Ruth Post, CMC
City of Philomath

Declaration of Candidacy Papers

As an active member of OAMR since 2002, I’ve watched and learned from the many outstanding leaders of this organization; and I feel the time has come for me to give back in a bigger way. It is with great excitement that I submit my candidacy for the position of your OAMR Second Vice-President. In addition to being a member of OAMR, I have also been a member of IIMC for 5-plus years, and received CMC certification in 2005. I consider continuing education to be an important personal life pursuit and look forward to achieving my MMC certification hopefully by the year 2010. The beauty of OAMR is that one objective just naturally seems to lead to another. I believe education is a cornerstone responsibility to our membership because it is the basis of so much of who we are and who we become as professionals. Offering excellent educational opportunities leads to personal and public professional development. That development allows members to grow and challenge themselves to go places, do things, and meet people that they wouldn’t have otherwise. As we grow, OAMR members develop support networks, exercise new skills both in their communities and through Committee participation, and help improve the professional image of our position in our communities and beyond. In looking at myself, I can see this natural progression as solid evidence of the role OAMR has had in changing my life over the past five years and look forward to ensuring that these objectives continue to be achieved for the benefit of all members. Over the years, I’ve learned about many of the facets of OAMR through active participation on the Executive Board and on different Committees. Having served as your Association Secretary since 2005, I’ve been able to participate in the decision-making process on the Executive Board. These past three years have been invaluable in the development of my leadership skills. In addition, I’ve served on the Newsletter Committee since 2004 and acted as Committee Chair from 2004-2007. Currently, I’m serving on the Education Committee (2006-2008), Annual Conference Committee (2002-2008), and Special Projects/Fundraising Committee (2006-2008). I’ve been honored the past three years to use my personal passion for quilting to sew a raffle quilt to help raise important dollars for our scholarship fund. Other Committees I’ve served on include the Professional Growth & Development and Records Management Committees. In my spare time, I volunteer on a local community credit union’s Supervisory Committee. In deciding to submit myself as a candidate for your Second Vice-President, the timing needed to be right in personal life, my community, and in OAMR. I have carefully examined all three and believe that now is that time for me to give back to you in this way. I want to thank you for all the opportunities OAMR has already given me, and I look ahead to many more years of giving back to this outstanding group of professionals.

CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION OF OAMR TREASURER

Karin Johnson, CMC
City of Independence

 Declaration of
Candidacy Papers

It is an honor to submit my candidacy for the office of OAMR Treasurer. Not only do I feel my background qualifies me for this important position, I also feel I will be able to contribute my enthusiasm and hard-work ethic, and give back in some measure to this great organization. I currently serve as City Recorder for the City of Independence, and have been serving as OAMR Treasurer since May of 2007, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of the then-current Treasurer. I was City Recorder/Treasurer for the City of Amity from August 1987 until May 2000, and during that time I served as the finance officer of the city as well as the budget officer, giving me a firm grasp of budgeting and accounting principals. Although finance is not a part of my current duties at Independence, I also presently serve as the District Clerk for the Ash Creek Water Control District (a small special district in Polk County), where I am the finance officer as well as the records officer. I have been a member of OAMR since 1999, and received my CMC in August, 2004. I have been accepted into the IIMC Master Municipal Clerk Academy and continue to work to achieve MMC certification. I have served on various OAMR committees over the years: Records Management, 2001-present; Conference, 2002-Present; Budget Committee, 2006-present; Special Projects, 2005-2007; Professional Growth & Development, 2004-2007; Membership, 2001-2006, as well as several others. I feel the objectives of OAMR include providing high-quality educational opportunities to our members by offering quality sessions at our conferences and at regional trainings and to make scholarships available to help ensure that all members have the opportunity to take advantage of these trainings and those provided by IIMC. I believe providing the Board and membership with accurate, up-to-date financial information and utilizing sound fiscal practices are the two most important duties of a Treasurer, and I will strive to maintain these standards for OAMR.

CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION OF OAMR REGION III DIRECTOR

Declaration of
Candidacy Papers

Thank you for considering me for the position of Region III Director. I am the Deputy City Clerk for the City of Albany and have been a member of OAMR since 2002. I work for a wonderful City Clerk, Betty Langwell, who encouraged me to get involved with OAMR long before I had the title of Deputy City Clerk. OAMR is truly an exceptional organization and it has been a fantastic experience for me so far. Betty served as Region III Director from 2003-2005, so I would be following in her footsteps if I am fortunate enough to be elected to be the Region III Director. Leadership, communication, and organization are my strong points. My skill set can help to meet what I believe is OAMR’s objective: to provide Recorder /Clerk’s from cities of all sizes with the opportunity for education, networking, and professional development. I served on the Conference Committee in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007; the Special  Projects/Fundraising Committee in 2005; the Scholarship Committee in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006; the Records Management Committee in 2006 and 2007; the City Recorder Procedure Manual Committee in 2004 and 2005; and as Chair the City Recorder Procedure Manual Committee in 2006 and 2007. I attended PD I, II, and III and earned my CMC in September 2005. I was accepted into the first level of the MMC Academy in October 2006 and attended PD IV in 2007. I earned the Competent Toastmaster Award in 2006, completed the Cascade West Leadership Institute in 2007, and joined the IIMC Records Management Committee in 2007. In 2008 I enrolled in classes at Linn Benton Community College so I can work towards an Associates of Science degree with a Speech Communication Emphasis. Thank you again for considering me for this position. It would be an honor to serve OAMR.

CANDIDACY FOR THE POSITION OF OAMR REGION V DIRECTOR

Shirley Kappas, CMC
City of Klamath Falls

Declaration of
Candidacy Papers

I have been a member of OAMR for over 10 years and can honestly say I have never belonged to another organization that I have enjoyed more; mainly because of the wonderful members. From my first day I was offered help and friendship, which I have come to treasure over the years. To be able to receive so many responses and viewpoints on professional problems is a wonderful benefit. I have been able to grow professionally due to my membership. During this time OAMR has also grown professionally, offering many more educational opportunities for its members and I know it will continue in this direction. I have served on the following committees: Newsletter: 2000, 2001 (Chair), 2002 (Chair), 2003 (Chair), 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 (I am the chubby woman running around with the camera all the time taking your pictures; Membership: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2006; Audit: 2000, 2001, 2002 (Chair), 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 (Chair), and 2007; Conference: 2001, 2004, 2006, and 2007; Special Projects/Fundraising: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006;Nominating: 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2006;Mentoring & Leadership: 2003 and 2007;Internet: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007; Education/Scholarship: 2004 and 2005; Retired Clerks: 2007; and Scholarship: 2007. I have long thought about trying to become a Region V Director. Luckily, my region has had many wonderful directors over the years and this is the first time an opening has come up that I am in a position to be able to apply for. I will complete the MMC program this fall and that huge wind you feel will be my big sigh of relief. I have an extensive background in finance and feel I am a good coordinator and organizer, which would be valuable assets for Region V Director.