M C A
U P D A T E
MCA DATES
February 2019
Dear MCAs present and future,
We are looking forward to the next MCA Exam on Friday April 5th. Best
wishes to those of you who have been preparing for exam this winter.
The MCA Committee is often asked to offer tips for preparing for this
rigorous exam. Honestly, there is no substitute for putting in the hours.
You will want to have thoroughly reviewed all 13 chapters of the study
guide. It is also important to have spent time in the Tree, Insect and
Disease appendices of the study guide (these are Appendix A, B and C).
We encourage you to team up with colleagues, quiz each other, assign
chapters for review, create flash cards – whatever it takes!
And on exam day – take a deep breath! You’ll have several hours with the
exam so don’t feel you need to rush if you see others finishing. Take your
time. And keep in mind that many people take the exam multiple times
before passing.
The MCA Overview course planned for March 1 is designed to address these
concerns and alleviate some of the nerves coming into the exam. Knowing
what to expect from the exam format and style of questions can be really
helpful, as can identifying what study guide material needs more attention.
For the current MCAs out there, I hope everyone has now
turned in their 2018 recertification tally sheets. If you for-
got, please do so right away. If your 2018 sheet is not
received in 2019, your certification is automatically
revoked. Finally – if you receive an alert from the MAA
office that your sheet is missing, don’t ignore it!
Enjoy these waning days of winter!
Brandon Maltby, MCA
MCA Committee Chair
Is Your MCA Recertification Pending?
2018 Recertification Sheets were due February 15.
MCA
2018
Not sure if you still owe your tally sheet? Visit the MAA Member
Directory at MassArbor.org and filter by “MCA Status”.
If you’re on the “pending” list we do not have your tally sheet.
Tally sheets submitted after the February 15 deadline must be
accompanied by a $50 late fee. Don’t lose this valuable credential
due to a simple oversight!
Contact the MAA Office if you are uncertain about fees owed or credits earned.
TUESDAY • MARCH 26, 2019
MAA Safety Saves
2:30 – 4:30 p.m. • Elm Bank • Wellesley, MA
✭ Earn your annual safety credits!
TUESDAY • MARCH 26, 2019
MAA Dinner Meeting
5:00 p.m. • Ken’s Steak House • Framingham, MA
✭ Earn your annual education credits!
FRIDAY • APRIL 5, 2019
MCA Exam
8:30 a.m. • Elm Bank • Wellesley, MA
TUESDAY • APRIL 23, 2019
MAA Dinner Meeting
5:00 p.m. • Ken’s Steak House • Framingham, MA
✭ Earn your annual education credits!
FRIDAY • APRIL 26, 2019
Arbor Day of Service
✭ Earn MCA community service credits!
WEDNESDAY • OCTOBER 2, 2019
MCA Exam
8:30 a.m. • Elm Bank • Wellesley, MA
Note: This exam is on a Wednesday.
2019 MCA COMMITTEE
Brandon Maltby, MCA
Chair & MCA Representative
Maltby & Co., Inc.
Rachel Brinkman, MCA
Arnold Arboretum
Bruce Duffy, MCA *
Town of Duxbury
Keith Bernard, MCA *
Barrett Tree Service East, Inc.
Max Ford-Diamond, MCA
Past Chair
Boston Parks & Recreation
* New committee member
2+2
MCA Credit Reminder
MCAs are required to earn 2 safety credits and 2
education credits each year. One MAA Safety
Saves Seminar plus one MAA Dinner Meeting
will satisfy these requirements.
These events are great opportunities to connect with
colleagues, have a great meal and earn credits!
6 MAA NEWS / March 2019