January 2019
Your monthly news & updates
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Greetings NTMCA Members! 
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed time off with family and friends. Now that 2019 is here, we can re-focus our energy and accomplish new goals. If you’re like me, a new year brings a renewed spirit with a new resolution; hopefully, one in which I can attain/accomplish this year. Ha! 
DECEMBER HOLIDAY EVENT
Big thanks to the Holiday Committee for their hard work making our annual event a wonderful celebration. It’s always a pleasure to take time for a little fun and fellowship! We enjoyed great food and lively holiday game, Pass the Santa Hat, with prizes. Who doesn’t like prizes?! (Pictured: Martha Garcia, Arlington; Tina Stewart, Chair, The Colony; and, Lisa Cabrera, Joshua)

Thanks, too, to the Alyce Deering Scholarship Committee for collecting a wonderful assortment of silent auction items and conducting a 50-50 raffle. We raised $1,600.50 in support of our education fund! (Pictured: Tammy Dixon, Chair, Bartonville; Art Camacho, Haltom City; and Amanda Jacobs, Bedford)
 



Attendees demonstrated their generosity by donating gift cards to this year’s charity, the Wise Hope Shelter supporting victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. (Pictured: Janice Watkins, Wise Hope Community Educator)
We were so happy to have a few of our retirees with us again this year. We really appreciate these ladies keeping in touch and continuing to support our organization. To those who would have liked to attend but couldn’t due to previous commitments, we hope to see you next year! (Pictured: Linda Rhodes, Lake Worth; Jacquelyn Allen, Forest Hill; and, Norma Zenk, Azle)



Thanks to Russell for providing entertainment with his red/green sassy pants!
JANUARY 17 th MEETING & LUNCHEON
Don’t forget to register for our first meeting of 2019 to be held on January 17 th at the Azle Memorial Library, 333 W. Main Street, Azle, 76020. Registration is currently open and will close on January 11 th . Our guest speaker is Robert Sumner from the Secretary of State’s Office.  If you've ever had questions about notary services, now is the time to ask! Feel free to invite notaries from your cities to attend. It would be awesome to have a room full of engaged members and guests.
SAVE THE DATE - 2019 PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR
The Professional Seminar Committee is fast at work planning our spring educational opportunity. The seminar will be held on Thursday, April 18 th in Colleyville . This year’s seminar will be an Athenian Dialogue facilitated by Education Director Amy Holt, PhD, TRMC.  The book title will be announced as soon as possible. This is a great way to add to your re-certification points! Remember to register as soon as you receive the invitation. Athenian Dialogue attendance is limited to allow for full participation. 

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

Thank you to the Membership Committee for doing a great job reaching out to our members! Our chapter currently has 71 members. We’re still contacting previous members not yet renewed in hopes of reaching our membership goal. Remember, your dues contribute to our meetings, educational speakers, scholarships, and other events throughout the year. Please contact Membership Chair Laurie Garber Laurie.Garber@cityofcarrollton.com if you have any questions. If you know of anyone who has moved into our area who will benefit from our training programs and networking, please urge them to join our chapter. Encouraging others to learn about our organization strengthens our effectiveness in our communities.  Membership Applications can be found on the website. Checks should be made out to ‘NTMCA’ and mailed to Traci Henderson as indicated.

Thank you all for your continued support of our organization. Best wishes for your personal and professional success throughout 2019! 
 
Respectfully Yours,  

Amy Shelley, President

Join TMCA, Inc.

Join TMCA today! Purchase dues online or via e-mail. 

If you're one of over 980 who held membership in TMCA in 2018, or if you have not yet learned of the benefits and opportunities membership brings to you, please read further - and be sure to join in 2019!

