Community Excellence Awards
The League recognizes innovative solutions through the peer-nominated Community Excellence Award, a spirited competition we affectionately call “The Race for the Cup.”
For the latest information on the award, past winners, and how to enter, please visit our Community Excellence Awards website.
Winners
- 2024 – Houghton
- 2023 – Bridgman
- 2022 – Cassopolis
- 2021 – Rochester Hills
- 2020 – Canceled Due to COVID
- 2019 – Bay City
Honorary Life Membership Award
Honorary Life Membership, first awarded in 1932, is the League’s highest honor, reserved for the most active and inspiring leaders dedicated to the League and its mission.
- 2024 Honoree – Catherine Bostick-Tullius
- 2023 Honoree – Rosalynn Bliss
- 2022 Honorees –
- 2021 Honoree – Dick Bolen
- 2020 Honoree – Jacqueline Noonan
Michael A. Guido Leadership and Public Service Award
Celebrating a chief elected official who personifies professionalism and leadership, is an active League member, is dedicated to the citizens in their community and advocates on their behalf in Lansing and Washington, DC.
Click here for more information on this award
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- 2024 Winner – Bryan Barnett, Mayor, Rochester Hills
- 2023 Winner – Melanie Piana, Mayor, Ferndale
- 2022 Winner – William Wild, Mayor of Westland
- 2021 Winner – Chris Barnett, Township Supervisor, Orion Township
- 2020 Winner – Bobby Hopewell, Former Mayor, Kalamazoo
Jim Sinclair Exceptional Service Award
Celebrating a person dedicated to public service who has shown passion and commitment to the League, enthusiastically supporting its mission and promoting its purpose.
Click here for more information on this award
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- 2024 Winner – Barbara Ziarko, Councilmember, Sterling Heights
- 2023 Winner – Anita Ashford, Councilmember, Port Huron
- 2022 Winners –
- 2021 Winner – Brenda F. Moore, Mayor, Saginaw
- 2020 Winner – Deb Doyle, Mayor, Durand
Community Builder Award
The Community Builder Award honors individuals whose leadership creates positive community change. Through efforts such as encouraging civic engagement, supporting up-and-coming leaders, fostering good working relationships, and thinking strategically, they make their community a place where people truly love to live and work.
- 2024 Winner – Emilie LaGrow, Village Manager, Cassopolis
- 2022 Winner – Bob La Fave , L’Anse Village Manager
- 2021 Winner –Patrick McGinnis, City Manager, Grand Haven
- 2020 Winner – Dr. Sheryl L. Mitchell-Theriot, City Manager, Lathrup Village
- 2019 Winner – Maureen Donker, Mayor, Midland
Legislator of the Year Awards
The Legislator of the Year Award is presented to a few legislators for their instrumental actions in the Michigan State Legislature on behalf of local communities. These individuals are recognized for their efforts in the passage of legislation that will benefit local governments, or who have fought consistently to support local government.
- 2024 Winners
- Representative Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw)
- Representative Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills)
- 2023 Winners
- Senator Thomas Albert (R-Lowell)
- Senator Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids)
- 2022 Winners
- Representative Joe Tate (D-Detroit)
- Senator Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville)
- 2021 Winners
- Representative Jim Ellison (D-Royal Oak)
- Representative Jeff Yaroch (R-Richmond)
- Representative Jim Ellison (D-Royal Oak)
- 2020 Winners
- Senator Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield)
- Representative Gary Howell (R. North Branch)
- 2019 Winners
- Senator Jim Stamas (R-Midland)
- Representative Jim Lilly (R-Macatawa)
Awards of Merit
Each year, the Michigan Municipal League recognizes and honors a select few individuals with Special Awards of Merit for outstanding contributions to Michigan communities.
- 2019
- 2014
- Susan Dana
- Kurt Dykstra
- Issue Media Group
- Larry Nielsen
- 2013
- Dan Burden
- Adam Smith
- Under the Radar Michigan
- 2012
- Peter Allen
- Beach Hall
- Spencer Nebel
- 2011
Outstanding Service Awards
The Outstanding Service Award is granted to individuals or communities who have gone above and beyond in helping League staff advocate on behalf of all local communities at the state and/or federal level. From being involved in our internal committee process, to testifying in front of legislative committees, to being involved on League or legislative workgroups, their feedback and time commitment has been crucial to our efforts.
- 2019
- 2018
- Brandon Fournier, Labor Attorney, Shifman Law
- Brandon Fournier, Labor Attorney, Shifman Law
- 2014
- Tom Dempsey
- Chris Miller
- Tom Youatt
- City of Midland
- 2013
- Brian Donovan
- Pat Sullivan
- Jaymes Vettraino
- Kara Wood
- 2012
- Stephen Postema
- Tim Wolff
Elected Officials Academy – An Education and Recognition Program
The Elected Officials Academy is a four-level program that recognizes the educational and leadership accomplishments of elected officials. Learn all about it by clicking here.
Level One: Education Award
To encourage and recognize the efforts of local elected officials who obtain fundamental information regarding Michigan municipalities.
Level Two: Leadership Award
To encourage and recognize the efforts of local elected officials who build on the core knowledge obtained in Level One, to enhance their leadership skills and to continue their dedication to excellence in community leadership.
Level Three: Governance Award
To encourage and recognize the efforts of local elected officials who achieve an outstanding level of education and leadership beyond that obtained in Level Two, and their continuing dedication to excellence in community governance.
Level Four: Ambassador Award
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.
Level 4 Graduates
- Monica Galloway, City Councilmember, Flint (2020)
- Brenda F. Moore, Mayor Pro Tem, Saginaw (2019)
- Lois Allen-Richardson, Councilmember, Ypsilanti (2018)
- Jim Holtrop, City Commissioner, Hudsonville (2018)
- Jeff Jenks, City Commissioner, Huntington Woods (2018)
- Rebecca Hopp, Mayor Pro Tem, Ferrysburg (2017)
- Suzanne Pixley, Mayor, Eastpointe (2016)
- Joshua Meringa, Councilmember, Grandville (2014)
- Nathan Triplett, Mayor, East Lansing (2014)
- Barbara Holt, Mayor, Walker (2013)
- Deb Doyle, Mayor, Durand (2012)
- David Lossing, Mayor, Linden (2012)
Affiliate and Other Awards
Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys Awards
Click here to learn more.
Michigan Municipal Executives John M. Patriarche Distinguished Service Award
This award is given each year at the Michigan Municipal League’s Annual Convention during the Colloquium session. Click here to learn more.
Loss Control Achievement Awards
The Workers’ Compensation Fund gives out annual Loss Control Achievement awards to recognize communities making outstanding efforts in maintaining safe work environments.
- Fund Year 2019/20 Press Release
- Fund Year 2018/19 Press Release
- Fund Year 2017/18 Press Release
- Fund Year 2011/12 Press Release
- Fund Year 2010/11 Press Release
National League of Cities Awards
The National League of Cities (NLC) recognizes cities and towns that have turned ideas into accomplishments. It provides various avenues to cities for sharing and rewarding their efforts. Each year, member cities are given the opportunity to nominate their programs for three different award and recognition programs: Awards for Municipal Excellence, City Cultural Diversity Awards, and City Showcase.