Inside This Issue
DISTRICT MEETINGS COMING UP |
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District 3 - April 27-Black River Falls - Registration Closed
District 4 - May 9 - North Freedom Community Center, North Freedom, WI.
District 5 - May 18 - Kenosha County Center, Bristol
District 6 & 7 - Joint Meeting in Grand Chute on May 19.
**REMEMBER: You may attend any District meeting that is of interest for you. It does not have to be in your district.
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BOARD OF REVIEW CLASSES ARE SET |
There are several Board of Review Certification Classes posted for 2017 on the WMCA website.
Check out all of the dates, times and locations.
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2017 WCEF RAFFLE
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Could you use some money? How about a duffle bag full of money?!?
Then you want to buy your 2017 WCEF Raffle Ticket at a District meeting this Spring or at a WMCA Conference.
First Prize: $2,500*
Second Prize: $500**
Third Prize: $250**
*The first prize was donated by the League of WI Municipalities Mutual Insurance and its agents!
*2nd & 3rd prize added by WCEF
The WMCA/WCEF Raffle will be drawn on Friday, August 25th at 11:30 am. You do not have to be present to win.
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WMCA BENEFITS
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Are you sure you are taking advantage of all of your WMCA benefits? Click here to go to the list, click on the titles for more information.
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| WMCA is on Facebook |
Search for Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association and like us.
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Would You Like a Hawaiian Vacation? |
The International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) has an educational foundation (IIMC Foundation) that runs fundraisers to generate fund for scholarships for their education programs. One of the most popular fundraisers is their Hawaiian Trip. Click here for a flyer with full information of how to enter.
You do not need to be a member and you do not have to be present to win.
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THE WMCA MISSION:
To be the premier source
for the personal empowerment
of municipal clerks in Wisconsin
through education, professional development, and the promotion of excellence.
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April Message
from
President Astrella |
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Happy Spring everyone!
Finally, and I mean FINALLY I think spring is here to stay and with that comes warm weather, no more winter clothes and BASEBALL! I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer temperatures and getting outside more. Most important of all though I hope everyone’s April Election went great and that we all enjoy the break until next year. I’ve heard there are a few people who have some small elections in May/June so I hope those are quick and the margins of victory are large!
Spring District meetings are scheduled, or being scheduled, and you can find Board of Review Training at most of them. This is a great option not only for you, but for your boards and councils to get trained as well. If you watch the video put out by the UW Extension, you might see a familiar face or two as actors. Remember, you don’t have to go to your own district meeting! If you find an adjoining district has topics you’d rather participate in, or is closer to you, you can attend. It’s a great way to meet your colleagues from a different part of the state too.
I’ll be making the trip to District three to join them for their District meeting, on the 27th and am looking forward to getting back up into the Northwoods. I attended the Iowa Clerk’s Conference this past week representing WMCA and learning how our friends in Iowa handle their jobs. I might have to make a stop on the way home at the Field of Dreams…watch out for pictures!
It’s getting close to the time to elect officers for the Board of Directors. If you’ve ever thought about running to serve on the Board, it’s an amazing opportunity and gives you experiences like no other. Feel free to ask anyone on the Board for their thoughts, opinions and suggestions, and remember to fill out the application packet. It can be found online at wisclerks.org under Board of Directors. Don’t forget to get a letter of support from your municipality and if you have questions please ask! Positions available are Director-at-Large, Secretary and Second Vice President.
Finally, we have our list of retirees for this month, and there are some familiar names! Take a moment and congratulate them with me, and clog their inboxes while you can!
Judy Demulling, Clerk Town of Alden 4/30/17
Sue Stoik, Clerk City of Bloomer 3/31/2017
Diane Hermann-Brown, Clerk City of Sun Prairie 5/27/2017
Diane Beine, Clerk Town of Hermann 5/1/2017
Sue Peck, Clerk City of Marshall 6/15/2017
Everyone on this list is super important, but I want to take a moment and personally thank Diane Herman-Brown for her work because she is my Clerk in Sun Prairie. She’s a Past President of the Association and has been the model of what a Clerk is (for 25 years). I will miss stopping in to visit her at City Hall and having her tell me to “put my big boy pants on” whenever I see her. She has been a guiding force for Clerks across Wisconsin and Dane County, and she will be missed by everyone…but I’m excited for her to spend more time with her Pink Princesses (her granddaughters).
