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CGA Newsletter: August 2014

The Canadian Glass Association has recently selected Centric Management
and Consulting to serve as our new association management company

Canadian Glass Association
The Canadian Glass Association has recently selected Centric Management and Consulting to serve as our new association management company. We are excited to work with Centric, as they also currently manage the Glass Association of North America. This creates the opportunity for synergy within the glazing industry, giving added value for membership. This partnership will closely align the two associations, which should negate the possibility of duplication of efforts while giving the glazing industry, as a whole, a stronger voice. It is our belief that this is an extremely positive partnership.

The CGA would like to thank interim executive director, Rich Porayko, for all of his efforts in guiding CGA, overseeing its recent national conference, and for introducing Centric to CGA.

Centric Management and Consulting is an accredited Association Centric Management and Consulting is an accredited Association Management Company. Administered by AMC Institute, AMC Institute Accreditation is recognized and supported by the American Society of Account Executives & The Center for Association Leadership. Accreditation is based on the ANSI Standard of Good Practices for the AMC Industry and demonstrates the commitment and the ability to deliver the highest level of professional management services to association and not-for-profit clients. 

Atlantic Provincial Glaziers Association
The Atlantic association has just come through our first Glass Connections trade show and conference and it was a huge success! The APGA was honoured to be able to host and be a part of this great event. With the sponsor spots and attendance sold out, the event was a hit from the Kitchen Party with great east coast music to the presenters who provided a great insight into different aspects of our industry. I would like to thank the CGA for allowing us to participate, and for having faith in the APGA directors to pull this thing off. I would like to particularly thank Tony Spurrell for his dedication and commitment in putting this together – we couldn’t have done it without you Tony, thanks.

We are also hopeful that the talks concerning apprenticeship have planted a seed in Atlantic Canada, and the vision the APGA has for making glazing an apprenticeship trade in our region can now take root and progress. That is now our mandate.

Provincial Glaziers Association of Alberta
The PGAA elected a number of new faces to our executive and director positions at our March 12 annual general meeting.  A complete list of these hard-working volunteers can be found on our website at pgaa.ca.  The PGAA would like to thank our past president, Jim Brady from Desa Glass, for his vision and countless volunteer hours that has kept our association relevant to our members. One person alone cannot keep the wheels on the wagon and Jim has managed during his tenure to attract and retain many selfless volunteers. This will make the job of incoming president, Ross Wady of All Glass Parts, a whole lot easier. We wish Jim much success in his new position as president of the Canadian Glass Association.

Each year, the PGAA participates in an annual event to educate high school and post secondary students about the wide variety of trades available to them. This event is the annual Provincial Skills Canada competition held in Edmonton this past May 14 and 15. The PGAA Try-A-Trade booth attracted over 450 students. The three stations we set up provided hands on experience under the supervision of a qualified tradesperson. These stations were glass cutting, curtain wall pressure-plate installation and hand rail pocket and cap installation.        

Ontario Glass and Metal Association
In January, the OGMA reached agreement with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS) to proceed on the creation of a manual geared specifically for small and mid-sized glazing contractors and glass shops.  A draft prototype of the new OGMA/WSPS Glazing Contractor Health and Safety Manual was displayed for the first time at the recent Top Glass Conference and Exhibits Show. This all encompassing document will be of particular importance to companies who do not have a formal safety policy in place and who do not have the time or resources to create a program on their own.  The WSPS will work with your company to implement the safety program, will keep you updated on all changes to laws with which you must comply, will put you in a strong position to withstand a Workwell audit, and will help you to defend yourself with the Ministry of Labour in the event of a workplace accident. Contact an OGMA director for more information.

The Workplace Safety and Prevention Committee held its last meeting in May on the topic of Contractor Safety.  These meetings are of great value and benefit to glazing contractors and glass shops and cover many topics that have a significant impact on your business. If you are interested in attending a future meeting or joining the group contact Steve Ringler.  steve.ogma@bellnet.ca.

The OGMA held its annual spring golf tournament at Pipers Heath GC on May 29, 2014. The event was a complete sell out with 144 golfers and over 150 for an outstanding steak dinner.  At the event, the OGMA honoured Doug Hotham by presenting him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.  A bursary was also presented to Yaser Ahmad who was at the top of his class in the apprenticeship training program.
We’re all set for Thursday, Sept. 18, at a new OGMA venue, the Richmond Hill Golf Club.  Mark your calendar now.