Through education of newly elected and incumbent officials, MSU Extension helps ground Michigan’s 1,858 municipalities and 12 federally recognized tribal nations with trusted information that helps in sound governance.

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Michigan State University Extension Good Governance programs offer education for locally elected and appointed officials and staff and interested residents throughout Michigan. Good Governance programs help individual and local and tribal governments build capacity to support thriving communities by supporting locally elected and appointed officials and their staff in the stewardship of human and financial resources. These programs are offered in-person and online.

Good Governance Programs

Governing Essentials Webinar Series

The Governing Essentials Webinar Series is tailored for local elected and appointed officials who wish to sharpen their skills and promote good governance practices. The series covers the Open Meetings Act, fundamentals of Parliamentary Procedure, and effective board practices.

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Fiscally Ready Communities

The Fiscally Ready Communities program consists of five webinars aimed at assisting communities in establishing, measuring, and maintaining policies that enhance operational and financial effectiveness. This program is a collaborative effort between MSU Extension and the Michigan Department of Treasury, offering local governments best practices in fiscal sustainability. The goal is to help communities achieve long-term fiscal health, ultimately supporting thriving local environments.

Foundations of Effective County Administration

Foundations of Effective County Administration is designed to equip new and aspiring county administrative officials with the essential knowledge, skills, and capacity needed for effective governance. This self-paced, online program aims to empower participants to confidently navigate the complexities of county leadership.

The program features recorded video lectures from MSU Extension specialists and experienced county administrators, complemented by readings and interactive activities. Throughout the course, administrators will share their expertise and insights, offering practical advice and lessons learned from their own careers. Click here to register or for more information.

Strategic Planning/Goal Setting Facilitation

Available by request throughout the year, MSU Extension’s team of trained facilitators offers strategic planning and goal-setting workshops to community partners. These workshops help groups brainstorm ideas for a desired future, prioritize goals, and determine focus areas. Programs can also include action planning to set specific goals and ensure commitment toward achieving them. Click here to tell us about your facilitation needs and submit your request.

Local Government Leadership Intensive

Through this 1-day program, participants identify a relevant leadership challenge and set a strategic goal for their future with the help of trained professional coaching staff. Through this highly interactive workshop, participants work their way through their leadership challenge in a way that is aligned with personal and shared values using a group-coaching model of applied learning.

Other Trainings by Request

MSU Extension's Good Governance team provides customized education on a wide range of local government issues upon request. This flexibility allows counties to address specific needs and challenges, ensuring that training is relevant and impactful.

These educational opportunities are designed to support county leaders in their roles, fostering effective governance and promoting the well-being of Michigan's communities.