1980 Highlights

The annual State Conference was held at McGuires in Cadillac. The pre-registration and registration fees were set at $5.00 and $6.00, respectively.  The entire format of the conference was changed this year as were the type of speakers.  No mini sessions were scheduled and all the speakers were from outside the field of driver education.  Secretary of State Richard Austin was the lead-off speaker.  Other presentations were on Fuel Efficient Driving, The Ford Car Loan Program, Motivation, The Air Bag, Drugs and Driving, and Alcohol Education in Driver Education.  All the awards were presented at the conference banquet; and an amendment to the constitution was approved at the business meeting which clarified which organizations were sustaining members of the Executive Board.  New officers were also elected at the business meeting.

The Executive Board held six meetings during the year.  A special project of the board was to have a special mailing to all individuals who had been a member during the past two years but chose not to rejoin.  This was hoped to stop the decrease in membership which had been occurring during the past two years.  A new membership contest was also started.  A free membership would be given to any member who obtained five new members before the end of the membership year.

The Association decided to take the offensive in selling driver education to the public.  The Public Relations Committee designed a speaker's program that could be used to inform community leaders and decision makers about driver education.  Fifteen individuals were trained to use the program.  The first program was presented to the Essexville Lions Club.

Through a gift from Mrs. Richard, in memory of her late husband John, a gavel set was made by Don Callis which would be used during the "passing of the gavel" ceremony at future conferences.

The Association concluded holding a series of  Energy Efficient Driving workshops.

Five issues of the MDTSEA Newsletter were published during the year.  The HTSC agreed to pay all mailing costs.

Association membership was 440 as of the end of the membership year (April 30th).

The treasury had a balance of $4,407.35 on December 6th.

1981 Highlights

The annual State Conference was held at the Hilton Shanty Creek.  The pre-registration fee was set at $10.00 and the registration fee at $12.00.  Once again, the program consisted of general sessions with no mini sessions.  Dr. Philip Runkle, Superintendent of Public Instruction, opened the conference with a presentation on Michigan Driver Education in the '80s.  Other presentations were Competency Based Curriculum for Driver Education, Implementation of Parent Participation, Alcohol As a Food -- Alcohol As a Drug, and Teaching High School Driver Education Fuel Efficiency.  In addition, four members received a free membership for one year for bringing in five new members.  One District Representative was given a $50.00 savings bond for being the representative from the district which brought in the most new members.

At the business meeting, a new slate of officers was elected, and the award winners were presented with their plaques at the conference banquet.

The MDTSEA was actively involved in three bills that affected driver education.  Two bills passed.  One raised reimbursement to $45.00 per student, and the other allowed students to drive with a license parent or legal guardian while enrolled in driver education.

Several public relations presentations were made to civic organizations during the year.

The HTSC dodged a bullet during the year.  Because of financial conditions the university had scheduled it for elimination, but it survived and continued teaching driver education teacher preparation courses and serving as the Secretariat.

The Executive Board held five meetings during the year.  The board agreed to contribute $800.00 to Don Sharp in his suit against the Huron Valley Schools.  The Huron Valley Schools had threatened to drop driver education if its millage didn't pass.  This action would have been illegal because, by law, all public school districts must make driver education available to all eligible students.  He was challenging this threat in court.

Membership at the end of the membership year was 452 (April 30th).

On December 6th, the checking account had a balance of $2,069.74.  There was also $3,000.00 in a money market account which the Association had opened.

1982 Highlights

The annual State Conference was held at the Hilton Shanty Creek.  Pre-registration and registration fees were set at $10.00 and $15.00, respectively.  The program consisted of presentations entitled, Traffic Safety Options in an Age of Dwindling Fiscal Resources, Driver Education in the '80's, Report on the DeKalb County Research Project, and Competency Based Driver Education.  There was also a symposium entitled,  Look to the Future.  No mini sessions were held.  At the business meeting, new officers were elected, and at the banquet, all award winners were recognized and presented their awards.

