Training opportunities covering a variety of topics important to Ohio townships.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
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May Trainings
Engaging With Your Legislators May 18, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: Trustee Speaker: Kyle A. Brooks, Ohio Township Association Description: : Has your legislator visited your township? Have you spoken to your representatives about the issues concerning your area or townships in general? This presentation will look at general strategies to build a relationship with your elected officials and familiarize them with township issues. Learn ways to get elected officials to visit your township and make lasting impressions. Price: Free
Stronger Plans, Stronger Communities: A Joint Planning Perspective May 19, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: Zoning Inspectors Group Speakers: Abbie Emison, McKenna, Sarah Donovan, Anderson Twp., Hamilton Co., and Shawna Gfroerer, Copley Twp., Summit Co. Description: A strong comprehensive plan is essential for guiding growth, informing zoning decisions, and supporting long-term community vitality. This webinar brings together two township perspectives—one that led the planning process internally and one that partnered with a consultant—to compare and contrast different approaches to comprehensive planning. The session will demystify the comprehensive planning process from start to finish. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of key steps including community engagement, visioning, plan development, and implementation, as well as the benefits and considerations of each approach. Whether your community is considering a new plan or updating an existing one, this session will provide practical insights to help you navigate the process with confidence and clarity. Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
Cyber Security Checklist for Townships May 20, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: General Township Speaker: Brett Coburn, VC3 Description: Today, townships are facing a new wave of cyber threats that move faster, cost more, and exploit the weakest link: human error. While many townships believe they’re “secure enough,” the truth is that threats have evolved—so your approach needs to evolve too. Join us for a practical, jargon-free session designed to help you understand the risks and essentials, and to learn how to take action without overloading your staff or budget. Price: Free
Building a Better Workplace: Culture Enhancement and Expectation Management May 21, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: OTAN Speakers: Kaye Borchers & Janet Jackson Description: This session explores strategies to enhance workplace culture, focusing on managing expectations to make our lives and workplaces more fulfilling and efficient. Designed for any type of professional, this session covers practical approaches to expectation management and workplace culture enhancement. Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
Real World Case Studies: Investing & Portfolio Management May 22, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: Fiscal Officer Speaker: Joe Violand, RedTree Investment Group Description: One of the best forms of education is learning from the successes and struggles of others. This session will walk through several real-life examples, both good and bad, of issues faced by fiscal officers. These case studies will include determining cash vs. core investment portfolios, project funding, understanding the roles of service providers, and communication and self-advocacy related to banking. Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
Data Centers: Balancing Growth, Infrastructure, and Community Impact June 15, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: Trustee Speaker: Pete Griggs, Brosius, Johnson & Griggs, LLC Description: Data centers are rapidly expanding into townships across the country, bringing new tax revenue and digital infrastructure, but also raising important questions about power use, water consumption, land development, and long-term community value. In this webinar, we’ll break down why data centers are suddenly in high demand, what’s driving their location decisions, and how local leaders and residents can evaluate the trade-offs. From economic benefits to environmental concerns, you’ll gain a clear, practical understanding of what these projects mean for your township, and how to make informed decisions moving forward. Price: Free
Track: Zoning Inspectors Group Speaker: Jennifer Huber, Brosius, Johnson & Griggs, LLC Description: Let’s talk about the roles and contents of a zoning resolution versus the Ohio Revised Code. What are the differences? What are the limitations? What should be included in the zoning resolution, and what’s a comprehensive plan? Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
Artificial Intelligence (AI) 101 June 17, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: General Township Speaker: Dr. Sarah Larson & Dr. Patrick Haney, Miami University Description: This session is built for township officials who are new to AI or unsure where to start. It will focus on plain-language explanations of what AI is (and isn’t), demonstrate simple, practical ways it’s already being used in local government work such as writing, research, and communication, and help participants build comfort with the tools. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of AI basics and a few easy, low-risk ways to begin exploring it in their day-to-day roles. Please note that this session does not cover the legalities concerning AI. Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
Legalities and Professional Standards of Electronic Records June 18, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: Law Directors Speaker: Sarah Clark, Ohio Electronic Records Committee Description: The Ohio Electronic Records Committee (OhioERC) is a collaborative group of state and local government professionals focused on developing resources concerning the creation, maintenance, long-term preservation, and access to the electronic records of public entities. Tune in for more information on how you can help support your public officials. Price: $50 member / $75 non-member
Macroeconomics Impacts on Townships June 22, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: Fiscal Officer Speaker: Ohio Treasurer of State’s Office Description: Townships operate within a broader economic landscape that can significantly influence their fiscal health, policy decisions, and capital funding strategy. This course provides a practical understanding of how national and global economic trends affect township capital planning. Participants will explore key macroeconomic indicators such as inflation, interest rates, employment trends, GDP growth and their impacts. Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
Building Better Township Websites: An Introduction to the Ohio Township Website Program July 13, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: Trustee Speaker: Kyle Shumaker, Shumaker Technology Group Description: Join us for an informational session on the Ohio Township Website Program to learn how your township can create or upgrade a professional, secure, and legally compliant website. Whether you don’t have a website or haven’t updated it in years, this program is designed to remove barriers and make a modern web presence easy and affordable, regardless of your township’s size, staffing, or technical expertise. Price: Free
Best Practices for Sign Regulations July 14, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: Zoning Inspectors Group Speaker: Wendy Moeller, Compass Point Planning Description: This session will present case studies and their implications for sign regulations. The session will also address best practices for crafting sign regulations that minimize risk to communities and an approach to help you update your sign regulations. Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
Environmental Enforcement Unit: Mission, Capabilities, & Collaborative Support July 15, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: General Township Speaker: Jonathan Scale, BCI; Ben Hariff & Randy Ohlemacher, Ohio EPA Description: Committed to safeguarding Ohio’s environment and communities, the Environmental Enforcement Unit investigates a wide range of environmental crimes, from illegal dumping to water and air pollution violations. The Unit consists of BCI Special Agents who are certified peace officers and who have specialized training and experience in the investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes. Do you have any repeat nuisance properties in your township? Is your prosecutor bogged down with criminal cases? Environmental enforcement may be the route to take to hold these homeowners/businesses accountable. Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
Managing Growth Without Losing Control July 16, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: OTAN Speaker: Barry Tiffany, Sugarcreek Township/Greene County Description: As development pressure increases across Ohio townships, administrators are being challenged to balance growth with infrastructure capacity, community expectations, and long-term planning. This session explores practical strategies for guiding responsible development, navigating political and resident pressures, and avoiding common legal and operational pitfalls. Learn how to stay proactive, not reactive, while maintaining control of your township’s future. Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
Fiduciary Duty and Risk Tolerance in Public Investing July 17, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Track: Fiscal Officer Speaker: Ryan Nelson & David Donnelly, RedTree Investment Group Description: Townships are entrusted with the critical responsibility of managing public funds with integrity, transparency, and foresight. This course provides a comprehensive framework for understanding fiduciary duty, developing investment strategies that reflect both legal obligations and the goal of generating returns, and understanding the role of the fiduciary. Participants will learn how to balance risk tolerance with the duty to preserve capital, ensure liquidity, and achieve reasonable returns. 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.
