MASSP election season is just around the corner. Are you ready to take on a bigger role within the Association, be an advocate for your fellow administrators and help advance your career? Every year, one-third of the seats of the MASSP Board of Directors are up for election – It’s almost time! This year MASSP is seeking candidates for:
- President-Elect**
- Region 2 Representative
- Region 4 Representative
- Region 6 Representative
- Region 10 Representative
- Middle Level West Representative
- Assistant Principal West Representative
- CTE Representative (Appointment)
For more information on each of these positions, the role of the MASSP Board of Directors and what the commitment entails, please review the information below.
Overview
Membership on the MASSP Board of Directors is a professional experience that is both challenging and rewarding. It is an opportunity to serve education through a leadership role in Michigan’s largest building administrator organization. The effective presence of MASSP as a positive influence on Michigan’s secondary schools depends in large measure upon the guidance of a highly qualified, well-informed Board of Directors and professional staff. Regardless of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age or disability or veteran status, every professional member – principal or assistant principal – of MASSP is eligible to become a candidate for membership on the Board of Directors. Members of the Board take justifiable pride in the leadership they provide to the extremely diverse membership, as well as for the thousands of middle level and high school youth. Board members must be aware of, and attuned to, the regional needs and concerns of Michigan; the variety of job responsibilities of individual members; rural, urban, and suburban education; minority considerations; and MASSP’s relationship with other professional organizations and our state government.
Board Functions/Commitments
The MASSP Board of Directors exists to help steer the direction of the Association. A prime requisite of candidates who wish to serve on the MASSP Board is a strong commitment to serve, as each term is three years in length. It is also necessary that the candidate’s Superintendent, Board of Education, other building administrators, faculty and family support the candidate through their term on the Board. Board members are expected to be present at four meetings per year and also be in attendance at other events, specifically EdCon and the AP Summit. Board Members are asked to give additional input when needed on legislative and policy issues, and write at least one article for an MASSP publication. The MASSP Board of Directors exists to help steer the direction of the Association. A prime requisite of candidates who wish to serve on the MASSP Board is a strong commitment to serve, as each term is three years in length. It is also necessary that the candidate’s Superintendent, Board of Education, other building administrators, faculty and family support the candidate through their term on the Board. Board members are expected to be present at four meetings per year and also be in attendance at other events, specifically EdCon and the AP Summit. Board Members are asked to give additional input when needed on legislative and policy issues, and write at least one article for an MASSP publication.
Board Positions
Available Board Positions for 2025 Spring Elections are Noted with (*):
- President
State-wide representative who is the presiding officer at Board Meetings and is the official spokesperson and representative for the Board of Directors in partnership with the Executive Director - *President-Elect
State-wide representative on the Executive Board. Candidates must have previously served on the MASSP Board of Directors and after serving one year as President-Elect, will become President of the Board of Directors - Past President
State-wide representative, who the previous year served as President of the Board of Directors, and oversees the Executive Director’s evaluation - Region 1 Representative
Represents: Entire Upper Peninsula - *Region 2 Representative
Represents: Emmet, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Charlevoix, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, and Iosco counties - Region 3 Representative
Represents: Mason, Lake, Osceola, Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Muskegon, Montcalm, Ottawa, Kent, and Ionia counties - *Region 4 Representative
Represents: Clare, Gladwin, Arenac, Isabella, Midland, Bay, Gratiot, Saginaw, Tuscola, and Huron counties - Region 5 Representative
Represents: Sanilac, Lapeer, Genesee, and St. Clair counties - *Region 6 Representative
Represents: Clinton, Shiawassee, Eaton, Ingham, Livingston, and Jackson counties - Region 7 Representative
Represents: Allegan, Barry, VanBuren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch counties - Region 8 Representative
Represents: Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe, and Washtenaw counties - Region 9 Representative
Represents: Macomb county - *Region 10 Representative
Represents: Wayne county - Region 11 Representative
Represents: City of Detroit - Region 12 Representative
Represents: Oakland county - *Middle Level West Representative
Represents Middle Level Members in Regions 3, and 7 - Middle Level Central Representative
Represents Middle Level Members in Regions 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 - Middle Level East Representative
Represents Middle Level Members in Regions 5, 9, 10, 11, and 12 - *Assistant Principal West Representative
Represents Assistant Principal Members in Regions 3, and 7 - Assistant Principal Central Representative
Represents Assistant Principal Members in Regions 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 - Assistant Principal East Representative
Represents Assistant Principal Members in Regions 5, 9, 10, 11, and 12 - At-Large Representative (2 Appointed)
State-wide representatives of under-represented members and raise awareness around diversity and inclusion - *CTE Representative (1 Appointed)
State-wide representation of Career Technical Educations members - NASSP Coordinator
Represents the state of Michigan at the National Association of Secondary School Principals and is the liaison between the two associations, must be a member of both MASSP and NASSP
For reference, please see MASSP Region Map.
