Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 631.8 km² (243.9 mi²). 620.4 km² (239.6 mi²) of it is land and 11.3 km² (4.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.80% water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 1,585 people, 596 households, and 401 families residing in the township. The population density is 2.6/km² (6.6/mi²). There are 933 housing units at an average density of 1.5/km² (3.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the township is 90.85% White, 7.63% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.57% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 596 households out of which 23.8% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% are married couples living together, 6.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% are non-families. 28.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.28 and the average family size is 2.78.

In the township the population is spread out with 16.9% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 131.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 145.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township is $32,024, and the median income for a family is $39,643. Males have a median income of $29,803 versus $21,875 for females. The per capita income for the township is $14,679. 12.8% of the population and 9.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 17.3% are under the age of 18 and 10.3% are 65 or older.

The term of office for all township officials is four years. The terms commence at 12 p.m. on November 20 following the November general election, provided the newly elected officials have qualified for office by that time. To qualify, a successful candidate must file any necessary bond and take an oath of office before the township clerk or other officer qualified to administer the oath, such as a county clerk, notary public or judge. Other township officers authorized to administer the oath are the deputy clerk, supervisor and deputy supervisor.

The supervisor, clerk, treasurer and trustee must take the oath of office before entering into the duties of their offices. (MCL 168.363) The deputy supervisor (MCL 41.61(2)), deputy clerk (MCL 41.69) and deputy treasurer (MCL 41.77) must take the oath after their appointment and before entering into office.

In addition, the township clerk (MCL 41.69) and the township treasurer (MCL 41.77) are required to be bonded.

The clerk (MCL 41.69) and the treasurer (MCL 41.77) must each appoint a deputy. The deputy clerk and deputy treasurer must also be bonded. The supervisor may appoint a deputy (MCL 41.61). Deputy township officials are authorized to act as the elected official in the event of the official’s absence, sickness, death or other disability. A deputy may not, however, vote as a member of the township board. With the official’s approval and the consent of the township board, a deputy may assist the elected official at any additional times agreed to by the board and the official. Deputies are not required to be residents of the township, and may be paid compensation as determined by the township board.

Township Supervisor’s Statutory Duties

• Moderates board and annual meetings
• Chief assessing officer (if certified)
• Secretary to Board of Review
• Township’s legal agent
• Must maintain records of supervisor’s office
• Responsible for tax allocation board budget (if applicable)
• Develops township budget
• Appoints some commission members
• May call special meetings
• May appoint a deputy

Township Treasurer’s Statutory Duties

• Collects real and personal property taxes
• Keeps an account of township receipts (revenues) and expenditures
• Issues township checks
• Deposits township revenues in approved depositories
• Invests township funds in approved investment vehicles
• Collects delinquent personal property tax
• Responsible for jeopardy assessments in collecting property tax
• Collects mobile home specific tax
• Must appoint a deputy
• Must post a surety bond

Township Clerk’s Statutory Duties

• Maintains custody of all township records
• Maintains general ledger
• Prepares warrants for township checks
• Records and maintains township meeting minutes
• Keeps the township book of oaths
• Responsible for special meeting notices
• Publishes board meeting minutes
• Keeps voter registration file and conducts elections
• Keeps township ordinance book
• Prepares financial statements
• Delivers tax certificates to supervisor and county clerk by September 30
• Must appoint a deputy
• Must post a surety bond

Township Trustee’s Statutory Duties

• Township legislators, required to vote on all issues
• Responsible for township’s fiduciary health
• Other duties as assigned by board

Board members perform a number of duties beyond those listed and work for the betterment of the township. Each board member contributes according to their abilities and strive to fulfill tasks are they develope.

Core Competencies for Elected Township Officials

To ensure that all township officials have the opportunity to learn what they need to know to carry out their statutory duties as well as understand effective township management practices, MTA has identified the following "core competencies" - the "nuts and bolts" that each of the four elected offices at the township level should know and/or be skilled in to successfully perform their duties:

Township Government Operations

• Demonstrates knowledge about township (general law or charter) government responsibilities, functions and powers
• Identifies the major functions of each branch of government - local, state and federal - along with their relationship to one another
• Understands the statutory duties of each elected and appointed township official
• Aware of the roles and responsibilities of other elected and appointed officials in the township
• Demonstrates knowledge of the various committees, boards and commissions serving the township, including their roles and responsibilities
• Understands how township policies and procedures are set
• Demonstrates knowledge of how ordinances are lawfully adopted and legally enforced

Interpersonal Skills • Communicates effectively
• Listens attentively
• Works effectively with individuals, departments and committees to achieve desired outcomes
• Possesses knowledge of what constitutes ethical behavior
• Manages adversity and hostility effectively

Leadership Abilities
• Possesses vision, especially relative to the township's needs or potential
• Leads effective board meetings and is knowledgeable about parliamentary procedure
• Possesses effective policymaking skills and decision making skills
• Utilizes consensus-building techniques
• Possesses persuasive/influential abilities
• Motivates others to achieve desired outcomes
• Utilizes public relations skills to position the township positively

Township Issues

• Possesses knowledge about current issues affecting townships
• Aware of legal matters that could impact the township
• Understands the elements of risk management
• Aware of financial matters affecting the township, including revenue sources
• Possesses knowledge about land use
• Understands the planning and zoning process
• Possesses knowledge of township services and their policy implications

For core competencies specific to each elected township position, visit www. michigantownships.org/training.asp.

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