Membership updates can be made through the For Members Only section. For any membership related questions, please contact staff at info@calclerks.org

All Primary Members and Associate Members have voting rights.

Any Assistant or Deputy City Clerk whose City Clerk is a Primary Member, institutions and/or organizations whose operations are closely allied with the functions of the City Clerk’s Office, and professional persons in fields directly related to municipal government are eligible for Associate Membership.

The Region you are in is determined by your county. Click here for a 2-page chart outlining the Regions.

Regional meetings are held within the respective regions and notices are sent out with details. The annual CMCA conference is held throughout the state each April. The annual New Law and Election Seminar is typically rotated from the northern and southern part of the state each December.

International Institute of Municipal Clerks. Founded in 1947, the International Institute of Municipal Clerks is the leading professional association serving the needs of Municipal Clerks, Secretaries, Treasurers and Recorders and other allied associations from cities and towns worldwide. IIMC’s primary goal is to actively promote the continuing education and professional development of Municipal Clerks through extensive education programs, certification, publications, networking, annual conferences, and research. As an educational catalyst, IIMC inspires Clerks to expand and advance beyond their present levels of development. IIMC also engages in municipal research administration, enhances critical professional skill development and fosters a spirit of mutual assistance and good fellowship among Municipal Clerks around the globe. IIMC administers the Certified Municipal Clerk and Master Municipal Clerk Programs.

The League of California Cities is an association of California city officials who work together to enhance their knowledge and skills, exchange information, and combine resources so that they may influence policy decisions that affect cities. Founded in 1898 on the principles of local control and interagency cooperation, the League has grown from a handful of public officials to include the voluntary of 478 California cities. Today, the League and its member cities are working hard to strengthen the effectiveness of their advocacy efforts. The League's mission statement reflects this commitment to "restore and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians". If your city belongs to the League, you belong.

Volunteer! Complete our online Volunteer Interest Form. Watch for requests for volunteers from CMCA. Run for a position on the CMCA Board of Directors.

The City Clerk is the local official for elections, local legislation, the Public Records Act, the Political Reform Act, and the Brown Act (open meeting laws). Before and after the City Council takes action, the City Clerk ensures that actions are in compliance with all federal, state and local statutes and regulations and that all actions are properly executed, recorded, and archived. The statutes of the State of California prescribe the basic functions and duties of the City Clerk, and the Government Code and Election Code provide precise and specific responsibilities and procedures to follow. The Office of the City Clerk is a service department within the municipal government upon which the City Council, all City departments, and the general public rely for information regarding the operations and legislative history of the City. The City Clerk serves as the liaison between the public and City Council and provides related municipal services.

Pursuant to the League of California Cities website and the information provided to them by individual cities, as of November 2006, there are 154 elected city clerks. Currently, there are 478 incorporated cities in the State of California. Visit our Library for listing (Appointed v. Elected Clerks)

The Public Records Act is codified in Government Code Section 6250 et seq. The entire Government Code is available online at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/.

The Ralph M. Brown Act is codified in Government Code Section 54950 et seq. The entire Government Code is available online at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/.

The Political Reform Act is codified in Government Code Section 81000 et seq. The entire Government Code is available online at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/. Additional information about the Political Reform Act can be found on the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) website at www.fppc.ca.gov.

The Elections Code is the primary source of information for elections held within the State of California. The entire Elections Code is available online at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/. Additional information about elections can be found on the Secretary of State website at www.sos.ca.gov or by contacting your local Registrar of Voter’s Office. Note: If you are a charter city, your charter may have regulations that supercede the Elections Code.

The Elections Code is the primary source of information for petitions, including referendums and initiatives. The pertinent information can be found in Elections Code Section 9000 et seq. The entire Elections Code is available online at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/. Additional information about petitions may be obtained by contacting your local Registrar of Voter’s Office.

General law cities are formed, organized, and operate pursuant to the powers provided by the Legislature as set forth in the statutes of the State of California, specifically the Government Code. Charter cities are created and operate pursuant to a charter or other similar document voted on by the citizenry. The primary difference between the two is that general law cities are subject to all constraints imposed by the Legislature with respect to local control, while charter cities maintain an additional level of autonomy over local affairs.

A majority of the Council generally constitutes a quorum for the purposes of taking action. Most actions generally need a majority vote of the Council Members present for passage. However, some actions, such as urgency ordinances and resolutions of necessity, need a super-majority vote for passage. Notwithstanding the same, some cities may require a three-vote minimum procedurally. When in doubt, it is essential to check with the City Attorney’s office.

Legislative action may be taken by either resolution or ordinance. The primary difference is that an ordinance effectuates a local law. A municipal code is comprised of ordinances and serves as a City’s constitution of sorts. A resolution is much less formal and generally addresses administrative and other similar types of matters.