Upcoming Election The ballots for the 2017 / 2018 CCAC Board are being mailed out this week. Be on the look-out for your ballot. The Nomi-nating Committee Chair must receive all voted ballots by the deadline of August 4, 2017. Please be sure to vote. Educational Survey Most of you should have already received an email seeking your cooperation for an Educa-tion Program Survey. The Board in conjunc-tion with our Professional Development Di-rector is seeking member input on Regional trainings. We are nearing a full year of the new training program and need to know what is working and what could be changed. CCAC Budget The Board recently passed the 2017-2018 budget which is subject to revision after we hear from you on the Educational Survey. UPCOMING CONFERENCES League of California Cities The League of California Cities Annual Con-ference will be held September 13-15, 2017 in Sacramento. On September 13th, the City Clerk’s Department of the League of Califor-nia Cities and CCAC will hold a joint meeting for the installation of officers at 8:30 a.m.

Following the meeting, there will be a City Clerk’s Work-shop titled The Public Records Act: Past, Present and Future (CMC/MMC Advanced Educa-tion Point accreditation will be available). The cost of the one-day workshop is $150 for member cities, or $300 non-member cities and includes lunch. Space will be limited and registration will be based on a first come, first serve basis on-ly. Register through the League’s website at https://

www.cacities.org/Education-Events/Annual-Conference/For-Attendees/Registration. New Law & Elections Seminar The 2017 League of California Cities New Law & Elections Seminar will be held Decem-ber 13-15, 2017 in Newport Beach, CA. To r e g i s t e r , p l e a s e v i s i t : h t t p s : / /events.cacities.org/cgi-shl/twserver.exe?EREG:beginReg:17CC1213 and visit their site for additional details. I hope you had a happy and safe 4th of July.

CCAC President’s Message I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

President’s

Message 1

Newly

Designated 2

CCAC Book

Store 2

Region 2

Message 2

Educational

Sessions 3

Region 7

Message 4

Member

Spotlight 5

Region 9

Message 5

CCAC 2017

Sponsors 7

Board of

Directors 12

OFFICIAL WORD J U L Y 2 0 1 7 V O L U M E 1 8 , I S S U E 7

Jose Jasso, MMC

CCAC President

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Newly Designated Clerks

Have you heard about CCAC’s new book store? A book store made specifically for you, tailored with everything you need to be successful in the office and provide relief from the stresses of our day to day routine all at a discounted price. If you enjoy Athenian Dialogues, or have kids you love to read to, or you’re back in school for your degree, CCAC Book Alley has it all. Visit the bookstore at https://

CCAC Book Store ccacbookalley.mybooksandmore.com. The best thing about CCAC Book Alley is, revenue gener-ated will go towards CCAC Scholarships. If you have any questions or would like to know more in-formation about CCAC Book Alley, contact Marilyn Bonus at mbonus@SGCH.ORG.

Pamela Farris, CMC Deputy City Clerk, City of Lodi

Lourdes Sy-Rodriguez, MMC Assistant City Clerk, City of Beverly Hills

Laura Maguire, MMC Records Management Analyst, City of Thousand Oaks

Michelle Dahme, CMC Town Clerk, Town of Yountville

Ky Spangler, CMC Deputy Director / City Clerk, City of Simi Valley

Melissa Thurman, CMC Assistant City Clerk, City of Redwood City

Barbara Engleson, CMC City Clerk, City of Carlsbad

Region 2 Director’s Message - Mindy Cuppy, MMC Let’s Defy Gravity I recently had the opportunity to interview Lisa Olsen and Stacy Leitner, an entrepreneurial dynamic duo. As career-focused executive assistants working in the private and public sectors, they launched Admin to Admin in 2014. In addition, they are authors, college educators, sit on Boards, and enjoy sharing content on social media. They are high level administrative professionals and

everything they shared relates to the City Clerk, Board Clerk, Deputy City Clerk, and administrative professions. In our conversation together, I asked them to share with me about one of the topics they present on “Let’s Defy Gravity.” Here’s our interview.

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Register now for

these upcoming

educational

opportunities.

Upcoming CCAC Educational Sessions

O F F I C I A L W O R D

Athenian Dialogues Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman Facilitated by Patrice Olds, MMC, City Clerk Saturday, July 29, 2017 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Hosted by the City of San Mateo Limited to 25 participants Click here for more information and to register online.

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes Facilitated by Anthony J. Mejia, MMC, City Clerk Saturday, August 26, 2017 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Hosted by the City of Porterville Limited to 30 participants Click here for more information and to register online.

Dawn Abrahamson, MMC

Professional Development

Director

CCAC Education Workshops

When You Wonder If That Person Will Snap...Recognizing and Understanding Threats and Potential Attacks July 21, 2017, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hosted by City of Rohnert Park (Region 16 - North Bay) Click here for more information and to register online by July 14th.

