By Julius Suchy
2021 Winter MME Institute in Grand Rapids Moves to Virtual Format
While the Professional Development Committee was looking forward to the Grand Rapids location for the 2021 Winter Institute, there is no way the committee could put together a safe conference that wouldn’t be subject to changes or cancellations that could have cost the MME significantly. Following a survey of the membership, the PDC decided to move forward with a virtual conference to be held Wednesday, Jan. 27 and Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. The sessions will be held between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. The committee will be charging a nominal fee (likely $75), but will be seeking sponsors and looking to bring high quality keynote speakers to the event. If you have an interesting topic or a good speaker that you think MME membership would be interested in hearing from, please let us know.
The PDC will recommend to the MME Board that we reschedule both the Frankenmuth and Grand Rapids locations to 2023. This would mean Frankenmuth would host the 2023 Summer Workshop and Grand Rapids would be the 2023 Winter Institute location. By rescheduling, the MME is able to avoid cancellation fees related to the conferences.
2021 Summer Workshop in Rochester/Auburn Hills Update
The PDC has already been working with the MML and the venue for the 2021 Summer Workshop with an in-person conference in mind. With the event taking place in the summer and the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester having a lot of open green space, conversations have started about the potential for sessions outside in tents that would allow for social distancing.
The PDC understands the health concerns related to gathering during COVID-19 and will continue to monitor how things are progressing as we continue to move towards summer 2021. If the MME Board is not comfortable with an in-person conference when the time comes, changes will be made to move it to a virtual event. We look forward to seeing you all in person (hopefully).
MME Professional Coaching Program
Did you know that MME started a professional coaching program in 2018? The program was created because the PDC determined that there is a professional development gap that currently exists for its membership. Although there are numerous opportunities for mentoring, to network and learn about various topics at conferences, the MME believes that members would benefit from professional coaching services that extend beyond what is currently offered. This coaching could be utilized for a professional or personal issue that a member has struggled with in a confidential manner outside of a conference or group gathering.
If you are interested in learning more, please check out the Professional Development tab on the MME website.
Upcoming Scholarship Deadline
Although in-person professional development is currently on hold, please consider reviewing the scholarship guidelines and looking at opportunities in 2021 that you may be interested in attending. Visit www.mme.org/scholarship-application-guidelines/ for more information.
Upcoming Conference Locations
- 2021 Winter Institute (January 27 & 28) – Virtual
- 2021 Summer Workshop – Rochester/Auburn Hills
- 2022 Winter Institute – Troy, MI
- 2022 Summer Workshop – Holland, MI
- 2023 Winter Conference – Grand Rapids, MI (Tentative)
- 2023 Summer Workshop – Frankenmuth, MI (Tentative)
Julius Suchy, Chair, Professional Development Committee
Township Manager, Ada Township
Phone: 616-676-9191, Ext. 48
Email: jsuchy@adatownshipmi.com