April 2020 WMCA E-Newsletter
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Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association
Monthly Newsletter
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Your President's
Message
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Hello Professionals:
APRIL 7TH IS OVER but the fact remains that you have gone above and beyond and sacrificed a lot for your community. I want to express how grateful I am for everything you do not only for your community, but as a representative for WMCA and all we stand for and work together to accomplish, for its during times like these that you deserve the utmost gratitude for being the leader you are.
DO YOU REMEMBER ...... in my January Newsletter I asked if 2020 be the Year that makes WMCA Roar? I sure didn’t know it then, but I do know now that everything leading up to and the April 7th Election ROARED! What else I find ironic ...... April 7, 2020 was WORLD HEALTH DAY.
I also reported in my Special Newsletter that the WMCA Board of Directors had an emergency meeting to discuss the election issues we were all facing and to decide what we can do as an organization. What we decided was that WMCA would not issue an official statement on what fixes needed to be done to administer the April 7th Election or enjoin lawsuits that we were asked to be a part of. The decision was not one we made lightly, because each one of us was facing the same mountain of issues and stress you were facing on top of the very real concern for not only our health, but the health of others. We agonized on how it was affecting us on a personal level while trying to serve our community and residents, but also on a professional level because we knew what obstacles our counterparts were facing. We were hearing from Professionals throughout the State in the weeks leading up to April 7th and for every opinion we received, the messages were clear – continue on with the Election; stop the Election; get AVEO passed; get our Leaders to protect us and our residents; postpone the Election; make it a mail-in Election; extend the Election by a few weeks ....... and we contemplated them all. Each and every opinion was a Vision and each Vision had merit. And that is why the Board of Directors could not make a unified official statement. And while I know not all Professionals agreed with WMCA not taking an official stand and may have felt we didn’t have your back, I can assure you “We Did Stand By You” by doing what we collectively believed was best for the entire membership. We will continue to be a voice for our members by reaching out to our Governor, Senators, and Representatives and working to strengthen the relationships we have fostered so we can discuss and provide our knowledge and experience in how they can help us do our jobs better and more importantly safer. By continuing to show our passion for our profession we will open the door for changes.
May 12, 2020 Special Election – 7th Congressional District: A big “WE ARE THINKING OF YOU SHOUT OUT” to all Professional Clerks/Staff within the Counties of Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, St. Croix, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Florence, Forest, Iron, Jackson, Juneau, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Monroe, Oneida, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas, Washburn and Wood who not only dealt with the April 7th unprecedented election, but are simultaneously dealing with another election without being able to catch your breath. There isn’t a Clerk out there who doesn’t know your frustration, exhaustion, stress and the extra burden you carry. We hope it helps, even just a little to know we are thinking of you, applaud your dedication to carry out your duties with professionalism and tireless drive and we all wish you success and good health.
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VISION: I don’t know about you, but I sure felt like April 7th was never going to be over and the fear I felt about the very real threat of COVID-19 was stressful. My Vision for the April 7th election is what I had planned for, a 50-60% voter turnout with absentees making up about 20% of total votes cast. Never did I envision the avalanche of absentee requests and never have I felt so unprepared. I did have a 58% voter turn, but my absentees made up 85% of total votes cast. I know I wasn’t alone, for you were right there with me facing the same challenges and overwhelming workload.
VICTORY: For me this quote defines the Victory we achieved together, all Municipalities and County’s in facilitating the April 7th Presidential Preference and Spring Election and although we are spread apart throughout the entire State, we were a TEAM. We
are certainly in an unprecedented time and I admire the courage you and
your team displayed. The courage to continuously serve your community
while facing fears, the courage to do business differently, the courage
to make necessary decisions, and the courage to support each other by
sharing ideas, asking for help, encouraging each other, and listening to
each other. I am proud of ALL of US. Thank
You for your dedication to your community and for administering this
election while you faced an ever-changing election environment,
mountains of absentees and COVID-19.
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Thank you for being more!!! I hope in the coming months things will calm down and we can all get back to some normalcy. It’s important for your mental and physical health to re-charge and find ways to stay connected with family and friends so how about joining me by having a little fun starting today, Diane
Got the Safer At Home Blues?
April 16th is National High Five Day (How about jumping up and pretending to slap five, or do the Aloha Wave, Wink or Blow a Kiss – get creative) OR Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day (I asked ☹)
April 17th is National Cheese Ball Day (try making a cheese ball sandwich or ???)
April 18th is Husband Appreciation Day OR National Lineman Appreciation Day
April 19th is National Garlic Day (making my loaded garlic pizza recipe)
April 20th is National Look-Alike Day (try twinning with someone or having everyone wear the same color to work, or Packer attire)
April 21st is National Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day (drop off dog treats to some lucky pooch – on the porch of course)
April 22nd is Administrative Professionals Day (flowers, chocolates, card) OR Earth Day (plant something) OR National Jelly Bean Day (drop off some Jelly Beans with a little note)
April 23rd is National Picnic Day (have a picnic in your backyard) OR World Book Day (pass along one of your favorite reads)
April 24th is National Pigs in a Blanket Day (I love putting cheese inside the pig)
April 25th is National Telephone Day (pick up the phone and call someone you HAVEN’T talked to in a long time) OR National DNA Day (why not get a kit and find out about your heritage)
April 26th is National Pretzel Day
April 27th is National Prime Rib Day (guess what’s for dinner)
April 28th is National Superhero Day (Yes that is you, so put on a Superhero outfit or Super Clerk T-Shirt and snap a selfie – share please)
April 29th is International Dance Day (put on some boogie music and dance, dance, dance) OR National Shrimp Scampi Day (eat, eat, eat)
April 30th is Honesty Day (pay someone an honest compliment – just because) OR National Raisin Day (oatmeal raisin cookies anyone) OR International Jazz Day (don’t listen to jazz – try it)
Diane Coenen WCMC/CMC
2019-2020 WMCA President
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Clerks and Treasurers Institute
*Breaking News* |
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Some of you are wondering if the Institute will be held this year in July. The good news is YES. We are working on an exciting new delivery format that is re-imagining our education venue for this year. We are going VIRTUAL.