How to Get Funding / Increase Your Budget August 10, 2017, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hosted by City of Carson (Region 11 - Los Angeles) Click here for more information and to register online by August 3rd.

E-Records, E-Mail, Trustworthy Electronic Records, Retention, Document Imaging & Oth-er Leadership Opportunities August 11, 2017, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Hosted by City of Pittsburg (Region 15 - East Bay) Click here for more information and to register online by August 4th.

August 18, 2017, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hosted by City of Mammoth Lakes (Region 5 - Desert Mountain) Click here for more information and to register online by August 11th.

View more 2017 Educational Opportunities at www.californiacityclerks.org/education-and-events.

League of California Cities - City Clerks Workshop September 13, 2017, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Located at the Sacramento Convention Center. Click here to register online.

Technical Training for Clerks (TTC) - Series 100 Save the Date - September 12-15, 2017. Registration opening soon!

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Region 2 Director’s Message Cont.

Region 7 Director’s Message - Jerryl Soriano, CMC Summer is in full swing in the Coachella Valley - where we recently reached an all-time record for the month of June with temperatures that climbed to a high of 122 de-grees!

Our last Region Workshop was hosted by Corona City Clerk, Lisa Mobley on Friday, June 9, 2017. Maura and Maureen Kane presented “When You Know You Are Not the Problem-Working With and For Impossible People.” The Workshop was very informative and useful in dealing with individuals who exhibit behavior that create challenging situations. I highly recommend this topic to anyone when it’s offered again at a future work-shop.

On Thursday, June 22, 2017, I attend-ed the Technical Track for Clerks (TTC) Graduation Dinner where I was proud to witness the first 4 recipients of the “California Professional Munici-pal Clerks Certificate Program.” Con-gratulations to Angelica Avila, City of Indian Wells; Amanda McVey, City of Pittsburg; Gloria Sanchez, City of Palm Desert; and Nicole Wheelright, City of

Beaumont. Lastly, our next region workshop is scheduled for November 2017. Hope to see you there!

Q: What does it mean for office professionals to “defy gravity?”

A: To be fully engaged in your role. Wherever you are right now. Gravity can be the challenges, stereotypes and work trends that can create fears, lack of self-confidence or poor attitudes. If office professionals strive to defy gravity, they are willing to rise above those chal-lenges and see their roles from a higher perspective. It’s a mindset really.

Q: Does passion influence your ability to defy gravi-ty?

A: YES, we believe that to defy gravity you should have a desire to be passionate about your work. Seek to find your purpose at work. Seek to find purpose in the work you do. Reach out into the world and build a career by which you can and will thrive. Most importantly, involve yourself in things you enjoy. Your passion for what you do will help you to defy gravity when the weight of fear, challenges, or a lack of confidence tries to bring you down.

Q: What defense mechanisms can you put into place to help “defy gravity” and avoid getting pulled down?

A: Develop healthy habits. Nurture and take care of your body. Get adequate rest. Eat healthy foods that will fuel your body. Find ways to replenish your energy. You want to keep your mind alert and clear. Spend time cultivating relationships. Spend time doing things you enjoy such as reading, hiking, exercising, etc.

Q: What is the best way for office professionals to bounce back if gravity pulls them down?

A: Take time for self-care; do something that inspires you. Office professionals can easily get caught in the trap of self-defeating thinking due to work commitments and family and personal responsibilities. Own your attitude and know what triggers you to lose focus and slip. Give yourself permission to reassess to be sure your perspec-tive is in check. Seek a mentor if needed; establish your values – and stay true to them. This one idea alone will help you defy gravity because your decisions will be grounded in your values.

Q: How can office professionals stay competitive in today’s workplace?

A: The reality is office professionals need to immerse themselves in seeking learning opportunities. It’s critical to always be advancing in a forward motion. Don’t be-come complacent. Here are some examples: create a new opportunity for yourself, learn something new, seek a new responsibility, shadow another clerk, redesign a process or try a new way of doing something to name a few.

Q: How can you keep pushing past the limits in a way that is purposeful and personally rewarding?

A: Rewrite the contract with yourself. To stay compet-itive in today’s workplace you have to be willing to stretch yourself and be willing to risk being uncomforta-ble. It’s in that space that growth occurs. It’s also im-

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The San Diego County City Clerk’s Association recently said to Donna about her upcoming retire-ment, “We truly feel that we will mostly miss your warm, enveloping smile and unending positive atti-tude. You always see the cup half full and aim to find ways to reach the goal without surrendering

your ethics and princi-ples.” Donna is kicking off re-tirement with a month-long trip, consisting of camping her way to Seat-tle, cruising Alaska-style, and travelling Canada. Most excited for her re-tirement, perhaps even more than Donna herself, are her three granddaugh-ters, Katelyn (age 13),

Aubree (age 8), and baby Hazel (age 1), who are eager for much more “Nana time.” It is with mixed emotions that we celebrate Donna’s next chapter and honor our friend, col-league, and mentor for her e x c e p t i o n a l contributions to us personal-ly and profes-sionally. The world awaits, Donna!

