|
To make sure you receive future emails,
please add ExecDirector@wisclerks.org to your address book or safe list.
|
October 2021 Monthly E-Newsletter
|
|
|
Your Professional Link to Excellence
|
|
|
|
President's Message |
|
|
Happy Fall!
It’s hard to believe it’s almost been two months since the conference. If this was your first conference, I hope you made friends, enjoyed yourself and learned a lot. It was nice to see people excited to be together again, enjoy their classes, and have some good laughs. It’s funny that you don’t realize just how much you miss your fellow Clerk’s until you aren't able to see them. A great big thank you to the Conference Committee; they made sure everyone had a blast!
As I take a moment to reflect and plan the rest of the year, I remember how quickly things can change. Personally, I changed positions, moving from being the Professional Clerk for the Village of Shorewood to the Professional Deputy Clerk/Treasurer for the Village of Fox Point. Taking this step back from being the Professional Clerk allows me to work on the portions of the job that I love while supporting an amazing Professional Clerk and learning the treasurer functions. It’s allowed me time to reflect on “why” I chose a career in public service in the first place and to reignite my passion for service. I’m excited and looking forward to this new chapter.
On a bittersweet note, we are saying farewell to Kelly Michaels. Kelly is retiring from the City of Brookfield and will take on the position of Clerk in the City of Venice, Florida. Kelly served as the 39th President of the WMCA. She was instrumental in starting the Legislative Communications and Advocacy Committee of WMCA and worked tirelessly for the passage of the AVEO bill. Kelly has been an invaluable member of the WMCA and will be greatly missed. It was an honor to work with you. Good luck in your new endeavors Kelly!
Looking ahead to the rest of 2021 and into 2022, I know this year’s committees are hard at work. District meetings are returning either to Zoom or in person; the Finance Committee is working on the budget; the Multi-Media Committee has provided social media updates, and the 2022 Conference Committee is already in full swing planning for next year. I am incredibly grateful for all those who take time out of their busy day and volunteer.
Everyone is busy working on budgets, redistricting, and getting ready for tax season. As the days are getting shorter and it feels like everything is getting more stressful, take time to breathe and remember your “why.”
Take Care!
Sara Bruckman WCMC/CMC
2021-22 WMCA President
|
Congratulations to our Latest
WMCA Certified Members!
|
|
Here is the latest group of WCMC and WCPC's certified clerks. This is the biggest group in the last two years! Congratulations to the following members! They may not have even received their plaques in the mail yet-but they are on the way!
WCMC’s – Wisconsin Certified Municipal Clerk
Jennifer Becker, Clerk/Treasurer, Village of Pardeeville
Kadie Jo Butteris, Deputy Clerk/Deputy Treasurer, Village of Windsor
Dianah Fayas, Clerk-Treasurer, Town of Springfield
Candie Jones, Clerk, Village of Oregon
Sarah Knaup, Clerk, Town of Grant
Tammy LaBorde, Manager/Clerk/Treasurer, Village of River Hills
Patricia Leitermann, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Village of Wrightstown
Rubina Medina, Deputy Clerk/Licensing Specialist, City of New Berlin
Michelle Nelson, Information Coordinator, City of Kenosha
Kaitlin Nye, Utility/Deputy Clerk, Village of Sauk City
Vicki Olson, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer, Village of Brooklyn
Camila Ramos, Clerk, City of Superior
Mackenzie Reed Kadow, Clerk, City of Manitowoc
Barbara Schuh, Clerk-Treasurer, Village of Black Creek
Janal Suppanz, Asst Administrator/Deputy Clerk-Treasurer, Village of Sister Bay
Miriam Thomas, Clerk-Treasurer, Village of Oakfield
Stephanie Waala, Deputy Clerk, Village of River Hills
WCPC-Wisconsin Certified Professional Clerk
Jilline Dobratz, Clerk, Village of Jackson
Jill Kenda-Lubetski, Clerk-At-Heart, WMCA Clerk-At-Heart
|
Calling All Seasoned Clerks
We Need You
|
|
|
The last couple years have been a crazy whirlwind and the world of Municipal Clerks has seen a significant turnover. Whether clerks retired or decided to move to a different field, the reality is we have a lot of new clerks in the state, particularly in towns. This coupled with the fact that many of the clerks who once served as mentors have retired, has left us with the need to ask for new mentors. The only requirement is that they have three years under their belt to volunteer to help mentor brand new clerks.
With the technology out there now, mentors can be strictly through email and phone calls, it doesn’t have to be in person. It is really important that the best match be made in order to have a good working relationship with your Adopt-A-Clerk. This program is incredibly valuable, just ask any clerk who was mentored.
