A MESSAGE FROM YOUR 1ST VICE PRESIDENT MENTOR PROGRAM UPDATE
IIMC ATTENDEES FIND THEIR STRONG GROUND IN RENO
NAVIGATING THE NEW LANDSCAPE: EDUCATION WORKSHOP TACKLES BROWN ACT AND PUBLIC RECORDS ACT CHALLENGES
GET READY FOR UNITED AGAINST HATE WEEK! OCTOBER 18–24, 2026
CARSON CLERKS PRESENT AT IIMC ANNUAL CONFERENCE
YOUR NEW ATHENIAN LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE COORDINATOR
RECOGNIZING OUR 2026 PARTNER OF THE YEAR
SHOP CMCA’S MERCH STORES!
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS!
CMCA JUNE 2026
VOLUME 27 ISSUE 6
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
SUZANNE GUZZETTA, MMC | CMCA PRESIDENT
Happy June everyone! It’s been a busy few weeks since our Annual Conference at the Disneyland Hotel. Barely two weeks after Disney, I was jetting off to Reno for the IIMC Annual Conference and a chance to celebrate the conclusion of our very own Dawn Abrahamson’s remarkable year as IIMC President. Then, before I knew it, it was back to the grind preparing for the end of the fiscal year at work, planning for the November 2026 election, and working with the CMCA Board as we prepare to adopt the Association’s FY 2026-27 budget.
If your calendar looks anything like mine, you’re probably wondering how it’s already June!
Every Clerk I know has more to do than there are hours in the day, juggling competing priorities and now facing the realities of shrinking budgets and increasing costs. We’re being asked to do more with less and faced with making difficult decisions about what can be sustained today while planning for the future.
In Milpitas, we’re preparing for the November 2026 election with projected election costs that have increased by nearly 38 percent. Your numbers may vary, but I suspect many of us are having the same conversations about how to absorb rising costs while continuing to deliver the services our communities depend on.
Lately, I’ve found myself spending a lot of time focused on budgets, deadlines, and l ong-term planning. Those responsibilities are important, but they can also narrow our perspective. When we’re concentrating on the next agenda, the next election, or the next budget cycle, it’s easy to overlook the people and milestones that make our communities vibrant and unique.
SUZANNE GUZZETTA
June offers a timely reminder of that purpose. Sure, there’s a lot going on, but it is also a month of celebration, reflection, and opportunity. We celebrate Pride Month, observe Juneteenth, and recognize graduates heading into the next phase of their lives. For me, these observances serve as a reminder that there is more going on in our communities than budgets, deadlines, and election calendars. They provide an opportunity to recognize the people, experiences, and milestones that define our communities.
As we move into the summer months, I encourage each of you to take a moment to recognize the progress you’ve made, celebrate the accomplishments of your communities, and remember that the work we do today helps build a stronger tomorrow. Thank you for everything you do in service to your agencies, your residents, and our profession.
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR 1ST VICE PRESIDENT
BRITT AVRIT, MMC | 1ST VICE PRESIDENT
BRITT AVRIT
Writing my first article as CMCA’s 1st Vice President was a bit overwhelming, I’m not going to lie! As the deadline approached, and I reflected on my year as
2nd Vice President I realized how busy last year was for the Board of Directors and for me as 2nd Vice President. The Board successfully rebranded the Association Newsletter to California Clerks Connection, adopted the use of a new Elections platform to conduct elections, adopted several new policies, and all existing policies were updated to reflect CMCA’s new name. Also, each Board Member reviewed their job duties and updated their job description accordingly. In the midst of all that, your Board Members continued working their day jobs, working with City Council Members/Board Members/Board of Directors, etc. and of course delt with the legislation the State put in place. Our Legislative Committee does an amazing job for us – thank you so much for all your hard work!!