For 30 years, Donna Norris has looked forward to 2017, knowing it was the year she would retire. She knew if she could make it to age 55, she could retire. Donna is using vacation leave until her offi-cial retirement date on October 4, the day after her 55th birthday. Her last official duty, one of her favorite responsibilities as a city clerk, was adminis-tering oaths of office to two new Chula Vista police officers on June 23. Donna has been the City Clerk of the City of Chula Vista for the past 10 years and served in other ca-pacities the City Clerk’s Office for a total of 18 years. Before working in Chula Vista, Donna’s ca-reer included positions at the City of San Diego and the City of La Mesa. Don-na’s initiation into the City Clerk world was by fire—the deputy city clerk at the time had passed away and Donna immediate-ly had to learn how to write agendas and minutes, and carry out other city clerk functions. Donna earned her CMC in 2005 and is a CEPO graduate. “I went in (government) not knowing, not under-standing that there was this negative perception of government,” Donna recently told local Chula Vista publication, The Star News. “It just became my goal to change that perception, one customer at a time for 32 years. I don’t know that I succeeded but truthfully that has been a driver of mine for all these years.” Donna is acknowledged by her local City Clerk peers as a pillar of strength, knowledge, and com-posure. She is known for approaching her role as City Clerk with grace, consideration, and resolve.

Donna Norris

Newly Retired City Clerk

City of Chula Vista

REGION 9

Region 9 Director’s Message Hello from Region 9 (San Diego County)! San Die-go County consists of many public agencies, includ-ing 18 cities, two of which are among the top 15 highest-populated cities in California (San Diego is #2 & Chula Vista is #14). Prior to CCAC joining the county together as a region, the local city clerks and deputy/assistant city clerks each had their own self-funded organizations, which were formed to facilitate networking and to pool re-sources to bring professional development oppor-tunities close to home. As local clerks have

changed through retirements and other transitions, CCAC’s new, regional format has provided our members with more occasions to get acquainted and stay connected. Region 9 held back-to-back training sessions in May and June. May’s session, graciously hosted by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters, was When You Know That You’re Not the Problem…Working With and For Impossible People, facilitated by mother

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Kerry Bigelow, MMC

Region 9 Director

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Region 2 Director’s Message Cont.

Region 9 Director’s Message Cont. -daughter duo, Maureen Kane, BSN, RN, TTC Institute Director and Dr. Maura Kane, Psy.D. In June, Political Reform Consultants Deborah Hanephin and Glen Bailey delivered training on the Political Reform Act: Campaign and Election Laws & Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) Filings. Region 9 Fun Fact: The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), in partnership with CALTRANS and the City of Chula Vista, was recently desig-nated as one of ten nationwide proving grounds for the testing of autonomous vehicles (also known as driverless or self-driving cars). Among the predicted benefits of autonomous vehicles are major increases in traffic flow, reduction in traffic collisions, significantly reduced need for parking spaces in our cities, and

enhanced mo-bility for elder-ly, disabled, and youth resi-dents. Ready for a Jetsons-style chauffeur? I’ll have a Tesla, please!

portant to understand the scope of your position and be mindful of the difference between being aggressive in pushing past limits, and being assertive in your efforts. There’s a difference.

Q: What steps can office professionals take to set themselves apart from others in their role?

A: Take a mature approach to risk taking. It’s all about having 360 awareness. Recognizing opportunities and utilizing your strongest skills and attributes to make a difference. Take time to self-assess. Build relationships – that’s essential. Be willing to play a more strategic role in the workplace. Focus on impression management and interpersonal communication. Be seen as a critical think-er.

Q: How do you feel about goal setting? A: Everyone should have goals. In fact, everyone should have a really, big goal! At Admin to Admin, we get asked to present often on goal-setting. We are both goal set-ters and goal achievers. We set some pretty whacky goals, but why not? Why not us, right? Through persis-tence, focus, and a little sacrifice (okay maybe a lot of sacrifice), we believe anything is possible. So, set a goal to become City Clerk of the Year, to obtain a certifica-tion, or whatever is on the horizon for you. Why not, you?

Q: What does defying gravity mean to you Lisa and Stacy?

A: Defying gravity to us means closing our eyes and taking a leap. In 2014, we did just that! We kept our high-level executive assistant positions and became en-trepreneurs launching Admin to Admin. Our dual ca-reers have been hard work, exhilarating, fun, and well…once again hard work. We believe that through disci-pline, self-mastery, and focus there is great potential out there in all of us. We just have to tap into it to unleash it and for many of us…we play it too safe.

