Michigan Townships Association

09/02/2026

Data centers are making headlines—but what do township officials need to know? MTA's free webinar "Data Center Zoning Ordinance: The Next Step" can help, & is now available to watch on-demand! 💻

Exclusively for MTA-member township officials, this one-hour webinar features MTA legal counsel reviewing a sample data center ordinance plus discussion on what issues townships should consider and address in their zoning ordinance as these projects come forward. 💬🌐

🔗 Watch when it's convenient for you! Sign up online at https://bit.ly/MTANYK & get up to speed on this important issue!

08/31/2026

Township officials are learning from each other every day & your experience could help shape the conversation at ! 💬

MTA is seeking educational session ideas for our 2027 Annual Conference & Expo, held at the Grand Traverse Resort in April, with topics covering every aspect of local government.💡

Help bring fresh ideas, practical knowledge & real-world experience to nearly 1,000 officials! Submit your topic idea & a brief description by Sept. 30 via our online form at michigantownships.org/share-your-experience ✨

08/27/2026

Congratulations to Alice Kinney on being named a 2026 Robert R. Robinson Memorial Scholarship recipient! 👏

Alice, a native of southwest Michigan who earned her bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from Western Michigan University, has seen first-hand the value & impact that service & support can offer communities. She spent more than two years in the Peace Corps, serving in Nicaragua & Ecuador as an English educator facilitator & English teacher trainer. Alice is bringing those interests & that commitment to her studies as a graduate student at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy where she is pursuing a master's of Public Policy with a concentration in Public & Non-Profit management.

Her commitment to Michigan communities & future goals made her an ideal candidate for the Robinson Scholarship. Alice says, “Receiving the Robinson Scholarship from MTA will meaningfully support my continued preparation for a career dedicated to strengthening Michigan communities through thoughtful, locally driven public service."

Learn more about Alice & her goals here: https://michigantownships.org/michigan-townships-association-awards-its-robinson-scholarship-to-future-local-leader-3/

08/26/2026

Join us in congratulating Andrea "Andi" Knapp, Maple Valley Township (Montcalm Co.) clerk, as a 2026 Robert R. Robinson Memorial Scholarship recipient! 👏

Andi is continually seeking ways to learn & grow as a public leader. She's a graduate of MTA's Township Governance Academy & Red Book Ready program & she earned the Michigan Professional Municipal Clerk designation in March 2025, among other professional development accomplishments.

Now, with the support of MTA's Robinson Scholarship, Andi is taking her passion for continuing education even further & plans to enroll in the Saginaw Valley State University Michigan Certified Public Manager program. The program includes coursework focused on public management, leadership, government operations, public service & applied local government administration. "My goal is to continue strengthening local government through practical, consistent & transparent township operations."

Learn more about Andi in her press release: https://michigantownships.org/maple-valley-township-clerk-awarded-2026-mta-robinson-scholarship-to-support-continued-learning/

08/25/2026

Ready for a fresh batch of "I Voted" stickers? The 2026 designs are here! 🎨

Township clerks can order the new stickers now to be available for voters in the November election! 🗳️ https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/voting/i-voted-sticker-contest

The nine winning designs were selected from 2,000+ entries across three categories: elementary/middle school, high school & general. The public cast more than 53,000 votes to help choose the winners from 90 finalists. 👏

What a fun contest! Congratulations to the 2026 winners! ✨

The Michigan Secretary of State Office has announced the winners of this year's "I Voted" sticker design contest. More: https://www.wlns.com/your-local-election-hq/winners-in-the-2026-i-voted-contest-announced/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WLNS-TV

08/21/2026

Head into the weekend fully informed on issues impacting townships, with today’s Township Insights—hitting inboxes now. Inside, you’ll find info on the new state guidance on the Public Safety Revenue Sharing grants, updated assessor certification info, free trainings and webinars, and more. https://conta.cc/4xNgb74

Email from Michigan Townships Association Aug. 21, 2026 FREE MTA-member townships webinar explores data center zoning ordinance MTA is hosting a free MTA-member townships-only webinar, Data Center Zon

08/21/2026

Leadership in townships rarely comes with fanfare. There are no headlines for late-night calls returned to residents, no awards for board meetings that stretch toward midnight, and no public recognition for the countless decisions made each and every day. But local leadership is about presence, consistency & care. When practiced with intention, even the smallest acts can ripple outward, shaping communities in ways far greater than their size.

What does that ripple look like? Our August Township Focus cover story, "The leadership ripple: Small stones, big waves," takes a closer look at the everyday choices, moments & acts of courage that define local leadership. Inside, you'll find five "stones" leaders can drop into their communities, along with real-life examples of how those actions can grow into something much bigger.

(Bonus! Candidates in MTA's Township Governance Academy can earn elective credits by completing the self-assessment with this continuing education article.)

🔗 Dive into the cover story now:https://michigantownships.org/wp-content/uploads//August-2026-Township-Focus.pdf

08/18/2026

Looking for products or services for your township? Start here. 🧩🔎

MTA’s 2026 Township Vendor Directory takes the guesswork out of finding the right vendor by bringing township-focused companies together in one convenient resource, complete with service details & direct contact information.

🔗 The full directory is available online at michigantownships.org/vendor-directories or in the August issue of Township Focus. Pull out the insert & keep it on hand as a resource for your township throughout the year!

08/17/2026

Fall is right around the corner & so are MTA’s Regional Meetings! 🍂

This September & October, join us for a day of practical education, timely updates & opportunities to connect with township experts and fellow officials. Regional Meetings bring valuable training & information closer to home, with sessions covering the issues and challenges that matter most to township officials. 💬🤝

And for our friends above the bridge, the UP North Summit returns Sept. 29-30 to the Island Resort in Harris for two full days of education, networking & more! 💡

🔗 Find a meeting near you & register today: https://michigantownships.org/learning/on-the-road/