The MSU Extension office in Van Buren County will hold a seminar next month to help new local government leaders prepare to serve effectively.

Extension educator Tyler Augst tells us the Governing Essentials program covers some of the most basic things a new trustee or commissioner might need to understand.

“We go through what is in the Michigan Open Meetings Act, what is required for local governments and how to make sure that they’re conducting all of their meetings openly and transparently as it requires,” Augst said. “Another key thing as folks step into these government roles is understanding their parliamentary procedure.”

Also covered will be general best practices that Augst says lead to extraordinary government.

MSU Extension in Van Buren County has previously offered Governing Essentials via webinar.

“We’ve done two series of these around the state, with a third one set to kick off here as webinars next month, and each one having, I think, over 100 participants coming on. There’s a definite need for this across our state.”

Augst says this is the first time they’ve offered Governing Essentials in person. He notes that many newly-elected or appointed government officials often go through a crash course of new information as they learn how to serve.

The Governing Essentials program will be held Saturday, December 14 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the MSU Extension office in Hartford. You can register right here.