| As The Drum Turns
February 2009 - Vol 1, Issue 1 |
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| Greetings! |
Welcome to FICAP's first e-newsletter. We hope you find it to be a good source of useful information.The intent is for this e-newsletter to replace the old print version of "Down the Chute." Since this new venture for FICAP is a work in progress, FICAP e-News will be evolving over the next few months. The Producers Board solicits your views, and opinions as to the content. Do you have a suggestion for a name we can call our e-News? Would you like to contribute an article that would be beneficial to our members? Let Michele or myself hear from you. I personally would like to thank the FICAP members who attended our January General Membership Meeting. Our attendance was fantastic and it was great to see everyone. FICAP does its best to give our members the opportunity to network and share ideas that help our companies. We had two great Goal Group meetings and a very productive Producer meeting. Your association is working extremely hard to find ways to bring you events that can make and save our companies money. We have strategically scaled back some events in order to make them more cost effective. During the current economic conditions, we all need the best bang for our buck, and FICAP is intent on providing it. Speaking of big events, have you made your reservation for our annual Clay Shoot? The announcement with all the details has been sent out. As a reminder, the shoot is scheduled for Saturday March 21st at Quail Creek Plantation. Our clay shoot is always one of our best events. There is no better place to enjoy some time with your customers, employees and industry friends. The people I have personally taken to this event are constantly asking me when it is coming up again. Taking a customer or employee to the FICAP Clay Shoot creates lasting memories and loyalty that are invaluable. If you have not done so already, please take time to sign up today. Registration forms are now available. I look forward to seeing everyone at February's General Membership Meeting.
 Mark Smith President, FICAP
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| Spotlight of the Month |
Interested in seeing your company name and logo in this spot...for free? Would you like to see your company in the spotlight on the FICAP website? Join us at our monthly meeting and those in attendance will be entered into a drawing for both opportunities. |
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| FICAP News |
 Strategic Plan Update by Pat McLaughlin
With a lot of hard work from many individuals, the Association's strategic plan is on track. Please make note of the following important "strategic" decisions:
1. The convention has been shortened by one day. Plan to arrive Thursday evening for our annual meeting on Friday morning. In light of the current economic times, the theme for the Saturday night BASH has been changed to a "recession" theme. Bring your garbage bags!
2. The Board decided to make the Future Leaders Group a stand-alone goal group. They will be designated as Goal Group 5. Their first meeting will be held during the March 31st general monthly membership meeting.
3. The quarterly education event will be in April, not March. The topic will be Financial/Accounting 101.
Goal Group attendance started slow in 2009. Chairmen, please verify your member rosters against your email lists and notify your group members of meeting dates and times. An agenda and minutes are required of each meeting, and the responsibility of the chairmen. Goal Groups 3 (Promotion) and 4 (Leadership) will meet at the next monthly meeting, February 24th.
Goal Group 3 - Promotion
by Ron Pafford, Co-Chairman
For those of you who are not familiar with the function of our committee, I'd like to just take a second here and let you know what Goal Group 3 (GG3) is supposed to be focusing on and then share with you some of our crowning moments of 2008, and also what's in store for 2009. Read More
8th Annual Clay Shoot
A great way to spend time with family, employees, customers, suppliers, and friends in the industry. For additional information, and to download the registration form or flyer, please visit the FICAP website, www.ficap.org.
Date: March 21, 2009
Cost: $ 130.00
Location: Quail Creek Plantation
2009 RC Martin Memorial Scholarship 
Applications are now being accepted for the Richard C. Martin Memorial Scholarship Fund. This program is open to any dependent child of any employee working full time for a producer or associate member company of FICAP, and a resident of the State of Florida. Consideration will be given to students in concrete related studies, engineering, architectural, building construction or business programs in Florida or other selected schools.
