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Annual Conference

Joe West and Executive Directors

MCA knows that nothing compares to the opportunity to get away from the office for a few days to learn and to network with colleagues from around the state. Each year, MCA hosts our summer conference for member agencies and key partners. Local, state and national experts present best practices and innovations, and share important information to prepare the network for the future. The conference offers workshops for frontline staff, managers, directors and board members.

Summer Conference Sponsors

MCA is sending a big 'Thank You' to our 2017 Summer Conference Sponsors and Exhibitors!  This event is our largest annual training opportunity for our member agencies and it was only possible with their support.  To see a list of 2017 sponsors and exhibitors, click here, or view their logos below.

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We appreciate the support of our conference sponsors! This event is the best opportunity of the year for sponsors and exhibitors to meet our members, discuss issues of common interest and build relationships.  To become a sponsor for our conference next summer, click here.  

Support Friends of Michigan Community Action

The summer conference is also the time we raise money for the Friends of Michigan Community Action, our political action committee. Our annual reception for the 52 Club Members and auction is a great time to socialize with colleagues and get some great deals!  To donate items for the auction, please click here. 

Upcoming Conferences

Our 2018 conference will take place July 8-12, 2018 at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville, MI.

Call for Presenters!

MCA has a rolling call for presenters for our summer conference. If you would like to present on an innovation, best practice, strategy or successful program, please click here to submit a short session proposal. If you have an idea of what you would like to see next year at the conference, click here to request the type of session or workshop that would be helpful to you or your CAA.

Summer Conference Photos

Click on an image below to view and/or download a larger version.

After a day of breakout sessions and meeting, attendees enjoyed Tuesday night’s outdoor buffet and catching up with colleagues at Crystal Mountain. David Bradley takes a relaxed approach as he reviews the History of the War on Poverty in a Wednesday morning breakout. MSHDA director Earl Poleski and CAA reps discuss state housing policy before his breakfast address on Wednesday. Erin Skene-Pratt leads a discussion on the ins and outs of nonprofit advocacy in this Wednesday breakout session. Attorney Joseph West and a group of CAA executive directors pose after Mr. West’s stirring keynote address on diversity and inclusion at Tuesday’s lunch. Katena Cain of Nonprofit Network leads a group discussion on the Bridges Out of Poverty approach to case management. Staff from member agency Macomb Community Action gather following Tuesday night’s concert. Advocate for the homeless Mark Horvath of Invisible People leads a breakout session on using social media to achieve social change. Our Wednesday night dinner drew a rapt and attentive crowd for keynote speaker Mark Horvath. We also recognized graduates of the Leadership Development Institute and those who successfully completed the requirements of the Certified Community Action Professional program. The latest cohort of MCA’s Leadership Development Institute gather for their final class and graduation with facilitator Rebecca Kraus (front left) and MCA’s president John Stephenson (front right). Using the base of a ski lift as a stage, Traverse City-based folk/rock trio The Accidentals give a high energy concert performance following Tuesday evening’s outdoor dinner.