The Executive Board met six times during the year.  The board approved giving the Association President $200.00 to attend the ADTSEA conference.  The board committees gave a number of reports and there was also a lot of discussions on various topics but no actions were taken.     

The Association had 431 members at the end of the membership year (April 30th).

On December 4th, the balance in the checking account was $714,41 and there was $4,385.55 in the money market account.          

1983 Highlights

The annual State Conference was held at the Hilton Shanty Creek.  Pre-registration and registration fees were again set at $10.00 and $15.00, respectively.  The conference program consisted of presentations entitled, Michigan's Competency Based Driver Education Program, New Drunk Driving Legislation, Critical Issues Facing Driver Education, Probationary Licensing--Results of New Program, and Life Control--Affirmative Action for Safety.  There was also a demonstration of roadside testing of suspected drunk drivers.  No mini sessions were scheduled.

At the conference business meeting, new officers were elected, and at the conference banquet, the award winners were recognized and presented with their awards.

The Executive Board held six meetings during the year.  The board approved donating $200.00 to the Michigan Seat Belt Coalition to aid in its campaign to have mandatory seat belt legislation enacted.  The board was informed that there was a possibility that driver education would be de-mandated.  There was much discussion on what the association might do, and an alternative solution was approved.  The board approved updating the seat belt filmstrip and giving the in-coming president $100.00 to cover expenses incurred during the year.  No itemization was required.  Finally, the board approved joining the Alliance for Traffic Safety.  No fees were involved, but they did accept donations.  The board donated $50.00 

Don Smith reported that the Michigan Association of Insurance Companies (MAIC) was interested in having MDTSEA work with them on the development of a film, video tape, etc. on defensive driving.  Several board members were appointed to meet with the MAIC.

The decline in MDTSEA membership continued.  At the end of the membership year on April 30th, membership was 356.

At the end of the year (December 3rd), there was $665.00 in the checking account.  No report was given for the money market account.

1984 Highlights

The annual State Conference was held at the Hilton Shanty Creek.  The pre-registration fee was set at $15.00 and the registration fee at $10.00.  The program consisted of  general sessions with no mini sessions.  The general session topics included presentations entitled, Washington's Competency Based Program, How to Keep Local Districts Working, Managing Efficiently for a Safer Traffic Environment, New Motorcycle Education and Licensing Requirements, and Washtenaw County Parent Involvement Program.  There was also a forum on Materials and Support for the '80's and Beyond.  At the conference business meeting, new officers were elected, and at the banquet, all the award winners were presented with their plaques.

The Executive Board met seven times during the year.  Rick McGrath from the MAIC was introduced to the board.  The MAIC was interested in getting insurance information to students in school.  He was interested in learning how effective the current comprehensive information guide was, the board's feelings about the development of a short course and a student's pamphlet to go with it, and whether the Association would endorse the short course/pamphlet idea.  The board voted to endorse the program.  Mr. McGrath agreed to come back with a proposal.

The Executive Board approved raising the membership fees for regular and associate members from $10.00 to $15.00 effective October 1st.  The Board also approved on a one-year trial basis the reimbursement of board members for travel expenses if the member lived 150 or more miles (one way) from the meeting site.  Reimbursement was set at 50% of documented costs but not to exceed $50.00.

Three new temporary committees were established:  The Performance Objective Review Committee,  the Development of Classroom Lesson Plans Committee, and the Teacher's Guide for Sobering Consequences Committee.  Several members were appointed for each committee.

Membership at the end of the membership year (April 30th) stood at 378.

The Treasurer reported that he had to withdraw some money from the money market account to pay outstanding bills.  As of December 1st, the balance in the checking account was $1,308.46 and $3,059.42 in the money market account.

