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Wisconsin Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute - July 8-13, 2012
How does the Clerks and Treasurers Institute
work?
The Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute consists of three years of one-week
programming which increases in difficulty. New students must sign up for Year
One. The program is held annually and consists of 33-34 hours of classroom instruction
per year for a total of 100 hours of programming over a three year period. Local
government officials completing the three-year sequence should earn all of the
educational points needed for the education portion of the WCMC, CMTW, and CPFA
certificates. If you desire to complete your CMC you will have to return for
one more year. Once you have completed the prescribed curriculum of 100 hours,
you will graduate from the Institute.
Testimonial from Diane Hermann-Brown, WMCA Current President
I’ve been a City Clerk for 16 years, and in local government for 26 years. Over the years I have never given up an opportunity for education. No matter how long you’ve been a clerk, there is always something new to learn; laws, procedures, technology and the requirements on our position change.
Since the day I was hired, my municipality made an investment in my education. I’ve attended countless seminars and training sessions. But, the most valuable were those directly related to my specific job responsibilities and duties. There were also times when I paid for my own classes, because I felt it was important for me to advance in my position and knowledge.
The UW-Green Bay Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute is an invaluable education resource. You won’t be attending classes with assessors, fire fighters, police officers or public works personnel. You’ll attend classes with other clerks and treasurer that face the same challenges and responsibilities you have. These classes are hands-on and contain practical learning that is pertinent to your job duties. The instructors have experience as clerks or treasurers or they have a very in depth knowledge of what our responsibilities are.
It is especially important at the present time with the recount and recall elections to have a solid educational platform to turn to. These elections challenges have been much easier to handle because of the educational opportunities I have had. I have drawn from the knowledge that I gained at the UW-Green Bay Institute in everything from election practices, organization, leadership, dealing with difficult people, project planning, budgeting, dealing with the media and time management. Just as important during these challenging times are the network connections I made with other clerks.
Elections are only a portion of what we do, as challenging as each responsibility is, it has an impact on our residents. Our positions are like no others, we are expected to have a broad knowledge of all phases of government and our community. We are the “front-line” to City Hall, and have the first contact with our residents. We need to be knowledgeable and effective representatives for our community, and the best way to do this is by obtaining the best education through the resources available to us.
Your education is an investment for your community. Your commitment to your community shows when you attend the UW-Green Bay Institute, as well as their commitment to you by providing you the opportunity to education.
Times are tough, and budgets are tight, but education is an invaluable tool you need to do your job duties accurately, effectively, and efficiently. Check out the classes available to you through the UW-Green Bay Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute. It’s an educational opportunity you and your community should take advantage of!
Diane J. Hermann-Brown, CPM, MMC, WCPC
President of WMCA
City Clerk
City of Sun Prairie
dhermann@cityofsunprairie.com
Testimonial from Gina Gresch, WMCA Past President
11 years ago, I attended my first year at the UWGB Clerk’s & Treasurer’s Institute as a Deputy Clerk. My Clerk and I decided that I should attend the Institute to gain the knowledge, skills and laws that a Municipal Clerk needs under his or her belt, because my long-term goal was to the Municipal Clerk of the community I worked for. Little did I know that goal would become a reality sooner than I expected. Thanks to the Institute, I was prepared for that day and the days that followed. The Institute taught me my statutory duties, gave me a network/support system of other Clerks and Deputy Clerks and it gave me leadership skills I needed to be not only a co-worker, but a manager and a leader in the office and the community. It also gave me the confidence that I need to do the fast-paced, daily changing and changing job of the Municipal Clerk. Your first year includes classes on Elections, Parliamentary Procedures, Public Meetings and Open Records Laws, Minutes Preparation, Liquor Licensing, Legislative Information and Public Speaking. These sessions are invaluable during your first year as a Clerk or Deputy Clerk. I can’t stress enough how important it is to attend the next institute, especially if you start your job before July! Had I waited to attended, I would not have learned about the tasks, processes and laws I had to follow during my first year in a municipality.
