Greetings CCAC! Hope everyone enjoyed their Valentines Day! I’m certainly enjoying this cooler weather that we’ve been experiencing. Things are busy at CCAC so let’s get right into it.
On February 2, the CCAC Board of Directors unanimously voted to support and submit a CCAC bylaw amendment to:
- Remove the requirement that a member of CCAC also be from a member City of the League of California Cities in order to run for President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Immediate Past President, Recording Secretary, or Legislative Director.
- Allow all Board positions to be elected at-large as opposed to having a north/south region requirement for certain positions.
- Adding the Immediate Past President position to the Board of Directors.
- Extending the terms of the current Board of Directors for an additional six months to allow for the annual installation of officers for the incoming Board of Directors to occur at the 2024 CCAC Annual Conference instead of the 2023 League of California Cities Annual Conference.
- Providing clean-up language for the articles addressing membership and vacancies.
If adopted, the revised bylaws will allow CCAC to be more inclusive of our members by allowing any member who pays dues to the association to run for any position on the board. In addition, removing the north/south region requirement for certain positions will allow any member of CCAC to run for any position, in any year, regardless of their geographic location. Often times in years past, it’s been proven difficult to attract candidates for certain positions because of geographic restrictions. Also, adding the Immediate Past President position will provide a level of institutional knowledge to the incoming President and to the Board of Directors.
Lastly, the one-time six-month extension for the current Board of Directors will allow CCAC to move its installation of officers from the League of California Cities Annual Conference to the CCAC Annual Conference, which is a consistent practice amongst other Region IX State Conferences and most associations as a whole. The proposed amendment also aligns with the League’s current efforts to update bylaws for its departments, including the City Clerks Department.
Ballots will be released to CCAC members on March 6 and will be due by March 20. Please keep a lookout for an email from Survey Monkey!
Please don’t forget to register for the 2023 CCAC Annual Conference! Below is the preliminary conference schedule:
Tuesday, April 11
• Pre-Conference Advanced Academy
• Athenian Dialogue
Wednesday, April 12
• Opening Ceremonies
• State of the Association Address
• Keynote, General and Concurrent Sessions
• All Conference Event at Oscars Palm Springs
Thursday, April 13
• General and Concurrent Sessions
• Annual Recognition Lunch
• Annual Banquet and Awards Dinner
• Silent and Live Auctions
Friday, April 14
• Keynote Session
There are still a few spots left for the Advanced Academy, Athenian Dialogue, and All-Conference event! Looking forward to seeing everyone in Palm Springs!
I’m looking forward to representing CCAC at the Washington Municipal Clerks Association Annual Conference from March 15 through 17 located at the beautiful Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, WA. I’ll provide an update on the conference in my next article!
As always, please feel free to reach out to me at mdonohue@eastvaleca.gov or (951) 703-4421.
Dear CCAC Members:
As President of the City Clerks Association of California (CCAC), I am pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 CCAC Awards of Distinction. The purpose of the Awards of Distinction is to recognize Municipal Clerk professionals who have made significant and exemplary contributions to their city/district, community, or profession. From amongst the nominations for the Awards of Distinction, one nominee will be selected for the following award categories:
•
To honor a Municipal Clerk who has made significant and exemplary contributions to their community, demonstrates professional and personal qualities that represent the best of our profession, and helps grow the profession through the promotion of education during the last year.
•
To honor an Assistant/Deputy Clerk of the Year who made significant contributions to the profession, provided extemporarily support to their Clerk’s Office, and helped grow our profession during the last year.
• Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognizes an individual with a minimum of 15 years in the profession who has significantly contributed to the profession and impacted the association throughout their career. The impact may be demonstrated through programs & projects, the profession as a whole, presentations & publications, and service and mentorship.
Recognizes an outstanding CCAC member or group who implemented a creative and innovative program within the prior year. The member or group receiving the award must introduce, manage, or implement this innovation. Included in the impact that must be demonstrated are cost savings, innovative customer service, innovative outreach to citizens, and innovative ways of collaboration.
