Title: MI Municipality Project Original CoS Document (slug): [[https://conventionofstates.com/mi-municipality-project|mi-municipality-project]] Login Required to view? No Created: 2024-07-25 19:34:52 Updated: 2024-08-21 21:43:34 Published: 2024-07-29 00:00:00 Converted: 2025-04-14T20:38:00.648940695 ---- **Municipality Project: COS Michigan’s Local-level Initiative** **Fast Facts:\\ **\\ //Townships//\\ - There are **1,240 townships** in Michigan. (Source: [[https://michigantownships.org/|Michigan Townships Association]])\\ - Townships govern over **96%** of Michigan's land mass. **** (Source: [[https://michigantownships.org/|Michigan Townships Association]])**\\ **- Township Officials are required [[https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-168-363.pdf|by Michigan law]] to take an [[https://www.michigantownships.org/wp-content/uploads/oath_of_office_nov_2020.pdf|Oath of Office]] where they swear to support the **U.S. Constitution**.**\\ \\ **//Cities//\\ - There are **275 cities** in Michigan. (Source: [[https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/2010/geo/state-local-geo-guides-2010/michigan.html|U.S. Census Bureau]])**\\ -** City officials are required [[https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-215-1895-V-QUALIFICATIONS-OATH-AND-BOND-OF-OFFICE..pdf|by Michigan law]] to take an [[http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(mgfsv055eaidzrnqwidp5fng))/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-constitution-xi.pdf|Oath of Office]] where they swear to support the **U.S. Constitution**. **\\ What is the Municipality Project?**\\ \\ The Municipality Project is an initiative where COS grassroots approach local municipalities (township boards, city councils, or county commissioners) to gain written support for the COS resolution. The COS California team pioneered this project, the Ohio team then picked it up to fantastic results, and Michigan joined the project in 2024. **How it works\\ **\\ 1. Grassroots volunteers research local municipalities, attend a few meetings & determine which municipalities are good candidates. (Look for Municipalities with leadership that expresses values & concerns consistent with COS.)\\ \\ 2. At a local municipality meeting volunteers present a short and simple introduction of the COS resolution to township boards of trustees or city councils. These presentations illustrate how an Article V Convention of States can affect real change for citizens.\\ \\ 3. Following a basic presentation, our grassroots leaders will request these councils adopt a non-binding resolution of their own in support of the COS resolution. Furthermore, they are asked to send this show of support on their letterhead to their appropriate state legislators (Representative & Senator).   **Why Do It?**\\ \\ - Non-binding resolutions can be a great way to influence legislators who may be standing in the way of passing the COS resolution. Non-binding resolutions represent not only the board that passes them but also all the constituents in that township or city. That **sends a big message to their state representative and senator** that their constituents want this.\\ \\ - In going out into the state at this basic level, we are positioning ourselves to have a **strong** local government **support system** to help when it comes time to have an Article V Convention and after the convention when we walk with our state legislature through the ratification process.\\ \\ - Additionally, some of these local elected officials are highly likely to **ascend to higher offices** in the state and Federal government providing us with support in other levels of government.\\ \\ - Brief presentations at local Municipality Meetings are an **opportunity to educate and inspire** the other citizens in attendance as well as the local elected officials.\\ \\ **Are Local Municipality Leaders Receptive?**\\ \\ Yes! Article V is very appealing to elected officials on the local level because they constantly witness the brokenness/misuse of the Federal government and cope with the consequences in their communities. Expect to see about 1/3 of the municipalities you approach to pass a non-binding resolution.\\ \\ \\ **I'm In! What Do I Need to Know?**\\ \\ 1. The Municipality Project **must** be done **in coordination** with a **District Captain or Regional Captain**. If you are interested in working on the Municipality Project reach out to your DC or RC. If you don't know who they are, reach out to Michigan State Director Sarah Santana (760) 481-2406 ~ sarah.santana@cosaction.com.\\ \\ 2. Only pursue the Municipality project in municipalities **friendly to our goals and values**. Hostile municipalities may respond with a resolution in opposition to us which could be **damaging**.\\ \\ 3. It's recommended that you **attend a few** meetings to help determine if it is a good municipality to present in and get a thumbs up from your DC or RC **before** proceeding to present COS.\\ We are looking for clear wins.\\ \\ 4. **Go small** before going big. Start with **townships** before trying cities or counties.\\ \\ 5. **Always be polite**. Many of the [[https://conventionofstates.com/mitestimony#here6|Do's and Don'ts for giving testimony]] are applicable here.\\ \\ 6. **Don't publicize** your local municipality wins to the public (this could result in unwanted backlash), but **DO** share them with the COS Michigan team!\\ \\ **Resources for your visit to a municipality\\ \\ -** [[https://michigantownships.org/|Michigan Township Association]]**\\ -\\ **   **Tools for success at the municipal level:** - Written presentation example:\\   Sample document #1 - //coming soon!// - Possible concerns of local officials:\\   Sample document #2 - //coming soon!// - Details on why, what to expect, and the process:\\   Sample document #3 - //coming soon!// - Michigan Municipality Resolution Template:\\   [[https://conventionofstates.com/files/michigan-municipality-resolution-template/download|Sample document]] #4 - Michigan Citizen's Request Concept Template Municipalities Project\\   [[https://conventionofstates.com/files/micitizensrequestconcepttemplatemunicipalitiesproject/download|Sample Document]] #5 - Convention of States Model Resolution:\\   [[https://conventionofstates.com/files/model-convention-of-states-application/download|Sample document #6]] - “Drip” campaign letters to copy and paste. These can be forwarded as needed to council members as you wait out the process. It keeps COS on their minds and addresses important COS topics as well.\\ //  Document coming soon!// - Link to downloadable PowerPoint presentation for Municipality Presentation\\   //Coming Soon!// \\ **Municipality Project Training Videos** Training Video 1: "Why the Municipality Project?"  \\ https:%%//%%www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQLUUJ-N-tk Training Video 2: "Municipality Project How-to"   https:%%//%%www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LVS7KsJ_Jc  \\