MTA County Chapters

What is an MTA County Chapter?
Over 70 counties have or have had an MTA Chapter since the program was initiated soon after the Michigan Townships Association was formed in 1953.

County Chapter Handbook (.pdf) (Updated January 2009)

MTA recognizes that each county may have its own traditions, regional interests and local procedures, so there is no “official” format for a county chapter. One county chapter may use its meetings as a forum for communicating with county officials, including county officials and employees in its roster. Another county chapter may focus on offering educational programs at its meetings. Still another chapter may serve primarily as a networking opportunity for township officials. Some meet monthly, and others meet only quarterly.

The MTA Member Information Services department works directly with member township officials and county chapters. MIS staff make efforts to visit existing chapters, encourage new chapters and help chapters to form in counties that do not have one. MIS staff have developed “mini” seminars that can be presented at chapter meetings, or we can present a program familiarizing the chapter with MTA’s services. For example, the “mini” seminars could include (but are not limited to):

• Meetings management
• Open Meetings Act
• Freedom of Information Act
• Planning and zoning subjects (guidelines)
• Conducting a public hearing
• Government resources on the Internet
• Voting
• Ordinances
• Salaries and compensation
• Appointing boards and commissions
• Determining lawful expenditures
• Cemetery management

The Member Information Services staff that work directly with chapters are:

• Catherine Mullhaupt, Director of Member Information Services
• Jim Beelen, Member Information Liaison
• Cindy Davis, Member Information Specialist

Other MTA staff members are often available to speak on a wide variety of topics, including specific legislation; issues such as intensive livestock operations, mobile home parks and local authority; and other township administration topics, including budgeting, fire departments, special assessment districts, etc. You can always ask if we can speak on a particular topic—we can usually accommodate your request.

For information on contacting a county chapter or to schedule an MTA staff visit to a county chapter meeting, please contact:

Cindy Davis, Member Information Specialist
(517) 321-6467, ext. 245
cindy@michigantownships.org