October 27, 2011

Check Out This Meet Up for League Members in Southeast Michigan!

Got anything planned after work from 5-7 pm on Wednesday, November 2? Join fellow League members at the Rhapsody Restaurant in Southgate for a fast and fun evening of networking, refreshments, and hot topic discussions at the League Region Meet Up, sponsored by Plante & Moran, PLLC. This is a FREE event open to all League members!

This is something new we're trying, to give members an easy, casual way to get together with colleagues and League staff. We'll share the latest insider info on such topics as healthcare reform and the Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP), and talk about anything else that might be on your mind.

Click here for the link to the RSVP. Hope to see you there!

You Won! Now What? Newly Elected Officials Trainings

This newly elected officials training consists of core topics that will help educate first-time elected officials, as well as seasoned officials, on the basic functions they will need to know in their roles as public leaders. Topics include: introduction to League services; an overview of basic local government; roles and responsibilities of elected officials; Open Meetings Act (OMA); Freedom of Information Act (FOIA); lobbying 101; and a panel discussion with seasoned elected officials.

November 15 - Marlette
November 16 - Lansing
November 29 - Boyne City
December 6 - Ferrysburg
December 7 - Ann Arbor
December 8 - Mt. Pleasant

If you aren't sure how many new councilmembers you will have, you are able to hold spots in the newly elected officials training by simply contacting Jane Bruck at jbruck@mml.org. Reservations will be held until the results of the November election are known. Following Election Day, please register your newly elected officials.

Elected Officials Academy Announces
Level Four Ambassador Award

Attention all level three graduates from the Elected Officials Academy (EOA)! The EOA is pleased to announce the newest level of the program, the Ambassador Award. The goal of the fourth level is to encourage and recognize the exemplary service of locally elected officials to their community, to the communities of the state of Michigan, and to the Michigan Municipal League.

The Ambassador award demonstrates the practical application of acquired education and skills and requires a portfolio of achievement reviewed by the Elected Officials Academy board. Click here to learn how to apply.

If you are interested in enrolling in the EOA to begin your work on levels one through three, you can do so for free by filling out this online form.

For more information on the EOA, click here.

Other News

Free Webinar on Reporting Healthcare Coverage on Form W-2

On Monday, October 31, at 2 pm ET, the Internal Revenue Service will be offering a free webinar for cities and villages to educate employers on how to ensure they properly report healthcare coverage on annual employee W-2 forms. The webinar will inform participants about which types of employers will need to include health care benefits information on W-2 forms, when and how the information must be reported, and the changes employees will see on their W-2 forms.

The webinar is being offered by the Federal, State, and Local Governments division of the Internal Revenue Service as part of their ongoing effort to help employers understand and comply with their tax responsibilities.

To register for the webinar, click here.