There are also Award of Distinction categories that may be awarded based on the following areas:
• Education
• Elections and Voter Outreach
• Humanitarian/Good Samaritan
• Organization, Administration, & Communications
• Mentoring
Although this announcement is also being sent to Mayors and City Managers, I encourage you to submit a nomination letter to recognize a colleague, staff, or even yourself, who may have exceeded the call of duty in one or more areas. The depth and breadth of the nomination will help support your nominee’s selection for an Award of Distinction or the Municipal Clerk of the Year Award. The more details the better. Tell me the story.
Please take this opportunity to complete recognize a deserving colleague. All nominations will remain confidential until presentation of the Awards of Distinction at the CCAC Annual Conference in April 2023. The deadline to nominate is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 10, 2023 If you have any questions or if you are ready to submit a nomination letter, please email me at: awards@californiacityclerks.org or call (951) 703-4421.
Sincerely,
Marc A. Donohue, MMC CCAC PresidentDear Fellow CCAC Members:
The Board of the City Clerks Association of California (CCAC) established the Pat Hammers Spirit Award in memory of Cathedral City’s City Clerk Pat Hammers, MMC, to honor clerks who exemplify the giving and passionate spirit of Pat, who we lost in 2013.
Pat engaged with every clerk, deputy and assistant she met – no one was a stranger. She was friendly and fiercely proud of the profession and demanded, while simultaneously being completely encouraging, the best from each of us. She was candid, honest, and modeled living with integrity and independent thought. She volunteered for many roles, extended a hand to help others grow in the profession, and was always available for anyone in need. She rolled through life with a wicked, self-deprecating sense of humor that drew everyone to her. She had charisma, charm, the courage of her convictions, and a committed and compassionate nature that was a huge influence on many clerks and the profession. She has been deeply missed. The purpose of the award is to recognize a Municipal Clerk professional who exemplifies Pat’s Spirit in an outstanding way. The single requirement is that any nominee be a member of CCAC. Other attributes to consider in your nomination are:
• CCAC Mentor – a clerk who has been willing to spend his or her time and expertise guiding the development of another clerk
• Promotion of the profession through specific actions or events individually or within CCAC
• Is an inspiration to other Municipal Clerks
• Significant personal sacrifice of time, labor, or financial resources to CCAC – someone involved to make a difference
• Courageous – someone with resolution and confidence who demonstrates they can make hard decisions
• Compassionate – treats others as they would wish to be treated
• Tenacious/Resilient – someone who is assertive, decisive, hangs in there when or because things get tough; maintains a positive perspective and stays strong during difficult times and is action-oriented
• Committed – someone who is selfless; volunteers at Region or Association level for projects/tasks, large or small – the “I can help with anything” spirit cheerleader
• A champion for continued education and the elevation of our profession
• Lifelong learner/commitment to continued learning – someone who has not stopped at the CMC/MMC certification, but believes in life-long learning and improvement
• A builder of partnerships
I invite you to write to me to recognize a City Clerk, Assistant City Clerk, Deputy City Clerk, Special District Clerk, or another member of CCAC who may have exceeded the call in these areas. Please share specifics and tell me how s/he has influenced you or a group or team. The more details the better. Tell me the story.
All nominations and the award will remain confidential until it is presented at the CCAC Annual Conference in April 2023 along with the Clerks of Distinction. The difference between the Pat Hammers Spirit Award and the Clerks of Distinction is that the Distinction Awards consider abilities, skills, really nailing being a clerk. The Spirit Award is about attitude, commitment, and overall presence in our clerk community.
Please take this opportunity to honor that outstanding clerk who makes a difference. The deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 10, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact me at awards@californiacityclerks.org or (650) 851-1700.
Sincerely,
Melissa Thurman, MMC CCAC Immediate Past-PresidentBALLOT MEASURE 23-A
CCAC is conducting a special election to consider a ballot measure amending the organization’s Bylaws. The deadline to submit arguments for or against the Measure is February 24, 2023.
• Ballot Title and Ballot Summary
• Proposed Bylaw Amendments
The electronic ballot will be emailed to all eligible voting members no later than March 6, 2023, and the deadline to complete and submit the ballot is March 20, 2023.
Ballot arguments submittal: LBrown@newportbeachcagov
On behalf of the 2023 Conference planning committee, I am excited to share details about the robust education program we have been hard at work planning for our members! The 2023 Annual Conference will be held in Palm Springs from April 11-14, 2023.
