The records of the Professional Secretaries International, Huron Valley Chapter, consist of three linear feet of organizational materials covering the years 1953-1982. The material as been organized and described in two series: Records and Newsletters. Notable file headings within the Records Series include History, Activities, Committees, Directories/Membership, Meetings and Minutes.
Although there is some material from the Michigan Division of the NSA, the bulk of the collection documents the functioning of a local branch. The minutes, reports, and especially the newsletters, provide a detailed picture of the administration and activities of this NSA chapter from its founding in 1952 until 1981.
Beyond the study of the organization itself, the collection would be useful for studies relating to white-collar workers, professional organizations, the workings of bureaucracies, and women's history. Also, since the collection encompasses the period of the late 1960's and early 1970's when feminism was becoming an important issue, the collection has potential importance for its documentation of the self-image of secretaries and their attitudes towards their work.
Although there is some material from the Michigan Division of the NSA, the bulk of the collection documents the functioning of a local branch. The minutes, reports, and especially the newsletters, provide a detailed picture of the administration and activities of this NSA chapter from its founding in 1952 until 1981.
Beyond the study of the organization itself, the collection would be useful for studies relating to white-collar workers, professional organizations, the workings of bureaucracies, and women's history. Also, since the collection encompasses the period of the late 1960's and early 1970's when feminism was becoming an important issue, the collection has potential importance for its documentation of the self-image of secretaries and their attitudes towards their work.
The Professional Secretaries International was founded in 1942 under the name National Secretaries Association (NSA). The original name was not changed until 1983. On June 7, 1952 the Huron Valley Chapter of the NSA was installed. Approval of the establishment of the Michigan State organization followed in November of the same year.
The NSA was a non-profit, non-sectarian organization whose purpose was to promote professionalism among secretaries. A variety of means were adopted to achieve this end. The NSA sponsored competitions to recognize and reward excellence, including the annual Boss of the Year (BOTY) and Secretary of the Year (SOTY) contests. Each year it offered a number of workshops and seminars to enable secretaries to continue learning as they worked. The seminars covered a wide spectrum of topics from the psychology of human relations to the workings of the business world. Similarly, the NSA issued instructional pamphlets for secretaries.
A major program sponsored by the NSA was the Certified Professional Secretary course, which tested secretarial skills and graded participants accordingly. It was the aim of this program to set uniform professional standards on the national level.
Another function of the NSA was to oversee local branches of the Future Secretaries Association, an organization for high school girls. The NSA endeavored to instill its values in these young women as well as helping them to learn the necessary skills. The Huron Valley Chapter annually awarded fifty dollars to the most promising of these young women to help pay for their educations. It also provided opportunities to visit an actual office and observe secretaries at work.
The NSA was not a union. It did not address itself to employee grievances or the issues of salary and benefits. Instead the organization adopted a code of ethics that emphasized personal loyalty and cooperation.
Nor was membership automatic for any secretary who wished to join. Applications had to be approved by other members, based on the applicant's ability and recommendations from employers. Thus the NSA maintained its character as a professional organization rather than a union or social club.
