Local Legacies

Local Legacies

In 1986 Certified Speaking Professional Laurie Stewart, encouraged Michael Scott Karpovich to join what was then known as the "Professional Speakers Association of Michigan" (PSAM)
In 1988 after a second invitation by Laurie Stewart, Michael finally joined the Professional Speakers Association of Michigan and the National Speakers Association!
In 1989, Michael was asked to be the Professional Speakers Association of Michigan (PSAM) newsletter editor – he increased it from 1 color, 1 page, to a 2 color, 18 pages publication!
In 1990, he renamed the newsletter from "PSAM NEWS" to The Michigan Speaker.
As a director, he introduced the concept of "magazine" rather than a newsletter.
As a director, he designed and drew the new PSAM logo.

In 1993, Michael took action to have PSAM chartered with the Michigan Lung Association as a "smoke free organization."
Michael completed the first of several Chapter of Excellence applications and each year, Michigan was recognized for its excellence.
As membership chair, Michael changed the name badges to make them more contemporary and incorporate the new logo.
As membership chair, Michael computerized the membership database which lead to the most complete records in PSAM's history and eventually to more effective marketing.
As membership chair, Michael introduced the PSAM "booth of fame" to encourage the pros of the association. This display promoted the chapter by displaying photos of past presidents, chapter members of the year, certified speaking professionals, and other award winners!
As membership chair, Michael created the first PSAM automated hotline, which rang into his own home with an automated message. Later, he introduced the toll-free hotline 1-800-990-PSAM... this number is still used by the state association and rings into the association management firm's office.
As membership chair, Michael gave the PSAM directory the name "Meeting Planners Resource Guide"
As program chair, Michael increased the half-day meeting into a full day seminar with lunch.
As program chair, Michael created a specific paper trail format with forms for visiting guest speakers.
As program chair, Michael created a two column / newsletter-like agenda to provide info & value.
As president-elect, Michael started the PSAM Web site... http://www.PSAM.org (now http://www.NSAMichigan.org )
As president-elect, Michael pushed for and found the Ann Arbor, Michigan-based association management firm: Association Management Resources.
As president-elect, Michael created the Michigan Speakers Hall of Fame to honor nationally known speakers like Michigan-born Wayne Dyer, and Dr. Sonya Friedman of CNN fame.
As president-elect, Michael created the Charles Leadership Award to honor ultimate leaders within the association.
With the inspiration of Ohio Speakers Forum president Pat Donadio, Michael (as President-Elect) created the M.I.C. Award (Membership Involvement Counts) which was designed to thank PSAM chapter members for their leadership and encourage the "leadership track" in NSA and its Michigan chapter. This practice continued for three years in PSAM.
As president, Michael pushed for creating a more industrywide "Meetings Industry Resource Guide." This new publication was not a directory of speakers but a complete resource for the meeting planners of Michigan.
As president, Michael encouraged the expansion of the Speakers School to a two-day Speakers University.
As president, Michael created, at his own expense, a PSAM card which served as a simple, easy-to-distribute brochure for the chapter.
As past-president, Michael initiated the involvement of PSAM in the MSAE/MMPI Annual Convention. Due to his work, in July of 1998, the first MSAE/MMPI/PSAM Annual Convention was a success! For the first time, MSAE /MMPI had strong professional speakers at the center of their programming!
In 2000 the Professional Speakers Association of Michigan's name was changed to NSA - Michigan, to reflect the national effort to establish NSA as the source of professional speakers. At this moment the logo Michael originally illustrated was retired after over twelve years of use. It was replaced with a new logo which closely resembled his original art!
At the NSA-Michigan seminar of September 8, 2001outgoing president Certified Speaking Professional Vicki Niebrugge, presented one of the first of four "NSA Michigan President's Awards" to Michael Scott Karpovich, Certified Speaking Professional.
At the NSA-Michigan seminar of May 10, 2003 the chapter board honored Michael with the Chapter Member of the Year Award. At the National Convention in New Orleans Michael was recognized for this prestigious award!

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