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Posted to Executive Director's Blog by Emily Maggard
Nonprofits Provide Significant Economic Stability for the Economy
As an IIMC member, your membership in this Organization stretches beyond your network, your education endeavors and the services and features you receive. Thanks to your membership, you have been holding down the fort, helping the entire economy. That’s right! IIMC’s arms extend quite a bit from Institutes to Annual Conferences. If you think about it, Institutes need IIMC members to run their education programs, thus keeping our certification programs viable. An IIMC Annual Conference helps bring in approximately between $2 and $3 million to each city. Your membership helps keep people employed.
A recent John Hopkins University study shows how nonprofits have helped create jobs and employment at an average rate of 2.1% (while for-profit jobs declined 0.6%).
When times are so challenging, it's important to keep this good news in perspective. This significant study reveals nonprofits' resiliency and also their continued need to do more with the limited funding and resources they have.
We thank you for your support and membership.
Chris Shalby
Executive Director
Posted to President's Message by Emily Maggard
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I offer my personal invitation to the 66th Annual Conference of the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in the majestic City of Roses, Portland, Oregon!
The theme of "Ascending to New Heights" permeates the diverse educational sessions and off-site venues bringing opportunity to raise awareness and connect with cultures and professional practices worldwide.
Our IIMC Education Department staff, Northwest Clerks Institute Director Dema Harris, and the Oregon Recorders assembled a broad spectrum of speakers and topics to invite new ideas and innovation through six subject tracks relevant across international borders. Challenge your leadership ideas with discussions on positive politics and leadership power. The communication track offers sessions from mediation to media. Sustainable municipalities’ topics vary from environmental law to tourism. Management sessions range from energy to risk management. Fraud and budget development are two budget/finance topics. Records management discussions cover e-records to managing social media.
Opening ceremonies will include the familiar and emotional parade of flags and presentation of Institute Director of the Year, Quill, and Governance awards.
This year's exhibit hall welcomes returning vendors offering state-of-the-art services and long-standing support of the municipal clerk profession. There will be many vendors and activities to enjoy. I offer personal thanks to our Premier Level sponsor Laserfiche, Premier Level sponsor Municode, and Emerald Level co-sponsors American Legal Publishing, SIRE Technologies, General Code Publishing, and Granicus. Their loyal financial support is critical to the conference experience.
A familiar activity in the exhibit hall will be the Municipal Clerk Education Foundation annual silent auction. The competition among colleagues for jewelry and other donated treasures will net proceeds benefiting municipal clerk education. Even if you are not attending the conference, don't miss out on a chance for a week in Hawaii for two, including hotel and airfare! Check out the MCEF link at www.iimc.com or for conference goers, visit the MCEF booth in the exhibit hall for more information and other fundraising opportunities.
An exciting new additon at the annual banquet is a live auction sponsored by the Executive Committee. Texas auctioneer IIMC Past President Mary Lynne Stratta will bring humor to this outrageously fun event with all proceeds donated to MCEF. Among the limited top value items are a purse loaded with $400 in gift cards, a stash of Lottery scratch off tickets, and - likely the prize mostly likely to rev up the bidding - Vice President Marc Lemoine's donation of two bottles of uniquely labeled Canadian Crown Royal!
Host Clerk Denise Carey and the Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders have woven the theme beyond the educational sessions inviting delegates to Ascend to New Heights at the all-conference evening at the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville - home to the Spruce Goose. From the staggering beauty of the heights of Mt. Hood to the Columbia River Gorge and Oregon Coast, the Pacific Northwest boasts awesome beauty.
First time attendees, international visitors, and veteran conference attendees will discover that Oregon Recorders are avid learners who are not afraid of hard work and love to have fun! Thank you, OAMR, for the years of effort to bring this conference to life!
This signature event promises great education, great networking, great interaction at an international level, and great times. The value clearly outweighs the expense - plan to be there!
Spring is a time for dusting off and cleaning up - let’s engage in new fresh ideas in Portland!