Training Opportunities
Training opportunities covering a variety of topics important to Ohio townships.
OTA Educational Workshops
The OTA is committed to providing resources and training opportunities that cover topics of general importance and broad interest to Ohio townships. In March 2022, the OTA began hosting monthly workshops to further educate township officials and employees on pertinent subjects.
Please be sure to frequent this page for dates for upcoming trainings.
What is continuing education? Why should I do it?
Continuing education is a vital part of any leader's efforts to be effective in their position. As elected officials, you are tasked to steward tax-payer dollars and serve the interests of the people when the laws are constantly changing.
What continuing education is required?
There are different requirements depending on your position. Each elected official (trustees and fiscal officer) is required to complete public records training for each term held in office. Fiscal officers must also complete 24 or 12 hours of additional training depending on if they are newly elected or re-elected.
What is public records training?
All officials elected to statewide or local office are required to receive three (3) hours of certified public records training for each term of office. The training is designed to enhance the elected officials’ knowledge of the duty to provide access to public records. This training is provided at no cost by the Attorney General or Auditor of State. (R.C. §149.43(E)(1))
What is ethics training?
Fiscal officers are required to complete two hours of ethics training per term of office per the Fiscal Officer Integrity Act (FIA). While trustees are not required to take ethics training, the OTA encourages all township officials and employees take the training.
What is the Fiscal Integrity Act (FIA)?
Pursuant to R.C. §507.12, a newly elected or appointed township fiscal officer shall complete 24 hours of continuing education during their first term in office. At least six (6) hours of the 24 hours of education shall occur before or during the first year of office. A township fiscal officer who is elected to a subsequent term of office shall complete 12 hours of continuing education courses in each subsequent term of office. Appointed fiscal officers training hours will be based on the amount of time left in the unexpired term.
A newly elected or appointed fiscal officer who participates in the Auditor of State’s training program under R.C. §117.44 may apply those hours taken to the six hours of initial education programs required.
Additionally, fiscal officers may apply the hours taken for public records training and any training certified by the Treasurer of State as part of the Center for Public Investment Management (CPIM) program.
Learn more about FIA here.
How do I report FIA credit?
Fiscal Integrity Act (FIA) credit is given by the Ohio Auditor of State for continuing education courses. To receive FIA credit from the Auditor of State, you must self-report your training hours by logging onto the Auditor of State's Fiscal Integrity Portal.
What is Center for Public Investment Management (CPIM) credit?
As outlined in Ohio Revised Code 135.22, any person who makes decisions regarding the deposit or investment of moneys of a subdivision must comply with the Center for Public Investment Management (CPIM) training requirement. Complying with CPIM requires a person to earn six (6) hours of CPIM training and pay an annual $100 CPIM fee.
To receive CPIM credit from the Treasurer of State, you must self-report your training hours by logging onto the Treasurer of State's MyCPIM website. Each course has a MyCPIM password, which is provided to you at the conclusion of each session.
Learn more about CPIM here.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Click on the buttons inside the tabbed menu to view:
May Trainings
Ohio's Adult-Use Cannabis Law: Local Government Rights and Program Overview
May 20, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Track: Featured
Speaker: John Oberle, Attorney, IceMiller; Samuel Porter, Attorney, IceMiller; Andrew Makoski, Senior Attorney, Ohio Department of Commerce Medical Marijuana Control Program
Description: Ohio's law on adult-use cannabis is now effective, and sales of adult-use cannabis should commence between June and September of this year throughout the state. The Department of Commerce, Division of Cannabis Control, is finalizing rules on the implementation of the program. Ohio law gives certain rights to local government related to adult use operators in their community. Join us for a timely update to learn more about the status of the cannabis program from the Department and an overview of local government rights from the authors of the cannabis law found in Chapter 3780 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Price: Free
Building the Trust of Your Citizens
May 21, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: Trustee
Speaker: Mark Morris, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Miami University
Description: The U.S. was founded on a healthy distrust of centralized government. Despite this base level, trust in government has seen further sharp declines since the 1960s. How can we explain this, and how rebuild our citizens' trust?
Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
Development Disasters and How to Defend Against Them
May 22, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: Zoning Inspectors Group
Speaker: Jacob Barnes, Planning Director, Springfield Township, Stark County
Description: Vacant, failed, or fledgling development projects can create countless issues for townships, including poor maintenance, incomplete infrastructure, stormwater management impacts, and declining property values in the surrounding community. This session will explore how an approved, compliant land development plan can fail and what townships can do to protect themselves.
Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
Navigating Drug and Alcohol Regulations for Township CDL Holders (Part I)
May 23, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Track: General Township
Speaker: Sherry Harvan, Drug & Alcohol Program Educator, Mercy Health
Description: With recent changes to recreational drug use in Ohio, how does the township maintain Federal CDL compliance? Explore best practices, regulatory requirements, and practical tips to ensure adherence to compliance regulation when your drivers are in a safety sensitive function and operating township vehicles. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your understanding and uphold the highest standards of professionalism on the road.
Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
Investing Township Funds: Economic Market Update
May 24, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: Fiscal Officer
Speaker: Joe Violand, Portfolio Manager, RedTree Investment Group
Description: This webinar will provide information for decision-makers on investing funds in today's markets. It will include a discussion on changes in the economic environment and its related changes in the fixed-income markets.
Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
Dates are subject to change. Please check this page closer to the event for the most updated information. For any questions, please contact Michael Zaky.
Webinar Archive
Click below to view a catalogue of past webinars available to view in our Resource Center.