County Township Associations

The Ohio Township Association is comprised of 87 County Township Associations (CTAs), which serve as liaisons between the OTA and its members in their respective counties. Each county in Ohio, with the exception of Cuyahoga, uses these local representatives as an intermediate level of support for townships. You become a member of the OTA through your local CTA because the OTA believes it is vitally important for counties to connect and engage within their own communities. The OTA is only as strong as the CTAs are active.

The Roles of the CTA

The CTAs bridge the gap between the OTA and the general membership to help fulfill townships' needs. As an OTA member, you are encouraged to be involved in your CTA. Some of the roles of the CTAs include:

Coordinating the Annual OTA Membership Drive

The only way to become a member of the OTA is through your local County Township Association. The annual membership drive is conducted through the 87 CTAs by their respective County Membership Coordinators. Those who wish to join the OTA must do so through their local CTA in accordance with their CTA's bylaws. Besides OTA dues, most CTAs require a supplemental fee for active, affiliate, and associate membership in their association. The fee is based on events offered to CTA members throughout the year. For more information about OTA membership, click here.

Serving as Liaisons Between the OTA and CTA Members

The County Township Association serves as the primary conduit through which information flows, both from the OTA to the townships and vice versa. There are a couple of ways in which this information occurs.

• CTA Meetings: CTAs are encouraged to meet regularly to disseminate pertinent information to their members and address countywide concerns. Some counties host events like ice cream socials or fish fries at special meetings throughout the year.
• Contact Lists: Since not every member can attend each meeting, CTAs often communicate information about events and other important items for their county through phone or email distribution lists.

Helping the OTA to Pursue Successful Legislative Solutions to Township Challenges

The OTA is only as strong as the County Township Associations are active. When the OTA attempts to pass, amend, or defeat legislation, a majority of the General Assembly must be convinced that the changes are necessary. It is infinitely more important for a legislator to hear directly from their township officials how effective or ineffective a piece of legislation can be. There are a number of ways CTAs impact legislation.

• Provide Infrastructure for Effective Grassroots Lobbying: CTAs rally their members for letter or email campaigns, calling key legislators, and passing resolutions that are sent to the press, legislators, and the OTA to increase exposure. These countywide lobbying efforts assist the OTA in communicating our position on legislation.
• Communicate Local Legislative Needs to the OTA: CTAs bring their county's unique needs to the OTA Board of Directors when they are compiling legislative priorities at the start of each General Assembly (every odd year).
• Maintain a Positive Working Relationship with Your State Representatives and Senators: CTAs frequently interact with legislators and are encouraged to invite them to at least one CTA meeting annually.

Providing Assistance in the Planning and Execution of OTA Education and Events

The OTA regularly holds events and educational opportunities for its members and as outreach to prospective members. Some of the ways that County Township Associations provide input include:

• Volunteering at the OTA Winter Conference & Trade Show
• Soliciting potential Trade Show vendors
• Presenting awards at the Ohio State Fair
• Offering suggestions for monthly webinars
• Attending NATaT Fly-In and one-day training sessions

Leading Public Relations Efforts in the County

One of the largest challenges faced by the OTA is educating the general public about township government and its issues. The public relations efforts of the OTA can only reach so far. County Township Associations play a valuable role in educating residents about township government and why it’s important. This is done by:

• Giving to and Promoting the OTA Scholarship Program: CTAs are one of the loudest champions for the OTA Scholarship Program, which gives up to five $1,500 scholarships to high school graduates each year in the areas of Academic Achievement, Local Government Achievement, and Trade School. Many CTAs give an annual donation to the scholarship fund and campaign for the program to local high schoolers throughout their county.
• Fostering Relationships With Local Media Outlets: CTAs often have good rapport with local reporters and invite them to meetings to highlight township issues in local news.
• Planning and Participating in Countywide Events: CTAs get involved around their counties at venues where they can be available to the general public in order to answer questions and provide information about township government. Many CTAs educate residents by participating in their county fair by hosting a booth, planning an event for Ohio Township Day, which occurs on February 1 each year, or giving presentations on local government to students, to name a few.

How You Can Get Involved in Your CTA

Here are just a few ways you can get involved in your local County Township Association:

• Become a Member of Your CTA
• Attend scheduled CTA meetings
• Become an Officer of your CTA
• Join a committee (if applicable)
• Assist with lobbying efforts
• Attend OTA events & trainings and give feedback
• Attend county events and help promote township government