Training, education and development have long been major goals of the Municipal Association of SC, both for the elected officials that serve the state’s cities and towns, as well as municipal staff.
The Municipal Association provides numerous affiliate associations to serve this goal — professional development groups that are each dedicated to a specific area of municipal jobs, and that help officials serve their communities to the best of their ability.
For a nominal membership cost, these groups provide professionals with networking opportunities among their peers, as well as specialized training and conferences. They also provide online listserves to their members, allowing for the ongoing exchange of ideas, best practices and concerns.
Each of the affiliate associations has a board of directors elected from the group’s membership. Municipal Association staff provide support to these boards.
Membership in the affiliate groups requires joining or renewing each year. Membership application for each affiliate can be found on the Municipal Association’s website, under “Education & Events.”
Here are the affiliate associations available:
Association of South Carolina Mayors
ASCM provides opportunities for the mayors who are its members to more fully engage in advocating for issues that affect cities and towns, to network, to take part in educational activities and to share ideas and best practices.
Staff contact: Casey Fields, Director of Advocacy
Municipal Court Administration Association of SC
MCAA provides training for court administrators, clerks of court, municipal judges and other court administration employees. The Supreme Court of South Carolina Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization and the Office of Victims Services recognize these workshops for continuing education credits. MCAA recently launched a mentoring program to foster professional development and share the skills necessary to navigate the duties of municipal court staff.
Staff contact: Lea Ann Mitchell, Staff Associate for Affiliate Services
Municipal Technology Association of SC
MTASC exposes its members to a variety of technology systems, platforms and solutions. It offers training for IT staff, those with GIS responsibilities and employees working in other departments but whose duties include technology services.
Staff contact: Lea Ann Mitchell, Staff Associate for Affiliate Services
Palmetto Power Cities
Palmetto Power Cities is the new name of the SC Association of Municipal Power Systems, which originally existed as a way for the state’s electric cities to help one another during disasters. PPC emphasizes collaboration as a core organizational strength while also recognizing the vital role municipal power plays in South Carolina. Its new identity highlights the organization’s commitment to adapting to industry changes while continuing to focus on mutual aid, advocacy efforts, education and shared expertise for our members and partners.
Staff contact: Adam Hedden, