Friday, January 29, 2010

Giving 'birth' to a blog


What's the PO!NT of blogging
...the Birth of a masonry baby named 'blog'
Joyce Rivas

What's a blog you ask? A blog is a personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.

Our masonry blogs can be whatever we want them to be. There are millions of blogs, like people, in all shapes and sizes, and there are no real rules.

In simple terms, a blog is a web site, where you write stuff on an ongoing basis. New stuff shows up at the top, so your visitors can read what's new. Then they comment on it or link to it or email you. Or not.

As I was encouraging use of the blogs, as is typical one of the contractors trapped me with an unanswerable technical question-the story of my life,"What does BLOG stand for?" he bellowed. I thought for moment and said, that's a very good question. I have NO idea!

Since I'm promoting this 'blog thing' I thought it best that I be able to answer this very basic question in some ethical manner or be 'burned at the stake on some well constructed plum and level brick BBQ.

Curiously, I GOOGLED...response below in the rare case you are still reading. I'll select # 1 Web log. Although after reading I pledged to try to avoid my blog falling into the #3 category.

Acronym/Definition
1. BLOG
Web Log
2. BLOG
Better Listings on Google
3. BLOG
Big Load of Gossip

Personally, I see our Masonry blogs as filing cabinets for the multitude of information that we need to warehouse and provide to our members, giving them what they need to know in a manner that they can actually find it. We are living in the day of information overload, I can say that I continually struggle with a good way to be sure that everyone knows 'what' they need to know 'when' they need to know it and have them be able to 'find' it. It's a huge challenge!
Blogging effectively organizes our statewide activities and local level happenings with minimum cost as the work is primarily maintained by local chapters and each individual 'blogger'. These are non- $80- per hour-IT individuals, who in our world are called 'MAF volunteers'.

Blogs can save postage. Blogs can save you from hunting for hours for an e-mail in your files. Blogs can even be fun.

In a nutshell-BLOGS are one of the best ways to have the information available to you, our members via our website at http://www.floridamasonry.com/ without having to pay for an IT person to post it on the website.

Consider our blogs a way for you and everyone to see what is happening at the
Board and Executive level, Legislation, our many committees, Membership, Convention, Promasonry/LeadTracking and Enforcement. In general a 'blog' can give us everything we need to know about the entire state with a few keystrokes.

Since Blogging was launched in 1999, blogs have reshaped the web, impacted politics, shaken up journalism, and enabled millions of people to have a voice and connect with others.

And we're pretty sure the whole deal is just getting started, so we're incorporating them into our website at http://www.floridamasonry.com/. "BLOGGERS"

When starting a blog, companies need to be prepared to embrace 'openness, willingness to share information and be ready to invest in resources to support flexibility' In 2003 Intel's blogging experience began, Technology@Intel . In the name of technology Intel's Blogging started as a grassroots initiative among employees. CEO Paul Otellini recognized the benefits of blogging and launched his own employee blog the next year. Other Intel executives soon followed, culminating in a fully IT-supported platform by 2005. Team-based wiki collaboration led to the enterprise-wide “Intelpedia,” which today contains over 15,000 articles from employees defining, collaborating in and documenting the vast Intel workplace. In 2008, Intel launched a global training initiative (Digital IQ) that invited employees to participate in social media. Within weeks employees began directly sharing their experiences and knowledge on places like Twitter, Facebook, technology websites, BBSs in China and other worldwide support forums.
They created many social spaces to foster dialogue and make important contributions to a widening range of issues relevant to their customers, employees and to the future of technology. Fast-forward to 2010, and Intel now offers corporate blogs in over 25 languages on topics ranging from corporate responsibility and research to jobs and customer support.

The Po!nt: Although we do not yet have blogs in 25 languages like Intel, maybe someday we'll have a spanish blog? Baby steps...baby steps. Building a successful online community is a process, not the flip of a switch, but one that requires an active commitment from all participants....so find your local area 'blogger' or your committee blogger and get involved!




Guess what, I posted this on MY blog and all we had to do to publish the E-news was link to the Blog. A revelation in eliminating all of those PESKY Attachments....yaaaaaahoooo to blogging!


The proud parents

www. Floridamasonry.com

announce the birth of their new

FLORIDA MASONRY multifacted, time and money saving baby

Named 'blog'!


Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Membership '1st quarter 2010' TO DO

1. Next teleconference- April 6, 2010 -9:30 AM- Mark your calendar. Check Membership blog for sign-in info

2. Member companies-submit logos and company information to deb@floridamasonry.com for website

3. Contact sandy@floridamasonry.com for questions on state AR and your members. Billing for state and local chapter will be separate for 2010. Discussion for combined billing for 2011/MAF state board

4. Rocky Jenkins is introducing a Membership Drive competition/details to follow on Membership blog

5. 2010 Chapter membership goals are to have a total of 50 contractor members statewide/currently 39 .

6. Pledge sheet can be printed from www.floridamasonry.com and distributed to local chapter members. Included is a 'new' monthly payment option, credit card payment option and hardship consideration to be reviewed by MAF state board- masonpro@fdn.com: Click here: FLORIDA MASONRY FLORIDA BUILDS WITH BLOCK BRICK STONE

7.MAF state invoices for renewing members was sent out December 2009 for 2010 1st quarter.

8. To schedule a Marketing report date during May, June & July for your local chapter pat@floridamasonry.com

9. Visit http://www.floridamasonry.com/ for everything 'masonry' in Florida

10. Convention September 16, 17 & 18 to be hosted by West Coast/Tampa chapter-Mark your calendars

11. We are looking to have a 'blogger' for each area of the state that will maintain local chapter blogs on the website 10. 2010 calendar of meetings, activities and committees is on right side of membership blog for reference. Will be transferred to General calendar February 1

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Visit to the NCMCA


L- R Pat McLaughlin, MAF Executive Director, Joyce Rivas MAF Membership/ Promasonry, Gary Manning NCMCA President and Larry Kirby NCMCA President Elect receive greetings on January 5-7 from the NCMCA, North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association . Although the outside climate was in the teens and frigid we were 'warmed' by the association's willingness to share time and information with us . Not to be confused with the NCMA, the initial purpose of our trip to the NCMCA was to learn as much as possible about the successful Certification program that has been implemented over the past 3 years by Lynn Nash, Executive Director. In the first 2 hours, we absorbed far more than we could have ever anticipated capturing in 2-days and have returned to Florida with fresh ideas and hopes to have continued relations with this wonderful group. Amazingly enough, they felt that 'we'---yesssss, little 'ol newbie us??? provided reciprocal value to their association. All in all it was a terrific learning experience. See Pat's report at the link below! Respectfully in all things created to grow and benefit the masonry trade-jr

Monday, January 11, 2010

Membership Committee Minutes January 5, 2010

The Membership committee held it's first 2010 Teleconference on January 5, 2010 at 9:30 AM via Go to meeting.com. Dial 712-338-7141 Access Code/Meeting ID 239-5556-651


Each area of the state was encouraged to have representation to take information for the new year back to their local chapters and RSVP Committee Chairman devonbrookshire@msn.com"


To save time and record attendees a self-introduction was encouraged at log on.


In Attendance: Tampa-Allison Willmeng, Bob DiPietro, Ocala-Kelly Kendall, Brian Kendall, Lance Hill, Southeast-Justin Lord, Joe Lesstino, Northwest-Mac Creech NorthCentral-Jerry Painter Northeast-Robert Carlton Treasure Coast-Dave Pfeffer Central-Frank Cox MAF-Pat McLaughlin, Deb Bartolucci, Sandy Cinque, Joyce Rivas Promasonry/Membership committee subchairmen, John Rehrer/Blogs, Rocky Jenkins/Incentive programs Southwest-no representative




Devon Brookshire welcomed the group and thanked everyone for taking time to attend the teleconference.



Self-introduction confirmed area participants and was documented byJoyce Rivas



Devon Brookshire reviewed the importance of the Anti-Trust Statement and waived reading Motion-Robert Carlton 2nd-Justin Lord


Minutes from previous meeting which are posted on the Membership blog at http://www.floridamasonry.com/ were reviewed and motion to approve- Mac Creech 2nd-Justin Lord



Pat McLaughlin reviewed the disposition of the current and new areas of the MAF around the state with expansion plans for 2010 to include Lakeland-Polk/Highland Counties, Miami, and Tallahassee. For those involved in development and growth in these areas details for contacts will be maintained on the Membership blog page. Right hand column at the base of the calendar.