When I came back from my first year at the Institute, I was so excited about everything I learned, the resources I received and the friends I made, I couldn’t wait to go back. There were numerous times throughout the year that I referenced the materials that I received.
The second year built on the first year, and the third on the second. Before I knew it, three years had gone by and I was graduating from the Institute. Those three years at the Institute gave me the knowledge I need to be able to successfully manage the Clerk’s Office. They also helped me obtain the 50 of the 100 points I needed to become a Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC), which eventually lead to obtaining my Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) designation, which lead to me getting the Clerk-Treasurer position at the City of Delafield.
Everything I’ve been able to achieve in my career started with the Clerk’s Institute. Had I not attended, I would not be where I am today. Thank you UWGB Clerk’s Institute.
Gina C. Gresch, MMC/WCPC
City of Delafield Clerk/Treasurer
2009 - 2010 WMCA President
UWGB’s Institute Produces RESULTS:
This is what past attendees have
to say!
"An invaluable experience!
"The Institute is unique in that it is one of the few places you can find a curriculum geared toward these important municipal government positions. Now, more than ever, citizens expect high standards within government. The clerk and treasurer positions require specific knowledge and a high level of competence, which is why this program is so important. From communication skills to preparing the tax roll, preparing and developing a better understanding of government financial statements, even stress management skills - - - - I have benefited from every aspect of this program.
"MTAW is a supporter of the Institute and is dedicated to helping new treasurers learn the profession and keep seasoned treasurers up to date on new laws and methods. Whether it's your first year or your third year, you are sure to come away with valuable tools you can use to your advantage."
- Rebecca L. Higby, CMTW, 2009-2010 MTAW President and Deputy Treasurer, Village of Pewaukee
“As a direct result of my attending the UWGB Institute, I received
a $5,000 raise. This was a direct result of policy and administrative changes
I had made for my municipality.”
- Bernie Kahl, Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer, Village
of Mukwonago
“Sue Willhite...came back to Edgar extremely excited about a budgeting
class and wanted to put together a Power Point presentation for the Village
Board to show them detailed Budget information based on numbers we compiled
for their consideration. She promoted the project and exhibited motivation that
persuaded me to agree. Wow! The presentation was well received and helped everyone
understand what can be a fairly complex and boring subject. It is now standard
practice.”
- Dennis M. Weix, Village Administrator, Village of
Edgar
“I was overwhelmed...and by attending the classes that week, I finally
began to get a grasp on just what it meant to be a “Municipal Clerk.”…I
began to realize that I needed the Institute much more than they needed me!
“Having made the most of this opportunity has made me the best clerk
I can be for my municipality. I have changed countless forms and procedures
based on what I learned. I have had access to top notch instructors and information
that is not available elsewhere, all offered in one self-contained atmosphere
of learning, caring and sharing. I thank UW-Green Bay wholeheartedly for continuing
to offer this program and encourage each and every clerk in Wisconsin to attend
…”
- Carol S. Alexander, City Clerk, City of Beloit
These are some of the changes Kathy Alft, Clerk, Town of Grand Rapids implemented upon her return:
“Discovered special assessment and tax searches which resulted in
nearly $2,000 of additional revenue for the Town.
“...enhanced my skill of minute taking, formatting minutes for clarity
and brevity.
“I learned that 80% of what is filed is generally non-record or
duplicate materials; imagine the file space I was able to save...
“Internal Revenue Service rules. I went back to my municipality
and explained our employment tax responsibilities.”
When asked about the Town’s investment, Supervisor Arne Nystrom shared:
“We see a significant change in the sharing of information and policy
updates; thereby, our Town Board is better prepared to respond to change. I
recognize the value of networking and Kathy’s relationship with other
public officials has proven to be an endless link as a resource to the Town.”
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