MSU Extension Van Buren County

Local Government Policy and Practice: Innovations in Rural Tourism and Placemaking through Education 
February 19, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 

The MSU Extension Tourism team will showcase how educational programming is supporting rural tourism and placemaking, strengthening Michigan communities.  

Fiscally Ready Communities Series: Budgeting for Fiscal Sustainability 
February 9, 2026 2:00 – 4:00 

This training will provide best practices for local governments' fiscal health, including budgeting, long-term planning, dealing with uncertainty, and financial policies and procedures. 

Governing Essentials Series: Open Meetings Act 
February 10, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 

The Michigan Open Meetings Act (OMA) furthers government transparency by requiring elected and appointed boards to provide notice and make decisions in an open public meeting. Participants will learn the requirements of the Act as well as answers to frequently asked questions. 

Governing Essentials Series: Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure 
February 17, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 

Parliamentary Procedure based on Robert's Rules of Order is the most widely used parliamentary authority. This session will focus on parliamentary principles, motions, and debate and decorum during meetings. Participants will explore scenarios and practice skills. 

Governing Essentials Series: Components of Extraordinary Governance 
February 24, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 

The Components of Extraordinary Governance draws the best ideas together for a thorough overview of board governance. This session will help your board improve its governance to positively impact your community. Better board governance leads to more effective organizations that improve our communities. That’s a goal we can all share! 

Governing Essentials Series: Ethical Public Service 
March 3, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 

*NEW IN 2026* This session explores the principles of ethical public service, emphasizing transparency and accountability in governance. Participants will learn practical strategies to navigate ethical challenges in decision-making, and the effective use of bylaws and codes of conduct in board operations. 

Local Government Policy and Practice: Data Centers and Michigan's Electric Utilities 
March 19, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 

Institute for Public Utilities Director Dr. Erik Nordman will share the latest developments regarding data center proposals and how they might affect Michigan's electric utilities, customers, and communities.  

Fiscally Ready Communities Series: Capital Asset Management and Planning 
March 19, 2026 2:00 – 4:00 

This session will cover the basics of a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) - best practices, and give participants a chance to share techniques that have worked for their community. Additionally, the training will assist both elected and appointed local officials in outlining policies and procedures for capital asset management and planning. This will ensure that your local government is being proactive while discussing the interconnectivity of many local government requirements. 

Fiscally Ready Communities Series: Managing Internal Controls 
April 23, 2026 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 

This training will include a deep dive into internal controls. It will cover what internal controls are, why you need them, how they help your community, how to implement them, and where to start. 

Fiscally Ready Communities Series: Nuts and Bolts: Fees, Fines, Purchasing, and Receipting 
May 14, 2026 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM 

Building a culture of fiscal sustainability is essential to local government fiscal health. Well-thought-out policies on fees, fines, purchasing, and receipting lead to clear rules and fair treatment, which are essential pillars of that culture of fiscal sustainability. This webinar will include a deep dive into best practices related to fees, fines, purchasing, receipting, and more. It will cover what they are, why such policies are necessary, how they contribute to local fiscal health, and how to get started on implementation. 

Fiscally Ready Communities Series: From Fundamentals to Best Practices 
June 3, 2026 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM 

This program focuses on implementing financial best practices, measuring fiscal health, and local government financial management fundamentals. It will include material on reconciling a bank account, how to read and interpret governmental financial statements, audit prep umbrella, how to complete and file an F65 Report, remitting taxes timely, and how to craft an appropriate and effective audit finding Corrective Action Plan. Participants will also receive resources to support best practice implementation and assess their local unit's fiscal health.  

Fiscally Ready Communities Series: Getting Grant Ready 
August 20, 2026 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 

This session will help local government officials navigate the full grant lifecycle. From identifying opportunities to ensuring compliance. The session will provide strategies to align grants with community goals and strengthen fiscal sustainability. 

Governing Essentials Series: Open Meetings Act 
September 15, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 

The Michigan Open Meetings Act (OMA) furthers government transparency by requiring elected and appointed boards to provide notice and make decisions in an open public meeting. Participants will learn the requirements of the Act as well as answers to frequently asked questions. 

Governing Essentials Series: Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure 
September 22, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 

Parliamentary Procedure based on Robert's Rules of Order is the most widely used parliamentary authority. This session will focus on parliamentary principles, motions, and debate and decorum during meetings. Participants will explore scenarios and practice skills. 

Governing Essentials Series: Components of Extraordinary Governance 
September 29, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 

The Components of Extraordinary Governance draws the best ideas together for a thorough overview of board governance. This session will help your board improve its governance to positively impact your community. Better board governance leads to more effective organizations that improve our communities. That’s a goal we can all share! 

Governing Essentials Series: Ethical Public Service 
October 6, 2026 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM 

*NEW IN 2026* This session explores the principles of ethical public service, emphasizing transparency and accountability in governance. Participants will learn practical strategies to navigate ethical challenges in decision-making, and the effective use of bylaws and codes of conduct in board operations.