History of MSAP

The founders of the Michigan State Association of Parliamentarians met in Detroit under the chairmanship of Gladys Richardson (who became the first president) and resolved to form an association, which was chartered May 4, 1968. The president of NAP, Mrs. Allen H. Dawson presented the charter to MSAP during the first convention, which was held in Kalamazoo.

MSAP includes the following Local NAP Units:

The Detroit Unit, chartered in 1963, was initially called the Emma Fox Unit. It was named after a Detroit resident who was the author of a widely used parliamentary authority. The unit meets all year on the fourth Saturday of each month except December, when they meet on the third Saturday, at the Employment and Training Building in Detroit.  They hosted the annual meeting in Southfield in 2001.

The Kalamazoo Parliamentary Law Unit was founded in 1946 by seven women leaders of the area as the Kalamazoo Parliamentary Club. They asked a professor at Western Michigan University to teach in parliamentary procedure. Chartered on October 6, 1967, they meet the second Thursday of the month from September through May at the Christian Church - Disciples of Christ. They hosted the annual meeting held in Battle Creek in April 2003.

During its first ten years, MSAP consisted of Detroit and Kalamazoo Units.

The Parliamentary Unit of Oakland was founded in August, 1976. The first assignment was to write bylaws, which were subsequently adopted in November. The charter was issued in April, 1978. The name was changed to Louise Saks Parliamentary Unit following the founder's death on April 24, 1990. The unit meets on the third Tuesday of each month, September through June, at the First Presbyterian Church in Birmingham. The Saks unit hosted the 2002 annual meeting in Livonia.

The Saginaw Valley Unit was organized in June of 1984 by Dr. Leonard Young, and chartered that same year. The unit planned to host the 1986 MISAP Convention, which was cancelled due to flooding in the area. A convention without workshops was held a month later. Determined to host a convention, they hosted the 1987 mid-term meeting. They hosted the annual meeting in Saginaw in 1999. The Unit meets at Martin Chiropractic Office in Bridgeport on the fourth Tuesday of each month, September through May.

The Michigan Unit of Registered Parliamentarians (MURP) was chartered in 1989. Founded by Leona Meyer, it's first president, this unit hosted the 2000 annual meeting in Romulus. The unit meets quarterly at the call of the president. The unit was saddened by the death of its founder, Leona Meyer, in August 2002.

The Redford Unit was founded by longtime Detroit Unit member Grace Banks and chartered in 1994. They hosted the 1998 mid-term meeting in Livonia. The unit meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at the Lola Valley Masonic Temple in Redford. They also hold an annual workshop in November.

The Genesee Area Unit organized in May 2002, with newly professionally registered parliamentarian Dr. Gail Knapp elected as the unit's first president. The charter was issued in January 2003. The unit meets the third Monday of the month from September through May at Mott Community College.