About us
History
With our first organizational meeting on November 11, 1976 at the Institute of Government, Chapel Hill, the NCACC was formed to provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and techniques used in the performance of the Clerks’ duties, to obtain information on the operation of the respective departments in the 100 counties of the state, to obtain knowledge on existing and new federal and state programs and laws affecting county government, to keep abreast of new trends implemented in and by county governments in the state and to promote, create and improve efficiency in the operations and record keeping of the Clerks’ office throughout the state of North Carolina.
Mission
Our goal is to create a professional organization that would give opportunities for Clerks to exchange ideas/information and initiate plans for continuing organizational activities, formulate specific projects to help develop strong leadership and to separate the position of Clerk to the Board of Commissioners from other positions which had historically performed the duties of Clerk, i.e., Register of Deeds, Finance Officer, Manager.
- Letter from the President
Letter from the President
Spring 2024
I cannot believe how fast the last six years have flown by! It feels just like just yesterday that I was elected to the Board of Directors, in 2018!
Our annual conference, hosted by Phyllis Nowlen and Cleveland County, was one for the books! I hope you are each still using the tools we learned to find your “Calm in the Chaos.” I’m so glad I was able to catch up with old friends and get to know so many of our new clerks during the conference. I also want to thank those of you who helped with our service project this year! The Cleveland County Animal Shelter was so appreciative of your support. The hardest part for me was to leave without a new family member! Please be on the lookout for information about our “Stuff the Bus” service project at the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Annual Conference in Forsyth County from August 8-10, 2024! It will be here before we know it!
As I step into the role of President, I do so with a profound sense of responsibility and humility. I am eager to collaborate with each of you to continue our association’s incredible work. My vision for our association is one of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity. I believe that every voice matters, and every member has a vital role to play in shaping our future. I am deeply grateful to all of you who work tirelessly to make this association better. This association belongs to all of us, and together, we will continue to move forward.
Our Board has already met and set goals for this year. We will hold our first retreat in July and start working towards those goals. The Professional Development and Conference Planning Committee will also meet later this summer to begin planning our Fall Regionals, the November Clerk Academies, and the 2025 Annual Conference. If there are any topics you would like us to address, please let me know.
In closing, I extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for entrusting me with this leadership role. I pledge to lead with integrity, transparency, and unwavering dedication. I look forward to serving you this year. Reach out to me anytime if you have questions or suggestions. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead – let’s make it one to remember!
Warm regards,
Melissa Long, MMC, NCMCC
President, NC Association of County Clerks
Contacts
Officers and Board of Directors
| Position | Name | County | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Lindsay Ray | Chatham | Email Lindsay Ray |
| Vice President | Melissa Long | New Hanover | Email Melissa Long |
| Secretary | Phyllis Nowlen | Cleveland | Email Phyllis Nowlen |
| Treasurer | Maria Hass | Cherokee | Email Maria Hass |
| Past President | Debbie Harris | Davidson | Email Debbie Harris |
| Director | Katie M. Mosher | Beaufort | Email Katie Mosher |
| Director | Monica W. Wallace | Durham | Email Monica Wallace |
| Director | Julie Wand | Onslow | Email Julie Wand |
| Director | Janna Singleton | Pitt | Email Janna Singleton |
| Director | Yvonne Gilyard | Wake | Email Yvonne Gilyard |
Directory
There are many names and many faces to remember! The Directory of County Clerks & Deputy Clerks gives you a unique opportunity. It will assist in helping you to begin putting faces with names or just prove as a refresher from those you’ve met in the past. It is also a great networking tool! Updates to the directory may be submitted to Melissa Long.
Committees
The NCACC President will appoint all committees and has the duty to see that all committees function effectively.
There are currently 18 Committees: Nominating, Outstanding Clerk, Program, Site Selection, Scholarship, Membership, Homepage, Newsletter, Historian, Professional Development, State Certification, Scrapbook, Records Retention, Goody Bag, Door Prize, Hospitality and Directory.
Members should contact the President if they are interested in serving on any committees and/or note their interest on the membership form.
