NCCCA NEWS - City Clerks Association of California

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CITY CLERKS ASSOCIATION
A DIVISION OF
NCCCA NEWS
JUNE 2016
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:
 Bridget Dory In the Spotlight
Chair’s Message:
Deborah Padovan, CMC, Chair
I have always wanted to say this: It’s the end of an era. This
is my last message as the Chair of the Northern Division and
the end of the Northern Division as a separate entity before
we break into regions. I hope this last year has been
beneficial to everyone in your professional career and that
you have found value in the programs that were offered.
 History of Sebastopol
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Upcoming Events
7
Scholarship Opportunities
7
Scholarship Recipients
7
NCCCA Board Roster
8
NCCCA Meeting Highlights
8
Helpful Resources
8
CMC/MMC Certification
8
I want to start by thanking all the Northern Division Board
Members who stepped up and supported the Division this
year: Joelle Fockler (Concord), Lisa Natusch (Sunnyvale), Jennifer Woodworth
(Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD), Maria Soria (MROSD),
Sarah Bunting (Livermore), Vivian Chiu (San Leandro), Mary Gourley
(Sebastopol), Michelle Wilson (Morgan Hill), Amy Lind (Auburn), and Karen
Gonzales (Pleasanton). Your tireless hard work and energy were greatly
appreciated, and without these fantastic women, we could not have offered
such meaningful and interesting programs. Your time and commitment is
always valued and greatly appreciated by your fellow clerks.
I also want to thank each and every person who came before me, from trustee
to Program Chair (there’s a special spot in clerk heaven for Program Chairs)
and every chair who preceded me, some volunteering more than once. It
required a great amount of work, dedication and commitment of our Division,
and to our organization as a whole.
When I assumed the role as chair in September 2015, I wrote an article
encouraging everyone to consider volunteering for future region —> page 3
Upcoming NCCCA Division Meeting on June 24, 2016
Join us for a meeting on Friday, June 24, 2016, in South Lake Tahoe,
“America’s Year Round Playground,” located in El Dorado County. The Tahoe
Basin lies approximately 160 miles northeast of San Francisco, 90 miles northeast of Sacramento, and 30 miles southwest of Reno. As its name suggests,
the City of South Lake Tahoe is situated at the southern region of the beautiful and famous Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is a very large lake. In fact, it is the
largest alpine lake in North America with a depth of 1,645 feet. It is so large
that part of it occupies both the State of California and the State of Nevada.
Read more about South Lake Tahoe and the meeting on page 4.
NCCCA NEWS  JUNE 2016
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Bridget Dory In the Spotlight
Bridget Dory, City Clerk, City of Arcata
Bridget came to the City of Arcata in November 1979
shortly after graduating from high school. She was
offered a part-time job as Stenographer-Clerk/
Deputy City Clerk at $5.25 an hour. Her duties were
to take notes at meetings of the City Council and
seven commissions and committees, and transcribe
those notes into minutes. It was also her duty to
photocopy and assemble the City Council agenda
packet (before copiers came with duplexers and
collators). Her high school shorthand teacher had
stressed that “you may never use shorthand in your
career, but having the skill will open doors for you.”
Bridget uses her shorthand to this day, including for
City Council minutes, and it has certainly opened
doors for her. Arcata is a small city of 17,000 on the northern coast
of California and is home to Humboldt State
University. Bridget was born in the nearby city of
Eureka and raised in Arcata. In 1983 she married
Arcata’s Water Meter Reader, Chuck Dory. Bridget
and Chuck had three children: Camille, Christopher
and Mariel, all of whom were also raised in Arcata.
Needless to say, being at the City of Arcata just
feels like home and family to Bridget.
Bridget worked as the Stenographer-Clerk/Deputy
City Clerk for four years, then was promoted to
Public Works Department Secretary and held that
job for four years. She left that position to stay
home when two of her children were small, but soon
found herself juggling three part-time jobs. She
NCCCA NEWS  JUNE 2016
went back to full-time work in the private sector
spending 15 years working as a legal secretary.
Thinking that retirement benefits were important,
Bridget obtained a job with the County of Humboldt
and worked for Child Welfare Services, County
Counsel, and Child Support Services. Then came
that fateful day in 2001 when Arcata’s then Deputy
City Clerk called looking for someone who could take
minutes for the City Council. Minutes not being her
favorite task, Bridget said she didn’t know of anyone
and did not volunteer herself. Two weeks later that
Deputy City Clerk called again and asked a little
more directly, “Would you be interested in taking
minutes for the City Council?” Bridget acquiesced
and began taking minutes for the City Council on a
contractual basis. Five years later, Arcata’s City
Manager/City Clerk called Bridget, said he was
retiring soon, that the current Deputy City Clerk was
getting on in years and he wanted to secure a new
Deputy City Clerk before he left. That is how
Bridget came, again, to be Arcata’s Deputy City
Clerk.
Bridget attended the Northwest Clerk’s Institute in
Tacoma, Washington, one week each summer from
2011 to 2013. She found training with Clerks from
Oregon, Washington, and Alaska to be immensely
rewarding. Being the only Clerk from California,
they dubbed her the California Girl. She learned
that, although life as a Clerk in Oregon and
Washington is similar to California, Alaska Clerks
have vastly different obstacles to overcome. Did
you know there are no roads into or out of Nome,
Alaska? She also learned that it is actually true that
City Clerk is the most important government
profession as some towns in Oregon, Washington,
and Alaska are so small that their Clerk is the only
permanent, full-time employee. Bridget obtained
her CMC designation in 2014. In 2015, Arcata’s then
City Manager/City Clerk retired. He had always
commented that he wasn’t a real City Clerk—that his
Deputy did all the work. Before he left the City, he
reorganized the City Manager’s Office and promoted
Bridget to the position of City Clerk.
Bridget is one of the senior employees at the City
and is often called upon to impart her institutional
knowledge. She loves going into the vault and
locating that hidden nugget of information which
saves the day thereby making her the Clerk —> page 3
2
Chair’s...
directors. I would like to reiterate that message as
we transition from divisions to regions, as there is
going to be a number of opportunities to step up and
get involved. So go ahead—challenge yourself, get a
little uncomfortable and take that first step. It is an
invaluable experience, both personally and
professionally. I look forward to working with you.
Lastly, I want to invite everyone to consider joining
us for our last division meeting in beautiful South
Lake Tahoe. Our topic is very appropriate for our
line of work, “Overworked, Overwhelmed and Over
It.” The speaker, Christine Arylo, is an
internationally recognized speaker and bestselling
author. Best of all, the meeting is free and we will
be sending members off with a special gift. Hope to
see you there.
Again, my sincerest thanks to everyone and have a
fantastic summer. May the clerk be with you! END
Bridget Dory...
Clerk Hero! She has a reputation for being a
stickler about grammar and deadlines, and the City
Manager recently described her as the employee
who kept everyone at the City “punctual and
punctuated.”
Bridget has found the experience
and education she gained in the legal field to be
invaluable in performing her duties as City Clerk.
She believes her love of local history and natural
unwillingness to destroy anything original assists
her in her duties as the City’s official record
keeper. She says that, even though her attention
to detail tends to keep her in the weeds, she
believes it also serves the City well. Bridget feels
that she has a natural inclination toward the work
of a City Clerk and she is proud to be a member of
this profession.
Bridget loves to bake and has taken home multiple
blue ribbons for her entries in the Humboldt County
Fair. In December of each year, she sneaks into
City Hall in the wee hours of the morning and fills
the break room with baked goods as a surprise for
her co-workers. It never ceases to amaze her that
they somehow manage to consume all the food in a
fraction of the time it took to produce it. Some
employees have told her that all year long they
look forward to the day when Bridget’s cookies
show up.
Bridget enjoys the companionship of her chestnutcolored Chihuahua, Clifford-the-Big-Red-Dog (who
spends many evening and weekend hours with her
at City Hall), her 18-year-old cat Peaches, and
young rescue cat Merry. In her minimal spare time
(after all, she is a City Clerk), she enjoys baking for
her co-workers, puttering in her garden, riding her
bicycle along the bluffs of
the Pacific with Clifford out
front in the basket, hiking in
the redwood forests, and
tooling around in her
Mustang.
END
NCCCA NEWS  JUNE 2016
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More About the June 24th Program
The City of South Lake Tahoe was incorporated in 1965 and has a population estimated by the 2014 U.S. Census Bureau of 21,529.
Things to Do in Lake Tahoe
In South Lake Tahoe you’ll find a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities. Just about everything you need
to know is available through the south shore visitors’ centers operated by the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
(LTVA).
There's nothing better than the mountains in summer. The days are hot and sunny and the nights are cool with
that perfect temperature for sleeping in a tent. Lake Tahoe really comes alive in the summer months with
various outdoor sports and special events. Enjoy one of the following recommendations:
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Kayak to Fannette Island, hike up to the tea house and jump off the rocks into Emerald Bay.
Visit Sand Harbor and watch a production of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.
Rent a standup paddle board or kayak.
Hike or mountain bike portions of or the entire 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail.
Go shopping and dining at Heavenly Village.
Take a sunset sail on the Tahoe Cruz or the Woodwind II.
Visit Vikingsholm Castle in Emerald Bay.
Visit Explore Tahoe: An Urban Trailhead Visitors Center.
Enjoy lunch, the view and beach at Camp Richardson.
Enjoy live music every Thursday night on the beach at “Live at Lakeview” at Lakeview Commons.
Paint an original piece of art while enjoying a glass of wine at Paint & Sip at the Ski Run Marina.
