Your News for December 14, 2015
Join Us at the Orlando Grande Lakes resort for MCAA 2016!
Learn How to Create a Highly Motivated Workforce at MCAA 2016

How do you deal with and turn around difficult employees into a highly productive, positive and personable team? At MCAA 2016 (March 20-24), human relations expert Connie Podesta will lead two sessions that will give you the answers. During "Life Would be Easy if it Weren't for Other People" and "Leadership Like You've Never Seen it Before," she will share with you strategies for resolving conflicts, garnering respect from others, turning negative attitudes into positive, complacency into productivity, entitlement into accountability, complaining into solutions and "that's not my job" into ownership. She will equip you with the tools to create goal-oriented, self-motivated employees who are willing and excited about getting the job done the right way. Learn more about these and other business-oriented sessions planned for MCAA 2016 and register while great rooms and Early Bird rates are still available.
ALI 16 Is Now Accepting Applications
ALI 16 Is Now Accepting Applications

MCAA's flagship education program for current and future industry leaders, the Advanced Leadership Institute (ALI), is now accepting applications for its sixteenth offering, which will take place September 25-29 and November 13-18 at the Babson Executive Education Center (Wellesley, MA). Course 15, which just concluded in mid-November, received outstanding reviews and comments from its 37 graduates for its new and innovative curriculum and its all-star faculty, including Scott Taylor, who will be an MCAA 2016 speaker. The new ALI curriculum stresses leadership feedback, peer-to-peer evaluation, and the creation of high-performance teams. Its final project had these teams competing to produce company best-practices and innovations that will become available to all MCAA members through MCAA's Management Methods Manual. Competition for spots in the ALI has become extremely competitive and the last four ALI courses have each filled before mid-May.
MCAA Releases Model Hearing Conservation Program
MCAA Releases Model Hearing Conservation Program

In some workplace situations, mechanical construction, service, and fabrication shop workers may be exposed to noise levels that are at or above established permissible levels. In that situation, affected employers must establish hearing conservation programs to help prevent occupational noise-related hearing loss in the affected workers. The MCAA Model Hearing Conservation Program will help you protect your affected workers and comply with the applicable Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) hearing conservation regulations. The model walks the user through the requirements involving: 
  • Workplace Noise Sampling;
  • Audiometric Testing;
  • Selection of Hearing Protection Equipment;
  • Evaluation of Hearing Protection Equipment Attenuation and Effectiveness;
  • Worker Training and Information; and
  • Much more. 
The program is free to MCAA and MSCA members as a membership benefit.
Make Your Plans to Attend the MCAA Safety Directors_ Conference
Make Your Plans to Attend the MCAA Safety Directors' Conference

There are lots of great reasons to attend MCAA's Safety Directors' Conference (January 26-28 in Tempe, AZ). This annual conference has proven to be an excellent resource for information about programs, practices and regulations that are designed to protect workers from accidents and injuries on the jobsite. Daniel Rodriguez - decorated combat veteran and football star - will kick off the conference that features topical breakout sessions, workshops and educational sessions on the latest Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) developments and other safety-related information and an exhibit of the latest safety technologies, equipment and software. Industry safety directors from across the country attend this conference every year, adding to the networking opportunities and the exchange of valuable information. And, plan to attend two pre-conference courses to enhance your CPR training and knowledge - the CPR/AED course and the CPR/AED Instructors Update Course. Register before the end of this month to get the special MCAA room rate.
Develop Your Entry-Level Service Sales Team
Develop Your Entry-Level Service Sales Team

Accelerate the performance of employees new to service sales and/or the HVACR and plumbing industry with MSCA's Sales Basecamp (February 1-2 in Orlando, FL). This program will build the skills they need to confidently sell services while creating added value for the customer. Program topics include understanding career path success, dimensions for building relationships, and preparing for and managing their first meeting with a potential customer. Visit to sign-up today.
MCA of Texas Contributes to MCERF
MCA of Texas Contributes to MCERF

The Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF) has received a contribution of $3,922 from the MCA of Texas, raising its total contributions to $43,585. The Foundation's Board of Trustees is very grateful for the support which will help ensure the continuation of industry-oriented education and research programs. And, when you consider a contribution to MCERF, think about designating a portion for the MCERF Scholarship program, which helps exceptional future professionals pay for their education.
The MCAA National Update is a weekly publication of the 
Mechanical Contractors Association of America.
Questions? Contact Ann Mattheis, Editor, or call 301-869-5800.
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