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| FICAP PAC - The Legislative Corner Wade Mullins, Chairman |
 Even though the main focus for the recently concluded Special Legislative Session was about cutting the state budget, other activities were conducted between the legislators and various industry representatives. Sponsors of proposed bills were obtained, bills were filed, and some of those bills were even referenced to various committees to be heard during the regular 60 day session beginning March 3, 2009. Unfortunately, the state will be forced to make additional cuts regarding the next year's budget, as sales tax revenues continue downward. The projected shortage is believed to be in the 8-10 billion dollar range. Read More |
| Legal Corner |
EMERGING ISSUES IN LAW: CHINESE DRYWALL
It appears that shortages in building materials at the height of the residential housing boom and rebuilding efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina resulted in suppliers seeking goods imported from distant shores. More specifically, recent investigations have concluded that drywall products were imported to Florida from China for a brief period from 2004-2006 for use in residential builds. Why were "investigations" necessary to uncover this fact? Numerous investigations have been launched as a result of allegations that imported drywall is defective and poses serious threats to homes and their occupants. Are the accusations true? It depends on who you ask, but there are several important facts that have emerged and several key issues to keep your eye on as the investigations (and the lawsuits) unfold. Read More
THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME? President Obama Issues A Series of Pro-Labor Executive Orders
On Friday, January 30, 2009, President Obama signed three pro-labor executive orders affecting the rights of federal contractors and their employees. Intended to "level the playing field" for labor unions, the new executive orders reverse several Bush Administration policies that organized labor claims favored employers over unions.
Read More by Brian Ussery, Ford & Harrison, LLP
The Department of Homeland Securities US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) delayed the implementation of the new Form I-9 until April 3, 2009. The new form was scheduled to go into effect on February 2 and unless there is another delay, employers must use the revised Form I-9 for all new hires and to reverify any employee with expiring employment authorization beginning April 3. Read More
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| Around The Industry |
 WHAT REALLY DRIVES OUR ECONOMY? - by Chuck Parliment While we are all being deluged with the bad news of corporate layoffs and closings, I am surprised at how little is being said about consumer spending and its importance to our economy. Consumer spending represents between 75%-80% of our economy. Clearly a lack of consumer spending can send us into a depression and clearly strong
2007-2010 Concrete Industry Parking Lot Strategic Plan
The Concrete Industry Parking Lot Working Group recently identified parking lots as the industry's largest promotion opportunity and has completed a plan for increasing parking lot market share. This effort was organized by NRMCA with strong participation from PCA, regional promotion groups, state and area associations and concrete and cement companies. Collaboration, shared goals, dramatic new tools and effective market measurement are the key elements of the plan, which calls for market share to increase to 15.1% in 2010 from 9.1% in 2005. Read More
Residents Make Peace With Mine Next Door
VENICE - Venetian Golf and River Club residents say they have reached a truce with operators of a neighboring mine and rock-crushing operation that disrupted the neighborhood's tranquility. Read More
Governor Crist Announces $1.4 Billion in Accelerated Road Construction
~Florida Department of Transportation answers Governor's Accelerate Florida challenge ~
TALLAHASSEE - Continuing his focus on strengthening Florida's economy, Governor Charlie Crist and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Stephanie C. Kopelousos today announced the acceleration of more than 179 projects, totaling $1.4 billion in road construction funding. The projects include road resurfacing, lane additions, bridge rehabilitation and safety enhancements to the state's transportation system. The projects will employ 39,000 people and generate $7.84 billion in economic benefits, a $5.60 return on each state dollar invested. Read More
'Concrete Stimulus' Ads to Educate Capitol Hill Lawmakers
A series of strategically placed advertisements aimed at educating important decision makers on the benefits of concrete and how it will play a vital role in rebuilding America have begun to appear in Washington, DC-based publications and Web sites. Read MoreNRMCA Annual ConventionMarch 15-17, 2009 * Orlando, Florida
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| It's A Wrap Michele Stropoli, Executive Director |
 Congratulations! You made it all the way to the end. Was it worth the read? We're always open to suggestions for ways to improve, so please drop us a line and share your thoughts.
I would like to commend you for a job well done! The January meeting attendance was fantastic. Your enthusiasm for all things FICAP, to provide strength and support to the Florida Independent Producer, is contagious. You truly are a great group of individuals who together make a fantastic team!
In closing, a reminder that the leaders of your Association are looking for ways to save you money, but offer you the same level of service you've come to expect. The shooter and non-shooter costs were lowered for the Clay Shoot and the Annual Convention program has been shortened by one day. Please continue to show your support and to submit your registration forms early. It's anyone's guess what will happen at the first annual prayer breakfast to be held by Jeff Bishop on Sunday morning, the final day of the convention. I'm certain that event alone will guarantee record attendance for the convention!
Sincerely,
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