Emergencies don’t wait until you're ready, and they certainly don’t respect city limits. As municipal professionals, you know that when disaster strikes-whether it’s a tornado, flood, cyberattack, or public health crisis-the response starts and ends at the local level. The question isn’t if your community will face an emergency, but when. And guess who’s at the center [...]
As we reach the midpoint of 2025, municipal clerks should prepare for continued-and accelerating-change in the months ahead. The rapid evolution of technology, rising citizen expectations, and ongoing budget and staffing pressures are shaping the landscape for local government professionals. Here’s what to anticipate and how to stay ahead: Upcoming Changes and Trends AI and [...]
Oregon City, Ore. has chosen OnBoardGOV as their go-to solution for managing boards and committees, and they’re taking things a step further with the Applications module to make the entire process-from member management to volunteer applications-seamless and efficient. Why OnBoardGOV? OnBoardGOV is designed specifically for government board and committee management, bringing all your council, board, [...]
As local governments scramble to fill critical roles left by a wave of retirements, many are eyeing the influx of laid-off federal workers as a solution. For municipal clerks, who are often at the center of hiring and onboarding, understanding the advantages and drawbacks of bringing former federal employees onto your team is key. Pros [...]
From managing board appointments to keeping up with certifications and training, the work of a municipal clerk is important-but it can also be overwhelming, especially when you’re stuck in a cycle of paperwork and manual processes. That’s where automation comes in, and it’s changing the game for clerks everywhere. Why Automation Matters for Clerks Automation [...]
updated May 2025 We’ve all been there: you hit send in Outlook, only to realize you forgot an attachment, made a typo, or sent the email to the wrong person. Don’t panic—Outlook now offers more ways than ever to unsend or recall an email, with expanded features across platforms. Here are the current [...]
Yellowstone County, Montana, home to nearly 170,000 residents and the vibrant city of Billings, is known for its sweeping prairies, rich history, and a knack for embracing innovation. Recently, the county took a major step forward in local government transparency and efficiency by choosing OnBoardGOV as its solution for managing boards and committees. Making County [...]
Anne Morriss’ TED Talk, “5 Steps to Fix Any Problem at Work,” draws directly from her influential book, Move Fast and Fix Things: The Trusted Leader’s Guide to Solving Hard Problems, co-authored with Frances Frei. The book—and the talk—challenge the idea that speed and quality are mutually exclusive, especially in environments where trust and accountability [...]
Municipal Clerks Week, celebrated annually during the first full week of May, is a time to recognize the invaluable contributions of municipal clerks to local governance and community well-being. In 2025, we continue this tradition, shining a spotlight on these dedicated professionals who ensure transparency, efficiency, and democratic integrity in our towns and cities. Why [...]
Succession planning is a hot topic right now, and it's not surprising. According to ICMA, local governments are experiencing "peak 65" this year. Last month's ClerkBase newsletter auto-responders of "I've retired!" also seem unusually high. In some cases, municipal clerks are also the HR department in their agency. Even if that's not the case for [...]