Municipal clerks from several of Georgia’s cities joined thousands across the U.S., Canada and 15 other countries to celebrate the 52nd Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week from May 2-8.
In 1984 and in 1994, presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, respectively, signed a proclamation officially declaring Professional Municipal Clerks Week the first full week of May and recognizing the essential role municipal clerks play in local government.
“There are many responsibilities of the municipal and deputy clerk that the public takes for granted, such as keeping the council advised of legislation that affects them,” said International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) President Mary Johnston, MMC.
“Most people who understand what clerks do recognize that we serve as a central resource for our cities, both within our organizations and in our relationships with the public,” said Fargo City Clerk Lisa Johnson, Georgia Municipal Clerks Association President.
“Municipal Clerks Week is a time to remember and celebrate the ‘invisible’ part that is often overlooked in the day to day of serving in that capacity, and that is that we are, above all, the Keepers of History.”
IIMC sponsors Professional Municipal Clerks Week. Founded in 1947, IIMC is the professional association of 14,700 city, town, township, village, borough, deputy and county clerks.
“As clerks, we are preserving the records that will tell our story, the story of our people, and our society to future generations. That story describes how far we’ve come, and what we have overcome to get here.”
“This year’s week of celebration made us stronger, better, and helped us remember who we are and what we are here for. It really is a great time to be a Municipal Clerk—not always easy, but great!” Lisa Johnson said.
This story originally appeared in the May/June 2021 edition of Georgia’s Cities magazine.