business we call Disaster Restoration. The eight banner groups that have joined this organization so far are Paul Davis Systems Canada, Ltd. (PDS), First General Services Canada, ServiceMaster Restore, Belfor Property Restoration, Canadian Disaster Restoration Group (CDRG), Disaster Kleenup Canada Ltd. (DKC), FirstOnSite Restoration L.P. and Winmar Property Restoration Specialists If you wish more information on this organization or to become a member contact President, Sheryl McKean at 647-289-1773 or smckean@rcoc.org .
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