Q: How can I get started with this idea of “defying gravity”?

A: Write down 20 ideas to maintain or accelerate your momentum to staying competitive in today’s workforce. Build on these ideas. Share your ideas. Discuss your ideas. Start to implement some of these ideas. Build upon what you start. Refine and strengthen.

Want to learn more? Check out Lisa and Stacy’s website at www.admintoadmin.com. They have some great resources and training opportunities. I have also found Stacy’s blog to be a great resource, check it out here: www.agreatdayswork.com.

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CCAC Diamond Sponsor

P A G E 8 V O L U M E 1 8 , I S S U E 7 CCAC Diamond Sponsor

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O F F I C I A L W O R D

CCAC Diamond Sponsor

P A G E 1 0 V O L U M E 1 8 , I S S U E 7 CCAC Gold Sponsor

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O F F I C I A L W O R D

CCAC Silver Sponsor

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Jose Jasso, MMC, President Assistant City Clerk, Santa Clara (408) 615-2222, jjasso@santaclaraca.gov

Wendy Klock-Johnson, MMC, First Vice-President Assistant City Clerk, Sacramento (916) 808-7509, wkjohnson@cityofsacramento.org

Stephanie Smith, MMC, Second Vice-President City Clerk, Lake Forest (949) 461-3421, sdsmith@lakeforestca.gov

Britt Avrit, MMC, Recording Secretary City Clerk, Lancaster (661) 723-6020, bavrit@cityoflancasterca.org

Randi Johl-Olson, JD, MMC, Legislative Director City Clerk, Temecula (951) 694-6421, randi.johl@cityoftemecula.org

Mitzi Ortiz, MMC, Communications Director City Clerk, Aliso Viejo (949) 425-2506, mortiz@cityofalisoviejo.com

Susan Domen, MMC, Treasurer City Clerk, Lake Elsinore (951) 674-3124 x262, sdomen@lake-elsinore.org

Dawn Abrahamson, MMC, Professional Dev Director City Clerk, Vallejo (707) 648-4528, dawn.abrahamson@cityofvallejo.net

April Sousa, Region 1 Director City Clerk, Blue Lake (707) 668-5655, cityclerk@bluelake.ca.gov

Mindy Cuppy, MMC, Region 2 Director City Clerk, Rancho Cordova (916) 851-8721, mcuppy@cityofranchocordova.org

Nora Pimentel, CMC, Region 3 Director City Clerk, Tracy (209) 831-6105, nora.pimentel@ci.tracy.ca.us

Luisa Zavala, CMC, Region 4 Director Deputy City Clerk, Porterville (559) 782-7464, lzavala@ci.porterville.ca.us

Ricca Charlon, CMC, Region 5 Director City Clerk, Ridgecrest (760) 499-5002, rcharlon@ridgecrest-ca.gov

Vicki Kasad, MMC, Region 6 Director Assistant City Clerk, Ontario (909) 395-2166, vkasad@ontarioca.gov

Jerryl Soriano, CMC, Region 7 Director City Clerk, Desert Hot Springs (760) 329-6411 x107, jsoriano@cityofdhs.org

Diane Caldwell, CMC, Region 8 Director City Clerk, El Centro (760) 337-4515, dcaldwell@cityofelcentro.org

Kerry Bigelow, MMC, Region 9 Director Assistant City Clerk, Chula Vista (619) 407-3590, kbigelow@chulavistaca.gov

Denise Basham, MMC, Region 10 Director City Clerk, Cypress (714) 229-6683, dbasham@ci.cypress.ca.us

Anthony Mejia, MMC, Region 11 Director Chief City Clerk, South Pasadena (626) 403-7232, amejia@southpasadenaca.gov

Michelle Ascencion, CMC, Region 12 Director City Clerk, City of Oxnard (805) 385-7805, michelle.ascencion@oxnard.org

Tom Graves, MMC, Region 13 Director City Clerk, Hollister (831) 636-4300 x16, tom.graves@hollister.ca.gov

Deborah L. Padovan, CMC, Region 14 Director City Clerk, Los Altos Hills (650) 947-2513, dpadovan@losaltoshills.ca.gov

Margaret Wimberly, MMC, Region 15 Director City Clerk, Brentwood (925) 516-5182, mwimberly@brentwoodca.gov

Kathy Flamson, CMC, Region 16 Director City Clerk, Calistoga (707) 942-2807, kflamson@ci.calistoga.ca.us

Byron Pope, MMC, Immediate Past President City Clerk, Beverly Hills (310) 285-2401, bpope@beverlyhills.org

2016-17 CCAC Board of Directors