Michigan Association Municipal Clerks Quarterly Newsletter
of
Fall 2016
Sarah Bydalek, CMMC/MMC City of Walker MAMC President
Letter from the President As I write this letter to everyone in the middle of October, we are all extremely busy with the Presidential General Election soon approaching us. When you receive this newsletter the Presidential Election will be behind us! So take some time to reflect on the great effort we all put into our jobs and how serious we take our profession. Region V Update: It is my pleasure to announce IIMC Region V Meeting and educational sessions will be held on March 2-4, 2017 at the Amway Grand, in Grand Rapids, MI. The last Region V meeting was held in 2014 and prior to that was 2011. We seem to be on a three-year schedule. This is a great opportunity to meet other clerks from Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. Please mark your calendars now to save the date. More information to follow. I also want to congratulate Susan M Child, City of Port Huron for earning the prestigious Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC). Sarah J. Bydalek, MAMC President
Inside this issue... Membership/CMMC.............................................2 Education Update.................................................................4 Financial Report...................................................................4 2017 COTY Nominations...................................................5 Capitol Update......................................................................6 Legislative................................................................7 Website/Social Media...........................................................7 and more!
Lisa Kay Hathaway, CMMC/MMC City of Grosse Pointe Woods MAMC Membership/CMMC Program Chair
Membership Membership: 910 Members Leadership is a choice, and if you are interested in furthering your career as a Michigan Clerk, joining or renewing membership with the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks is the perfect start. I’m sure we’ve all looked at our association renewal when we receive it and thought “Do I really need to be a member? ... It seems like a lot of time and money and what can I glean from the association I can’t obtain through experience?” Accurate information and support, that’s what, because you don’t know what you don’t know. I’m passionate about why you should be a member of MAMC, and it’s because we, the Board and the membership, care about Michigan Clerks. Creating opportunities for professional relationships is important, and joining our group allows you to have a sense of security and trust. I made the decision long ago to be a member of MAMC because: • It reassures me that the training is held to a high standard; • The coursework I’ve trained on is monitored and relevant to ensure high standards; • The coursework fits with, and is approved by, the International Institute of Municipal Clerks accreditation standards; • My membership is recognized by other professional governmental bodies and Associations; • It shows the public that I have studied and achieved a recognized certification in order to perform as a public manager. ~The greatest membership experience is found with Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks.~ Returning members experience the value of membership in MAMC as is shown by our high retention rate of just under 1,000 members every year. Being a member of MAMC provides opportunities to bring together like-minded people who network at various venues, through social media, and through the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks
forum to share experiences and to learn from each other. Your Board of Directors and volunteers work behind the scenes to support your career by maintaining high standards for education, providing opportunities for education, and by educating the general public about Clerk’s good works. MAMC monitors the introduction of, and amendments to, legislation, and informs the membership when action is needed. Bill Zaagman, the association’s lobbyist, provides frequent updates on election legislation and what our representatives are doing in Lansing. Your membership dues help to ensure the continuance of our organization to provide these benefits to Michigan Clerks, which cost is recaptured through savings when registering for classes as a member or through scholarship opportunities. ~Join MAMC to enhance your network, take charge of your career, and broaden your knowledge.~ An association is a synergistic group, meaning that the effect of a collection of people is greater than just one person. You are able to support and help one another to reach your professional goals. MAMC hosts numerous events throughout the year that allow you to connect with your peers to share ideas and ask for advice. You may also volunteer to be a speaker or become a member of a committee. You are able to share new information and brainstorm or become a mentor to someone else – giving back is the greatest reward. Membership in MAMC and becoming certified as a Certified Michigan Municipal Clerk has afforded some Michigan Clerk’s the opportunity to be promoted, receive additional compensation, and to be recognized as a professional manager. Our website provides valuable resources including job postings, and remember . . . listing MAMC on your resume is impressive to current or future employers as it shows that you are dedicated to staying connected in your profession.
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Memberships expire December 31st Fall 2016
CMMC Program C M R E N CM R O C
224 MAMC Members Certified! Dana Jansen - City of Lapeer Derrick Kozicki - City of Grosse Pointe Farms Jolene T. Upchurch - Erie Township Sandra Wasson - City of Cadillac Leslie A. Woycehoski - City of Harbor Beach Congratulations! MAMC Board of Directors Feel the satisfaction. Apply for your CMMC today.
Apply for Membership or CMMC certification at www.michiganclerks.org.
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Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks
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Fall 2016
Mary Clark, CMMC Delta Township Education Chair
Leon Wright, CMMC/CMC Van Buren Charter Township Education Vice Chair
Education Update We have a full calendar of training opportunities for 2017. We encourage all clerks to take advantage of these opportunities. We start with Clerks Institute March 12-17 followed by Masters Academy March 21-23. Free Education Day was a big hit last year as we ventured into a new venue, Soaring Eagle Casino & Conference Center. We will be back there on April 27th. Watch for more details in early 2017. Summer Conference will be held at the Kalamazoo Radisson June 21-23. Clerking 101 and a Masters Academy will be offered on June 20th. Learning something new every day is one of the things I love most about being a Clerk. As Education Chair, I along with your Education Vice-Chair, Leon Wright, are looking forward to providing you lots of “learn something new every day� opportunities.
