During the special board meeting on June 20, the CCAC Board of Directors will consider the FY 2023-24 budget for adoption. We are happy to report that we are submitting a balanced budget for approval that includes increased monies for scholarships, funding for regional and networking trainings/events, and much more.
We are almost at the finish line with finalizing the proposed contract with Cal State San Marcos for our new Education Institutes. We anticipate bringing this proposed contract to the board at our July regular meeting. Once approved, San Marcos will be submitting the new Institute program for approval to IIMC. Checkout our website for the most up-to-date information on the new education institutes.
As many of you know, our official relationship with Cal Cities is ending at the 2023 Cal Cities Annual Conference in September per the bylaw amendment that passed in March earlier this year. Due to this change, Cal Cities will be holding their own independent election for department officers. These officers include the Department President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Immediate Past President, and Department Officer. The notice of nominations is expected to be released around mid to late July so keep a look out and consider running for a City Clerk Department seat!
Speaking of Cal Cities, don’t forget to register for the upcoming City Clerk Workshop that occurs prior to the Cal Cities Annual Conference in Sacramento on Wednesday, September 20 at 8:30 a.m. Space will be limited and registration will be based on first come first serve basis. You can register through the League’s website at Annual Conference and Expo | Cal Cities
We are excited to share that our two Diamond Level Sponsors, Netfile and Granicus, will be hosting lunch & learn webinars in the near future. This will be a great opportunity to engage with our vendor partners, ask questions, and win some great prizes! Granicus is scheduled to have their webinar on July 25 and Netfile is scheduled for August 8. Keep a look out for the announcement!
Wishing everyone a happy ending to your fiscal year, hopefully a light Council meeting schedule over the summer months, and a safe and happy 4th of July! As always, please feel free to reach out to me at mdonohue@eastvaleca.gov or (951) 703-4421.
Did you know that one of the many ways that CCAC members can earn MMC points is to provide education to other members at a Municipal Clerk Education Program by teaching or training what you know? When a member creates and produces a training session that is approved by IIMC, 1 point per 2 hours can be earned based on the total number of hours teaching/training and preparing for a State/Provincial/National Course.
Does this sound interesting to you? If so the first step is to complete the Trainer Interest Form. This will add your information to the list of potential trainers that our Regional Representatives use to facilitate education opportunities around the state. Training is conducted virtually and in person.
If you have conducted a training (since you achieved your CMC) or conduct one in the future, be sure to document it with the following:
1. A memo prepared on your agency letterhead breaking down the total time spent working on the development of your presentation, as well as the presentation itself.
2. A copy of the program showing your session title and description as well as your name listed as a speaker.
3. Keep and submit these documents for verification of the training when you submit your application to IIMC.
If you want more information on what it entails to be a trainer, you can contact the Professional Development Director at pdd@californiacityclerks.org or 510-215-4305.
Check out these upcoming education opportunities through CCAC! You can always find up-todate information on the CCAC website community calendar. For questions, please feel free to email pdd@californiacityclerks.org
June started off with the completion of a great second session of our Nuts & Bolts program. This session, the first held in person for the year, took place in Modesto, CA on June 1-2, 2023 and was attended by 74 municipal clerks.
A special thanks to our facilitators and trainers, Dawn Abrahamson (Vallejo) and Britt Avrit (Saratoga). These two put a lot of work into facilitating a wonderful training, in addition to providing training on the basics that every Municipal Clerk needs to know. Attendees also received training on Elections from Mark Numainville (Berkeley), the Brown Act and Public Records Act from David Lim (Richard’s, Watson and Gershon), and Records Management from Bruce Meier (Records Control Systems).
This program is based on the content of CCAC’s Municipal Clerk Handbook (available to members) 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.
The next session will be held in Brea, CA on October 26-27, 2023. This session will be facilitated by seasoned Clerks Lucinda Williams (Fullerton) and Kerry Bigelow (Chula Vista).
Registration is expected to open in August, so keep your eye on the education calendar of events and check back for updated information on the Nuts & Bolts Website
For more information on the program, please email pdd@californiacityclerks.org
If you have not been to an Athenian Leadership Dialogue before, I highly recommend participating in one. Prior to attending my first Athenian Leadership Dialogue last month, I did not know what an Athenian Dialogue was – I actually had to Google it! Having never been to one of these events, I wasn’t exactly sure if I wanted to participate in one – mostly because it seemed somewhat intimidating and I did not know what to expect – but because this Athenian Dialogue was focused on Simon Sinek’s book, Leaders Eat Last, I made the decision to attend my first Athenian Leadership Dialogue at the beautiful new City Hall in Sunnyvale (thanks to the wonderful Sunnyvale City Clerk, David, for hosting us!).