Candidate Form and Ballot Process
All candidates must fill out the Candidate Submission Form to apply (link forthcoming for 2025 Election). Before accessing the form, please review the Candidate Information Sheet (2025 forthcoming) regarding commitment, eligibility, requested information and be prepared to provide answers to the following questions. Each candidate’s response will be published on the ballot. Limited word count per question: 175 words or roughly 800 characters.
- Experience: What is your current administrative position? How long have you served in that capacity? What was your path to obtain it?
- Performance: Tell us about any awards, accolades or important points of pride related to your career.
- Education: What post-secondary degrees have you obtained and from where? What additional continuing education have you received? Do you have a particular area of focus/expertise?
- Statement of Intent: Why are you seeking this position on the MASSP Board of Directors?
- Required Documents: Candidates must also supply a letter of support from their Superintendent, as well as a headshot (high quality – 300 dpi – professional headshot or school photo) to be included on the ballot.
**President-Elect candidates must have previously served on the Board of Directors and must obtain petition signatures from 20 eligible voting members, in addition to completing the candidate submission form noted above. Please email maggie@massp.com for additional information regarding the petition form.
Electronic ballots are typically made available to MASSP members during a two-week voting window.
2025 Elections
Considering running for a 2025 Board of Directors position? Please use the forms below and note the important deadlines related to this year’s election process.
One-Page Info Flyer
(link above is from 2024 – 2025 coming soon – just a reference)
Candidate Submission Form
Candidate Submission Forms are typically due beginning of March.
(Link & Date for 2025 forthcoming)
Electronic Ballots will be distributed (two week voting period). Typically from end of March to beginning of April.
MASSP eligible voting members (Professional, Professional Plus & Executive) will receive ballots for the open seats that represent them on the Board; not all members will receive a ballot.
Note
Newly elected board members are expected to attend a New Board Member Training at the MASSP Office (Lansing) typically held in May from 2–5 PM followed by dinner.
Questions?
Please contact Maggie Helmer at maggie@massp.com
Information updated in December/January. Candidate Submission Forms typically due early March. Electronic ballots typically sent to eligible voting members late March/early April for a two week voting period.
Upcoming Election Years & Board Positions
2025 Election
- President-Elect
- Region 2 Representative
- Region 4 Representative
- Region 6 Representative
- Region 10 Representative
- Assistant Principal Representative – West
- Middle Level Representative – West
- CTE Representative (Appointment)
(Next Election for these seats will be in 2028)
2026 Election
- President-Elect
- Region 8 Representative
- Region 9 Representative
- Region 11 Representative
- Region 12 Representative
- Assistant Principal Representative – East
- Middle Level Representative – Central
- At-Large Representative (Appointment)
(Next Election for these seats will be in 2029)
2027 Election
- President-Elect
- Region 1 Representative
- Region 3 Representative
- Region 5 Representative
- Region 7 Representative
- Assistant Principal Representative – Central
- Middle Level Representative – East
- NASSP Coordinator
- At-Large Representative (Appointment)
(Next Election for these seats will be in 2030)