Advanced Academy (April 11, 2023)
Presented by Jim Uhl, this advanced academy (worth 3 MMC points) will focus on Strengths-Based Leadership. During this course, Coach Uhl will show the uniqueness of each of your 34 Clifton Strengths Talent themes and provide strategies toward your personal and professional goals, using those strengths to build a strong team, and deliver a killer job interview.
The cost is $75 and seating is limited to 30 participants. The deadline to register is March 17, 2023.
Facilitated by Dr. Randi Johl, Legislative Director and City Clerk for City of Temecula, this dialogue will explore and help achieve and sustain a thriving state of mind to continue serving our communities well into the future through The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times by Michelle Obama.
The cost is $75 and seating is limited to 30 participants. Check out the book today and consider joining the conversation!
Approved for 2.9 CMC/MMC education points, we have some great speakers lined up to:
BUILD knowledge around Implementing New Systems, BUILD Better Records Programs, BUILD toolkits for Initiative, Referendum and Recall, BACK to having confidence and Finding the Leader in You, BACK to Building Municipal Excellence, BETTER Succession Planning, BETTER 21st Century Leadership, BETTER understanding of “Community of Impact”.
BUILD BACK BETTER, Building on Success…Together!
Check out the full program on the CCAC Website
I hope that you can join us this year and that you continue to invest in yourself and your professional growth!
HOLLY
2023 is off to a great start with our Nuts & Bolts program! This training is based on the content of CCAC’s City Clerk Handbook and is intended for new municipal clerks who are starting their journey in the profession. This is often the first step to take in working towards a Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation and is currently offered three times throughout the year. Our first session, held virtually the week of February 6th, provided 75 attendees a brief look into all areas that typically fall under the responsibility of the Municipal Clerk, as well as a deeper dive into the Brown Act, Public Records Act, and Records Management. Attendees learned about the CMC designation and professional development opportunities through CCAC and had the opportunity to get paired up with a mentor to help guide them through the process.
JUNE
I am excited to announce that the next session of Nuts and Bolts will be held in-person in Modesto, CA on June 1-2, 2023. Seasoned City Clerks Dawn Abrahamson (Vallejo) and Britt Avrit (Saratoga) will be facilitating the training for this session. There has been a high demand for this training based on the long wait list from the February session, and we are currently exploring options to expand capacity for the upcoming session if necessary. Registration is expected to open soon so keep an eye out for more information on the Nuts & Bolts Website.
HOLLY M. CHARLÉTY, MMC, DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Often, we are challenged to manage overwhelming day to day responsibilities, yet still have the need to keep current in our profession. The continuing need to educate ourselves and connect with our peers can often get pushed to the side because we simply do not have the capacity. One of the ways to stay connected with little planning and minimal time is to participate in roundtable discussions. On a regional level, Clerks can get together with peers in their county, or with members in their CCAC Region to discuss localized interests and challenges. This is a quick and easy way to get information in real time that can keep you stay informed.
I am located in Contra Costa County (Northern California) and our city and special district clerks in the county get together once a month to discuss what is going on and find ways in which we can help support and inform one another. It provides invaluable information and a way to get resources that we may need.
Cal Cities also facilitates a City Clerks Roundtable bimonthly that provides an opportunity to discuss current and pressing issues with our peers across the state. You can get advice, tips on best practices, or even get alerted to something new that you need to address in your agency. These sessions are moderated by Clerks, and not recorded to allow candid conversations to help one another get the answers that we need. Notification and registration for these are sent via the Cal Cities List Serve, another great way to say informed. Keep an eye out for the next one, coming up on March 22, 2023.
"You can get advice, tips on best practices, or even get alerted to something new that you need to address in your agency."
Attention City Clerks! Do you have a passion for making a difference? CCAC is seeking dedicated individuals to join our team of Athenian Dialogue Facilitators throughout the state of California.
As you may know, the Athenian Dialogue program is designed to bring people together to have meaningful and productive conversations about the important issues. This is a crucial time for our state, and we are running low on facilitators to meet the growing demand for our program.