Another month has come and gone and I’m so excited for what the future will bring! I can’t thank you enough for this amazing opportunity as your President (and to my boss for working with my schedule!). I hope everyone enjoys these beautiful spring days, uses up some vacation time and most important of all: BASEBALL! I hope your team is doing well so far this year, unless your team is the Boston Red Sox. Happy Spring!
Chris Astrella WCPC
WMCA 2016-17 President
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| Registration Deadline Extended to Wednesday! Sign Up Now! |
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Spring Training Camp at The Waters of Minocqua is a great place for “rookie” clerks to learn the basics and the seasoned clerks to refresh their skills with the latest in new laws and information.
Whether you are a new clerk or have been on the job for years, you can get the latest information available on many of the basic and statutory responsibilities you have in your municipality.
Are you confident about most aspects of your job but have some questions about one or two topics? You can pick just the classes you need from the ala carte list.
Would you love to attend both days but can only get away from work one day or one morning or one afternoon? That works! Choose from the ala carte menu and attend when you can.
CLICK HERE to read more about the Training Camp and register.
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WMCA Lifetime Achievement Award
Do You Know a Worthy Candidate?
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2016 Lifetime Achievement Winner-Anne Uecker WCPC/MMC; Clerk/Treasurer of St. Francis |
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What is a Lifetime Achievement Award?
This award is the Wisconsin Municipal Clerk’s Association’s most prestigious. It was originally known as the Clerk of the Year Award, and the name was changed in 1999 to the Lifetime Achievement Award to better reflect the long-term commitment of the recipient clerk. The award was developed to recognize clerks for outstanding contributions and commitment to their local municipality and their profession. The award itself is characteristic of the Wisconsin Municipal Clerk profession, having an inscription of the title of the award, the year, and the name of the recipient.
Who is eligible for the Lifetime Achievement Award?
Must be a current member of the WMCA for at least five years, hold the position of municipal or deputy clerk, exhibit leadership ability, have received or currently hold certification as a Municipal Clerk (WCMC, CMC, MMC, WCPC), be active in the WMCA by serving on the Board of Directors, serving on a committee, attending annual conferences, workshops, or trainings.
What is the process for nomination?
Nomination forms must be received by the WMCA Executive Director by June 14th of each year. You can click on the following titles - The Guidelines and Nomination Form or they can be found on the WMCA website in the Programs tab, or contact the WMCA Executive Director at coordinator@wisclerks.org . Because of the level of detail required in the nomination, it is strongly recommended that if someone is going to nominate, they work with individual.
What criteria are used in selecting the person chosen for the award?
Criteria for the person chosen for the Lifetime Achievement Award shall include, but not be limited to: length of service, interaction with fellow clerks, promoting education to and about the clerk’s role in local government, attendance at national and state conferences, pursuit of continuing education, community service and involvement in WMCA. A point system has been established for each of the categories and is used in evaluating the nominees.
Who determines the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award?
All nominations are independently reviewed and ranked according to the established point system by the committee members. Committee members then hold a telephone conference to review each nomination, establish the final points and determine an award recipient. The Lifetime Achievement Award Committee includes the previous two award recipients, or in the absence of one or both recipients, two Clerks chosen by the President, each from different districts, and a Certified Municipal Clerk appointed by the President. All members of the Committee are confirmed by the WMCA Board of Directors.
When is the award presented?
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented at the annual conference in August.
Teri Lehrke, WCPC
Chair – Lifetime Achievement Award Committee
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University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Earn your on-line Bachelor’s Degree with an Emphasis in
Emergency Management
or
Undergraduate/Graduate Certificate
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University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s online Emergency Management program is the study of the cycle of an emergency. This program offers you the convenience and flexibility of completing your coursework around your busy personal and professional schedule. The next generation of emergency managers will require higher levels of academic credentials. Our program is applicable to all profession.
Note: If you have an applied associate degree from any Wisconsin Technical College System campus or other regionally accredited institution, students can transfer in a minimum of 60 credits into the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s BAS degree.
For more information:
Click here for the UW-GB Website
Phone: (920)465-2111
E-mail: uwgb@uwgb.edu
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Are You Ready to Run?
Offices are Open for the
2017-2018 WMCA Board of Directors
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Have you been an Active Member of the WMCA for a few years and ready to give something back for what you have gained from this association. The WMCA is looking for a few good members to run for office on the WMCA Board of Directors.
