MLGP > MoCCFOA > Missouri Certification

Missouri Clerk Certification

I. Download Applications

II. About Certification

III.  Past Recipients

IV. Award Materials

Adopted from a summary by Denise Chisum

Chair of the Ad Hoc Certification Committee - June 2004

You may download the original statement here (PDF Format - 1182.01KB).

MoCCFOA CERTIFICATION

During the 2001 IIMC (International Institute of Municipal Clerks) conference in Kansas City, city clerks became aware of proposed changes to the certification process. Since these changes will affect municipal clerk certification through IIMC, Missouri clerks immediately took a proactive stance to address the proposed changes. The following is a short review of the procedure followed by members of the M0CCFOA membership and a review of the approved certification program.

To begin the process, a meeting of the MoCCFOA Education Committee was held in August of 2001. Since the most important role for MoCCFOA is to provide educational opportunities for all city clerks within the state, the Committee suggested holding annual New Clerks Orientation sessions; provide Regional Institutes; and, instigate State certification. This proposal was presented to the full membership and approved on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, during the MML conference. The first New Clerks session is scheduled for June of this year and Regional Institutes will be held in October. More information on these educational opportunities is available on the MoCCFOA web site.

Following the establishment of a MoCCFOA Ad Hoc Certification Committee, the Committee members met on several occasions to discuss the certification program for Missouri City Clerks and Finance Officers. Although this was a very intense project, requiring a great deal of time and commitment, everyone who was able to participate appreciated the opportunity to be an integral part of this process.

After three meetings, held from August to October in 2002, the Committee developed a program that was reviewed by the Education Committee and the MoCCFOA Executive Board, then presented to the full membership during the 2003 Spring Institute. At the MoCCFOA business meeting on March 18, 2003, the membership voted unanimously to adopt the proposed program. The following is an outline:

LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION:

Tiers of certification will provide goals or stepping stones to reach the top designation. The three levels are:

• Missouri Registered City Clerk (MRCC)*

• Missouri Registered City Clerk Continuing (MRCC Continuing)

• Missouri Registered City Clerk Sustaining (MRCC Sustaining)

• Missouri Professional City Clerk (MPCC)

* ln order to maintain MRCC status, applicants must maintain forty hours of training in four years unless actively working toward MPCC status, with no recertification requirements once MPCC status is attained.

CERTIFICATION:

Certification will be provided through Missouri State University as the education provider for MoCCFOA.

APPLICATIONS:

Applications and requirements parallel the IIMC application. This provides members with the option to apply for IIMC certification MoCCFOA certification or certification from both  organizations.

MRCC REQUIREMENTS:

• Anyone applying for MRCC must be a member of MoCCFOA for at least two years.

• A letter of support from one of the applicant’s municipal officials is required, i.e., supervisor, Council/Board or Administrator.

• Any new applicant with less than 50 hours or someone transferring from another state must attend the New Clerk’s Institute within one year in order to obtain their MRCC.

• Hours from another state will automatically transfer.

• Only hours within the last five years will be allowed in the MRCC application.

MRCC CONTINUING / SUSTAINING REQUIREMENTS:  

• On these two levels, there are requirements for more community activities. Hours must be obtained after receiving MRCC status.

MPCC REQUIREMENTS:  

• Upon reaching the MPCC level, a Clerk will retain the designation forever.

• Each applicant for MPCC will be required to write a one- to two-page statement of what the MRCC and MPCC has meant to them, both personally and professionally. This will be a requirement for anyone applying for an MPCC designation, both new and transitional. At this level of professionalism, the Committee felt a written statement would affirm a clerk’s commitment to the program and basically be the final step in attaining the highest certification. These statements will also provide valuable input for the organization, assisting in possible future endeavors to be recognized by the State.

PINS, PLAQUES, ECT.:  

As noted on the applications, those reaching the MRCC level will receive a pin and certificate; Sustaining and Continuing will receive certificates; and, with the MPCC level, an applicant may decide on a pin/certificate or a pin/plaque.

ETHICS STATEMENT:

 Signing of the Ethics Statement will be required with each application.

CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE:

The Credentials Committee will work in conjunction with Dr. Jim Kaatz, the Education Director, to review all applications for certification. He will perform the first review to determine whether educational requirements were met, then the Credentials Committee will consider the applications.  The Credentials Committee:

• Members of the Credentials Committee will be the MoCCFOA Vice President; MoCCFOA Education Committee Co-Chair: and, an MML representative (either from MML directly or the Association’s MML representative).

• Applicants will be required to submit an original and three copies of their application and supporting documentation to Dr. Kaatz at the University in order to expedite the process.

• Applications must be postmarked by January 2’’ for consideration by the Credentials Committee at the MoCCFOA Spring Institute and by July l for consideration at the MML conference.

• Applications can only be submitted after the needed hours are received, i.e., a clerk could not submit an application prior to the Spring Institute and then obtain any hours necessary to meet the requirements during Institute sessions.

• When submitting applications, a copy of a diploma will be accepted, rather than requiring submittal of a transcript.

• Upon approval, a press release will be sent to the applicant’s mayor.

TRANSITION:

MoCCFOA levels generally follow 11MG certification; however, there is one less step for Missouri certification than for llMC certification. For those already in the llMC program, the transition will be as follows:

TESTING:

Testing will be required at the State Institute and at Regional sessions, after one class each day. These tests will be true/false, multiple choice or working with a partner. Questions will be prepared by the presenter(s). The requirement for testing is being initiated by llMC.

MoCCFOA BY-LAWS CHANGE:

Rather than an immediate change in the MoCCFOA By-Laws, the Ad Hoc Certification Committee will be re-implemented in 2005. This delay would allow time to a nalyze the process and work out any problems before making a definite change in the By-Laws.

Past Recipients