2024-25 Committees
- Bylaws Committee
Phyllis Nowlen, Chair
Katie Mosher
Dale Stiles
Debbie Harris
Ashleigh Matthews
Kristine Smith
Melissa Long
Kym Crowell
Toni Womack - Clerks’ Reference Guide
Debbie Harris, Chair
Kym Crowell
Trisha-Ann Hoskins
Debra Ivey
Katie Mosher
Phyllis Nowlen
Toni Womack
Kat Wright
Melissa Long - Communications Committee
Melissa Hass, Chair
Melissa Long
Kat Wright
Dale Stiles
Lindsay Ray
Phyllis Nowlen
Arlissa Eason
Laura Williams
Angela Dean
Debra Ivey
Paula Pulley
Monica Wallace
- Fundraising Committee
Katie Mosher, Chair
Maria Hass
Phyllis Nowlen
Debbie Harris
Dana Cuddington
Melissa Long
Debra Ivey
Trisha Hogan - History Committee
Lindsay Ray, Chair
Trisha-Ann Hoskins
Katie S. Mitchell
Dale Stiles - Membership Committee
Debbie Harris, Chair
Maria Hass
Ashleigh Matthews
Melissa Capps
Kristine Smith
Angela Dean
Paula Pulley
- Nominating Committee
Lindsay Ray, Chair
Debbie Harris
Ashley Matthews
Julie Bennett - Outstanding Clerk of the Year Committee
Donna Buff, Chair
Trisha Hogan
Kimberly Hines
Debbie Harris
Penny Owens - Professional Development and Conference Planning Committee
Phyllis Nowlen, Chair
Melissa Long
Maria Hass
Lindsay Ray
Jenifer Johnson
Dorothy Tyson
Katie Mosher
Dale Stiles
Melissa Capps- Goody Bags Subcommittee
Dana Cuddington, Chair
Susan Reeves
Kayla Whitley
Melissa Capps
Angela Dean - Registration Subcommittee
Debbie Harris, Chair
Paula Pulley
Melissa Capps
Abby Rich
Kat Wright
- Goody Bags Subcommittee
- Scholarship Committee
Melissa Long, Chair
Julie Bennett
Kristine Smith
Lindsay Ray
Katie Mosher - State Certification Committee
Kym Crowell, Chair
Melissa Long
Phyllis Nowlen
Clerk of the Year Award
Gaston County Clerk Donna Buff Named 2023 Clerk of the Year
Gaston County Clerk to the Board Donna Buff was presented the 2023 Howard Holly Outstanding Clerk of the Year Award on April 11, 2024, during the North Carolina Association of County Clerks Annual Conference in Cleveland County. The conference banquet was held at Spinning Leaf at the Vineyard in Shelby.
Donna Buff has worked for Gaston County since 2008. She was appointed Clerk to the Board in 2012. In addition to the numerous committees over the years, she has served as a member of the Associations’ Board of Directors and Executive Committee and was President of the Association from 2020-2021. She has achieved the designation of North Carolina Master County Clerk through the North Carolina Association of County Clerks.
The Howard Holly Outstanding Clerk Award is presented in recognition of accomplishments superior to accepted standards and distinguished continuing contributions to county government in North Carolina.
Congratulations Donna!
