CCAC President's Message Patrice Olds, MMC

Hello February – The skies are blue and the air is chill in Northern California. Beautiful winter days.
I am so excited to see that conference registration is so active and am looking forward to seeing all of you in Burlingame. Don't forget to submit your nominations for the 2020 Clerks Distinction Awards!!! The nomination package is now available.
I am pleased to announce the Banquet Theme for the conference is . . . the Roaring Twenties! We are going to party like it’s the 1920s in honor of the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment (August 18, 1920) in which women earned (yes, earned, it wasn’t given to us, women earned it – thank you suffragists) the federal right to vote across the nation! What an important achievement to remember and celebrate!
So … what else was happening then? Prohibition via the Volstead Act, was ratified in January 1919, and became effective January 1920. This influenced the speakeasy phenomenon and a rather intense, primarily hidden party culture.
Start planning your jazz age costume – themed attire greatly encouraged, and join us in celebrating 1920 to 2020 and maybe indulge in a ‘bathtub gin’ cocktail and get in touch with your inner Tallulah Bankhead or F. Scott Fitzgerald. If you want to go gangster – I am sure you will be ‘Hotsy-totsy’! Get ready to shimmy to the Charleston and the Turkey Trot as we move through the music of each decade up to 2020.

I have been asked by several people to provide more information on how conference locales are selected. I will include information on the full process in March’s article along with how you can get involved. I want to say I very much appreciate the outreach and inquiries from members. Hearing from you only helps us get better. Please keep those comments coming.
In February, we celebrate Valentine’s day and honor our Presidents with a day off. I wish you chocolate on Valentine’s Day and relaxation on the three-day weekend.

NEW ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL PERIOD
Marc Donohue, MMC (Membership Services Director)
By now, you should have received your invoice to renewal your CCAC membership for a 6-month period from January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020. This will be followed by the normal 12-month renewal period ending June 30, 2021 and every June in the subsequent years.
We respectfully request that you complete the membership renewal by March 31, 2020. You are welcome to pay online or by invoice. Memberships not renewed by March 31st, will be considered a lapsed membership and you will not be eligible for scholarships or member-rates for the annual conference and educational sessions.
On behalf of the entire CCAC Executive Board, we thank you for being a member and renewing your membership! If you have any questions about this new membership renewal process, please contact Membership Services at [email protected].
Professional Development Update Shawna Freels, MMC

Professional Development Update
Conference Education Covers All Bases!
Get ready for some amazing education at the 2020 annual conference in Burlingame April 14-17th. The Professional Development Committee investigated and researched 29 proposals to compile an amazing array of topics for us this year.
Tuesday’s preconference sessions include an advanced academy presented by Miller Consulting Group and led by internationally recognized speaker Faith Wood who will provide key elements, tools and frameworks to support you in building powerful community partnerships. We also have a great Athenian Leadership Dialog of “One Giant Leap – The Impossible Mission That Flew Us to the Moon” by Charles Fishman, facilitated by Chuck Tokar, MMC, which will explore the courage to state a goal, and then develop teamwork and partnerships to achieve that goal.
The Conference kicks off Wednesday morning with our keynote speaker Faith Wood who will share behind the scenes speaker secrets on captivating a room to gain credibility and enhance partnerships and levels of influence. We then take the afternoon to learn from Preethi Fernando how to stretch ourselves as leaders working with a dynamic and diverse workforce, and we close the day with a deep dive into major changes to the California Public Records Act led by attorney’s Christine Wood and Jolie Houston.
Thursday is filled with options – from the technical side of our jobs to the leadership roles we hold within our organizations. You make the choice of the session that best fits your needs.
The morning starts with Preethi Fernando who will take us on a journey into the use of emotional intelligence to effectively deal with people, problems and sensitive situations. On the more technical side, Nicole Lance and Eric Bailey will offer powerful tools to design and produce effective strategic plans. Late morning offers those looking to move up to the executive leadership level insights on taking that next step up to senior management from Finance Director Jimmy Forbis, and City Attorney Glen Googins will detail techniques on analyzing and interpreting statute.
Thursday afternoon includes Nicole Lance and Marian Mellen who will guide us to developing powerful connections in our role as leaders through mindful listening and being present, and Alison Horak will teach how to write effective staff reports with clarity and logical flow. Thursday ends with a profound session on creating dynamic and sustainable partnerships, led by Rosanne Richeal, and City Clerk Stephanie Smith will detail masterful strategies on maximizing your impression with an interview panel.
Friday closes out the 2020 Conference with a bang! Award winning author and renowned certified public speaker Andy Masters with take us to the movies to learn leadership lessons that will empower us in all that we do.
Attendees will earn 4.25 CMC Education or 4.25 MMC Advanced Education points for attendance at 17 hours of sessions with a completed learning assessment.
Can’t wait to see you there!
2020 Annual Conference
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Preliminary Program available!
2020 Clerk of the Year Nomination Package now available!
Dates: April 15-17, 2020 Pre-Conference Events on April 14, 2020: One-Day Advanced Academy - $150 Athenian Dialogue - $150
Location: Hyatt Regency, Burlingame

