Michigan Townships Association
Upcoming Training
MTA's Annual Conference & Expo is almost here!
In addition to 50+ workshops during the main event, come early on Mon., April 20 for a deeper dive with one of our pre-conference courses. Add any of them to your current registration by clicking here – or join us just for the day (full conference registration not required!).
- Assessors Renewal: Leadership by Design
Approved by the STC for four (4) hours of assessors elective credit. - Defining Your Township’s Land Use Future
Approved for six (6) TGA Foundations credits. Full credit for Red Book Ready Ch. 15. - Understanding Assessing Basics
Satisfies STC training requirement for all uncertified assessing support staff. Full credit for Red Book Ready Ch. 10. - Mapping the Money: Strengthening & Streamlining Financial Oversight
Full credit for Red Book Ready Ch. 8. - Legal Institute for Township Attorneys
Designed by municipal attorneys, for municipal attorneys.
- Assessors Renewal: Leadership by Design
Coming to three locations in May:
Planning & Zoning Primer
Get the fundamentals at this evening class!
MTA is teaming up with its legal counsel from Bauckham, Thall, Seeber, Kaufman & Koches, PC to bring you a Planning & Zoning Primer, an evening class—thoughtfully designed as intermediate-level training with a beginner-friendly foundation. Whether you’re new to the process or looking for a refresher, this class provides a clear, practical roadmap for anyone involved in your township’s planning and zoning process.
You won’t want to miss this deep dive into the “step by step” of both a special land use permit at the planning commission and a variance request at the zoning board of appeals (ZBA).
Held from 4-8 PM; includes dinner.
May 6 – Lawrence, Van Buren ISD
May 13 – Frankenmuth, Bavarian Inn Lodge
May 18 – Harbor Springs, The Highlands
For more details or to download a registration form, click here. OR register online now!
Lunchtime webinar May 13 at noon:
Dig Up Your Township’s Cemetery Ordinance
Join MTA consultant, Cindy Dodge—a frequent speaker for the Michigan Association of Municipal Cemeteries—on a walk through a township cemetery ordinance and listen in as she uncovers key elements every ordinance should possess.
Whether you’re reviewing an existing ordinance or starting from scratch, she’ll help you uncover areas that need refreshing and dust off outdated provisions so you can rest assured your township’s cemetery ordinance is well-grounded to stand the test of time.
You can learn more here, or click the button below to register today.
Election Ready
Choose from four in-person locations in June or join us online for this afternoon class!
Is Your Township Election Ready?! 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 included on site at noon; class from 1-5 PM.
June 4 – Kalamazoo, WMU Fetzer Center
June 16 – Marquette, NMU
June 17 – Gaylord, Treetops Resort
June 23 – Frankenmuth, Bavarian Inn Lodge
June 24 – Online, 1-5 PM
Learn more HERE 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.
Take your leadership to the next level with MTA's exclusive credentialing programs:
Red Book Ready
This free, self-paced learning journey takes you through MTA’s “little red book” (Authorities & Responsibilities of Michigan Townships) chapter by chapter. Earn credits by completing courses that take you deeper into the topics covered within each chapter. These courses will help you develop broad awareness of township roles and responsibilities, and ensure you are equipped for any challenge facing your community. Click here to learn more!
Township Governance Academy
MTA’s Township Governance Academy (TGA) was created to give township board members and other local leaders the in-depth knowledge and skills needed to make effective decisions for the benefit of their township. It’s designed to professionally challenge you and enhance your experience serving as an elected official. Click here for more info!
Coming May 13 at noon:
Dig Up Your Township’s Cemetery Ordinance
Every well-managed cemetery starts with a solid ordinance—so let’s dig into what yours should include. First, you need an ordinance that’s set in stone. Join MTA consultant, Cindy Dodge—a frequent speaker for the Michigan Association of Municipal Cemeteries—on a walk through a township cemetery ordinance and listen in as she uncovers key elements every ordinance should possess.
Whether you’re reviewing an existing ordinance or starting from scratch, she’ll help you uncover areas that need refreshing and dust off outdated provisions so you can rest assured your township’s cemetery ordinance is well-grounded to stand the test of time.
Upcoming MTA Training
Click the links below for more details!
MTA’s Annual Conference & Expo is coming to Traverse City April 20-23 (in person & on-demand)
Coming to three locations in May: Planning & Zoning Primer 4-8 PM (in person)
May 13 – Now You Know lunchtime webinar Dig Up Your Township’s Cemetery Ordinance (live online & on-demand)
This June: Election Ready afternoon workshops (four in-person options, or live online & on-demand)
Love the Now You Know monthly lunchtime webinars?
Check out the complete schedule of topics for 2026!
CONTINUE THE LEARNING
New Releases: Did you miss it? Now available on-demand:
- The Compliance Countdown FREE webcast now available on-demand! As the deadline approaches for ADA-compliant websites, MTA teamed up with Kyle Shumaker of Schumaker Technologies to explain what “accessible” means, how to tell if your website is compliant and how to keep it that way.
- Cloud Control: Navigating Data Center Impacts (for MTA-member township officials & staff only). Get timely insights into the complex topic of data centers and how to prepare your township before a proposal lands on your agenda.
- P&Z: NIMBY is Not an Option, Now What? MTA’s staff attorney gives a quick history of why zoning exists, along with an intro to how your team can be prepared for (and respond to!) the next new thing.
- Governmental Immunity: Wait, I Can Get in Trouble for That?! – Ever wonder where the line is between your responsibilities and personal liability? MTA’s legal counsel Seth Koches breaks down governmental immunity in plain language—explaining what protections exist for townships (and their officials!) and where the limits are.
The Now You Know one-hour webinars feature a new topic every month. We record every episode for on-demand access. Click here to see what’s available and get a sneak peek of what’s coming up next.
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 tips on navigating a live streamed class, visit www.mta.events.
For help getting started with an on-demand webcast visit our Online Learning Center’s Getting Started page, or check out our FAQs page.