MCAA National Update for November 10, 2014

This Week

Leadership Call - 113th Congress Still Needs to Pass Multiemployer Pension Reform

Are All Your Decisions the Right Ones? Learn How to Make the Right Decisions Every Time from the Ethics Guy

NFPA Arc Flash Safety Training Webinar is a Lifeline for Those Who Work with Electricity

Explore New Opportunities with MSCA's Path to Higher Margins Webinar

Make the Most of Your Industry Funds...Register Now for the 2014 Industry Improvement Funds Conference

Advance the Skills of Entry-Level Service Sales Employees with MSCA's Sales Basecamp

MCA of Eastern PA Contributes to MCERF

Leadership Call - 113th Congress Still Needs to Pass Multiemployer Pension Reform

The remaining month of the 113th Congress' lame duck session is important for the future of the nation's multiemployer pension system. Lawmaker action in the next few weeks to enact the carefully crafted Solutions Not Bailouts (SNB) multiemployer pension plan reform proposal will help put the system on a strong sustainable path for the indefinite future. However, if Democrat and Republican leaders decide to delay this issue until next year, that decision will imperil the system. Reopening the two-year course of deliberations on SNB jeopardizes the bipartisan political consensus on Capitol Hill, raises the vulnerability of faltering plans and shortens the time line on eventual Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation insolvency. With roughly a month before the 113th Congress adjourns, MCAA and our industry allies are pressing lawmakers in both parties to adopt the pension plan now for the 10.5 million participants and the many responsible employers who sponsor those high-value plans. MCAA has meetings scheduled with Senators in Michigan and elsewhere next week to press for comprehensive reform. For an email to your Senators urging action during the lame duck session, go to www.mcaa.org/advocacy.

Are All Your Decisions the Right Ones? Learn How to Make the Right Decisions Every Time from the Ethics Guy

Have you ever confronted a situation that leaves you conflicted and anxious about how to react? During MCAA 2015 (March 8-12, Wailea, Maui, HI), Dr. Bruce Weinstein - the Ethics Guy - will provide you with five simple principles to help you deal effectively with tough ethical issues that often arise in everyday situations. Dr. Weinstein believes that success comes from not just having emotional intelligence, but ethical intelligence as well. Learn more about the Ethics Guy and our other major, featured and business session speakers along with the other amazing people and programs of MCAA 2015 by scanning our Convention Planning Guide at http://www.mcaa.org/mcaa2015. Register by November 26 - the Early Bird deadline - to save $300 per couple. And, great room choices are still available.

NFPA Arc Flash Safety Training Webinar is a Lifeline for Those Who Work with Electricity
Ever Tried a Webinar?

Knowing the potential hazards of working around electricity is critical for technicians and other employees who are potentially exposed to live conductors of 50 volts of electricity or more during their workday, and especially mechanical service technicians who work on units that generate up to 480 volts. If you or they missed the last NFPA 70E Qualified-Level Arc Flash Safety Training Webinars, the next ones are scheduled for November 20, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Eastern time. The webinar provides essential training that could, in fact, save a life. Presented by the Hilgeman Group, the session covers all applicable OSHA and NFPA requirements, best practices, NFPA's most recent changes to the 70E requirements and provides participants with real-world accident information to reinforce the training. Contact the Hilgeman Group (ahilgeman@frontier.com) to register.

Explore New Opportunities with MSCA's Path to Higher Margins Webinar

MSCA's final Path to Higher Margins is Not Business as Usual webinar, which will be held on December 3, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. EST, will uncover new opportunities that can strengthen your business. Presenters Jaimi Lomas (A.O. Reed & Co., San Diego, CA) and Adam Wallenstein (Neptune Plumbing & Heating Co., Cleveland, OH) will teach you how to develop new services to sell to current clients, such as energy and plumbing services, as well as how to create a loyalty program that can secure commitment from those customers. This webinar is free to MCAA and MSCA members as a benefit. Register today at https://msca.webex.com.

Make the Most of Your Industry Funds...Register Now for the 2014 Industry Improvement Funds Conference

If you believe your local association's Industry Funds could be put to better use or managed more effectively, then plan to attend the 2014 Industry Improvement Funds Conference (December 3-5, Longboat Key Club, Longboat Key, FL). The program will cover legal, investment and administration issues from experts involved with the management of Funds. The program will open with an update by MCAA President Chuck Fell on the latest MCAA programs, issues developments and activities. Elizabeth Manzo with Lindabury, McCormick and Estabrook will cover recent legal challenges to Industry Funds and options for protecting associations' funding structure. She'll also lead an optional session focusing on association bylaws administration. Steve Lamb of MCA of Chicago will discuss challenges faced by industry about technology, labor and globalization. Other discussions will address investment strategies, insurance best practices, legislative developments and a report on the association's political action committee and new National Education Initiative offerings. This is an excellent conference packed full of valuable information, so be sure to register early. Go to http://www.mcaa.org/education/mcaa/industryfunds for the complete brochure and convenient online registration. Please contact Sean McGuire at smcguire@mcaa.org for more information.

Advance the Skills of Entry-Level Service Sales Employees with MSCA's Sales Basecamp

Advance Entry-Level Employees' Skills at Sales Basecamp

The newly launched MSCA Sales Institute will help develop the skill sets of your entry-level service sales staff through its Sales Basecamp program. Hosted in Tempe, AZ, from January 12-13, 2015, Sales Basecamp is tailored to prepare employees new to service sales and/or the HVACR industry with the skills necessary to confidently sell services while creating added value for the customer. Topics include understanding the MSCA Sales Cycle, building trust with potential customers, effectively linking features with needs, and handling objections professionally during the proposal presentation. Registration is now open, but space is limited. Visit http://www.msca.org/salesinstitute/basecamp to sign-up today or learn more information about this and other MSCA Sales Institute programs. Contact Barbara Dolim (bdolim@mcaa.org) with any questions about Sales Basecamp.

MCA of Eastern PA Contributes to MCERF

The Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF) recently received a $5,000 contribution from the MCA of Eastern Pennsylvania, raising its total to $145,000. The association, a member of MCERF's Partnership Enterprise, also dedicated 50% of its donation to MCERF Scholarships. The Foundation's Board of Trustees greatly appreciates the financial support, which helps ensure the continuation of education and research programs that keep our industry growing and thriving. Find out more about MCERF programs and activities by visiting www.mcerf.org or contacting Dennis Langley at dlangley@mcaa.org.

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Questions? Contact Ann Mattheis, Editor, Phone: 301-869-5800; Fax: 301-990-9690