Sandy Cinque reviewed the status of outstanding receivables for 2010. Good progress has been made since the third quarter of 2009 regarding collection. Sandy can be contacted directly at sandy@floridamasonry.com for specific details on local area members.


Devon Brookshire's update from the MAF Board meeting for Combined dues. Will be discussed this year to be proposed for 2011. Dues will continue to be billed separately for local and state dues for 2010.


Pat McLaughlin discussed upcoming trip to North Carolina with Joyce Rivas to meet executive board and observe insight into benefit promotion, certification and other processes of that organization. He will provide a full report to the board of directors from that meeting.


Devon Brookshire reviewed the letter that was sent out to all members with their January 2010 invoices. A copy of the letter is maintained in the documents section ofthe Membership blog for future reference.


Devon Brookshire reviewed the 2010 Pledge sheet which includes credit card payment options and a 'hardship' option for any members wishing to join the association who are experiencing financial challenges. This can be submitted by any local chapter Membership or board member and is forwarded to Jay Snyder/ for MAF board committee review. The 2010 pledge sheet is available on http://www.floridamasonry.com/ and a copy will also be available for access and reference via the Membership blog page.



Devon Brookshire announced that http://www.mafl.org/ website is officially closed as of December 2009. Anyone accessing the website will be forwarded to http://www.floridamasonry.com/ New e-mails for MAF staff are: Pat@floridamasonry.com, Don@floridamasonry.com, Joyce@floridamasonry.com, Deb@floridamasonry.com, sandy@floridamasonry.com . Please change your address books to reflect these new e-mails. E-mails for the Foundation remain: al@masonryeducation.org and mj@masonryeducation.org.


Deb Bartolucci overviewed the many facets of our new website at http://www.floridamasonry.com/ with particular focus on the new chapter blogs which will be used by the local chapters for their member communications. Other highlights included: Promasonry section and information, Convention highlights and http://www.mafconvention.com/ link and other information related to membership and chapter growth and activities.


John Rehrer requested a person from each Area be assigned to champion the chapter Blogs and participate in training to be held in late February. Please respond to jrehrer@titanamerica.com with the person for your area who will be the local 'blogger'.


Pat McLaughlin reviewed his market data schedule for 2009, all areas with the exception of Treasure Coast have benefited from this presentation. TC is scheduled for January 21st, note change from original date of January 20th on calendar. These presentations will be done twice a year in your local areas. The 2010 next data will be available after May 1st. Please contact Pat at pat@floridamasonry.com to schedule for him to attend your May, June, July meetings and make a presentation.


Rocky Jenkins reviewed Membership goals for each chapter and proposed a membership 'challenge' be presented to the MAF board for approval. The committee was wholeheartedly in agreement and welcomed the Motion from Rocky Jenkins. “In an effort to infuse focus and energy into the process of soliciting new members and renewing existing members the Membership Committee recommends that the Board approve a Membership Drive Program.”
2nd-Robert Carlton.


Contractor Target databases have been sent to the local chapters-with a goal of 100+ contractor members. Currently we have 39 contractor members = 62 NEW contractors members which is 15% of total contractors in the market containing approximately 452 contractors.


Current Contractor Members /Target/ Goal /# Contractors in Market


Tampa 9/ 11/ 21/ 78


Northwest 7/ 5/ 12/ 31


Central 5 /16/ 21/ 106


North Central 5/ 2/ 7/ 13


Southeast 5 /6/ 11/ 43


Southwest 5/ 9/ 14/ 63


Treasure Coast 1/ 4/ 5/ 27


Northeast 1/ 8/ 9/ 55


Ocala 1/4/5/36


Total 39/ 65/ 105/ 452


Pending: New chapters -Miami/ 23, Tallahassee/ 18, Lakeland/Polk 32 Contractors


Joyce Rivas reviewed the 2010 Calendar which is currently on the right side of the Membership blog The calendar lists the meeting dates for the entire year and other important industry dates. At the bottom of the list, each chapter's dates are listed and have been transferred onto the chapter blogs for easy reference. Joyce is requesting confirmation that all dates are correct prior to transfer to the formatted general calendar of the website at the end of January. Areas that do not have an * next to their chapter have no confirmed accuracy yet.


Devon Brookshire set the dates for 2010 Teleconferences: April 6, July 6 and September 17th at the MAF Convention at the Sirata in St. Petersburg, Fl.


Meeting adjourned 10:45