Master Academy for Civic & Public Affairs
Master Complex Duties
An advanced continuing education program.
Master Academy for Civic and Public Affairs is one of two professional designations granted by IIMC and is an advanced continuing education program that prepares participants to perform complex municipal duties. The program entails extensive, rigorous education with a requirement for professional and social contribution. Candidates must demonstrate that they have actively pursued education and professional activities.
Master Academy at a Glance
Registration includes instruction and digital materials specific to the sessions you attend. Earn up to 15 hours (or 7.5 points) towards your IIMC-CMC or MMC by attending. Qualifies for points at a rate of 1 point per 2 in-class contact hours.
Dates
February 3-5, 2026
Format
Live Online via Zoom
Tuition
$299 3-day package
$69 per Session
This Year's Agenda
Master Academy is a series of live, online session on Zoom delivering active learning through breakouts, group work and polling. Participants select and register for their sessions. Customize your own agenda or attend all sessions at a discounted rate. Registration includes instruction and digital materials specific to the days you attend. Earn up to 15 hours (or 7.5 points) towards your IIMC-CMC or MMC by attending. Qualifies for points at a rate of 1 point per 2 in-class contact hours.
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Developing Calm and Confidence During High Stress Moments
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Municipal clerks frequently navigate demanding timelines, public expectations, and responsibilities that require accuracy and calm decision making. This session offers strategies for developing confidence and emotional steadiness during stressful situations while reinforcing ethical service and public trust. Participants will reflect on personal stress patterns, learn evidence informed techniques for managing challenging moments, and apply skills that support both effectiveness and personal health.
Instructor: Jessica Maes, Business Support Specialist for the City of Green Bay
Lunch
1-1:30 p.m.
Parliamentary Power Moves: Advanced Situational Skills with Jim Jones
1:30-4:30 p.m.
This advanced session strengthens participants’ ability to apply parliamentary procedure confidently in complex, fast moving meeting situations. Jim Jones will guide clerks through real world scenarios involving challenging motions, procedural conflicts, points of order, and maintaining fairness while keeping business on track. Participants will practice strategies that support neutrality, accuracy, and smooth facilitation in high visibility environments.
Instructor: Jim Jones, Senior Partner of Parliamentary Associates
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Records Management/Agendas, Meetings and Minutes
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
This session provides a comprehensive look at the interconnected responsibilities of records management and the preparation, execution, and documentation of public meetings. Participants will explore best practices for organizing agenda materials, supporting meeting procedures, and producing accurate minutes that meet legal, historical, and public transparency requirements. Clerks will learn strategies that improve consistency, reduce errors, and strengthen confidence in managing official records across the full meeting lifecycle.
Instructors: John Strickland, Solutions Account Executive at ICC - Community Development Solutions; and Anne Uecker, City Clerk/Treasurer for the City of St. Francis
Lunch
1-1:30 p.m.
Emotional Hacks
1:30-4:30 p.m.
This session introduces practical techniques from Dr. Ryan Martin’s work on understanding and redirecting difficult emotions in healthy and productive ways. Participants will explore how emotions arise, why they escalate in professional settings, and how small behavioral and cognitive shifts can quickly reduce intensity. Clerks will leave with simple, science informed strategies they can use in real time to stay calm, think clearly, and respond effectively.
Instructor: Ryan Martin, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, Professor at UW-Green Bay
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Leading Difficult Conversations
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Municipal clerks often find themselves in situations where they must communicate unwelcome information, correct misunderstandings, or address conflict directly. This session provides tools for leading those conversations with purpose and composure. Participants will learn how to listen actively, frame messages constructively, and keep discussions solution focused while upholding ethical and procedural standards.
Instructor: Jean Schultz, Project Manager for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Important Information
Important information to consider before you register.
Participation
Participants are required to have their camera on during sessions to to verify engagement. UW-Green Bay expects that students limit outside distractions, remain in one location for the duration of the session (no driving or doing errands) and actively participate in group discussions and activities. Plan to be away from your office/desk during training without the ability to perform daily tasks.
Attendance
Participants must attend all sessions live online. Sessions are not recorded. Participants who miss 25% or more of a session and/or do not complete the associated assessments will not receive credit for the session.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations have a $40 non-refundable processing charge. Cancellations after January 2, 2026, will not receive a refund. It is impossible to refund 100% of the registration fee. It is important to note that numerous contractual obligations are incurred long before the event with financial commitments to expenditures that may not be refundable to the university. If you cancel, you will not receive Master Academy handouts.
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