Re-Election Strategies

Thursday, April 10, 2008, Noon-5 pm, Mt. Pleasant

TOPICS:

• Developing and Implementing your Campaign Plan
• Targeting Your Audience and Effective Use of the Media
• Campaign Finance & Fundraising
• 6 pm, Dinner for those also registered for Friday's Program

Event Brochure (3.22 mB PDF)

2008 MATS Spring Education Conference

Thursday & Friday, April 10 & 11, 2008, Mt. Pleasant

Agenda:

• 6 pm Thursday April 10, Welcoming Dinner Sponsored by Miller Canfield
• 8:30 pm Thursday, April 10, MATS Hospitality Suite
• 8 am Friday - Continental Breakfast - Sessions Begin
• Legislative Update from MTA
• Cable Franchise Act Update (Presenters include representatives from the MPSC)
• Keynote Presentation - Michigan's Defining Moment (Presented by Phil Power, President of The Center for Michigan)
• Preparing for the State's 14-Point Review

Event Brochure (3.22 mB PDF)

2008 MATS Fall Education Conference & Recharge Your Batteries Retreat

Wednesday-Friday, October 15-17, 2008, Bavarian Inn Lodge, Frankenmuth

This conference will include 3 days of outstanding educational programming, networking time, vendor exhibits, a luncheon Riverboat Cruise, the MATS annual banquet with entertainment. The program is under development. Please check back soon for details.

2009 Winter Networking Luncheon at the MTA Convention

January 2009

MATS is planning a new format for next year's gathering at the MTA Convention. Recognizing that many Supervisors have had a schedule conflict with the annual Assessors training offered on Tuesday morning of the MTA convention, we are hoping to host a lunch for Supervisors on the same day as the Assessors training. That format will allow those in the training to attend our function, and will also allow Supervisors traveling from home that morning to leave home at a more reasonable hour. Please watch for more information soon.

Education

Design, development and delivery or professional training and development resources

One of the primary reasons that drive membership in professional organizations like MATS is training and skill development specifically for members. Training offered is traditionally specific to the membership and is unique to the organization. Essentially, training can serve three primary functions:

• By offering specific training for Township Supervisors that cannot be taken though any other similar organization, training can serve as a membership development and recruitment tool, i.e., it can be marketed as an attractive membership amenity.
• Training can serve the goals and objectives of the organization. Specific training sessions gives the organization an opportunity to unify the profession and provide guidance which will ultimately help the profession as a whole collectively work toward and achieve the goals of MATS.
• Sessions can serve as an opportunity for the organization to express its voice about issues facing the organization and profession. Training sessions provide a forum for constituents to directly interact with the organization.

Currently, organizations such as the Michigan Society of Planning and the Michigan Township's Association provide limited programs for Township Supervisors shared with City Managers, City and Township Planners and other administrators. However, Township Supervisors must commit to several organizations and participate in a wide variety of functions to attain the training and skills development they may need. A fault of this system is that often, organizations catering to many different municipal professions may not speak with a unified voice, adhere to a collective set of values or goals, and may not offer training specifically suited to Township Supervisors. For instance, a training session regarding statewide planning legislation may not specifically cover new legislation as it applies to Michigan Townships. While this may be valuable, it may not address in sufficient detail the procedures or new legislative guidelines specific to Townships as they differ from cities.

To this end, we recommend MATS begin work on expanding and administering its training program, tailored to Michigan Township Supervisors. This may include:

• Leadership skills development, team building and public speaking
• E-governance
• Grants and grant funding opportunities for Township projects
• Strategic planning
• Yearly orientation for new Supervisors

Providing a yearly orientation for new Supervisors could play an important role in cultivating new membership. These sessions would be unique to MATS and would be an attractive amenity for newly elected officials. Done well, they could secure the organization's role as an essential professional organization to these new Supervisors and could help retain them as members for their tenure in office.

Michigan Association of Township Supervisors Certification Program Reporting Form, a PDF form used for class enrollment and certification.