Elevate your leadership journey with our Elected Officials Academy (EOA) Summit. These training seminars are designed to empower local elected officials with the foundational knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to navigate the dynamic landscape of public service. There are two EOA summits: Core and Advanced 

What summit should I attend?

• Core Summit is open to elected officials looking to build a solid foundation on municipal topics.
• Advanced Summit is for elected officials who have completed a core summit and are looking to deepen their knowledge.

When are the summits?

• They are held twice per year, virtually in the winter and in person in the spring.

What is the summit agenda?

• Summits begin late afternoon on Friday and conclude Saturday afternoon. Further detailed agendas will be available soon. 

2027 Summit Dates

Core

February 26–27

Winter Core Summit, Virtual

Advanced

February 26–27

Winter Advanced Summit, Virtual

May 7–8

Spring Core Summit, Bay City

May 7–8

Spring Advanced Summit, Bay City

Core Summit Details

The Core Summit aims to equip elected municipal officials with a solid foundation of knowledge upon which to build their effectiveness as community leaders. This conveniently condensed, weekend-length seminar allows participants to dive in on the fundamental topics of:

• Leadership
• Fiscal management
• Planning and zoning
• And more

Upon completion, attendees will be able to differentiate between the roles of the councilmember, the mayor/president, and the city manager; understand the Uniform Budgeting and Accounting Act; identify the sources of taxes and revenue sharing; use zoning checks and balances; and make effective zoning decisions.

The Core Summit is required to complete Level 1 of the Elected Officials Academy.

EOA Core Credits: 8

Advanced Summit Details

Advanced Summits are an opportunity for elected officials to deepen their knowledge of municipal issues after completing the Core Summit. These seminars are presented on a rotating schedule of topics, so officials may attend multiple Advanced Summits for fresh content on a variety of subjects, including leadership development and municipal finance and budgeting.

Participation in Advanced Summits is a terrific way to earn the Elective Credits needed for Elected Officials Academy Levels 2 and 3.

EOA Elective Credits: 9

Advanced Summit Offerings

Finance & Budgeting (Winter Summit)
Unlock the keys to fiscal excellence at the Advanced Summit: Budgeting & Finance. Tailored for seasoned municipal leaders, this specialized seminar provides elected officials with a deepened understanding of critical topics, including municipal budgeting, deciphering financial statements and audits, implementing priority-based budgeting, and navigating utility rate settings.

Leadership Development
Harness new leadership skills with the Advanced Summit: Leadership Development, a transformative opportunity for elected officials to acquire the essential tools needed to drive positive change in their communities. Through comprehensive sessions on civility and collaborative leadership, strategic coalition building, and council-manager relationships, participants will gain invaluable resources to foster collaboration and spearhead innovation in their roles, ensuring lasting impact and effective governance.

Inclusion & Belonging
Deepen your understanding of critical topics essential for fostering equitable and inclusive communities at the Advanced Summit: Inclusion & Belonging. This focused training will allow elected officials to engage in insightful discussions on the role government plays in creating and sustaining equity, explore strategies for fostering an inclusive community environment, and hear from peers as they share innovative initiatives implemented in their own communities.