Administrative/Biographical History
The Midwestern Association for the Education of Young Children began in 1926 as the Midwestern Association for Nursery Education (MANE). Originally, it was larger than the national association until the mid-60s when federal funds created many new programs for young children. The organization became an Affiliate Group of NAEYC in the 1965-66 membership year and changed its name to the Midwestern Association for the Education of Young Children (MAEYC). The organization became a Regional Linking Group, with automatic membership, at the Madison, Wisconsin Conference in 1975.
The purpose of the MAEYC is to encourage, to coordinate, and to activate the efforts of diverse groups within the Midwest region as they strive to study, communicate, assess, and act on behalf of the well-being of all young children.
Any NAEYC member in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin is automatically a Midwestern AEYC member. Club members pay no dues, as funding is derived from conferences and special activities. Participation and governance is accomplished through affiliate groups of the NAEYC, as well as the Midwest AEYC Council, the governing body which is composed of one representative from each state. The Council offers support to affiliate groups by providing leadership training, special resources, consultant services and communications enhancement. Functions of the Midwestern AEYC include an annual conference hosted by state or local AEYC affiliates, and special project grants awarded annually to any affiliate within the Midwest.
