Training Opportunities
Training opportunities covering a variety of topics important to Ohio townships.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Click on the buttons inside the tabbed menu to view:
June Trainings
June 15, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Data Centers: Balancing Growth, Infrastructure, and Community Impact
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
June 16, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Zoning Code vs. ORC
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
June 17, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) 101
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
June 18, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Legalities and Professional Standards of Electronic Records
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
*This webinar is pending approval by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 1.0 Hour(s) of General CLE Instruction.
June 22, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Macroeconomics Impacts on Townships
Track: Fiscal Officer
Speaker: Scott Adams, Zach Prouty, & Katie O'Brien; 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
*This session is pending approval for one hour of fiscal officer Fiscal Integrity Act (FIA) credit, as required by the Fiscal Integrity Act (R.C. §507.12). Additionally, this session is pending approval for credit for CPIM training, as required by R.C. §135.22.
July Trainings
July 13, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Building Better Township Websites: An Introduction to the Ohio Township Website Program
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
July 14, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Best Practices for Sign Regulations
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
July 15, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Environmental Enforcement Unit: Mission, Capabilities, & Collaborative Support
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
July 16, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Managing Growth Without Losing Control
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
July 17, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Fiduciary Duty and Risk Tolerance in Public Investing
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
*This session is pending approval for one hour of fiscal officer Fiscal Integrity Act (FIA) credit, as required by the Fiscal Integrity Act (R.C. §507.12). Additionally, this session is pending approval for credit for CPIM training, as required by R.C. §135.22.
August Trainings
August 17, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Trustee Roundtable Discussion
Track: Trustee
Moderator: TBD
Description: Join your peers in an interactive roundtable discussion designed specifically for township trustees. Roundtables provide an opportunity to share experiences, explore solutions, and discuss emerging trends in township governance.
Price: FREE
August 18, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Zoning Roundtable
Track: Zoning Inspectors Group
Moderator: Michael Zaky
Description: Join your peers in an interactive roundtable discussion designed specifically for township zoning personnel. Roundtables provide an opportunity to share experiences, explore solutions, and discuss emerging trends in zoning and land use.
Price: FREE
August 19, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Efficiencies in Park & Open Space Management
Track: General Township
Speaker: Rob Steinberg; Plain Township, Stark County
Description: Designed to emphasize the importance of parks and public open space as essential elements in community infrastructure, this workshop will highlight opportunities for land managers to improve maintenance, operational efficiencies, and sustainability efforts.
Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
August 20, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Labor & Employment Law Update
Track: Law Directors
Speaker: Marc Fishel; Fishel, Downey, Albrecht & Riepenhoff LLC
Description: This presentation will address new cases from state and federal courts and new statutes pertaining to labor and employment law affecting townships. The presentation will include a review of legislation pending in the Ohio General Assembly. Emphasis will be on the practical implications of these decisions and statutory changes. Topics will include discrimination issues, the Fair Labor Standards Act, First Amendment issues, and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Price: $50 member / $75 non-member
*This webinar is pending approval by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 1.0 Hour(s) of General CLE Instruction.
August 21, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Fiscal Officer Roundtable
Track: Fiscal Officer
Moderator: Michael Zaky
Description: Join your peers in an interactive roundtable discussion designed specifically for township fiscal officers/fiscal personnel. Roundtables provide an opportunity to share experiences, explore solutions, and discuss emerging trends.
Price: FREE
September Trainings
September 14, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
How to Compete for Projects, Increase Revenue, and Prevent Annexation
Track: Trustee
Speaker: John Albers; Albers & Albers
Description: Townships face increasing pressure to compete for economic development projects. This webinar will provide practical economic development tools and a proven framework for building a winning template that helps townships attract investment, strengthen developer partnerships, increase revenue, and reduce the risk of annexation. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to position their township as the preferred choice for future projects..
Price: FREE
September 15, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Private Roads & Subdivision Standards: Navigating Township and County Authority in Growing Communities
Track: Zoning Inspectors Group
Speaker: TBD
Description: As residential growth expands into unincorporated areas, townships are increasingly facing challenges related to private roads, subdivision standards, infrastructure maintenance, and overlapping regulatory authority. This session will explore how township zoning authority intersects with county subdivision regulations, common conflicts that arise during development review, and practical strategies for protecting long-term community interests.
Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
September 16, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Cemetery Management 101
Track: General Township
Speaker: TBD
Description: Managing a township cemetery comes with unique operational, legal, and financial responsibilities that many officials are not fully prepared to navigate. This session will provide a practical overview of cemetery management fundamentals, including recordkeeping, maintenance standards, budgeting, policies, grave sales, and Ohio legal requirements. Attendees will gain actionable guidance and best practices to help ensure respectful operations, long-term sustainability, and proper stewardship of township cemetery assets.
Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
September 17, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Public Relations Strategies Your Township Should Implement
Track: OTAN
Speaker: TBD
Description: Effective communication is essential for building public trust, improving community engagement, and strengthening your township’s reputation. This webinar will explore practical public relations strategies that townships can implement to better communicate with residents, manage public perception, respond to challenges, and promote township initiatives and successes. Attendees will learn actionable techniques for social media, public messaging, crisis communication, community outreach, and creating a more transparent and connected local government.
Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
September 18, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Financing Major Purchases
Track: Fiscal Officer
Speaker: TBD
Description: This session will focus on strategies for financing significant capital outlays, including equipment purchases, new construction, and improvements to existing facilities. Topics will include short and long-term debt, voted and unvoted options, tax anticipation notes, and lease-purchase financings. Debt limitations and exemptions will also be covered.
Price: $20 member / $30 non-member
*This session is pending approval for one hour of fiscal officer Fiscal Integrity Act (FIA) credit, as required by the Fiscal Integrity Act (R.C. §507.12). Additionally, this session is pending approval for credit for CPIM training, as required by R.C. §135.22.
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.