What Our Attendees Say

Testimonial from Anne B. Uecker, WMCA President

April 23, 2012 (Download pdf)

Greetings!

Have you ever had the conversation with someone asking what you do for a living? Have you been able to fully explain what we, as Clerks and/or Treasurers do? Or, have you heard the question “I didn’t know they had schooling or a degree in THAT”.

As a Clerk or Treasurer we have an awesome responsibility in a career path with little or no formal education. We are so lucky to have partnered with UW-Green Bay for the Institute and Master Academy. Not only is it an asset in our State, but Kassie Van Remortel has been awarded the Outstanding Institute Director by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. We in Wisconsin have world-class training at our fingertips.

I know that I couldn’t do what I do if it hadn’t been for my 3 years attending the Institute and numerous years after that attending the Master Academy. The education presented during the Institute is about enough to make your head spin – but in a good way! I kind of looked at it as my one stop shopping for Clerk’s education. Each year presented valuable, timely education and I don’t care how “seasoned” you are, you always walk away with new knowledge. The week of the Institute is a great time to get back to the basics of what we do and why we do it. What we cram into one week is equivalent to a semester of college (or just feels that way!). I can remember my first year at the Institute feeling overwhelmed, under prepared and fully recharged. It is in the Institute that I met my mentors who I still look to for help to this day.

If I felt overwhelmed at the Institute, it was at Master Academy that I felt I truly grew professionally. UW-Green Bay offers education that makes us grow both personally and professionally. What I have taken away from all of my training has made a huge impact on who I am as a Clerk/Treasurer.

We always hear Clerks saying that they aren’t treated professionally by their Boards or Councils. I am a firm believer in the fact that we need to empower ourselves through education and our professionalism will shine through. Take the opportunity to attend UW-Green Bay this summer and empower yourself. You never know how you will change your life or the life of someone around you.

Anne B. Uecker, MMC/WCPC
President

Testimonial from Diane Hermann-Brown, WMCA Past 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
Past 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
500 Genesee Street, Delafield, WI 53018
DIRECT PH: 262-303-4513
OFFICE PH: 262-646-6220 / FX: 262-646-6223
E-Mail: ggresch@ci.delafield.wi.us
Website: www.cityofdelafield.com
Population: 6,934