This Athenian Leadership Dialogue was facilitated by Stephanie Smith in which she had put together an exceptional event that offered a unique and valuable experience for the small group of participating Clerks. I indicate “small” because this was not like the typical discussion at a conference or at TTC. This session felt more like intimate conversation between a close group of friends where you are actively participating and, at times, the light is shone on you. I promise you, it’s actually not as scary as it might sound. Stephanie’s facilitation encouraged open dialogue, peer learning, and collaboration among participants. Not only did we touch on all of the important topics in Simon Sinek’s book, we addressed the challenges faced by Clerks as leaders and provided practical solutions that could be implemented in our own leadership roles. The session really aimed to foster open and inclusive discussions between all of us, and I must say that the opportunity to learn from our peers is one of the most valuable aspects of the session. This session was not just about exchanging ideas but also focused on actionable
outcomes. Stephanie organized activities and discussions that offered us an opportunity to collaborate and problem-solve as we identified common challenges and formulated practical solutions. Our dialogue emphasized the importance of taking the knowledge gained and implementing it for ourselves and in our respective organizations to drive positive change. Many of us, myself included, shared our good and bad experiences – taking off the armor and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and be open to the advice and guidance of our fellow Clerks who want to see us succeed. This is what makes our network of Clerks so incredible –the fact that many of us have just met each other for the first time, yet each of us were willing to offer a part of our own experience or idea to help one another. I find that getting together with Clerks is one of my favorite things to do. I always feel so privileged to have access to this incredible network of Clerks because we all come from such diverse backgrounds and jurisdictions in which we are provided a chance to establish valuable professional connections. The informal conversations during breaks or over meals created an atmosphere of camaraderie, fostering future collaborations and the exchange of resources. I encourage those who have yet to attend an Athenian Leadership Dialogue session to go as they are specifically catered to the needs and challenges faced by Clerks. These sessions provide a platform for addressing issues that we face on a day-to-day basis and finding ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our roles as Clerks, leaders, and public servants. This was one of the best learning experiences I’ve had, and I am so excited to continue attending these dialogues to enhance my knowledge, network with fellow Clerks, and find innovative ways to improve my leadership skills to bring back to my team and organization. I hope to see you at the next Athenian Leadership Dialogue!
For more information on the Athenian Leadership Dialogue program, please contact the ALD Coordinator at ald@californiacityclerks.org
"This session was not just about exchanging ideas but also focused on actionable outcomes."
At the May 11, 2023, CCAC Board meeting, the Board approved revisions to Scholarship Policy-111. The revisions created a policy that better aligns with the goals of CCAC and its Board.
The purpose of the CCAC Scholarship program is to relieve some of the financial burden from members, support participation in education and training offerings, and help members achieve CMC and MMC accreditation through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC).
Updates to the Scholarship Policy include separating the applications for those working towards their CMC versus MMC designations, changes to the (application) scoring method, including removing the minimum requirement of 30 points for members to be eligible to qualify for a scholarship. This change in scoring method will provide an opportunity for new members to be eligible to apply and receive a scholarship. Additional updates include moving from two rounds to one per fiscal year. This change will help members plan for training and align with their agency budget cycle. The application submittal process will move to an online system, helping the scholarship committee during the review and scoring process.
A final change to the policy clarifies members who have earned their MMC are not eligible to receive a scholarship, as the goal of the scholarship program is to help members working towards a designation.
For more information on scholarship opportunities, please contact Sylvia Bermudez, Director of Scholarships at sbermudez@cvwd.org
We hope this message finds you in high spirits and enjoying all the incredible benefits of being a valued member of our vibrant community! As July approaches, we wanted to send you a friendly reminder that your membership dues are due for renewal by July 1.
Renewing your membership is not only a testament to your commitment to our shared goals and values but also a gateway to a world of exclusive opportunities, connections, and unforgettable experiences. By renewing your membership, you ensure that you continue to be part of a thriving network that supports and uplifts each other.
MICHAEL MACDONALDAs a member, you've witnessed firsthand the positive impact of our collective efforts. From our engaging events and insightful workshops to the invaluable connections you've made, your involvement has contributed to our community's growth and success. Now is the time to keep that momentum going!
Renewing your membership is quick and easy. Simply visit our website and log into your account. Once you're logged in, you'll find a clear and user-friendly renewal process that will guide you through the steps. Remember, completing your renewal by July 1 guarantees uninterrupted access to all the perks and privileges that come with your membership.
We understand that life can get busy, and renewal deadlines may slip from memory. However, we truly believe that your continued participation will enrich not only your professional life but also the professional lives of other members. We invite you to seize this opportunity to rejoin a community that values your contributions and offers a platform for growth and fulfillment.
Don't let this exciting chapter come to an end—renew your membership today and let's continue creating amazing experiences together! If you have any questions or need assistance with the renewal process, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Director of Member Services at mmacdonald@cityofventura.ca.gov
In addition to your membership dues, you also have the ability to make an optional $25 donation to CCAC. Donations made will help fund scholarships, education opportunities, and other benefits for our members. Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment. We genuinely look forward to welcoming you back for another incredible year as an active member of our thriving community. As a valued member of CCAC, you gain access to a wealth of resources, networking opportunities, and professional development opportunities. Here's a quick recap of the amazing benefits you receive:
• Exclusive Events and Webinars that engage with top experts.
• Networking opportunities that forge valuable connections, exchange ideas, and collaborate on projects that fuel your professional growth.
• Career development support through valuable resources like the Newly Updated City Clerk Handbook and access to the mentorship program ensuring that you have the tools to advance your career.
• Being a part of a collective voice that advocates for our profession. We appreciate your ongoing commitment. By renewing your membership, you contribute to the sustainability and growth of our community, allowing us to offer even more valuable resources and opportunities to all our members.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your membership renewal, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Director of Member Services Michael MacDonald at mmacdonald@cityofventura.ca.gov. We are here to help!
"Remember, completing your renewal by July 1 guarantees uninterrupted access to all the perks and privileges that come with your membership."
JESSICA BLAIR, MMC, 1ST VICE PRESIDENT
Shalice Tilton, winner of this year’s CCAC Lifetime Achievement Award and retired clerk of Buena Park, has kept her “City Clerk’s Dashboard” and “Webliography” updated while in retirement and consulting for National Demographics Corporation (A CCAC Annual Partner!) These documents contain helpful information, tools, and links to assist clerks in their day-to-day operations. You can find the updated documents on the CCAC Library webpage. Thanks, Shalice!
Keep your fingers crossed that IIMC will be coming to California in May 2027. Four of our wonderful cities submitted bids – Palm Springs, Riverside, Anaheim, and Long Beach!
There are four other non-California cities that placed bids as well. The IIMC Board will make its decision at its mid-year meeting in Orlando on November 11. We’ll make sure you all are notified as we find out.
