Two Briley Township (Montmorency Co.) leaders have taken the next step to further enhance the effectiveness of their township by completing the Michigan Townships Association’s (MTA) Township Governance Academy (TGA). Through their participation in the intensive education program, Treasurer Vanessa Werner and Deputy Clerk Linsey Rogers, who also serves the township as administrative assistant, were able to learn enhanced tools and decision-making processes that can help positively impact Briley Township for years to come.
Werner and Rogers were among the members of the Academy “Graduating Class of 2024,” and were recently honored during a recognition ceremony before nearly 1,000 of their township peers at the Association’s Annual Conference. The TGA program helped to provide both local leaders with a strong foundation of the government closest to the people and the critical services that townships offer to residents.
“I am thrilled to have completed the TGA program, which has allowed me to gain knowledge and guidance to help me strive as an elected official, improving our township for years to come,” Werner said.
Added Rogers, “Graduating from TGA is just one more step forward, enabling me to continue serving the community I love! I’ve gained valuable knowledge that has made me better equipped to serve our residents.”
Werner’s election to the treasurer position in November 2020 was her first role in local government. She has served on the Atlanta Municipal Airport Board since 2017 and previously served on the Atlanta Community School Parent-Teacher Student Organization. Rogers joined the township in 2022, and also serves on the township parks and recreation committee. She is active in community, school and athletics organizations, including as an Atlanta Community Schools Board member, local softball coach, in the Atlanta Wrestling Club, Elk Festival Kids Event coordinator, and previously served as a Fire/EMS Charity Board member on with the Atlanta Area Little League. Earlier this year, she received a “Do-Gooder” award for writing and being awarded an $80,000 grant for the Tri-Township Fire Department.
TGA is a voluntary credentialing program intended to provide township officials and leaders with cutting-edge knowledge and expanded skills needed to assist in making more effective decisions for the benefit of their township. The Academy, which challenges candidates to tie together learning and practical experience, consists of 11 courses and includes a requirement for elective credits. Created and administered by MTA, this program is designed to professionally challenge township leaders by offering new ideas, sharing best practices and providing a hands-on approach to dealing more effectively with everyday issues that the township may face.
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The Michigan Townships Association advances local democracy by fostering township leadership and public policy essential for a strong and vibrant Michigan.