That's where you come in. As an Athenian Dialogue Facilitator, you will have the opportunity to make a positive impact in our community by bringing people together to discuss and find solutions to the challenges they face. You will also have the chance to develop your own leadership and facilitation skills and gain valuable experience in conflict resolution and consensus-building.
Not only will you be making a difference in the City Clerk's world, but you will also be part of a larger network of facilitators throughout the country who are dedicated to creating positive change. You will receive ongoing training and support from CCAC and have the opportunity to participate in regional events to network with other facilitators.
To become an Athenian Dialogue Facilitator, you will need to meet the following criteria:
• Hold an MMC Designation in good standing;
• Be an IIMC member for at least 5 years;
• Complete the 6-hour mentoring program;
• Be inducted into the Athenian Leadership Society as a Fellow;
o In lieu of the Fellow requirement, an IIMC member can qualify if they have attended a minimum of 3 Dialogues AND also meets one of the following criteria:
1. The facilitator applicant has served as an adjunct instructor, lecturer, or similar position at a college, university or other institutions of higher learning. Such a position must be verified in writing by the college or university and submitted to IIMC during the application process OR
2. The facilitator applicant has presented programs at a Municipal Clerk Institutes or Academies, State/National/Provincial Association level education programs or IIMC Annual Conferences. Such experience must be verified in writing by the Institute Director or State Association Board of Directors and submitted to IIMC during the application process OR
3. Has experience facilitating or teaching adult education programs.
• Submit the Athenian Facilitator Application form, a bio that supports the requirements, any supporting documentation showing facilitation experience and the "Mentor-Mentee Agreement".
So, if you are passionate about making a difference in your community and want to develop your skills as a leader and facilitator, now is the time to become an Athenian Dialogue Facilitator. Join us today and help us bring people together, please contact Thai Nam Pham, Athenian Dialogue Coordinator, at ald@californiacityclerks.org
The Board of Directors has been working hard to shape the future of CCAC and is proud to promote growth and spotlight our association and committee members. This month’s Regional Representative is Danielle Navarro. She is quite the stellar star with great passion and wisdom in the clerk’s world. She brings a ray of sunshine with her presence, and we are lucky to have her serve on the Regional Committee.
Briefly tell me about yourself and how you got to be in your current role.
I started my career in local government in 2003 in the City of Berkeley City Clerk’s Office under the skilled leadership of well-known City Clerk Sherry Kelly. After working for three years, gaining experience in both the front counter and agenda units, and attending graduate school during the evening and on weekends, I was promoted to a mid-level analyst position in the Public Works Department.
In Public Works, I learned how to perform trend analysis to make budget projections for the Capital Improvement Program and eventually for more than 55 different types of funds for parking operations, refuse/recycling, vehicle maintenance/ replacement, and maintenance/capital improvements for facilities, streets, sidewalks, storm drains, and sewers as a Senior Management Analyst. I earned my Master of Public Administration in 2005 and was appointed Interim Administrative and Fiscal Services Manager for the Department in 2013. In 2014, I had the opportunity to combine all my varied Berkeley experience into one position at the City of Pleasant Hill as the Senior Management Analyst/Deputy City Clerk.
I earned my CMC designation in 2017, and in 2021, I was promoted to Principal Management Analyst/City Clerk. Late last year, I agreed to be the Region 15 Representative for CCAC to pay it forward from the wonderful City Clerks who have trained and supported me over the years.
What are a couple of fun facts about you?
A few fun facts about me: I was born in the East Bay, but grew up in Maryland; I’m a mom of two teenagers; and my favorite place to eat is Copita in Sausalito.
Anything else you would like the association to know?
I am organizing an in-person records training for the northern region in July and hope to offer some fun networking opportunities this year. If you’re in Region 15 (East Bay) and have ideas for unique networking experiences in our neck of the woods, please feel free to email me at dnavarro@pleasanthillca.org
Throughout our day, we have emails coming in, phone calls to answer, meetings to prepare for, and task lists to tackle. We do this with a purpose because we provide that quality service to the community. In the day-to-day, I came across an email through the listserve that brought on a smile.
City Clerk Kristina Santana with the City of Diamond Bar sent an email requesting Records Management Policy samples. It’s not what she asked for; it was the uplifting words used to request the samples.
