Kentucky Municipal Clerks Association

Thursday, September 9, 2010

KMCA History

Our organization was established in 1977 to promote professional and educational standards for Kentucky's Municipal Clerks through leadership, training, and communications in order to provide outstanding public service to citizens in the Commonwealth. The KMCA initiated a certification program (KMCI) in 1980. An opportunity for additional/advanced training (MMCA) began in 1984. A scholarship fund to assist clerks in attending the Institute was started in 1987. KMCA hosted a very successful IIMC Conference in Lexington in 1995.

The KMCA not only offers educational opportunities, but also allows clerks to serve on state education and legislative committees, local chapter committees and on IIMC committees. All of these can increase the clerks' confidence and leadership abilities. The KMCA is also a voting member of the KLC Board of Directors.

The KMCA By-Laws state:

The purpose and objectives of this Association shall be to develop a better understanding of the official duties and obligations of its members and to promote the improvement of their offices by development of standard procedures, discussion of various problems arising in these offices, promotion of wider city consciousness concerning the importance of municipal government and its operation with particular reference to those services and facilities administered by the city clerks, development of closer relationships and understanding within this organization, and improvement of municipal affairs.

History of the Clerk

The quill is a symbol of the clerk's office. The Municipal Clerk is one of the oldest professions in local government, along with tax collector. The profession traces back before Biblical times.

When America was settled and governments formed, the office of the clerk was one of the first to be created. The clerk recorded all the vital records such as births, deaths, marriages, deeds, meetings and the election of officers at the annual town meetings.

“No other office in municipal service has so many contacts. It serves the mayor, the city council, the city manager (when there is one) and all administrative departments without exception. All of them call upon it, almost daily, for some service of information. Its work is not spectacular, but it demands versatility, alertness, accuracy, and no end of patience. The public does not realize how many loose ends the city administration this office pulls together.”

These works, written over 50 years ago, are even more appropriate today. Since that time, many of the duties of the clerk have been formalized and are governed by state statute. The Great Seal of the City of Piedmont, CA Photo by Jack Young 2007

Seen at right is a photo of the Great Seal of the City of Piedmont, CA. "Leo" has been in the City Clerk's Office for over 100 years. Photo by Jack Young in 2007, used with permission.

KMCA Officers

President Susan Lamb, CMC, Council Clerk of LFUCG Phone (859) 258-3241 Fax (859) 425-2073

Email: susanl@lexingtonky.gov

Vice President Crissy Upton, MMC, City Clerk of Hopkinsville Phone (270) 890-0210 Fax (270) 890-0213

Email: cupton@hopkinsvilleky.us

Secretary Lisa Dunbar, CMC, City Clerk of Maysville Phone (606) 564-9419) Fax (606) 564-9416)

Email: lrdundar@maysvilleky.net

Treasurer Joy Roark, City Clerk/Treas. of Flemingsburg Phone (606)845-5951 - Fax (606)845-0712

Email: joyroark@altiusbb.com

Past President Debbie Batliner, MMC, City Clerk of Simpsonville Phone (502) 722-8110 Fax (502) 722-8119

Email: dbatliner@hotmail.com

*Registered users may read bios of the officers. Under "ABOUT THE KMCA," click on "BOARD - Officers and Regional Representatives." To become a registered user or to login click the option toward the top right corner of this page.

About the KMCA

The Kentucky Municipal Clerks Association is a professional organization dedicated to developing trust in municipal government. It provides opportunities for education, professional development, personal growth and leadership. We encourage new and innovative ideas to enable members to fulfill and discharge their official duties for promoting the office of the Kentucky Municipal Clerk.

The goals established by the KMCA are: KMCA - Encouraging education and recognizing excellence!

Provide a forum for enhancing the performance of the Municipal Clerks;
Encourage professional growth and development;
Promotes the interchange of ideas and provides support systems for members.

Every two years the state organization elects four officers and the regional chapters appoint a representative to the governing board.

The state organization meets twice each year, the annual spring conference and the fall meeting. The fall meeting is held in conjunction with the annual Kentucky League of Cities convention. The state also meets with the Ohio, Tennessee, Indiana and Michigan organizations annually at the Region V conference. This allows for continued training and professional development of the Municipal Clerk.