You need to fill out and send in a Board of Directors Application Packet-2017 (click on this title), or you can find on the WMCA website. June 1st is the deadline for the Board of Director Application to be submitted electronically to the WMCA Executive Director at coordinator@wisclerks.org and/or mailed to the WMCA Office at 1414 Montclair Place Fort Atkinson, WI 53558. Applications must be received by 4:00 pm and include a letter of support from your immediate supervisor/primary elected official.
Here are the open positions for the 2017-2018 year. You can read a short job description on page 4 of the packet.
- 2nd Vice President- the person elected to this seat will move up to 1st Vice-President and then President. The candidate for this position must have been a Committee Chair or have held another position on the Board of Directors.
- Secretary—one-year term
- Director-at-Large-There is one 1-year position
No prior position on the Board is required for Secretary or Director-at-Large positions.
If you have any questions, please contact any of the current WMCA Board of Directors for more information.
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More Educational Opportunities Coming Soon
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The 37th Annual WMCA Conference to be held at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells on August 22-25, 2017. Information will be out in the next two weeks. Watch for it in your email.
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The League of Wisconsin Municipalities “Local Government 101: Important Basics” is a 1-day workshop providing a basic framework for governing to both new city and village officials and staff and those who want to brush up on their knowledge of local governance. Workshops are in Pewaukee on May 5, Madison on May 12, Eau Claire on May 19 and Green Bay on June 2. Registration is here.
The League of Wisconsin Municipalities Clerks, Treasurers & Finance Officers Institute is June 21-23 at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point. Details, including the full agenda and registration are here.
The Horton Group, a WMCA Associate member, is offering a class for Employee Benefit and Human Resource Professional on Evolving Employment Law, in Waukesha, WI, on May 18th. Click here to go to their registration website for more information.
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Have Your Educational Efforts Recognized This Year
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATE - ANNUAL APPLICATION |
This application is designed for annual recognition of your extraordinary efforts for completing additional education to gain knowledge of the current laws and processes to assist you and your municipality towards a productive and efficient office.
Send in the 2016-2017 PEC Annual Application Form on or before June 1st this year and attach the required documentation for proof of attendance. The Certification Committee will review your annual application and verify the points you have earned. Then you will be recognized at the annual WMCA Conference and receive a Diamond, Gold or Silver Certificate for your achievements.*
The Certificates are based on the following hours per year:
Silver Certificate for 25-50 hours
Gold Certificate for 51-74 hours
Diamond Certificate for 75+ hours
In addition, all courses listed in this application count toward state certification and will be tracked and documented for you by the WMCA. After you have accumulated the required points for certification, you will send in the certification application with a copy of the annual certificates you have received. You will not need to send in all of the individual certificates of attendance again! The $20 annual fee will be deducted from the regular certification fee for every annual certificate you use.
*You do not have to be working toward certification to qualify for the annual certificate.
If you have any questions about allowable courses, contact one of the Certification Committee Chair Julee Helt at jhelt@waunakee.com or the WMCA office at coordinator@wisclerks.org
or call 1-920-568-9278.
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 Don't Forget to Celebrate Clerks Week! |
"Now, therefore, I, Scott Walker, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, do hereby proclaim May 7-13, 2017 as MUNICIPAL CLERKS APPRECIATION WEEK."
Click here to view the full Proclamation from the Governor.
Have you ever considered getting your Council or Board to also do a proclamation for Clerks Week. Click here for a sample proclamation you can use.
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Please Take a Minute to Thank the Following Associates for Their Sponsorship at our Spring Training Camp - We couldn't do it without them.
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WORLD SERIES ($500) SPONSORSHIP
  
CIVIC SYSTEMS GENERAL CODE LEAGUE MUTUAL INSURANCE
 
MUNICIPAL PROPERTY INS CO. TOWNHALL SOFTWARE
GOLDEN GLOVE ($100) SPONSORS
  
AYRES ASSOCIATES EMC INSURANCE PAYMENT SERVICE NETWORK
HOME RUN HITTER SPONSORS - donated bag, pens, notepads, chapsticks
  
BS & A SOFTWARE THE HORTON GROUP SCHENCK
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Our Associate members support the WMCA by purchasing ad space in our E-Newsletters and on our website. Remember the next time you need to buy new equipment or services, see what the WMCA Associates have to offer.
[Contact the WMCA Office for details for posting your ad here.]
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