On July 20, 1985 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, while attending the Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) International Convention, several Mid-western members met to finalize plans for what had been a desire of many for some time. In a small room in Tulsa, the Midwest Area Regional Council was born. MARC, as it would come to be known, was made up of members from nine state councils: Great Lakes, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. Another meeting was held on April 5, 1986 in Lansing, Illinois to enable representatives from each state to meet and draft by-laws. At this meeting it was decided that an annual conference would be held on the second week-end of November.

The objectives of MARC are:

• Promote closer relationships and fuller cooperation among the member states
• Assist member states in reaching new goals and new heights in the growth and strengthening of ESA in the Midwest
• Serve as a means of promoting fellowship and unity
• Offer a means of sharing mutual problems, concerns and goals
• Generally means of providing further educational and leadership training for ESA members in the Midwest.

MARC has changed over the years. Our annual Leadership and Conference is now held the second week-end in October each year. We have also expanded our membership by including the states of Nebraska and South Dakota.