Elected Officials Academy General Information

The Purpose
The Michigan Municipal League is committed to offering expanded educational programs for elected officials throughout the state to promote effective leadership in local government.

The Michigan Municipal League is the state association of cities and villages, and is dedicated to improving municipal government. One of the League’s goals is to enhance the education and training of local elected officials. The Elected Officials Academy has been developed to help elected city and village officials to reach that goal.

Recognizing that most local leaders are volunteers, usually with full-time jobs, family responsibilities and other personal and community commitments, the League will make educational opportunities available in the evenings and on weekends.

All elected officials are encouraged to enhance their governing ability and knowledge by participating in the Elected Officials Academy. The classes are open to all elected officials. You may participate by enrolling in the Academy or by registering for selected courses.

The Challenge
In this era of unprecedented change, citizens expect more of their elected officials.

The public expects responsiveness and accountability at all levels of government. What better place to start than at the local level, where citizens can experience directly the difference that good decision making and ethical standards can make in a community?

Local government is more important than ever before. People who are elected today must demonstrate their professionalism and integrity. It is the intent of the Elected Officials Academy to strengthen that professionalism, competency and quality in local leaders.

The Solution
The Michigan Municipal League has created the Elected Officials Academy to encourage local leaders to accept the challenge of learning on behalf of the municipality they serve.

The Mission Statement
The Michigan Municipal League’s Elected Officials Academy is a voluntary continuing education program established to encourage and recognize the efforts of local elected officials to become effective leaders.

Member Directed
The Academy program was developed under the review of a volunteer advisory committee which recommended the creation of an Elected Officials Academy Advisory Board. The Board consists of elected city and village officials from around the state serving staggered two-year terms. The Advisory Board was appointed by the League president and MML Board of Trustees. Advisory Board members must have completed Academy Level One: The Education Award.

Professionally Administered
The Academy will be administered by Michigan Municipal League staff, under the direction of the Michigan Municipal League executive director.

Individual Eligibility
Participation in the Elected Officials Academy is open to individuals in city and village government serving as:

• Mayor

• President

• Councilmember

• Commissioner

• Trustee

• Elected Administrative Official, such as Clerk or Treasurer

Program Components
Elected officials will be recognized at three Award Levels for successfully completing a combination of the following program components:

• Core (mandatory) educational courses offered by MML

• Elective educational courses offered by MML

• Leadership service with MML and the National League of Cities

• Attendance at MML and National League of Cities conferences

• Educational courses from sources other than MML

Public Recognition
Local elected officials will be recognized with public acknowledgment and a series of three awards for their achievements as they advance through the Academy.

A special award will be given to a local governing body in which every member has completed one or more Academy levels.

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Contact: Colleen Layton, Director, Information & Policy Resesarch
Phone: 734.669.6320 or E-mail: clayton@mml.org