AMES, Iowa -- City officials from 28 Iowa communities have completed the final courses at the Iowa Municipal Clerks Institute that lead to professional certification at either the state level and/or through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. The five-day Municipal Clerks Institute was conducted by Iowa State University Extension during the week of July 10-14 in Ames.
The participants were introduced to the basics of a personnel system, understanding municipal law and records management, according to Paul Coates, ISU Extension political scientist who directs the program. Part of the session was devoted to verbal communication techniques and a public speaking exercise.
The program is sponsored by the ISU Extension Office of State and Local Government Programs in conjunction with the Iowa Municipal Finance Officers Association. Instructors include ISU faculty, extension staff, bonding attorneys, accounting experts and city clerks who have completed the Institute. The Iowa State University program is in its 31st year and remains one of the largest of 44 similar programs offered in other states and Canadian provinces.
This year’s courses were the final part of those needed for certification offered by ISU Extension to all city clerks and finance officers. Many Iowa municipalities require participation in the program as a condition of employment for newly-hired clerks. The program also provides educational credit toward certification by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks headquartered in California. Participants who have completed the program are invited back each year to participate in continuing education on a variety of special topics.
Participants in the July training included the following:
Asbury: Beth Bonz, city administrator
Auburn: Nancy Janssen, city clerk
Avoca: Teresa Hoepner, city clerk
Bettendorf: Theresa Ralfs, Riverdale city clerk
Boyden: Lori Wolkow, city administrator
Carroll: Laura Schaefer, clerk-finance director
Correctionville: Carla Mathers, deputy clerk
Cushing: LeeNette Wiese, clerk
Elgin: Rhonda Dales
Garnavillo: Lynette L. Sander, city clerk
Garner: Tammy Brant, billing clerk
Gowrie: Patrice Klingson, municipal utilities secretary
Grinnell: Sheila Diehm, administrative assistant
Lenox: Melissa Douglas, deputy clerk
Logan: Angela Winther, administration assistant
Maquoketa: Diane Frandsen, finance clerk
Minburn: Richard Buscher
Mingo: Diane Mindham
Monticello: Cheryl Clark, deputy city clerk
Norwalk: Jennifer Sease, city clerk
Panora: Joyce Calmer, city finance administrator
Plainfield: Nancy Deutsch, clerk/treasurer
Sherrill: Rhonda Mueller, city clerk
Sioux Rapids: Debra Saathoff
Strawberry Point: Mary Jo Brown, deputy city clerk
Union: Tara Gaunt, city clerk
Woodburn: Jodi Clark
Woodward: Christina Perkins, city clerk
-30-