What does VIRTUAL mean? We will have on-line live formatted classes using easy technology and online recorded classes that you can view at your convenience.
As I work on the details of our new delivery format I will keep you up to date on this exciting adventure for all of us. Please be assured we will be maintaining the high quality and excellence that UW-Green Bay’s Clerks and Treasurers Institute is known for.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to sign up for the Institute, our registration is open. Click here to go to the UW-GB Institute website. If you have already registered we look forward to working and seeing you.
Your safety and well-being is our upmost priority. Rest assured I will keep you informed as we move forward.
Stay safe.
Kassie
Kassie M. VanRemortel
Director of Government Affairs & Economic Development
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CL 109
Division of Continuing Education & Community Engagement
UW-Green Bay, 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI 54311
tel: 920-465-2468 | email: vanremok@uwgb.edu
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| Other On-Line Educational Opportunities
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In this time of "stay at home", the WMCA has been working with some of our partners around the state to also come up with classes you can take on-line.
Board of Review Training
Next week, with the help of the UW-Extension, the WMCA will be recording a Board of Review Training with our own Certified Board of Review trainer Tom Wilson, Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer/Attorney for the Town of Westport. The recording will be placed on our website (password protected) and you and you Board of Review Members will be able to register to see the video. The WMCA office will mail you the 2020 BOR packets. This class will include all the latest in meeting notice changes that have just occurred in the last couple of weeks. Watch your email for more details coming soon.
Alcohol Beverage Classes - Provided through UW-Extension
Alcohol Beverage Regulation and Licensing – Part 1
Wednesday, May 20, 2020, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Under state law, Wisconsin municipalities issue and renew alcohol licenses. New municipal clerks and others looking for a refresher on the basics of alcohol licensing will benefit most from this session. Learn about the different types of licenses, license qualifications, notice requirements, and other statutory requirements as your municipality prepares for the upcoming license renewal period.
Presented by Attorney Carol Nawrocki of the Wisconsin Towns Association and Attorney Claire Silverman of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.
Alcohol Beverage Regulation and Licensing – Part 2
Wednesday, June 3, 2020, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Part 2 is intended for both new and continuing officials who want to stay up-to-date with recent changes in the law, current issues, and Wisconsin Department of Revenue resources related to alcohol licensing. In addition to providing these updates, Mr. Quam will be available to answer any questions you submit ahead of time, and if time, those questions posed during the presentation. To submit questions, please email them by Wednesday, May 1, 2020 to lgc@extension.wisc.edu.
Presented by Tyler Quam Special Agent-in-Charge and Special Agent Jason Lee, Wisconsin Department of Revenue, at Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement Unit
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The Alcohol programs are moderated by UW-Madison Division of Extension’s Local Government Education Staff and are offered by Zoom webinar. These webinars are fully accessible through any computer with video and audio capabilities, and can also be accessed by smart phones. The audio can even be accessed by landlines and other phones with no video capabilities. An email with connection information and a PDF containing reference materials will be sent to registrants five days prior to the program.
The cost for participating in each session is $20. Registration is available through the Local Government Education Website: https://lgc.uwex.edu/local-government-essentials/. Cancellation policy: You may cancel up to ten (10) days before the program and still receive a refund.
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| WMCA Associate Members are great partners with the WMCA. The next time
you need to purchase a service or software, or other items, check out
the vendors ads on the WMCA website on the Municipal Vendor page. |
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Other WMCA Educational News
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Mark your calendars for the following opportunities and watch your email for the registration information:
DISTRICT MEETINGS:
All Spring District Meetings have been cancelled for this Spring.
Northern Spring Training - in Minocqua on May 14-15, 2020. Has been cancelled for this year.
IIMC Annual Conference - Has been cancelled for this year.
40th Anniversary WMCA Conference -
August 26-28th, 2020 - Chula Vista
We are still going forward with our 40th Anniversary Conference.
You can reserve your hotel room now. See Hotel information and code on the WMCA website. Click Here. Registration and scholarship opportunities for the conference will be out in May.
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Have You Checked Out the Career Ads Lately? Have you been thinking of making a change or possibly moving up to a bigger position? Don’t forget to check out the “Career Ads” section of the WMCA website. Go to: https://www.wisclerks.org/ and click on the blue button on the right side of the website to check out all of the openings around the state.
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THE WMCA MISSION:
To be the premier source for the personal empowerment of municipal clerks in Wisconsin through education, professional development, and the promotion of excellence.
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