The Minnesota Association of Townships is a non-profit corporation representing Minnesotaís 1,789 townships and nearly 9,000 officers. The Association will host its Educational Conference and Annual Meeting at the Duluth Entertainment & Convention Center Nov.16-18. The theme this year is ëTownship - Leadership - Citizenship: All Hands on Deck!í

This yearís educational programs will heighten awareness for current legislative concerns on identity theft, homeland security, meth issues and transportation.

The Friday general session will open with important security issues facing Minnesota with invites to representative from the FBI, the Commissioner of Public Safety and the Federal Department of Public Safety. A panel on transportation and electricity issues features speakers from the MN DOT. Additionally, USDA Rural Development executive director will report about that agency as well.

Breakout workshops include:

ï Contract, Conflicts of Interest & Open Forum

ï Legal & Risk management issues

ï Cooperative Road Programs

ï Balancing Growth and Development - The Open Space Part of the Equation

ï Year End: What needs to be done

ï CTAS - Cities & Towns Accounting System

The roundtable discussions include: Stormwater Legacy Act, MATIT Insurance/Policies, Talk to your Legislator, First Responders & Ambulance Service issues, Ask Your Director, Pandemic Flu Info, Community Sewage Treatment, Financial Assistance Opportunities, Annexation, Shoreland Management Standards, Burn Barrel Reduction Campaign, BWSR, and more.

Saturday is the associationís business meeting where members vote on the legislative platform. This year, annexation issues will be discussed by leaders in the House Local Government Committee.

Full program agenda, conference activities, including spouse events and registration forms can be found on our Web site, www.mntownships.org.