“I am looking for your Records Management Policy (or Records Retention/ Destruction Policy). Our policy was last revised in 1999. I need to revise it and would GREATLY appreciate seeing what you✨br illiant✨clerks have already adopted.”
I immediately reached out to her and informed her she made my day. Such a happy vibe from one of our members, and I’m sure I was not the only one who smiled seeing that email. She responded by her trying to be intentional about sending out good vibes only and saying that life is too short and too beautiful. With that being said, meet one of your association members.
KRISTINA SANTANA, MPA, MMC CITY CLERK, CITY OF DIAMOND BAR - KSANTANA@DIAMONDBARCA.GOV
How did you get started, and what advice would you give association members working towards becoming a Clerk?
I got started in the Clerk profession through sheer luck and blessings. After graduating from UC Berkeley in the bay area, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my political science degree and was set to move back home to figure it out. My plans changed when a campus connection offered me a position in the Chancellor’s Office working on faculty equity. My bosses were strong and determined leaders, and I learned so much from them, but after two years, I knew it was time for me to figure out what was next. I was still paying student loans and didn’t want to add to that debt, so I decided to move back home to start work on my Master's degree in Public Administration at Cal State LA, where I could study at night and still work full-time to pay for school. Once I was accepted into the program, I moved back home, figuring it shouldn’t be too hard to find a job, especially with my degree and experience
The 2008 recession did not agree with my optimism. I struggled for six months, applying to every job I thought I was qualified for in the non-profit, higher education, and government arenas. Finally, a very special person took a chance on me. City of Lynwood City Clerk Lulu Quinonez interviewed me and selected me for the position of Deputy City Clerk even though I had zero City Clerk experience, or even government experience, against the guidance of the HR team advising her to hire someone with direct experience in the field. Immediately I knew that this was where I was supposed to be, and I did everything possible to learn as much as possible about this most important position that I had never even heard of before submitting my application. With Lulu’s support, I attended training, networked with more seasoned Clerk professionals, and applied everything I learned to serve the residents, staff, and Council. I would advise association members to reach out to fellow clerks to ask for advice and guidance because we are happy to share. Also, maximize your training opportunities by applying for CCAC and IIMC scholarships. Don’t stop there; look for training opportunities in your own organizations and local schools as well. Most of all, remember that learning doesn’t end when you reach your goal. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep smiling.
What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I am proud of my resiliency over the last 14 years in the City Clerk world. I have achieved my CMC and MMC and have worked for the cities of Lynwood, Santa Cruz, Bell Gardens, and now Diamond Bar, and I am still learning every day. There have been many challenges, big and small, and I am forever grateful to the City Clerk angels I have met along the way that have helped me and inspired me to be a better Clerk every single day. I know there will be more challenges ahead, and I will meet them headon with a spirit of positivity and gratitude.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I would love to fly, so I could visit my friends and family sprinkled throughout the country as often as I’d like! Flying would also make picking up my son from school so much faster.
DAVID CARNAHAN, MPA, CMC, CITY OF SUNNYVALE CITY CLERK,
REGION 14 REPRESENTATIVE
City Clerk Handbook Update
Region 14 is busy drafting a new chapter on Boards, Commissions and Committees for the City Clerk Handbook. The following members from across the Peninsula region, covering San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties are contributing and reviewing content for this new chapter:
Name Agency
Angel Rodriguez Town of Los Altos
Crystal Mui City of San Carlos
David Carnahan City of Sunnyvale
Deborah Padovan Town of Los Altos Hills
Dora Seamans SamTrans
Elaine Baltao Valley Transportation Authority
Jenna De Long Town of Los Gatos
Joy Rodriguez City of San José
Jozi Plut City of Belmont
Lesley Milton City of Palo Alto
Lisa Natusch Town of Hillsborough
Mahealani Ah Yun City of Palo Alto
Martin McTaggart City of San Mateo
Merry Monlux City of Mountain View
Miyko Harris-Parker San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority
Pam Caronongan City of Rio Vista
Pamela Aguilar City of Redwood City
Patrice Olds City of San Mateo
Thai Nam Pham City of Gilroy
Toni Taber City of San José
Wendy Wood Town of Los Gatos
San José City Clerk Toni Taber, CMC is planning to host an FPPC Campaign Filing Workshop in the April timeframe, with a likely post-workshop lunch gathering in the delicious Downtown San José area. Hollister City Clerk Jennifer Woodworth, MMC, CPMC and Saratoga City Clerk Britt Avrit, MMC are planning a leadership training coupled with an Athenian Dialogue in the late April/early May timeframe that will take place in Sunnyvale. Keep your “eye peeled like an orange” for the dates and registration information for these trainings.