- Previous Clerk of the Year Awards
Year Name County Served as President 2022 Trisha Hogan Transylvania 2021-22 2021 Kimberly Hines Pitt 2017-18 2020 Penny Owens Tyrrell N/A 2019 Debbie Harris Davidson 2022-23 2018 Julie Bennett Washington 2016-2017 2017 Paula Woodard Johnston 2015-16 2016 Kristen King Franklin 2014-15 2015 Gaynell Lee Lee N/A 2014 Carolyn Barger Rowan 2013-14 2013 Kathy Greene Caldwell 2009-10 2012 Debby Core Brunswick 2011-12 2011 Jeanette Deese Carteret 2010-11 2010 Marcia Wilson Wayne N/A 2009 Gwen Bryan Craven 2003-04 2008 Brenda Hunter Davie 2007-08 2007 Elizabeth “Libby” Corn Henderson 2006-07 2006 Kathy Hughes Buncombe 2005-06 2005 Kay Blanchard Harnett 2004-05 2004 Susan Banks Pitt 1998-99 2003 Pam Robertson Rockingham 2002-03 2002 Lois Askew Washington 1993-94 2001 Joyce Ennis Johnston 2000-01 2000 Wanda Smith Caldwell 1997-98 1999 Sandra Catherwood Vance 1996-97 1998 Betty Blankenship Caldwell 1997-98 1997 Marsha Fogle Cumberland 1987-88 1996 Ida Smith Columbus 1992-93 1995 Barbara Moore Union 1994-95 1994 Charles Mashburn Alexander 1991-92 1993 Bobbie Wilson Granville 1989-90 1992 Alice Fortner Iredell 1979-80 1991 Jane Cole Forsyth 1983-84 1990 Oleta Lopez Hoke 1989 Odessa Johnson Rockingham 1985-86 1988 Norma Bodsford Guilford 1988-89 1987 Lucie Harrell New Hanover 1986-87 1986 None Listed in History N/A N/A 1985 Eleanor Creech Johnston N/A 1984 Judy Matthews Transylvania 1980-81 1983 Virginia Edwards Carteret N/A 1982 Belinda Formyduval Onslow 1982-83 1981 Rachel Goins Stanly 1981-82
Minutes, Forms & Resources
- Minutes
2022
2021
2020
- Business Meeting Minutes – March 25, 2020 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – August 14, 2020 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – November 19, 2020 (PDF)
2019
- Business Meeting Minutes – March 21, 2019 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – August 23, 2019 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – November 14, 2019 (PDF)
2018
2017
- Business Meeting Minutes – January 19, 2017 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – April 6, 2017 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – August 11, 2017 (PDF)
2016
Membership
Dear Fellow Clerks and COG Secretaries:
It is time to renew your annual membership in the North Carolina Association of County Clerks to the Boards of County Commissioners. If you have never joined this wonderful organization, I would like to invite you to consider it now. Dues are payable during the first quarter of each calendar year and should be remitted by September 30, 2023.
Membership in the Association continues to gain ground and you will surely benefit from taking advantage of the improved benefits and vital training offered to Clerks. The benefits from our professional organization, which is an affiliate of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, include:
Training through the Association and in conjunction with the School of Government (SOG)
Ever increasing legislation adds layers of complexity to our roles as Clerks. Training events are structured to ensure we stay abreast of those changes and the way in which they affect our profession and our boards of commissioners. We are ever mindful of the need to render sound management practices.
SOG November Clerks Academies
Topics for the annual SOG Clerk Academies are chosen by the Association and also by the NC Association of Municipal Clerks. Who better to suggest topics for training than those of us who are in the trenches on a daily basis and are in need of the most accurate and up to date information available? We constantly strive to improve the administration of our offices and the topics selected for the January Clerks School offer sound management practices to help achieve our goals.
North Carolina Certified County Clerks (NCCCC) and North Carolina Master County Clerk (NCMCC)
The Association and the SOG listened to county clerks across the state and responded to the need for a state certification program for county clerks. The program focuses on objectives that are more relevant to county government. The first inaugural class was recognized by the Dean of the SOG during the January Clerks School in January 2010. The certification may be used in conjunction with, or replace, the Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) and Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) designation conferred by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
Scholarships
For clerks who need financial assistance in attending the Annual Conference, there are scholarships available. If your county has limited funds for educational training, or has imposed travel restrictions, please apply for a scholarship.
Membership Fee
We can never learn too much. The $55 membership fee is a wonderful bargain in exchange for the knowledge, training, networking, and certifications to be gained for our professional development. Download a membership application (PDF) and mail it with the $55 fee to the address listed on the application or use the online membership payment form for processing.
Respectfully,
Debbie Harris
Clerk to the Board
Davidson County Board of Commissioners
NC Association of County Clerks Membership Committee, Chair