Programs & Education

MSAE Office,
Okemos, MI 48864

Instructor: Aaron Wolowiec, CAE, CMP, CTF/MT, CDP
Event Garde, LLC

Industry-specific professional development is a core benefit provided by most associations. In this session, participants will consider professional development within the context of their organizations at both the macro and micro levels. At the macro level, participants will explore what it means to manage a cohesive portfolio of meetings and events given the current state of the pandemic. At the micro-level, participants will examine a comprehensive approach to designing and delivering both learning and networking experiences for a selected event that not only meets but exceeds changing customer expectations.

American Concrete Institute,
Farmington Hills, MI 48831

Instructor: John Tramontana, CAE
Michigan Veterinary Medical Association of Michigan

Instructor: Chelsey Martinez
Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators

Perception is reality. In this engaging session, two accomplished executives will bring focus and new perspective to the public relations and marketing activities that shape an association’s brand. Instructors will help participants think strategically about the audiences an association needs to influence and lead the group through the process of developing a plan that integrates marketing, public relations, and branding. This Academy session will provide association professionals a basic understanding of the critical roles public relations, marketing and branding play for associations.

MSAE Office,
Okemos, MI 48864

Instructor: Susan Radwan, CAE, MEd., ARM, SMP
Leading Edge Mentoring  

How does your association identify, organize and make available the collective knowledge and information that is contained within it? The overall objective of knowledge management is to create value and to leverage, improve, and refine an association's competencies and knowledge assets to meet organizational goals and member needs. In this Academy session, attendees will learn to:

• Assess the state of knowledge management in their organizations
• Recognize the need for intentional development of knowledge management resources
• Begin to develop a content strategy for their departments within a larger knowledge management environment

Monday, April 18, 2022 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
American Concrete Institute,
Farmington Hills, MI 48831

Instructor: Dawn Crandall
Home Builders Association of Michigan            

Now more than ever, members look to their associations to represent their interests at the local, state and federal levels. But COVID-19 and the 2020 election have dramatically changed the landscape of association government relations. Coalitions have new significance. New legislators are in office. The authority of the executive office, state departments and local officials ebbs and flows. In this Academy session, participants will learn about the fundamentals of association government relations programs, why they are critical to so many associations and the laws and regulations that apply to association lobbying activities.

Monday, May 23, 2022 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
MSAE Office,
Okemos, MI 48864

Instructor: Lori Birman, CAE
Small Business Association of Michigan

Instructor:  Marcy Dwyer, CAE, CMP, MBA
Detroit District Dental Society  

In many ways, membership is the very essence of associations. This session will provide participants with an overview of the importance and role that membership plays in various types of non-profit organizations. With the expert guidance of two veteran association executives as instructors, participants will learn about what motivates the decision to join, commonly used membership models, core tenets of recruitment, retention and the member life cycle, as well as the value of data for strategy, benchmarking and member service.

Monday, June 27, 2022 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
American Concrete Institute,
Farmington Hills, MI 48831

Register for Individual Session

Instructor: Gretchen Couraud, CAE, CFRE
TwoCan Management
  

Revenue generation is essential to leading a successful association. Learn about generating association non-dues revenue, including sponsorships, advertising, and affinity programs. Take the fear out of fundraising by learning what motivates people to give and how data can strategically promote your association and attract your supporters. Acquire skills and tools used by professional fundraisers to build your program. 

Monday, August 29, 2022 | 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM 
MSAE Office,
Okemos, MI 48864

Register for Individual Session

Instructor: Larry Merrill, CAE
Public Policy Associates

One of things that makes associations unique is how we are governed. “Governance” is the process by which decisions are made at all organization levels. The value added to associations by their boards of directors will be the major focus of Association Governance. Collectively, we will examine the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act requirements, board roles, structure, decision processes and authority delegated to staff and consider their impacts on an association’s ability to survive or thrive in challenging times.

Monday, September 26, 2022| 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
American Concrete Institute,
Farmington Hills, MI 48831

Register for Individual Session

Instructor:  Michael Moss, CAE
Society for College & University Planning   

In this session on strategic planning, we will learn how to create an actionable and resilient strategic plan that enhances organizational effectiveness through:
· Assessing your organization’s readiness for change · Developing a toolkit to understand stakeholder and member needs
· Understanding how strategy is developed, who is involved, and how your plan will address the needs of your organization
· Applying the interacting elements of strategy into an effective, sustainable process based on your organization’s culture.

MSAE Office,
Okemos, MI 48864

Register for Individual Session

Instructor: Bradley DeVries, CPA, CAE
Yeo & Yeo CPA and Business Accounting

Financial results are a vital component to gauging an association’s success and accomplishing its mission. As a result, it’s important that even those outside of the finance department understand the benchmarks and metrics, as well as the policies and procedures necessary to maintain and safeguard an association’s assets. 

This course provides the foundational skills necessary to interpret your financial information and make impactful decisions to maintain financial health and adapt for the challenges ahead.

American Concrete Institute,
Farmington Hills, MI 48831

Register for Individual Session
 
Instructor: Edward Woods III
Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission  

When an association values differences and creates a welcoming environment – one that is comfortable, inclusive, and empowering – they open the door for innovation, increased participation and an elevated sense of community and belonging for all. With evolving and highly diverse memberships and workforce, statements are not enough. Session participants should come ready to share and explore how associations can value differences and create welcoming environments to maximize member engagement and add value to your associations.

