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Municipal Clerks Program:

This series of courses is designed to train Municipal Clerks and related personnel in the duties and responsibilities of their office. In addition to Municipal Clerks, other municipal officials are invited to enroll in the courses, provided space is available and the prerequisites are satisfied. The instructional staff is composed of persons who are experienced members of the field, many of whom are or have served in executive positions of the Municipal Clerks' Association of New Jersey.

Courses are scheduled in both the fall and spring semesters at varied locations throughout the state. Times and locations are announced in advance of each semester.

LOOK WHAT'S HAPPENING! STUDY SKILLS WORKSHOPS FALL 2006 (Directions to Study Skills Workshops)

Introduction to the Duties of the Municipal Clerk - 21 hours
No prerequisite

This course serves to acquaint the student with the statutory and some of the non-statutory duties of the Municipal Clerk and offers a general introduction to municipal government. Specific areas of responsibility covered are: the core duties, financial duties, legalized games of chance, meeting agendas and minutes, open public meetings, general office procedures, and licenses and licensing procedures. There is a review and examination.

Advanced Duties of the Municipal Clerk - 21 hours
Prerequisite: Introduction to the Duties of the Municipal Clerk

A more detailed and technical description of the Municipal Clerk's office is presented in this course. Subjects include personnel policies and procedures, municipal land use law, meeting agendas and minutes, alcoholic beverage licensing, and other varied miscellaneous duties. There is a review and examination.

Local Election Administration - 18 hours
Prerequisite: Introduction to the Duties of the Municipal Clerk


This course is designed to acquaint students with Title 19, the goals of which are to assure a fair and open electoral process, full participation by the electorate, and clear lines of responsibility for elected officials. Topics covered are: responsibility of the County Board of Elections and the County Clerk's office, voter registration, petitions and referenda, political party procedure. Also covered are Faulkner Act election procedures and Charter Study Law and procedures. There is a review and examination. (The prerequisite sequence to attend this course may be waived with permission of the Municipal Clerks Education Committee.)

Information and Records Management - 18 hours
Prerequisite: Introduction to the Duties of the Municipal Clerk

The management of information continues to undergo revolutionary change. Terminologies as well as processes have changed dramatically. Retention of records and records filing have evolved into management information systems. This course teaches essential records management techniques and addresses the role of "Clerk as Information Manager." An in-class final and take-home examination are given.

Municipal Finance Administration for Municipal Clerks - 21 hours
Prerequisite: Advanced Duties of the Municipal Clerk

This course is designed to provide a foundation for a better understanding of local government fiscal affairs. Major areas covered are: the institutional framework of local government, the state's role in supervision and assistance, local public contracts law, municipal caps, municipal budgeting, budget execution, and local budget law and local bond law. A final exam is given.

Review for State Examination - 18 hours

Text: Study Guide for NJ Municipal Clerks, 2004 (bring your copy)

Topics include those outlined in the narrative of the listed course descriptions. THIS COURSE DOES NOT INCLUDE A REVIEW OF THE STATE EXAM QUESTIONS, and is not required to take the State certification examination.

**Certificates are awarded for the satisfactory completion of each program, which is defined as attendance at 80 percent of the class hours, a passing grade of 80, and full payment of all fees. **

The 2004 Study Guide for New Jersey Municipal Clerks is required for all Municipal Clerk courses. The Study Guide is provided at the Introduction to the Duties of the Municipal Clerk course.

The Study Guide is updated annually. Supplements are available in February. Students are responsible for having the most current version of the Study Guide at each course. For information on the purchase of Study Guides and supplements, please call 732/932-3640, ext. 648.

Seminars:
The Center for Government Services offers seminars on topics of interest to Municipal Clerks. These seminars meet New Jersey's and IIMC's continuing education requirements for re certification. Notices are mailed separately each semester.

International Institute of Municipal Clerks Programs
Certified Municipal Clerk Institute - 25 hours

The IIMC requires a minimum of 100 hours of University instruction to qualify for the CMC professional designation. Municipal Clerks in New Jersey who have earned the state Registered Municipal Clerk designation have satisfied one-half of the educational requirement. Each four-day Institute fulfills one-fourth of the educational requirement. The CMC Institute focuses primarily on topics relating to management, communication, and leadership. IIMC membership is required for attendance. A separate announcement is mailed.

Master Municipal Clerk Academy - 12 hours

This two-day program is designed to offer training and education in advanced management and interpersonal subject areas. Its purpose is to promote advanced continuing education of the professional Municipal Clerk. CMC designation is a prerequisite for this program. A separate announcement is mailed.
Effective in the year 2000, this Academy replaced the IIMC Academy for Advanced Education. Questions about IIMC programs can be directed to 732/932-3640, ext. 622.

Please click here for a registration form. Telephone registrations cannot be accepted. Early registration is advisable. The University reserves the right to cancel any course if there are insufficient enrollments.

Note: Introduction to the Duties of the Municipal Clerk must be successfully completed before registering for all other Municipal Clerk courses.

Upon receipt of your completed application form, and check or voucher, a class space will be reserved for you. No confirmation will be sent. All classes are limited to 25 students.

The full program fee will be returned to any student who provides a written notice of withdrawal which the Center must receive prior to the start of the first class. Notices sent by fax (732/932-3586) will be accepted as well as notices sent by mail. Notices sent by mail must be postmarked no later than the class start date. Send withdrawal notice to:

NJ Municipal Clerks Program
Center for Government Services
Rutgers, The State University
33 Livingston Avenue, Suite 200
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1979

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services
Municipal Clerks' Association of New Jersey, Inc.
International Institute of Municipal Clerks

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:9-133 et al., Chapter 174, P.L. 1985, Municipal Clerks may qualify for certification by the State of New Jersey as Registered Municipal Clerk. Examinations for Registered Municipal Clerk are given periodically by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Certification Unit, Division of Local Government Services.

For information on experience and other requirements for attaining certification, please contact the Division of Local Government Services, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, at 609/633-6349.
Web site: www.state.nj.us/dca/lgs

All persons holding the certification of Registered Municipal Clerk (RMC) in the State of New Jersey are required to obtain 20 contact hours of continuing education during a two (2) year period.

For further information contact the Certification Unit of the NJ Department of Community Affairs, 609/292-9757.
Web site: www.state.nj.us/dca/lgs

Since you may be eligible for a tax deduction under the Lifelong Learning Tax Act, Rutgers records the name, address, and social security number of all Continuing Education participants.

For more information about the Municipal Clerk programs, contact the Center at 732/932-3640, ext. 648.