We look to offer a variety of topics for the new as well as the experienced clerk. We hope you will share with us your ideas for training topics new or updated, please email us at mclark@deltami.gov or lwright@vanburenmi.org. We welcome Education Committee members Dendra Best/Bear Lake Village, Cynthia Greenia/City of Algonac, Carly Hotchkiss/City of Farmington Hills, JoAnne Kean/Vevay Township, Terri Kowal/City of Auburn Hills, and Joanne Montgomery/Van Buren Charter Township. If you submitted a committee application and I do not have you listed here please contact me right away! We are looking forward to a great year! Mary R. Clark, Education Chair Delta Charter Township
Financial Report Lanie McManus Garfield Charter Township MAMC Treasurer MAMC Financial Report for September 30, 2016 Bank Statement Beginning Balance $230,922.87 Deposits/Credits 3,330.44 Interest 0 Withdrawals 72,989.94 Ending Balance Main Bank Account $161,263.37 TOTAL FUNDS
$161,263.37
Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks
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Fall 2016
Ways & Means
Anna Perales, CMMC/CMC City of Holland MAMC Ways & Means/ Media Relations Chair
Seeking Nominations For City | Township | Village 2017 Clerks of the Year
Please consider submitting a nomination for a praiseworthy Clerk for the 2017 City, Township, and Village Clerk of the Year Awards. The Nomination deadline is January 13, 2017. A maximum of five nominees in each category are chosen for placement on the ballot by committees of previous winners based on the following criteria: • • • •
Years of experience as a municipal clerk; Demonstration of greater-than-average performance in the position; Involvement in county, state and national associations; Demonstration of interest in improving their professional and personal skills, and in the advancement of the profession; • A record of contributing to the improvement of their community and the respect of community leaders. The nomination form is available at www.michiganclerks.org or by calling the Clerk of the Year Committee Chair: Anna Perales CMMC/CMC, Holland Deputy City Clerk, a.perales@cityofholland.com 616.355.1304. To qualifiy, the nominee must be a current member of the MAMC and required to renew their membership in 2017. The 2017 awards will be presented on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at the MAMC Annual Conference in Kalamazoo.
Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks
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Fall 2016
Bill Zaagman Governmental Consultant Services, Inc. MAMC Lobbyist zaagman.w@gcsionline.com
Capitol Update Bills Moving Primary to June Get Hearing The August primary could be moved to June under bills taken up for a hearing in the House Elections Committee. Introduced by Rep. Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton), House Bills 5744-5747 would move the August primary election date to June of each year and move the May election date to a newly created March election date. The March election date would be the first Tuesday following the first Monday in March, except in Presidential election years when the March election date would be the second Tuesday in March. The filing deadlines are all adjusted as necessary and would remain the fifteenth Tuesday before the election. A number of clerks spoke in support of the bills or the concept of the bills. Walker City Clerk Sarah Bydalek and Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope spoke on behalf of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks. Although MAMC has not yet taken a formal position on the proposal, Ms. Bydalek suggested the committee consider using the existing May election date instead of June. Members of the committee had a number of questions and several expressed concerns about the elongated campaign season and wondered if the change would increase the amount of money being spent on elections because of a six-month campaign following the primary. The bills were not voted on and another hearing has not been scheduled on the bills.
MAMC Legislative Committee Dan Kasunic, CMMC/MMC City of Kentwood 2nd Vice President/Legislative Chair The MAMC Legislative Committee has not meet for a few months because there has not been any actions to discuss; however, the Election Committee did discuss a Primary date change to June. Both MAMC President Sarah Bydelak and Lansing City Clerk and Legislative Board member, Chris Swope testified before the committee on options and any problems with moving the Primary date. MAMC/MACC Lobbyist Bill Zaagman has kept board members up-to-date on issues. Of interest to clerks, we’ve kept the membership informed on important issues via the listserve and will continue that practice. You can visit the MAMC website (www.michiganclerks.org) to review past minutes or any issues.
Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks
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Fall 2016
Holly M. Thompson, CMMC/CMC City of Williamston Conference Vice Chair
Jeremy Howard, CMMC/CMC City of Mt. Pleasant Conference Chair
2017 Conference You commented, we listened! If you’ve ever filled out a survey at a conference or education session and thought, are they really reading this? We are! We take your thoughts, ideas, and critiques very seriously and will be using your comments to shape up the next conference. Although there’s never a way to satisfy everyone, we definitely try our best to do so.
the best it can be. We look forward to your continued input and attendance in June 2017 when we time hop back to the Roaring 20’s!
As Clerks we are always evolving, changing, improving, and making the Clerk’s Office the best it can be. The 2017 MAMC Conference in Kalamazoo will reflect that same dedication. The Conference Committee along with the Education Committee are looking at more education and more networking opportunities for attendees to improve your experience and make it
Save the Date: 6/20/2017 - 6/23/2017 – MAMC Summer Conference (Radisson Center - Kalamazoo)
As always you can email questions, comments, suggestions, or concerns to us at jhoward@mt-pleasant. org and cityclerk@williamston-mi.us.
MAMC Website & Social Media
Jennifer Venema, CMMC Caledonia Charter Township MAMC 3rd Vice President Newsletter/Website Chair
Do you use the MAMC Forum? This is a great place to ask questions and network with your fellow clerks. Here are a few helpful hints to using the forum: 1. The forum is located under the “Resources” tab of the MAMC website. 2. Always make sure to log in to the MAMC page. If you do not log in you will only be able to view the forum, you will not be able ask questions or post responses. 3. You can select which categories you would like to follow. Make sure you are logged in, then: • Select “My Profile” from the menu at the top of the Forum page, • Select “Forum Tracking” • Click the envelope next to the categories you would like to follow. You will then receive emails for any posts that appear in those categories. 4. There is also a link to the “Website Guide” on the Forum page that provides detailed instructions on how to use the forum.
Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks
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Fall 2016
Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks 120 N. Washington Sq., Suite 110A Lansing, MI 48933
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