MSU Extension Van Buren County

Changing the World with Your One Vote (An Adulting 101 Session)
September 16, 2024 5:00 – 6:00 PM Zoom
There are lots of names on a ballot, but how do you decide which box to check? Learn about how to register, and how to select your candidates.

Property Tax Foreclosure Basics
September 18, 2024 Noon – 1:00PM Zoom
This webinar will describe the property tax foreclosure timeline in Michigan and options for property owners to manage the delinquency.

2024 September MCP Webinar: Plumbing the Depths: Ethics in Community Planning and Zoning
September 19, 2024 6:30-7:30pm Zoom
Serving the public interest is a priority for planning officials and planners alike. This interest can become either obscured or crystal clear when we are confronted with a disconnect between the legal requirements of our work and ethical obligations we have as human beings. Participants in this session will gain an understanding of moral theories, will analyze planning-related scenarios, and learn about strategies that address potentially unjust or unfair behaviors or regulations related to local planning.

2024 October MCP Webinar: A Guide to Land Use Resources: Where was that again?
October 17, 2024 6:30 – 7:30 PM Zoom
The digital age has meant more information and resources are available to land use decision makers than ever before. Identifying and keeping track of high-quality planning and zoning resources can be a challenge with so much information out there. Participants in this webinar will learn how to identify high quality resources and take a guided tour of where to find a variety of national, state, and MSU Extension

Citizen Planner via Zoom
Thursdays, November 7 – December 19*, 2024 6:00PM – 9:00PM Zoom
Registration: https://events.anr.msu.edu/FallCPZoom24/
Cost: $250 (group discount available)
The Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Citizen Planner Program offers land use education for locally appointed and elected planning officials, zoning administrators and interested residents throughout Michigan. See above for program sessions. Classes will be delivered remotely via Zoom video conference. This is the Citizen Planner classroom program simply offered in a video conference (i.e. live webinar) format. Participants will need an internet connection, computer or mobile device, and speakers/headset or phone for audio. Participant materials will be mailed. Contact cplanner@msu.edu for more details.

2024 November MCP Webinar: 3^rd Annual Master Citizen Planner Showcase
November 21, 2024 6:30 – 7:30 PM Zoom
Master Citizen Planner (MCP) is a status granted to people who complete the Citizen Planner Program and demonstrate commitment to continuing their own education each year. This showcase will highlight the practical outcomes of that commitment.  MCPs can be found doing incredible planning and zoning work for their communities across Michigan. MCPs from around the state will each give a short presentation on a unique project, topic, or case from their community. Join us to learn directly from your peers!

New Commissioner School 2024
Newly elected & experienced commissioners, administrative staff and other elected county officials.  The 2024 program will offer a hybrid model for participants. The program will feature access to online learning modules, an introductory session via zoom followed by additional zoom trainings. Then participants will have the opportunity to attend one of four locations for in-person learning and networking session with experts and experienced commissioners.  Participants are strongly encouraged to register prior to the Nov. 14 introductory session to ensure time for the online self-paced work or attending the zoom trainings that is necessary before attending the in-person training.

Governing Essentials: Winter Series
Thursdays, December 5, 12, & 19, 2024 Noon – 1:00 PM
Registration: https://events.anr.msu.edu/goodgov/
Cost: $20 per session, $50 for the 3-course series
The Governing Essentials Series is designed for local elected and appointed officials looking to sharpen their skills and promote good governance practices. The webinars can be taken individually or as a 3-part series.

2025 Zoning Administrator Certificate (ZAC) Program
Beginning January 30, 2025
The 2025 Zoning Administrator Certificate Program will be a hybrid offering consisting of webinar delivery, self-paced online learning, and an overnight, in-person training. The program will begin January 30 with a kick-off webinar including delivery of Module 1 of the curriculum. Participants will then have two and a half weeks to complete two modules in MSU's learning management system - Desire 2 Learn (D2L). The in-person training consisting of the remaining five modules of the curriculum will be held in Mt. Pleasant beginning at 11am on February 20 and concluding by 4pm on February 21.