About the Speaker
Christine Arylo is a transformational teacher, internationally recognized speaker and three-time best selling
author. After earning her MBA and climbing the corporate ladder, she chose to devote her energy to helping
people transform and architect lives that are both successful and sustainable, where they can take care of
what they love and pursue their dreams without sacrificing their personal happiness or health.
For more than a decade she has been a catalyst, mentor, and leadership advisor for executives, entrepreneurs, and visionary leaders around the world. Over 35,000 people have participated in and benefited from
the transformational programs, workshops & spiritual retreats she offers both virtually and in person around
the world. She is a certified yoga and meditation teacher specializing in Vitality and Stress, has appeared on
ABC, NBC, FOX and blogs regularly for the Huffington Post.
She is also the founder of the Self-Love Foundation, a movement that has brought more self-love awareness
and education to children and adults in 41 countries around the world. Christine just completed a 3-year
journey of living and working from around the world – a dream she co-created with her partner Noah. They
now reside in Valley of the Moon, Sonoma Wine Country.
NCCCA NEWS  JUNE 2016
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Northern California Past
Mary Gourley, City Clerk of Sebastopol, submitted the following for your enjoyment:
A LITTLE HISTORY OF MY CITY!
What is now known as Sebastopol, California began in
the 1850s as a small trade center for farmers in the
surrounding agricultural area of western Sonoma County. The first known inhabitants of the area were the
native Miwok and Pomo peoples. In 1851, Dr. Joseph
Miller and John Walker opened a small store and a US
post office that served the entire coast, and in about
1854 the town was founded as Pinegrove. As California's
population swelled after the westward migration and
the Gold rush of the 1850s, more and more settlers
drifted into the fertile California valleys north of San
Francisco to try their hand at farming. Legend has it
that the city’s name was changed to Sebastopol as a
result of a prolonged and lively fistfight at a local tavern that onlookers likened to the long British siege of
the Russian Seaport Sevastopol during the then-raging
Crimean War. At one time, four other towns in California were also named Sebastopol, specifically one in
Napa County which was renamed Yountville and the
others in Tulare, Sacramento and Nevada counties. The
City of Sebastopol was formally incorporated in 1902.
1915 Merry Go-Round Apple Show
Photo credits: http://www.gravensteinapplefair.com/about/
Sebastopol became known as the "Gravenstein Apple
Capital of the World," and the apple industry brought a
steady rural prosperity to the town. The first SebastoBank of Sebastopol 1894
pol Gravenstein Apple Show took place in 1910 and conPhoto credits: http://history.sonoma.lib.ca.us/images/p416716.jpg
tinues annually as the Gravenstein Apple Fair. The fertile valley was planted with vast plum and apple crops,
establishing a thriving economy in agriculture. Famed botanist and horticulturist Luther Burbank established his
15-acre “Experimental Farm” on Gold Ridge in Sebastopol in 1885. Visitors today can see Burbank’s restored
cottage and walk among three acres of the original farm.
The San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad connected Sebastopol to the national rail network in 1890. The
“Train Down Main,” operated until the 1970s. In 1902, Sebastopol was fitted with schools, churches, hotels,
canneries, mills, wineries, and an opera house. The 1906 earthquake brought heavy damage to Sebastopol,
which was just recovering from a devastating fire. The disasters reduced most of the early buildings to rubble,
but as elsewhere in the county, the town was rebuilt. In the later half of the Twentieth Century, as the local
apple industry struggled to compete with other apple producing regions, its economic impact gradually decreased. Today, most apple orchards have been replaced with vineyards.
Sebastopol is a leader in local efforts to address climate change and works to maintain its small town feel. In
2010, Sebastopol became one of the first US cities to earn Cittaslow (“slow city”) designation. In 2013, Sebastopol became the second city in California to require that solar power be installed in newly built homes, commercial buildings, and major residential remodels/additions.
IT IS SUCH A JOY TO WORK IN A SMALL CITY WITH SO MUCH CHARM AND UNIQUENESS!
See more pictures on page 6.
NCCCA NEWS  JUNE 2016
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John Walker’s home 1885
Photo credits: http://history.sonoma.lib.ca.us/images/24875.jpg
Main Street Sebastopol 1885
Photo Credits: http://history.sonoma.lib.ca.us/images/p418237.jpg
Luther Burbank standing among rows of trees at Goldridge Farm 1895
Photo credits: http://history.sonoma.lib.ca.us/images/12217.jpg
Gravenstein Apples
A variety of apple native to Gråsten in South Jutland, Denmark
NCCCA NEWS  JUNE 2016
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Upcoming Meetings and Events
June 24, 2016
NCCCA Division Meeting*
Location: South Lake Tahoe
July 7-8, 2016
Nut & Bolts Workshop
Location: Modesto
July 23, 2016
Athenian Dialogue
The Forgotten 500
Location: Stockton
August 6, 2016
Athenian Dialogue
Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero
Location: Camarillo
September 13-16, 2016
Technical Track for Clerks (TTC) Series 200
Location: Riverside
September 24, 2016
Athenian Dialogue
Cupcakes and Courage
Location: Blue Lake
September 24, 2016
Athenian Dialogue
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams
Pull Together and Others Don’t
Location: Calistoga
September 28-30, 2016
Master Municipal Clerk Academy (MMCA)
Location: Pomona
October 5, 2016
City Clerk’s Workshop
Location: Long Beach
For details and registration information,
visit the Education & Events page of the
CCAC website at
www.californiacityclerks.org.