Events Calendar
CCAC Education Workshops
1) FPPC Form 700 and Campaign Filing Office Workshop; 2) The Confident Clerk - Looking and Feeling Like the Professional Leader You Are and Want Others To See February 11, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. - Rancho Cucamonga Click here for more information.
Prime Yourself to Be Recognized at Your Leadership Table March 6, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. - Ceres Click here for more information.
Athenian Dialogues
Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance Facilitated by Ed Tywoniak, Ph.D. February 28, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Hosted by City of Emeryville Click here for more information.
One Giant Leap by Charles Fishman Facilitated by Ed Tywoniak, Ph.D. April 14, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. CCAC Annual Conference Pre-Conference Click here for more information.
Becoming by Michelle Obama Facilitated by Stephanie Smith, MMC May 2, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Hosted by City of La Quinta Click here for more information.
Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines Facilitated by Laura Nieto, MMC May 15, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Hosted by City of Eastvale Click here for more information.
Obsessive Genius by Barbara Goldsmith Facilitated by Stephanie Smith, MMC August 28, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Hosted by City of La Habra Click here for more information.
dare to lead by Brene Brown Facilitated by Kathy Flamson, MMC and April Sousa, CMC October 17, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Hosted by City of Ukiah Click here for more information.
Visit CCAC Events Calendar for all upcoming education opportunities.
Newly Designated Clerks
Angelica Gonzalez, CMC - Council Services Assistant, City of Morgan Hill
Katherine Roland, CMC - Deputy City Clerk, City of Stockton

Region 13 Workshop Recap
Patricia Barajas, CMC / Salinas City Clerk
I didn’t think it could get any better than this! Region 13 is comprised of 18 cities with a total of 30 members and after this past month’s educational workshop, I realized it is not only about getting our members to attend workshops, it is about professional development and providing members across ALL regions with the tools and resources they need to be a successful clerk, deputy clerk, executive assistant or whichever title you may hold. On January 17, 2020, the City of Salinas hosted “FPPC Forms, Candidate Forms, Measures and More!” with an outstanding number of members (41) in attendance. This session was intended to kick start 2020 and prepared our fellow clerks with best practices, new regulations, and all there is to know when it comes to Form 700, Form 460, Form 470 and others, as we approach those very tedious, yet important, filing deadlines on January 31 and April 1. We sometimes find ourselves asking, “what can I do better to reduce the number of amendments I send out following filing deadlines?” How can I obtain 100% compliance?” Well, for some, an electronic system is key, yet for others, that may not be the answer. This session focused on key best practices and a thorough overview provided by Kathryn Trumbly of the FPPC to help better prepare us as filing officials. Something as simple as “do not stamp received” until you review in person reduces amendment to “it is not your job to investigate, leave that up to us (FPPC)” saves us clerks valuable time. Thank you Kathryn!
In addition to the FPPC, we had the pleasure of hearing from Monterey County Registrar of Voter’s Claudio Valenzuela. His encouraging words resonated throughout the Cayenne Room at Schilling Place. The importance of building relationships with the registrar and using them as a resource was a much needed reminder and an invitation to utilize their expertise to expand our knowledge.
As we approach the 2020 elections, having Assistant Registrar of Voter Gina Martinez and Elections Program Manager Jessica Cedillo speak to all of the attendees could not have come at a better time. Gina and Jessica shared sample nomination forms, new candidate filing requirements, and the new Secretary of State Ballot Designation Form. Gina shared examples of some of the nomination nuances encountered in Salinas and other Monterey County cities from incumbents filing on the last day and disqualified to requesting candidates change their statements, to filing writs for competing ballot measures. At the end of the session, attendees were able to attend a “behind the scene” tour of the elections office highlighting post candidate filing period, ballot processing, security and general services. Thank you Claudio, Gina, and Jessica for an exceptional elections session!
I wish everyone a successful FPPC filing deadline and a successful 2020 election!


Sponsors (click image)


|