Following the Annual Conference in Anaheim, as 1st Vice President, I was
honored to attend the 80th Annual IIMC Conference in Reno. It’s been 20 years since I attended an IIMC Conference, so it felt like my first time all over again. It was exciting to watch President Suzanne Guzzetta carry California’s flag into the Conference in the Opening Ceremonies, and an honor to watch IIMC President Dawn Abrahamson address the membership! One of my favorite sessions was the Q & A Session with President
Abrahamson and Executive Director Shalby. Some of the topics discussed include: the Study Abroad Program, the RFP process for selection of the Annual Conference, becoming a Committee Member, supporting smaller municipalities in regard to education, collaboration among the Board/Executive Committee, and the EPP program.
The week was filled with learning, connecting with old friends and making new ones. I encourage each of you if you have the opportunity to attend an IIMC Conference! It’s an amazing experience! You’ll come away feeling energized and connected knowing
others are probably going through experiences very similar to what you are!
If you have questions regarding CMCA or training or just want to chat, feel free to reach out, I’m happy to chat, I love what I do!! bavrit@saratoga.ca.us.
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MENTOR PROGRAM UPDATE
CANDICE ALVAREZ, MMC | MENTOR DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
June is a season of milestones. Across our profession and our communities, we celebrate graduations, promotions, new beginnings, and the energy that comes with a full and busy summer. It is also a fitting time to reflect on this year’s President’s theme, “Fortitude for Tomorrow: Building Systems that Endure,” because mentorship is one of the most enduring systems we build together.
The CMCA Mentor Program continues to be one of the strongest ways we support that vision. A mentoring relationship is more than a helpful conversation in the moment; it is a lasting structure that strengthens confidence, builds capacity, and helps each of us prepare for what comes next. That is fortitude in action: steady support, intentional guidance, and a commitment to growth that holds up over time.
NEW CMC AND MMC DESIGNEES
Please join me in congratulating our newest Certified Municipal Clerks (CMCs)
CERTIFIED MUNICIPAL CLERKS (CMCS)
Melaine Venenciano Director of City Clerk Services City of Pittsburg
Haidi Muro Assistant City Clerk City of Pittsburg
Earning a designation is a major accomplishment, and it deserves to be celebrated. Whether you reached this milestone through months of preparation, years of persistence, or the encouragement of a mentor who helped keep you going, your achievement reflects the kind of fortitude our profession depends on.
UPCOMING NEW CMC MENTOR TRAININGS
If you hold your CMC or MMC and are thinking about mentoring, we’d love to have you join one of our upcoming New Mentor Training sessions:
• Wednesday, July 15, 2026 @ 3:00 p.m. – Registration Link
• Thursday, October 15, 2026 @ 3:00 p.m. – Registration Link
Summer is a natural time to invest in learning, reflect on the year so far, and prepare for the seasons ahead. Mentor training is a meaningful way to build a system of support that will endure well beyond one season.
MMC MENTOR PROGRAM UPDATE – SEEKING MENTEES!
We are excited to continue building the brand-new MMC Mentor Program. If you hold your MMC and are interested in becoming an MMC mentor, please complete your Mentor Profile today. A one-hour MMC Mentor Orientation will be scheduled to prepare mentors for pairing.
We are also accepting MMC mentees. If you have your CMC, are working toward your MMC, and would like a mentor to help guide you toward that next goal, please sign up by June 30, 2026 by completing your Mentee Opt-in Form. This next chapter of mentorship is an important step in creating a program that is not only helpful today but durable for the future.
CMCA JUNE 2026
VOLUME 27 ISSUE 6
CANDICE ALVAREZ
CMCA JUNE 2026
VOLUME 27 ISSUE 6
IIMC ATTENDEES FIND THEIR STRONG GROUND IN RENO
BRITT AVRIT | 1ST VICE PRESIDENT
What does it mean to lead with courage in an era defined by uncertainty, rapid change, and increasing complexity? That question brought municipal
clerks together last month at IIMC’s Annual Conference in Reno. CMCA Director of Professional Development, Jen Woodworth, facilitated an Athenian Leadership Dialogue which focused on Brené Brown’s book Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit.
Throughout the day, participants explored various concepts, including the “Tenacity of Paradox” or the ability to hold opposing truths at the same time and resist the temptation to oversimplify complex challenges. Attendees were encouraged to move beyond “either/or” thinking and embrace the complexity that often accompanies public service leadership.