“Peeling your eyes?”
Observing my children learn about the world and attempt to understand idioms is a lot more fun than planning an election or attending an all-day Council workshop. One of my favorite moments with my son is him trying to understand the phrase “keep your eyes peeled.” He wanted to know how he would peel his eyes; would he peel them like an orange? This picture shows my family happily enjoying a destination wedding in Munta de Mita, Mexico.
Manager’s Office, I attained an MPA from San Francisco State University and interned with the Menlo Park City Manager. The background of public administration and recruiting volunteers helped me land the role of Deputy City Clerk in Palo Alto managing the Board and Commission program. The experience in Palo Alto prepared me for success in the Sunnyvale City Clerk role.
What is your favorite place to eat?
The San Francisco Bay Area is home to many tasty restaurants serving every type of cuisine; choosing one place is too difficult. I can highly, highly recommend Kirk’s Steakburgers in Palo Alto for fantastic burgers, shakes and onion strings. For my favorite meal, breakfast, Bill of Fare in Saratoga cannot be topped for traditional diner breakfast food. What’s your favorite candy?
Another difficult question, here are my top four candies in no particular order: Butterfinger, Mounds, Kit Kat, Reese’s.
If you could be a superhero, which one would you be?
Without question, Batman. He has all the cool gadgets and his lack of a superpower makes him seem more realistic (how many Council meetings does one need to clerk to become a billionaire?).
I heard Sunnyvale had a tied election; can you tell me about that?
During the Nov. 8, 2022 Election, the two candidates for Council District 3 (both members of the City’s Sustainability Commission) led strong campaigns. The day before election certification, the candidates were tied. After three disqualified ballots were cured by voters, the “final” certified results showed a candidate winning the seat by one vote!
My daughter does not really understand the clerk profession and tells people I am a Councilmember!
Briefly tell me about how you got to be in your current role.
My path to the clerk world began in high school, working at the Menlo Park Library shelving books and later serving as the volunteer coordinator. Thinking about a career heading towards the City
The other candidate requested a recount and challenged the rejection of numerous uncounted ballots. This recount led to counting an additional three ballots and a tied election! It goes without saying that Elections Code Section 15651 on resolving tied elections quickly went from a portion of the Code I hoped never to need to my favorite bedtime reading. A Jan. 3, 2023 Tiebreaker selected the Councilmember for District 3, who was sworn-in during the Council meeting the same night. For those interested in learning more, visit Sunnyvale Elections or watch the Tiebreaker.
Happy February, Clerkdom!
I have continued working diligently to ensure that all mentors are still active, verify which of their mentees are still active, and inquire whether they are able to take on new mentees. If you are a mentor but have not heard from me, please contact me so I can mark you as active in our directory and follow up on your assigned mentees. I have also been continued working on assigning mentors to first-time attendees of Technical Training for Clerks (TTC) and Nuts & Bolts. Following are a few data points on the status of those assignments:
Are you interested in becoming a Mentor? We are holding a Virtual Training for New Mentors on March 2, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.! Register now on CCAC’s website! We especially need mentors in Northern California or who are willing to mentor virtually.
Are you already a mentor but need guidance on best practices or how to mentor in our ever-evolving world? We’ll be holding a Virtual Refresher Training for existing Mentors on March 30, 2023. Keep an eye out for an email with a link to register! This training will be sure to reinvigorate your passion for helping our up & coming Clerks. Additionally, I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our newly designated Certified Municipal Clerks and Master Municipal Clerks. These individuals have confirmed their commitment to our unique and awesome profession, and I, along with their mentors, colleagues, and agencies, are so proud of their hard work and dedication.