This is not the time to struggle along in your job when help and recognition are available through:

  • Texas Registered Municipal Clerk Certification - State of Texas - recognized Certification Program (22.074 L.G.C.)
  • Certification - International Institute of Municipal Clerks
  • Meetings in regional chapters of TMCA with your professional counterparts from nearby cities
  • The TMCA NEWS newsletter
  • Networking and mentoring

TMCA members can:

  • Serve on Association committees
  • Participate in the selection of the Texas Municipal Clerk of the Year Award
  • Be eligible for scholarships and travel stipends
  • Have access to networking and mentoring opportunities through chapter meetings, the TMCA newsletter, and the TMCA directory
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                     Getting to Know Your Fellow Clerks


Stephanie Dimas, City of Arlington

Name of city/town you work for? City of Arlington

How long have you been in your position? 3.5 years as the Executive Assistant and 2.5 years in the City Secretary Office

How long have you been in municipal government? 11 years

What other positions/jobs have you held? Intermediate Account Clerk & Part-Time Office Assistant with the Police Department; Administrative Aide with the City Secretary’s Office; Council Coordinator and Executive Assistant to the Mayor

What is your greatest professional accomplishment? TMCA Certification

What are your current hobbies or interests? I love movies, especially anything horror as I love being scared. I’m also an avid true crime aficionado. I love listening to podcasts and watching the Discovery ID channel.

Fun fact that others may not know about you? I sang in my high school’s mariachi band and performed at the State Fair of Texas.

If you could travel back in time who is one person from history that you would like to meet and why? Jesus. I’d have a whole list of questions.
 

Dianna Buchanan, City of Haslet

Name of city/town you work for?  Haslet

How long have you been in your position? 6 years

How long have you been in municipal government? 21 years

What other positions/jobs have you held? City Secretary Office File Clerk, Building Permit Clerk/Assistant, Community Development Administrative Assistant, City Manager Office Administrative Assistant, Assistant to City Manager/City Administrator, City Secretary at Arlington, North Richland Hills, Richland Hills, Burleson, Lakeside, and Haslet. (List not in any specific order)

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?  Completing my TRMC is right up there. Leading a moral and ethical professional life and being a positive agent of change.

What are your current hobbies or interests? Traveling, Preparing and Eating Haute Cuisine, Hiking in Nature

Fun fact that others may not know about you? I once drove the wrong way down a one way street in my hometown!

If you could travel back in time who is one person from history that you would like to meet and why? Marie Curie. One of the first feminists, innovative thinker, problem solver, rose to greatness in her field despite war.
 

Yael Forgey, City of Azle

Name of city/town you work for?  Azle

How long have you been in your position? 2.5 years

How long have you been in municipal government?  10 years

What other positions/jobs have you held? City Secretary at the City of Willow Park

What is your greatest professional accomplishment? TMCA Program – I am one seminar short from being certified.

What are your current hobbies or interests? Working out, reading, Watching TV

Fun fact that others may not know about you? Served for two years in the Israeli Army, fluent in Hebrew.

If you could travel back in time who is one person from history that you would like to meet and why?  I would like to meet King Solomon, so I can learn some of his great wisdom.
 

Diane Cockrell, City of Decatur

Name of city/town you work for? City of Decatur

How long have you been in your position? 13 ½ years

How long have you been in municipal government? 34 years

What other positions/jobs have you held? Municipal Court Clerk, Municipal Court Administrator, Administrative Assistant to Chief of Police

What is your greatest professional accomplishment? Updating record retention at City of Decatur

What are your current hobbies or interests? GRANDKIDS and gardening

Fun fact that others may not know about you? I am a member of the Bridgeport Garden Club and I collect Vintage Valentine Cards

If you could travel back in time who is one person from history that you would like to meet and why? Jesus Christ, I have so many questions I would like to visit with him about
Denton City Secretary Job Opening

Click here for information about this position. The closing date for applications is January 14, 2019.
Upcoming Events and Meetings
January 17, 2019 - Azle - Register here

January 24-25 – Election Law Seminar - Frisco
February 21, 2019 – Argyle
March 28, 2019 – University Park
April 4-5 – Municipal Budget Cycle TMCCP Seminar – Round Rock
April 18, 2019 – Professional Seminar – Athenian Dialogue

North Texas Municipal Clerks Association | ntmca@ymail.com | www.ntmca.org

President:  Amy Shelley , Southlake | 817-748-8015

Vice-President:  Monica Solko , Lake Worth | 817- 237-1211 x105

Treasurer: Traci Henderson , North Richland Hills | 817-427-6060

Secretary:  Christine Green , University Park | 214-987-5302

Historian:  Erika McComis , Argyle | 940-464-7273