NCCCA NEWS  JUNE 2016
End of NCCCA Scholarship Committee
The NCCCA Scholarship Committee has worked hard
over the years to support our members in professional development. As our division is coming to an
end, so is our Scholarship Committee.
Trish Paetz of San Juan Bautista has been the Scholarship Committee Chair for the last few years and
has done a great job leading the committee. Big
thanks to Trish and all the past and present committee members!
Scholarship Recipients
The NCCCA Scholarship Committee recently made
the following awards:
 Two of three $1500 scholarships for IIMC Conference (May in Paradise)
Christina Buna, San Ramon
Priscilla Tam, Foster City
 Two $750 scholarships for TTC (June in Riverside)
Connie Schobert, San Jun Bautista
Arne Simonsen, Antioch
 Six $250 scholarships for Division Meeting (June
in South Lake Tahoe)
Patricia Barajas, Salinas
Christine Black, Hollister
Vivian Chiu, San Leandro
Terri Cook, Belmont
Kathy Flamson, Calistoga
Mary Gourley, Sebastopol
No Training Money?
Apply for a Scholarship
The CCAC offers scholarships to various meetings
and events throughout the year. Visit its website
and check out the Scholarship page for scholarship
opportunities and applications.
To view a full list of scholarship opportunities or to
obtain applications or more information, scroll to
the bottom of the Scholarships page at http://
californiacityclerks.org/scholarships.
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NCCCA Board 2015-2016
Chairperson
Deborah Padovan, CMC
Town of Los Altos Hills
(650) 947-2513 ● [email protected]
Vice-Chairperson / Legislation
Joelle Fockler, MMC
City of Concord
(925) 671-3390 ● [email protected]
Program Chair
Maria Soria
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
(650) 691-1200 ● [email protected]
Treasurer
Lisa Natusch, CMC
City of Sunnyvale
(408) 730-7595 ● [email protected]
Recording Secretary
Sarah Bunting
City of Livermore
(925) 960-4212 ● [email protected]
Communications Chair
Jennifer Woodworth, MMC
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
(650) 691-1200 ● [email protected]
Newsletter Editor
Vivian Chiu, MMC
City of San Leandro
(510) 577-3366 ● [email protected]
Trustees
Mary Gourley, CMC
City of Sebastopol
(707) 823-1153 ● [email protected]
Michelle Wilson, CMC
City of Morgan Hill
(408) 310-4678 ● [email protected]
Amy Lind, CMC
City of Auburn
(530) 823-4211 Ext 112 ● [email protected]
NCCCA Division Meeting Highlights
March 25, 2016, in St. Helena
Division Business Meeting
There was discussion regarding what should be done
with remaining NCCCA funds as of June 30, 2016. The
membership voted unanimously to allocate any remaining funds into a CCAC sub-account for use by the six regions that comprise the current Northern Division.
Training Program
“The Courage and Compassion to do the Right Thing:
A Lesson in Ethics ”
Our session in St. Helena explored the character of two
ordinary people who did extraordinary things. Speaker
and author Marty A. Brounstein gave a riveting presentation on his book “Two Among the Righteous Few: A Story
of Courage in the Holocaust,” a true story made even
more poignant by his own very personal connection to
those events. Participants reflected on the story and
were inspired to apply the lessons learned by doing the
right thing in their own lives.
Helpful Resources
The CCAC website at www.californiacityclerks.org has
a list of links to assist you in your job.
City Clerk Listserv
Subscribe to the City Clerk Listserv maintained by the
League of California Cities to communicate and share
information with fellow clerks. You may subscribe/
unsubscribe to the Listserv at http://lists.cacities.org/
mailman/listinfo/city_clerks.
CMC/MMC Certification
To obtain the Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) or the
Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) designation, you must be
a member of the International Institute of Municipal
Clerks (IIMC). Visit http://www.iimc.com/ for more information. If you need a mentor, contact Mentoring
Program Chair Vicki Kasad at [email protected].
Past Chair
Karen Gonzales, CMC
City of Pleasanton
(925) 931-5027 ● [email protected]
NCCCA NEWS  JUNE 2016
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