We’re pleased to inform you that the following individuals have earned either the prestigious Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) or Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC):
CMC:
April B.A. Quintanilla, CMC - District Secretary - San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, CA
Eduardo Sarmiento, CMC - City Clerk - City of Huntington Park, CA
Ann Marie McKay, CMC - City Clerk - City of Laguna Beach, CA
Joan Snashall, CMC - Deputy City Clerk - City of San Ramon, CA
Arpi Yesayan, CMC - Administrative Clerk - City of La Canada Flintridge, CA
MJ Brown, CMC - Dir. of Admin/Clerk of the Board - Vallejo Flood and Wastewater District, CA
MMC:
Cecilia Vela, MMC - City Clerk - City of Arvin, CA
I would like to thank the City Clerk Association of California for the opportunity it introduce myself and the reason I am running to be the next IIMC Vice President.
I am a municipal leader with more than 13 years of experience in local government, currently serving as City Clerk for the City of Richmond Hill Ontario. I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. The eldest of four children, from a young age I developed a deep sense of commitment to serving others both at home and in the broader community. This commitment to service guides everything I do as a municipal leader and IIMC Member.
I have been very fortunate in my life and career to have people recognize and encourage my talents, and give me opportunities to grow into the leader I am today. I want to do the same for others. I want to make sure IIMC continues to do the same for each of you.
I am running to work with all members, the Board and IIMC staff to:
• grow and enhance our international partnerships, while respecting the unique characteristics of the international associations
• ensure that IIMC continues to grow, diversify and modernize its educational programs
• continues to build an inclusive association that celebrates and respects diversity
• explore new and exciting ways to engage our Associate Members and others who are the local government leaders of the future.
• ensure that IIMC uses its resources in a fiscally sustainable way, and directs those resources to achieve well defined strategic outcomes.
What does it look like to achieve these goals? That is up to you! I am only one member. The future and success needs to be defined by all of us.
I invite you to get to know me, share your ideas on the future of IIMC, and Stay Connected.
https://www.stephenforiimcvp.com
stephen@stephenforiimcvp.com
"If serving others is beneath you, leading others is beyond you."
• Paying it Forward – the term “paying it forward” has been used and heard a lot. However, this belief is so very true and central to my value system – it is one of the many reasons why it is important for me to be the next Vice President of IIMC I want to share the passion, knowledge, and experience with current members and the next generation of municipal clerks that so many leaders have invested in and instilled in me over my 35-year career in local government. I have a passion for giving back.
• Continue to Build International Relationships – the first I in IIMC is International, and it is important to continue fostering and building upon established relationships. Region X and XI members should equally be represented on every IIMC committee, which are the backbone of our organization. We have a lot to learn from our International members, particularly in the area of education, and I am committed to fostering these relationships, ensuring representation on every IIMC Committee by openly embracing their ideas, learning from their knowledge and educational forums in order to continue to move IIMC forward in a progressive manner
• Certification, Education & Network – these three go together As a life-long learner and current core trainer at one of California’s institutes, Technical Training for Clerks (TTC), and facilitator and trainer at the Northern and Central California Nuts & Bolts Workshop, education and certification are one of the many reasons why members join IIMC Networking opportunities are instrumental at each and every educational forum As a member of IIMC, we pledge commitment to professional development in the municipal government field and I am committed to ensuring education programs and certifications are open and available to every member.
• Open Communication and Active Listening to IIMC Members – IIMC is a member-driven professional organization and, as an organization, is only successful if the members are active, heard, and understood. I am committed to actively listening first, asking clarifying questions, and understanding your wishes, perspectives, and concerns for your membership with IIMC to be meaningful While I cannot predict future change will be accomplished, I pledge to do my research, find out the facts, and communicate the reasons why either something can or cannot change I will be committed to ensuring a transparent and inclusive process
Get to Know Dawn - I invite every IIMC member to reach out to me and get to know me I am a person of integrity and honesty and seek to listen first, working to build consensus to achieve successful outcomes. I am a person you can trust to represent you as a member of IIMC with the utmost professionalism.
I hope you will consider me when voting for IIMC Vice President
Contact Dawn:
(925)989-5674
https://dawnforiimcvp.com/
CITY CLERKS ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA
