September 15, 2011

Annual Convention - New Speaker
October 5-7, 2011
Grand Rapids

We are excited to announce Peter Allen, President of Peter Allen & Associates, will be joining us during our Thursday morning general session, sponsored by Rowe Professional Services, at the Annual Convention. As a pioneer in urban economic development in the Ann Arbor area, Allen will share his experiences on how enlightened mixed-use development can add to the vitality and uniqueness of an urban area, such as Broadway Village at Lowertown, and a $140 million mixed-use brownfield redevelopment next to the U of M Medical Campus.

For more information and to register, visit tour.mml.org.

Get Creative at Convention

Did you know the Annual Convention is taking place smack dab in the middle of Grand Rapid’s famed ArtPrize®? ArtPrize® is an open art competition with installations from artists around the world, which takes place over the entire city of Grand Rapids. Join the Cities of the Urban Metro Mayors and Managers (Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kentwood, Walker, Grandville, and East Grand Rapids) for a party in the middle of the ArtPrize® District at the Host City Reception on Wednesday, October 5, and experience ArtPrize® yourself.

While at the Annual Convention, make sure to look for the League’s own art installation. The League has donated chairs to various artists around the state to create their own individual works of art. The one-of-a-kind chairs will be displayed throughout the Convention space. Each chair will be a part of the Foundation auction and you can bid to take one home!

In support of the arts and education, the League has partnered with the Grand Rapids Student Advancement Foundation (GRSAF) to donate art supplies to students in the Grand Rapids district. Due to recent budget cuts, the GRSAF has taken over the responsibility for raising 100% of the funds for art and music supplies for the school district and the 19,000 youth that it serves. We see this as a great opportunity to support budding artists and to express the importance of the arts to community. Click here to learn more about what you can donate.

The MML Foundation Online Auction Is Open!

Auction Closes: September 30, 2011
Auction Live Event: October 6, 2011

Place Your Bid.
Whether you’re looking for something unique for yourself, searching for a gift for a special someone, or looking to add a little adventure to your life, you’re sure to find something in our auction. Click here for the Auction Catalog. Every bid helps support our cause.

Tell Your Friends.
The success of this online auction depends on spreading the word to as many people as possible. Please Refer a Friend and encourage them to participate so they don’t miss a single moment of the fun and excitement.

Donate an Item.
It’s still not too late to donate an item. Items will be accepted up to October 5, 2011 at the Convention or September 30, 2011 for transport to the Convention.

The online closing bids become the opening bids at the live auction on October 6, 2011 at the League’s Convention.

2nd Annual Green Communities Conference green community
October 28, 2011
Lansing

The Michigan Green Communities Conference will provide local government and university leaders an opportunity to learn about cutting-edge environmental projects and policies from their peers and experts from around the state. Sessions will be structured in an interactive format that offers attendees an opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences and to brainstorm new solutions.

This conference will help local government and university staff gain knowledge of sustainability practices that work in the state of Michigan. It is brought to you in partnership with the Michigan Energy Office, the Midwest Regional Sustainability Network, the Michigan Townships Association and the Michigan Association of Counties.

Registration is available!

Webinar for Intermediate/Advanced Social Media Users
September 27, 2011

You know the basics of social media. You know how to create a Facebook page and not to call Twitter "the Twitter." Now what? And how can you use these social media tools without spending a lot of time to do it? There are many shortcuts and methods in using social media effectively and efficiently.

The League's Social Media - Your Next Steps features three speakers well-versed in social media and the ways Michigan's cities, villages, and urban townships are using it—or should be using it. This is a can't-miss session available to League members from the comfort of their own computer. Talk about efficiencies! Attend this one-hour session from your own office without expending a single cent on gasoline.