Greater Michigan Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors

Ferris Chapter Members Attend MSCA Fall Conference

Four students from the Greater Michigan MSCA Student Chapter attended the National MSCA Fall Conference with Chapter President Sandra Miller. The students presented a slide presentation and annual report to the MSCA Board of Managers, and were sited from the podium at the opening ceremonies. The Conference was an excellent opportunity for the students to network with contractors from throughout the country, saying nothing about the ability to get in a little surfing at Laguna Cliffs.

FERRIS CHAPTER ATTENDS THIRD NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Seven student representatives of the Greater Michigan MSCA student chapter at Ferris State University were in attendance at the recent Fall Conference for the Mechanical Service Contractors Association in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Along with the Students, Mike Feutz, HVACR Program Director and Scott Leach, FSU Student Advisor were in attendance. Greater Michigan MSCA’s President and Chapter Advisor - Sandra Miller and Russ Borst, Contractor Advisor from Holwerda-Huizinga, Inc. were also present.

This is the third Conference that the chapter has been able to attend.

L. to R. – Rodney Cook, Chapter Vice President, Megan Ruehmeier, Secretary, Eric Fradette, Mike Sweeney, Joe Parker, Chapter President, MSCA’s Executive Director Barbara Dolim, Mike Feutz – Front – Mike Sweeney and Scott Breuker, Chapter Treasurer

MSCA National waives the registration fee for the students, and the Greater Michigan MSCA paid for their flights.The students do fundraising activities during the year to help defray the costs of the lodging.

The Chapter met with the MSCA Board of Governors before the Conference began, and presented their Annual Report (copies are available from the Greater MI MSCA offices – 734-665-5972).One of the highlights of the Conference with the students, along with the Board of Governor’s meeting is the Contractor Roundtable discussion. It gives the students the opportunity to learn more about the mechanical service industry, and the intricacies of running a service company. It was at last year’s Roundtable meetings that the chapter member who became Ferris’s top student in the wage package division, met the contractor he would go to work for after he graduated this past year. Needless to say, everyone attended this program.

The Greater Michigan MSCA sponsored a dinner for the students and interested contractors at Toronto’s CN Tower, which provided a great party, and unbelievable view.

The Chapter is already looking forward to the 2001 Conference in California.

GREATER MICHIGAN STUDENT CHAPTER ATTENDS MSCA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Ferris State University Student Chapter members of the Greater Michigan MSCA were in attendance at the recent Mechanical Service Contractors Association of America Fall Conference. Ten members of the Chapter made the flight to Lake Tahoe, Nevada, along with Chapter Sponsor, Sandra Miller, President of the Greater Michigan MSCA, and Mike Feutz, Director of the Ferris State University HVACR Program.

The MSCA’s 14th annual educational conference – Strategies for Service Excellence was an overwhelming success. From the point of view of the students, being given a variety of educational sessions to attend including: dispatching, labor issues, and consolidations within the industry were tremendously helpful, along with the ability to network with contractors from throughout the country. Top on their lists, excluding the place and the parties, was the expanded Peer Group Discussion, which allowed them to participate on an equal basis with contractors as they discussed common problems, solutions, and ideas.

GREATER MICHIGAN MSCA FERRIS STATE STUDENT CHAPTER ATTENDS THEIR FIRST MSCA NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Eight members of the Chapter attended the MSCA National Conference in Naples, Florida. (Pictured at left at booth during Conference)

Members had the opportunity to attend sessions and interact with contractors from throughout the country.

The costs, for the students, was divided between fundraising by the students, donations from the Ferris State University Student Activity Fund, free registration from MSCA National, and donations from the Greater Michigan MSCA. Student members were made to feel very welcome, first at a special meeting with the MSCA Board of Governors, then by all of the Conference attendees, as they introduced themselves to the students.

The event wasn’t all work and no play, as you can see from the picture at the right. The students had some time to enjoy Florida, and attempt a deep sea fishing trip.

A very special thank-you to MSCA Executive Director Barbara Dolim who worked hard to make sure the students had a great time – including identifying the students with their own special ribbons. Also the MSCA Board of Governors, who mentored the students during their first Conference to assure that they had an educational experience, also deserves a great deal of thanks.

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