Michigan Townships Association
Upcoming Training
MTA's Summer Academy is back!
Three timely topics, two days, one great location
This July, hear from governance experts on key techniques for taking your township to the next level at three in-person classes, offering a great way to learn and connect with fellow township officials facing the same day-to-day issues. Topcis include:
- Identify core community values and ensure your programs and services are meeting the needs of your residents at Creating a Vision for Your Township.
- Examine how you can be more transparent and communicate more effectively with constituents as we explore Linking with the Community.
- Discuss the process of Strategic Planning for Townships and plus get tips and tools to help you align resources to meet community needs.
Don’t miss MTA’s 2026 Summer Academy, coming to Bay Valley Resort in Bay City on July 14 & 15!
Click here for details or download the full brochure.
Join us online or in person this month for
Election Ready:
The Township Toolkit
Township clerks and deputies have plenty of hurdles to navigate when it comes to running elections. MTA can help! Spend an afternoon with us this June as we take a deep dive into election requirements and explore practical ways to manage your upcoming elections. So, grab your deputy and join MTA’s election experts and former township clerks Cindy Dodge and Judy Bigney as we explore the latest in elections.
Lunch & registration from noon to 1 p.m.; class is held from 1 to 5 p.m.
June 23 – Frankenmuth, Bavarian Inn Lodge Conference Center. NOTE: Online registration is now closed for this event. Call 517-321-6467, ext. 226 for details.
June 25 – Online, 1-5 PM
Click here to learn more or register online now!
NOTE: Counts as full credit for Chapter 12: Elections in MTA’s Red Book Ready program.
Don't miss MTA's hottest summer workshop!
This August, MTA’s legal counsel brings a how-to guide based on real-life practical experiences at this summer’s Hot Topics in Planning & Zoning. Choose from three locations for this evening class, and stay ahead of the latest trends and update in municipal planning and zoning. We’ll dive into key issues facing townships including:
Renewable Energy: Understand local authority, state preemption, siting trends, and key legal tools such as approval standards and decommissioning agreements.
Data Centers: Learn how to address emerging zoning and legal issues, including noise, generators, water use, buffering, and ordinance updates.
Short-Term Rentals: Explore what townships can regulate, enforcement limitations, and strategies for balancing community interests.
Enforcing Ordinances: Discover how clear ordinance language and strong processes support effective, legally defensible enforcement.
Land Division Act Amendments: Review recent changes, new development opportunities, and what updates your zoning and land division ordinances may need.
This popular series often sells out, so don’t wait—register today!
Can’t get away this summer? MTA’s Now You Know live lunchtime webinar series brings the learning to you!
Join us online on July 15 at noon for
Summer Update:
Legislative News from Inside the Capitol
Get the inside scoop on recent developments at the Capitol from MTA’s Government Relations team. Learn the latest on the state budget and revenue sharing and get an update on housing preemption legislation and property tax reform. Join us live on July 15 at noon, watch a recorded version later, or both! It’s a great way to stay informed and ahead of the legislative tide.
Click here for more details or register online now!
Have you heard about MTA Online?
Is your township considering purchasing an annual subscription to MTA’s Online Learning Center? Click here to read all about it OR Click here to see a list of what’s included in each of the three levels.
Ready to log in and start learning, but need a little guidance? For a written approach, download or print this Getting Started with MTA Online document.
Still have questions? Email education@michigantownships.org to learn more about how your entire township team can get unlimited access today.
To subscribe (or continue your subscription), click here.
Build your knowledge & skills through MTA's unique training programs:
Red Book Ready (RBR)
This self-paced learning journey takes you through MTA’s “little red book” 
(Authorities & Responsibilities of Michigan Townships) chapter by chapter. Classes take you beyond the page, pairing practical guidance with real-world scenarios you can apply in your own township. Look for the little red book icon or chapter numbers next to qualifying courses.
Click here to learn more!
Township Governance Academy (TGA)
For over 40 years, MTA’s Township Governance Academy has provided knowledge and skills board members need to make effective decisions that benefit your township.
It’s designed to professionally challenge you and enhance your experience serving as an elected official. Click here for more info!
Love our Now You Know monthly lunchtime webinars?
Scroll down to catch our most recent episodes
or click here for the current line-up, available live & on-demand!
CONTINUE THE LEARNING
- Meeting Misconceptions: Different meetings require different rules and techniques—but how do you keep it all straight? Get a clear, practical breakdown of meeting types and requirements, including board etiquette and more.
- Dig Up Your Township’s Cemetery Ordinance Uncover key elements every ordinance should include so that it stands the test of time.
- What Your Township Needs to Know about Franchises MTA’s legal counsel breaks down everything from contracts to fees to what’s negotiable in your township’s franchise agreements.
- And so much more! Visit MTA’s Online Learning Center for the full library of on-demand resources.
Need to register new members of your township team for an MTA training?
Individuals must first be added to your township roster in our database in order to be registered.
All clerks and treasurers from member townships have authorization to make changes to other individuals on the township roster from the MTA website. For detailed instructions, click here.
Please complete this form or email a list of your updates to database@michigantownships.org. Be sure to include township/county, as well as name, title and email address for each new individual. An email address is required to access any live or on-demand online training, or to receive event or purchase confirmations. Email addresses must be unique, and may not be used for more than one individual at a time.
For help getting started with an on-demand webcast visit our Online Learning Center’s Getting Started page, or check out our FAQs page.