Enhancing Local Government

About this grant

The complex issues facing municipalities in Michigan and the decisions made at that level affect entire communities. Local decisions set the stage for and ultimately lead directly to a community’s cohesiveness and its ability to deal with social, economic and educational issues affecting the lives of all citizens. Of the 5,000 local officials elected during any four-year period in Michigan, about 75 percent are volunteers and more than two-thirds have never held public office. As a result, there is a critical need to provide officials with education and information on an ongoing basis.Funding will support a project to assist all of the elected officials in Genesee County in learning about the norms, expectations, roles and responsibilities of public office. Project components include producing two electronic distance-learning guides; promoting training resources for local public officials; offering educational sessions, supplemental learning and professional growth tracks; conducting up to five one-on-one training sessions; and evaluating the use of and results obtained from the project.The Michigan Municipal League Foundation was established in 1991 to enhance and develop leadership in local government.