MTA's Unique Credentialing Program Sets the Leadership Standard
The Township Governance Academy (TGA) is a unique and valuable credentialing program intended to give township elected and appointed officials and personnel the 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 in your township.
Scroll down for more details or download the informational brochure here.
MTA's Summer Academy is back!
Three topics over two days in one great location.
Our summer courses are designed to help you identify what’s important to the residents you serve, gain insights into enhancing transparency and credibility, and employ techniques for strategic planning. Join us at the Bay Valley Resort in Bay City this July 14-15 for one (or all!) of the courses described below. Each course counts towards 4 TGA credits.
B-103: Creating a Vision for Your Township
Identifying core community values and expectations is a critical component in serving your community. Learn strategies for evaluating township programs and services and explore the need for innovation and change.
B-104: Strategic Planning for Townships
Strategic planning is critical to achieving real results in your township. Yet creating (and maintaining) a strategic plan may be a delicate matter in a politically charged environment. Review what strategic exploration entails, as well as the voices that must be heard to develop a solid plan that aligns the township’s resources and creates favorable outcomes.
B-106: Linking with the Community
Enhancing credibility in the public eye begins with your board. Examine ways of being more transparent to your community—a great exercise to increase trust at the local level. Explore ways of determining what your constituents want and how to keep them informed about your township’s activities.
To book your housing: Make your lodging reservations directly with Bay Valley Resort by following the link provided in your confirmation email. Or visit https://bit.ly/26SummerTGA OR call (989) 686-3500 and reference MTA discount code 071326SUM. Reserve your hotel room by June 30 to take advantage of discounted rates!
About Township Governance Academy
Bringing township governance to a new level
For hundreds of local officials statewide, MTA’s unique Academy offers new ideas, shares “best practices” in township government and provides a hands-on approach to help leaders deal more effectively with everyday issues that township boards face.
Here’s how it works:
The self-paced program consists of 70 required credits, obtained by attending a curriculum of 11 courses and earning electives credits. The coursework is divided into three categories:
- Foundations Courses (28 credits)
- Boardsmanship Courses (24 credits)
- Electives (18 credits)
After completing each course, TGA candidates take what they’ve learned a step further by trying out an idea or concept of their choosing in their township and reporting the results to MTA using the Practical Application Commitment form.
It’s a simple process, but one that helps you apply the knowledge by putting what you’ve learned into action. Project work requires board collaboration: You must be an MTA member affiliated and working cooperatively with your township to enroll and complete the TGA program.
- For the current catalog of upcoming and available TGA courses, click here.
- The entire TGA curriculum is available in our Online Learning Center so you can embark on your journey online, when and where it works best for you! Click here to browse our virtual options.
- Please note that a graduation requirement is to complete at least two of the 11 courses in person. Why? Graduates report that one of the most valuable parts of the program is the connection they develop with their peers in the classroom on their path to graduation—something that simply cannot be replicated online.
Still uncertain? Click here for a message from TGA instructor Sue Radwan, who helped MTA design this exciting, innovative credentialing program.
You don’t have to walk alone on your path to graduation
MTA’s TGA Companion Program pairs graduates who’ve completed the Academy with candidates seeking support and advice. Whether navigating coursework, projects or the political nature of bringing something to the board’s attention and moving it forward, your TGA Companion can serve as trusted ally in your pursuit of excellence in governance.
Interested? Email tga@michigantownships.org.
Upcoming
TGA courses:
Click here for the current 2026 course catalog.
May 1: Scholarship Application deadline.
July 14-15: Summer Academy at Bay Valley Resort in Bay City. Earn full TGA credit for up to three required courses!
On-demand Courses: The entire TGA curriculum is available on-demand in MTA’s Online Learning Center. Click here to browse the catalog of virtual classes. (Note that 2 in-person courses are required for graduation.)
Earn elective credits FREE via Township Focus articles
Participants enrolled in the Township Governance Academy (TGA) may obtain 2 elective credits for successful completion of quizzes accompanying qualifying articles that appear in MTA’s Township Focus. To obtain credit, participants must answer 10 multiple-choice questions by selecting the correct answer and receive a passing score of 70 percent.
Searching for TGA Forms?
Practical Application Commitment (PAC) Form (fillable PDF)
Overall Tracking Form (fillable PDF)
Final Project Reporting Form (fillable PDF)
Network with fellow TGA candidates on MTA’s Community Connection forum
Join the TGA Group on Community Connection where you can share tips, discuss course content or PAC projects, and ask real time questions of your TGA candidate peers.
Click here to join.
Apply for a TGA Scholarship
Thanks to our main sponsor–BS&A Software–along with our supporting sponsors, Acrisure Insurance, ITC Holdings and Foresight Group, several “Governance in Action” scholarships are available to elected officials in member townships, based on demonstrated financial need and other criteria. Applications must be received at the MTA office by May 1, 2026 to be considered for a scholarship the coming year. Click here to submit your application today!