MUNCIE, Ind. -- A Ball State University educational institute for elected state employees recently set an all-time attendance record.

"Energizing the Municipal Leader" attracted 105 elected clerk-treasurers, clerks and staff members March 4-9. The institute's sessions were conducted at the Radisson Hotel Roberts, Horizon Convention Center and Ball State.

The institute, sponsored by Ball State's School of Continuing Education and Public Service, is a 45-hour program providing training and skills clerks and clerk-treasurers need to assist them professionally in their day-to-day operations.

The program is a week-long continuing education program blending classroom settings with hands-on experiences. In addition to the training atmosphere, participants received a college experience while visiting the Ball State campus.

"I felt the overall mix of subjects covered during the week presented was good coverage of emotional, mental and practical everyday work needs," said Rex L. Mapes, the clerk-treasurer for the town of Wingate. "Too much of any one subject becomes tiresome even with an excellent instructor."

The institute serves as a professional retreat, offering classes at different levels to meet the participant's individual professional needs.

"Clerks and clerk-treasurers have a tremendous role in their community that they take very seriously," said Rose Scovel, institute co-director. "The institute provides a unique opportunity for them to learn and network in a fun environment."

The training topics and faculty included assertiveness, national consultant Debra Smith; parliamentary procedure, Susan Klingel-Dowd, assistant professor, communications studies; Microsoft Word and Excel, Daniel Jones, a business education and office administration instructor; debt issues, James Higgins, London Witte Group in Indianapolis.

"This was my sixth institute and I have never gone home feeling slighted in any way," said Kay Brown, Remington, Ind., clerk-treasurer. "Each year gets better. By bringing back the knowledge and skills that we have learned and by applying them to our jobs and lives daily, not only do we benefit from them, but so does our public and communities whom we serve."

In its 19th year, the institute provides ongoing accreditation and certification to Hoosier clerks and clerk-treasurers. The institute is also sponsored by the Indiana League of Municipal Clerks & Treasurers and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.

 

By Marc Ransford, Communication Manager