Brown’s discussion of “plumbing and poetry” particularly resonated with attendees. While plumbing represents the technical side of our profession (laws, regulations, records, agendas, and procedures that keep government functioning), poetry represents the purpose and meaning behind the work. Municipal clerks understand better than most professions the importance of balancing both: ensuring operational excellence while never losing sight of the people and communities we serve.
As with many of Brown’s books, Strong Ground emphasized the strength that can be found in vulnerability. Vulnerability helps us embrace daring leadership rooted in courage, trust, accountability, and emotional honesty. Participants sought their own strong ground as each attendee shared with the group an element of their grounded confidence. While Strong Ground served as the catalyst for the day’s conversations, the Dialogue was ultimately an exploration of leadership itself. Participants left with new perspectives on navigating uncertainty, balancing competing
BRITT AVRIT
priorities, building trust, and leading with greater courage and authenticity.
The session highlighted what many clerks already know: leadership is not defined by a title or position. It is demonstrated through the daily choices we make, the relationships we build, and the values we uphold. “Who we are is how we lead.”
For those who have never attended an Athenian Leadership Dialogue, these unique learning experiences go beyond traditional training seminars. Participants read a selected book in advance and engage in meaningful conversations about leadership, exploring how the author’s ideas relate to their roles as public servants and municipal clerks.
To learn more about Athenian Leadership Dialogues, visit the CMCA website at www.calclerks.org/page/athenianleadership-dialogues. Interested in hosting a dialogue or joining the ALD Committee? Contact Athenian Leadership Dialogue Coordinator Jenna DeLong at ald@californiacityclerks.org
CMCA JUNE 2026
VOLUME 27 ISSUE 6
NAVIGATING THE NEW LANDSCAPE: EDUCATION WORKSHOP TACKLES BROWN ACT AND PUBLIC RECORDS ACT CHALLENGES
MARSHA MOORE, CMC | CITY CLERK, CITY OF DUBLIN
On March 27, 2026, CMCA hosted an Education Workshop in Dublin, “Current Brown Act and Advanced Public Records Act Issues”, bringing together clerks and deputy clerks from across the region for a practical, interactive day of learning. The training was presented by John Bakker of Redwood Public Law, LLP.
PART I: SB 707 AND THE APPROACHING BROWN ACT DEADLINE
With the July 1, 2026 effective date for SB 707’s major requirements close, the first half of the session was timely. Mr. Bakker walked through which legislative bodies qualify as “eligible” and what that means in practice: mandatory two-way remote access for the public, service disruption policies, agenda translation into “applicable languages,” community outreach, and new website requirements. Discussion was lively with participants comparing approaches on remote commenter queuing, the translation threshold test, and whether events like a State of the City address will trigger Brown Act obligations.
MARSHA MOORE
PART II: ADVANCED CPRA — VOLUME, TECHNOLOGY, AND LITIGATION AVOIDANCE
Part two tackled the California Public Records Act: surging request volumes, AI-generated requests lowering the barrier to entry, metadata risks in electronic records, and the attorneys’ fees exposure that may follow non-compliance. Mr. Bakker covered key exemptions, best practices to triage requests, and encouraged attendees to explore e-discovery tools to manage workload more efficiently. A timely question sparked real discussion: are AI prompts and outputs public records? If retained, the feeling of the group was yes.
WHAT ATTENDEES SAID
Attendees enjoyed the workshop and appreciated its value and applicability to our daily responsibilities. One participant wrote: “The information was presented in a way that encouraged feedback and participation. The questions asked to the group helped bring about discussion, which certainly helped me understand how others are handling Brown Act and PRA issues.” Another noted that even after attending multiple SB 707 trainings, this session surfaced new insights, including practical questions about voicemail retention and Teams records that hadn’t come up before. The most common suggestion? More of these trainings, more often.