1985 Highlights

The Association held its annual State Conference at the Farmington Hills Holiday Inn.  Pre-registration and registration fees were set at $25.00 and $30.00, respectively.  The theme of the conference was "Blueprint for Quality."  The program this year had both general sessions and mini sessions.  The program began with a presentation by David E. Davis, Jr., Editor-Publisher of Car and Driver magazine, and there was a panel discussion on What Is Happening to Driver Education in Michigan.   The breakfast speaker was Representative Jerry Bartnik, and the luncheon speaker was  Karen Gulliver, Director of the OHSP who spoke on Past, Present and Future.  The program also featured a tour of the General Motor's Proving Ground in Milford, or the Lake Orion Auto Plant.  There were six different mini sessions with each topic repeated a second time.  At the business meeting, new officers were elected, and at the banquet, the award winners were recognized and presented with their plaques.

There were seven Executive Board meetings during the year.  The board approved sending letters of condolences to Mrs. Richard Kaywood and Mrs. Leslie Silvernale upon the death of their husbands.  A special committee was formed to investigate the possibility of setting up a memorial fund in the name of Les Silvernale.  A committee was also formed to meet with the MEA and the Michigan Federation of Teachers to get their support for an increase in the driver education reimbursement.

The Executive Board approved raising the annual regular and associate membership dues to $15.00 effective with the 1995 membership year (This increase had already been approved during the previous year); approved purchasing 1,500 vinyl stickers with the MDTSEA logo to be sent out with memberships and two stickers to be included in the registration packets for the next year's conference; approved purchasing 2,500 notebooks with driver education and the Association logo on the front cover to also be distributed at the next year's conference and approved purchasing 5,000 membership cards.   Any vinyl stickers left over would be sold at $0.50 each or three for $1.00.  Finally, the board approved a letter to be sent to Darrel Sand in opposition to an article he wrote against front wheel drive vehicles.

Membership on April 30th, the end of the membership year, was 405.  This was a big improvement over the past five years.

After paying bills of $300.00 for additional filmstrips, $435.00 for the vinyl stickers, and $266.00 for the membership cards, there was a balance in the checking account of $1,179.40 and $3,314.95, plus any interest in the money market account.

1986 Highlights

The Association held its annual State Conference at the Hilton Shanty Creek. The registration fee was $25.00 for pre-registration and $30.00 for registration at the door.  Richard Whitworth of the G.M. proving grounds gave the keynote address.  The general sessions were presentations on the  Impact of New Laws and Their Implications, Goals and Objectives of Driver Education, Classroom Evaluation Materials, and In-Car Skill Evaluation.  There were three mini session topics and each topic was scheduled three times.  At the business meeting, new officers were elected, and the association awards were presented during the conference banquet.

The Executive Board held six meetings during the year.  The board approved selling the  MDTSEA notebooks that were not needed for the registration packets at $7.00 each.  The board voted to approve sending $50.00 to the Alliance for Traffic Safety and approved spending $70.00 to buy a software package for use in computerizing the MDTSEA membership.

Tom Reel announced that $300.00 scholarships, payable upon completion, were available for those interested in completing the courses required to teach driver education.

Membership at the end of the membership year (April 30th) totaled 426.  This was another increase over the previous year.

As of December 6th, there was $2,368.12 in the checking account and $3,536.56 in the money market account.  A bill from MSU in the amount of $774.81 was forthcoming.

1987 Highlights

The annual State Conference was held at the Troy Hilton this year.  The pre-registration and registration fees were increased this year to $65.00 for pre-registration and $85.00 for registration.  Two continental breakfasts, one luncheon, and one banquet were included in the fees.  The conference program was structured differently this year.  There was a speaker from the American Road Team, a discussion of driver education by the Department of Education, and an overview of the Ford driver education films.  Secretary of State Richard Austin was the luncheon speaker.  A three-part presentation on behind-the-wheel evaluation was scheduled over three time slots.

At the conference business meeting, the members approved an amendment to the Constitution which clarified when the newly elected officers would begin their terms of office.  The date was set at the first Executive Board meeting following the conference business meeting.  At the conference business meeting, new officers were elected and at the banquet the award winners were  honored and presented with plaques.

