Annual Meeting Announcement

All Regular and Associate Members of the Michigan Society of Association Executives are called to attend the Annual Membership Meeting on August 1, 2023, from 12:15 p.m. - 12:55 p.m., during MSAE's Annual Conference at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center. Agenda items include the election of new directors to the board and an amendment to the bylaws.

Election of Directors

Based upon the Report of the Leadership Identification Committee chaired by Ara Topouzian, MSAE's Board of Directors is pleased to recommend the following members for election to the board:

AMC Representative: (One nominee to fill one seat) 

Jacquelen Timm, CAE, Director of Association Management & Communications
Kelley Cawthorne

CVB Representative: (One nominee to fill one seat) 

David Buckenberger, CDME, CMP, CTA, Senior Vice President of Business Development
Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau

At Large Members: (Three nominees to fill three seats) 

Mary Chris Hotchkiss, CMP, CTA, Group Sales Director
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau

Samuel Klemet, President and CEO
Michigan Association of Broadcasters

Stephen Pontoni, Executive Director (2nd term)
Michigan Association for Justice

Candidates for At Large seats stand nominated to serve a three-year term; candidates nominated for AMC and CVB representative positions stand nominated to serve a two-year term. The election will be conducted electronically using software furnished by AssociationVoting (details below); however, this announcement serves as official notice of the slate. 

Proposed Amendment to the Bylaws

Also on the agenda is a bylaw amendment that would include Industry Partner Members who are executive officers of their companies as Regular Members, versus restricting Regular Membership to only the top paid administrative officer, as the bylaws currently read. This change will allow MSAE to more effectively leverage industry partner leaders' expertise and make those who are executive officers of their companies eligible for board service. The vote on this amendment will be conducted using software provided by AssociationVoting (details below); however, this announcement serves as official notice of the proposed amendment. 

Voting & Results

Voting will occur digitally between July 10 - 30, 2023. All Regular Members of MSAE in good standing as of June 30, 2023, will be emailed a secure ballot on July 10, 2023, by AssociationVoting. Election results will be announced at the Annual Membership Meeting on August 1, 2023. 

Regular and Associate members attending only the meeting portion of the conference may check in at the conference registration desk to be issued a pass to gain entrance to the event. 

Thank You, Volunteers! 

MSAE appreciates the service and diligent work performed throughout the nomination process by members of the Leadership Identification Committee: 

• Ara Topouzian (Committee Chair)
  ^{Michigan Venture Capital Association}    

• Christina Ward, GMS
  ^{Community Mental Health Association of Michigan}          
• Jean Elizabeth Jernigan, CAE, CMP, IOM
  ^{Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce}        
• Jill S. Sokacz, CAE, CMP
  ^{Michigan Trucking Association}   
• John Tramontana, CAE
  ^{Michigan Veterinary Medical Association}              
• Matthew Szubinski, CAE
  ^{Michigan Bankers Association}

Conference details are available here. We look forward to seeing you in Kalamazoo!

NOTE: This announcement has been updated to reflect the extended the electronic voting window of July 10, 2023 through July 30, 2023.