The City of Dublin was honored to host, and a sincere thank you goes to John Bakker for making complex legal topics genuinely accessible and engaging. With the July 1 deadline now upon us, workshops like this one are essential. If you are interested in hosting or training at a future education workshop, contact Jen Woodworth, Professional Development Director at pdd@calclerks.org
CMCA JUNE 2026
VOLUME 27 ISSUE 6
GET READY FOR UNITED AGAINST HATE WEEK!
OCTOBER 18–24, 2026
United Against Hate Week (UAH Week) is a statewide community engagement and safety initiative to help civic leaders:
• Affirm a shared sense of community
• Address hate and bias
• Build trust and relationships between leaders and communities experiencing hate
• Strengthen core values of safety and belonging.
Every year, leaders throughout California partner with diverse organizations, schools, faith groups, and law enforcement to display posters and organize events that bring the community together. UAH Week gives leaders a chance to make a strong statement that everyone belongs and should be safe from hate and bias. The week of action is an opportunity for all residents to build community connections and show up in support of their neighbors.
2025 UAH Week highlights included art contests, unity walks, social media poster campaigns, film screenings, bystander intervention trainings, hate crime education workshops, and much more!
BRING UNITED AGAINST HATE WEEK TO YOUR CITY UAH resources make it easy for your city to participate:
MAKE A STATEMENT
Send a powerful message that your city stands united against hate by customizing the Sample Proclamation. City leaders and residents can also record a video statement to share via social media and on the UAH Video Campaign page. Take inspiration from these videos from San Leandro Mayor Juan Gonzalez and the San Diego City Attorney’s Office
DISPLAY AND DISTRIBUTE
POSTERS
Download a poster from the UAH Week website or create a unique design for your city.
SHARE THE ACTION KITS WITH COMMUNITY
PARTNERS AND COLLABORATE TO PLAN EVENTS
The Community Action Toolkit and Action Kit for Schools outline steps to start planning – and include 20 Ideas for Action to help you brainstorm. Plan activities that meet the needs of your community and adapt materials as needed. In San Diego, the lead partner had the “I stand united against hate because…” fill-in card translated into Spanish, Chinese, Filipino, and Farsi.
This year for United Against Hate Week, Not In Our Town presents the new film Minnesota Neighbors, profiling the brave actions of Minnesota residents during ICE’s Operation Metro Surge. NIOT is seeking partnerships with communities across the country to screen the film in theaters during the week of action. To learn more and see a preview of the film, please contact: info@niot.org
About the film: As ICE operations spread fear and danger in the Twin Cities, Minnesotans show the power of kindness, courage and communitywide peaceful actions as they unite with immigrant neighbors. Their stories provide hope, inspiration and guidance for communities everywhere.
Sign up now to participate in this year’s campaign, and the United Against Hate Week team will make sure you have what you need to engage your community this fall!
For assistance, contact: unitedagainsthate.uah@gmail.com www.UnitedAgainstHateWeek.org
UAH Week is administered by Oakland-based anti-hate organization Not In Our Town in partnership with CA vs Hate, LA vs Hate, and the CDSS Stop the Hate Initiative.
CARSON CLERKS PRESENT AT IIMC ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Emotional intelligence may not be the first skill that comes to mind when discussing the Municipal Clerk profession, but at May’s IIMC Annual Conference, Carson City Clerk Dr. Khaleah Bradshaw and Chief Deputy City Clerk Kourtney Cullors demonstrated why it is one of the most important leadership tools clerks can develop. Their session, Beyond the Bylaws, attracted nearly 900 attendees over four days and highlighted the critical role emotional intelligence plays in modern local government. When Khaleah and Kourtney joined the City of Carson, they inherited significant challenges, including a backlog of meeting minutes, hundreds of unanswered Public Records Act requests, personnel concerns, and outdated operational practices. Beyond the technical and management expertise needed to tackle these issues, strong leadership was required to build trust and create stronger relationships within the organization between the Clerk’s Office and staff.
Regardless of our title or position within an organization, developing emotional intelligence is essential to effective leadership. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is our ability to recognize, understand, manage, and influence emotions – both our own and those of others. Clerks occupy a unique role within local government, serving as a bridge between elected officials, staff, and the public. This makes building our EQ especially important in our profession, where success often depends on balancing technical expertise with the ability to navigate complex relationships.