The Executive Board held seven meetings during the year.  The board approved paying up to $150.00 for a coffee break for spouses of conferees, and paying $22.00 to purchase 144 trophy cups as a table favor at the banquet.  Approval was given to purchase notepad holders similar in design to the MDTSEA notebooks to be included in the registration packets, and portfolios again similar in design to be included in next year's registration packets.  The notepad holders cost $8.48 each for an order of 250 and the portfolios $4.66 each also for an order of 250.  The board also approved purchasing one full-year and two half-year subscriptions to the lottery to be given as door prizes at the banquet, and donating $100.00 towards Bill Cushman's retirement.  Bill was the Executive Director of ADTSEA.  The board decided not to renew its membership in the Highway Users Federation for Highway Safety.

Membership totaled 417 at the end of the membership year (April 30th).

The balance in the checking account on December 11th was $3,170.87.  No information on  the amount of money in the money market account was available.  The Association was also informed that MSU would be changing the association's account number to reflect association/organization status.  Consequently, the Association must keep a balance in the account and it can not be overdrawn.  There would also be a $1.00 monthly service charge.

1988 Highlights

This year, the annual State Conference returned to the Hilton Shanty Creek.  Pre-registration and registration fees were set at $25,00 and $30.00, respectively.  There were three general session speakers who spoke on The Journey Is the Reward, Substance Abuse Resource Directory, and a Report of The Governor's Conference for Traffic Safety.  The program included three mini session speakers with each session being repeated a second time.  The conference banquet speaker was Dr. Gordon Blush  who spoke on Six Things to do Before the Crazy Doctor Arrives.

At the conference business meeting, three changes in the Constitution were approved.  The address of the Secretariat was changed to Room 333 Communication Arts Building; another amendment specified that if the President and President Elect were not available, the past presidents in descending order would assume the duties of the President; finally the title of Vice President was changed to President-Elect throughout the Constitution.  At the business meeting, new officers were elected, and all award winners were honored and given their awards at the banquet.

The Executive Board held seven meetings during the year.  The sales price of the MDTSEA portfolios was set at $7.00.  The board also set the price for the revised seat belt filmstrip at $55.00 for members and $65.00 for non-members.

Membership at the end of the membership year (April 30th) was 419.

It was reported that there was a balance of $800.40 in the checking account.  There was no report on the status of the money market account.

1989 Highlights

The annual State Conference was held this year at the Lansing Midway Motor Lodge.  The pre-registration fee was $45.00, and payment at the conference was $50.00.  There were two general sessions with Cherry Jacobus, a member of the State Board of Education, reporting on the Report on the Driver Education Task Force.  (Several board members played prominent roles on this task force.)  Ms. Jacobus received her award following her presentation, as she was not able to stay for the banquet.  All other awards were given at the banquet.  Secretary of State Richard Austin spoke at the other general session.  Mr. Austin also held a press conference to announce that the newly revised What Every Driver Must Know booklets were now available.  In addition to the general sessions, there were nine different mini session topics spread over three sessions.

At the conference business meeting, one change in the Constitution was approved.  This change permitted commercial school driver education teachers to be active members of the Association.  Under the old wording, they would have had to be associate members.  The members also voted in a new slate of officers.

There were seven Executive Board meetings during the year.  The board approved granting the President or his/her representative $200.00 to attend the ADTSEA conference.  The board also approved organizing a special committee to discuss what types of projects the Association should be working on.  This was the result of a concern that the Executive Board was not meeting the purposes of the Association.

The Association joined a group called the Group United Against Radar Detectors (GUARD).  This was a coalition carrying out a national campaign on the need to ban radar detectors.

On April 30th, the end of the membership year, there were 387 members.  This was a significant decrease from the previous year.

On December 3rd there was $800.40 in the checking account.  There was no report on the money market account.