MSAE Office,
Okemos, MI 48864

Register for Individual Session

Instructor: Debbie Kopkau, MBA, CAE, CMP, GMS
Michigan School Business Officials

Instructor: Stephanie Wohlfert, CMP, CTA
Greater Lansing Convention Visitor's Bureau

This session will provide a basic overview of best practices in meeting planning for virtual and in-person meetings from the perspectives of both a veteran meetings planner and a supplier. Participants will gain an understanding of:
1. An event planning timeline from securing a venue through meeting promotions and communications
2. Meeting budget preparation including data collection for assumptions and pricing strategies
3. Speaker identification and contracts
4. Meeting logistics, including setup, capacities, special needs as well as food and beverage

Event Garde, LLC

Aaron D. Wolowiec, CMP, CTF/MT, CDP, CAE is a learning/meetings strategist, certified Technology of Participation facilitator, and association author, coach, and speaker. He designs engaging, multisensory learning experiences for association learners, resulting in acquisition of new knowledge and skills, forging of new relationships, and applied learning and perspective in the workplace. As the Chief Executive Officer of Event Garde, Aaron is a serial learner and entrepreneur who is nationally recognized for his professional development and facilitation work with boards, learners, staff, and volunteers.

Michigan Veterinary Medical Association of Michigan

John Tramontana, MS, CAE, is the CEO of the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association. Prior to that, he served as the Director of Communications, PR & Marketing for the Michigan Association of School Boards. John is a member of MSAE's Board of Directors and chairs ASAE's Communication Professionals Advisory Council. He has also worked in politics, healthcare and as a morning news anchor in Lansing.

Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators

Chelsey serves as the Chief of Staff and Director of Communications at the Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators (MASA) overseeing the association's communications department, as well as operations of the office of the Executive Director, including management of the MASA Board and Council. With more than a decade of communications, PR, and public policy experience, Chelsey’s previously held positions include Communications and Marketing Analyst for the Office of Educator Excellence at the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Director of Communications at the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), and a Writer at the Michigan House of Representatives. Chelsey holds two bachelors degrees – one in Social Relations and Policy from Michigan State University’s James Madison College and another in Journalism. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Strategy, Management, and Leadership at MSU’s Broad College of Business.

Susan Radwan, MEd, CAE, SMP

Leading Edge Mentoring 

Sue Radwan, MEd, CAE, SMP is the proprietor of Leading Edge Mentoring--a consulting firm with an international reach, focused on governance. Radwan has been teaching MSAE's online CAE Preparation Program since 1995. She is the Executive Editor for Professional Practices in Association Management, 4th edition, published by ASAE. She served in a similar capacity with the 3rd edition that was jointly published by ASAE with Wiley & Company. Radwan has been a long-time friend of MSAE through her teaching and writing articles for publication.

Home Builders Association of Michigan            

Dawn is the Executive Vice President of Government Relations for the Home Builders Association of Michigan. She began interning in the state senate in 1985 and worked her way through the senate while she was in attending college. In 1993 Dawn became the legislative director for State Representative Bev Hammerstrom where she worked until she was hired as the political affairs director at the Home Builders Association of Michigan in 1996.

Small Business Association of Michigan

Detroit District Dental Society

TwoCan Management
  

Gretchen's experience spans 30 years leading and consulting in associations, non-profits and chambers of commerce. TwoCan Management is a consulting firm focused on building organizations to fulfill mission and achieve measurable results. Their services include strategic planning, governance, board leadership development, fundraising and financial and systems analysis.

Larry Merrill, CAE
Public Policy Associates

Larry Merrill, CAE, has over 45 years of association and public sector governance experience as both a chief staff executive and as an elected or appointed governing body member, officer and board chairman. He has advised many not-for-profit and governmental boards and commissions on policies and practices aligned with the organization’s culture, strategic planning and resolving organization conflicts. He holds a masters degree in public administration and was elected to the MIchigan Association Executive Director Hall of Fame.

Society for College & University Planning   

Mike Moss, CAE, serves as president at the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP). His primary responsibility is working with the board of directors on the alignment and execution of the society’s strategic plan. In collaboration with the members of the SCUP Council, he works to create an inclusive environment where members from all planning types can come together to share experiences and solve their stickiest challenges, together.

Moss started his non-profit management journey in 1992, when he accepted his first job at the Saginaw Bay Watershed Council. Since then he has worked in two state associations and two international associations, with responsibilities in learning, operations, human resources, IT, strategic partnerships, and member services. Moss is an active volunteer in supporting association management organizations through board service, facilitation of strategic planning processes, and teaching strategy and governance courses.

Since the early days of internet threads, Moss starts each and every day reading the latest on the heavy metal music world and tracking his favorite bands. Metallica is required daily listening for Moss and whoever has to sit next to him at the office. As a lifelong runner and avid gardener, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and son and their amazing dog, Annie.

Yeo & Yeo CPA and Business Accounting

Bradley DeVries, CPA, CAE, is the Managing Principal of Yeo & Yeo's Lansing office. He began his career as an internal auditor at the State of Michigan, before joining Yeo & Yeo in 2005 where he specializes in providing consulting and audit services to non‐profit organizations, associations, and real estate entities.

Brad is a regular presenter on non‐profit topics, including presentations through MSAE, MICPA, among others, and has authored numerous articles for Yeo & Yeo’s Nonprofit Perspectives newsletter.

A graduate of Western Michigan University, Brad holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in accounting and is a certified public accountant, certified association executive and holds a non‐profit
certificate earned through the AICPA.

Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission  

Michigan School Business Officials

Debbie Kopkau has been in the Education Association field since 1991. She currently is the Director of Certification for Michigan School Business Officials. Debbie received her CMP in 2001, earned her MBA in 2010, and CAE in 2013. Debbie comes to us with over 29 years of experience in meeting planning and developing content in the educational industry for business officials.