Fiftieth Anniversary History

Conventions and Membership Dues

Beginning with the very first MSTA Convention on January 9, 1954, Lansing was selected as the most central meeting location. Since then, the majority of MSTA Conventions have been held in Lansing. In more recent years, some have been held in Detroit, and now the 50th is being held in Grand Rapids. In the early years, there were some attempts to hold a second Convention in the Upper Peninsula, but those efforts met with limited success.

The earliest conventions were always held on a Saturday, since it was difficult for teachers to obtain released-time for professional activities. The very first Convention attracted about 100 participants; the second about 200; and the third, about 300. By the sixth Convention, there were about 900 in attendance, and for the first time, a commercial exhibit was held. Since then, obviously total membership and Convention attendance have both increased astronomically.

For about the first 10 years, annual dues for MSTA were only $1.00. Not only did that provide membership and a subscription to the Newsletters, but it also allowed one to attend the Convention. Also, at the Convention, complimentary coffee and donuts were provided during registration, and all attendees were supplied with a free box lunch. Not a bad deal for one dollar! In addition, in the early years, commercial exhibitors were never charged a fee. Exhibitors were entertained at a complimentary cocktail hour on Friday night and were provided with a free box lunch during the Convention.

One may question how all this was possible? In part, it was because of the rapidly growing membership. Also, in those days, speakers received no honoraria or expenses. All officers paid their own travel expenses to meetings and Conventions. Operating expenses were kept to a bare minimum. But, with a growing membership and more elaborate Convention format, much has changed. The "infant" Association founded in 1953 developed into a rapidly growing adolescent, and finally into a mature adult.