As a mentor— YOU GIVE: • Your knowledge of a clerk’s duties. • Your advice about the responsibilities of the office. • Your support to let a new clerk know that he/she is not alone.
As a mentor— YOU RECEIVE: • The satisfaction of helping a fellow clerk through the overwhelming first year of their job. • Points toward a WCPC certification. • A new colleague friendship and member of your clerk network.
We need clerks and clerk/treasurers throughout the state to volunteer as a mentor; there are currently 29 counties without one mentor signed up. Click here to visit the Adopt-A-Clerk page on the WMCA website and download and submit an application. If you have further questions regarding becoming a mentor, contact Melissa Hongisto, Mentor Committee Chair, at melissah@townoflawrence.org. Thank you for giving back to this incredible network of Professional Clerks.
Melissa Hongisto, Mentor Committee Chair
|
From the Department of Revenue
Video Gambling Machines
|
|
|
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue asked us to share information about the illegal operation of video gambling machines. Some of you may be aware of retail locations in your jurisdiction that received a direct letter from the department. There have been a growing number of retailers who have illegally placed machines in their establishments. Wisconsin Department of Revenue enforcement agents are being increasingly called to those establishments. Those retailers are risking felony charges and confiscation of the illegal gambling machines. Retailers are encouraged to contact their attorney to discuss whether they are in violation of Wisconsin gambling laws. Violation of the law may result in the following:
• Class I felony offense for commercial gambling (sec. 945.03(1m), Wis. Stats.)
• Fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment, or both (secs. 945.03(1m) and 939.50(3)(i), Wis. Stats.)
• Class A misdemeanor offense for permitting premises to be used for commercial gambling (sec. 945.04(1m), Wis. Stats.)
• Seizure of video gambling machines (sec. 968.13, Wis. Stats.)
• Revocation of alcohol beverage license or permit (sec. 945.041, Wis. Stats.)
• Discontinuation as Lottery retailer (sec. 565.10(3)(a), Wis. Stats.)
• Closure of business as a public nuisance (sec. 823.20, Wis. Stats.)
• Penalties for "Class B" or Class "B" establishments are slightly different (sec. 945.03, Wis. Stats.)
Justin Shemanski CPA
Director, Office of Criminal Investigation
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
2135 Rimrock Road
Madison, WI 53708
Phone (608) 266-0286
|
Kelly Michaels-
Retiring From Wisconsin
|
 |
Past President Kelly Michaels has taken a new job as the Clerk for the City of Venice, Florida and she is leaving us. A great adventure for Kelly and a loss for WMCA. Kelly is inviting you to her farewell party. Click here to download the invitation for details! Good luck in your future Kelly!
|
Check Out The Following On-Line Webinars & Workshops
|
|
From Kassie VanRemortel:
The Gubernatorial Election Academy is set. We have some really great classes this year. The Academy is the cycle of the election: PREPARATION, DAY OF THE ELECTION, CLOSING OF THE POLLS AND ELECTION RECONCILAITION IN WISVOTE. Click here for more information and registration.
|
|
|
The League of WI Municipalities is once again offering a HR for Small Communities Webinar Series. To be held November 9-11 at 10AM each day for 60 minutes. Human Resources for Small Communities | LWM, WI (lwm-info.org)
|
Request from Multi-Media Committee
|
|
|
Nicki Breunig, Village of North Freedom and member of the Multi-Media Committee, is looking for examples of Open Records Request Forms and Records Retention Ordinances (if your municipality has a specific one that designates how long items are kept for).
If you are willing to share, please send your examples to Nicki Breunig at villageofnorthfreedom@gmail.com. Thank you in advance!
|
| Vendor Demonstrations on our Website |
|
Due to circumstances beyond our control, our vendors were not able to have the usual 45 minute vendor demonstrations at our conference this year. Therefore, they have been offered to make a demonstration video and send it in and we posted them on the WMCA website. Check out the first Associate members that took advantage of our offer. Click here to check out the products and services they have for you.
|
Get the 2022 42nd Annual WMCA Conference in Your Budget!
|
|
The 2022 42nd Annual WMCA Conference will be at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The actual conference will run from 8:00 am on Thursday, August 25 through Friday, noon, August 26th. There will be Pre-conference classes starting at 8:00 am on Wednesday, August 24th including a New Clerks Class, so make your hotel reservations accordingly. While the true registration fees for this conference will not be finalized until Spring, $175 in your budget for conference registration should cover it. Pre-conference classes run $80-$85 on average. You can click here to go to the 2022 Conference page in the WMCA website for the hotel room costs and reservation information. Please note that Chula Vista does charge your credit card for the first night at the time of making the reservation.
|
|
|