Attendees left the session with practical tools to improve communication, manage stress, foster trust, and lead more effectively. Through greater social awareness, relationship management and self-awareness, we can increase our positive impact on others inside and outside our agencies by supporting transparency, reliability, and collaboration. Khaleah and Kourtney’s session served as a timely reminder that while bylaws, procedures, and statutes remain essential tools of the profession, some of the most impactful leadership skills are found in how we understand ourselves, connect with others, and respond to challenges with empathy, professionalism, and grace.
Congratulations and thank you to Khaleah and Kourtney for being fantastic representatives of California Clerks and helping IIMC attendees learn, grow, and lead more effectively.
YOUR NEW ATHENIAN LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE COORDINATOR
JENNA DE LONG, CMC | ATHENIAN LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE COORDINATOR
At the heart of the Athenian Leadership Dialogue is storytelling. Through the shared exploration of ideas, experiences, and perspectives, we uncover the deeper meaning behind leadership in public service. These conversations are not just about the books we read, but about how their lessons shape our choices as we face challenges both large and small. By leaning into storytelling, we strengthen our ability to lead with insight, empathy, and purpose.
As I step into this role, I do so with a deep respect for the foundation built by those who came before me. Their commitment to the Athenian Leadership Dialogue Program has shaped an integral part of CMCA’s offerings that challenge clerks to think beyond procedure and to reflect, to connect, and to lead with intention.
Looking to the future, my goal is to continue and expand upon that work by ensuring Athenian Dialogues are accessible to clerks across every part of our state. The strength of this program lies in its ability to bring diverse voices into conversation, and it is essential that all clerks, regardless of location, have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from this experience.
I am honored to support the dedicated committee members doing this important work, and I look forward to new opportunities for connection and growth across our community.
Jenna began her career in public service in 2017 and has served as the Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Los Gatos since 2020. In this role, she focuses on public records management, implementing process and technology improvements, and supporting both legislative process and the daily operations of the Clerk’s Office. She also enjoys mentoring Clerks pursuing their Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation and serves on the Municipal Management Association of Northern California (MMANC) Women’s Leadership Summit Logistics Committee.
Jenna holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from San José State University, the California Professional Municipal Clerk (CPMC) certification from UC Riverside, and the CMC designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. She is currently working toward the Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) designation.
Outside of work, Jenna enjoys cooking new recipes, volunteering with local ocean conservation organizations, surfing, and spending time with her partner, Daniel, and their cat, Boogie.
CMCA JUNE 2026
VOLUME 27 ISSUE 6
JENNA DE LONG
JENNA DE LONG
RECOGNIZING OUR 2026 PARTNER OF THE YEAR
ASHTON AROCHO, IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
CMCA is proud to recognize Bakers Man Production as the recipient of the 2026 Partner of the Year Award. This honor reflects not only the company’s consistent excellence, but also its generosity and longstanding commitment to supporting CMCA and its members. Through their dedicated efforts, Bakers Man Production has captured the candid moments, connections, and memories that bring our conferences and events to life. Their ability to document authentic, unscripted experiences has created a lasting record of our association’s history and the relationships that make our community so special.
We extend our sincere congratulations and appreciation to Bakers Man Production for their outstanding partnership and continued support of CMCA.
ASHTON R. AROCHO
Connect, Commit, and Empower
SHOP CMCA’S MERCH STORES!
CMCA now has two merchandise stores where you can purchase branded clothing, bags, and more! These items go beyond style—they’re a way to connect with fellow clerks, show your commitment to our profession, and strengthen the network that supports and uplifts us all.
Whether you’re at a conference, in the office, or out in the community, wearing CMCA gear is a simple yet powerful way to empower yourself and others by sparking conversations about the essential work we do.
HOW TO FIND THEM
Visit the CMCA website, go to the Resources tab, and select either the CMCA Apparel Store or the CMCA Bonfire Store. Then click, shop, and share your connection to the California Municipal Clerk community!
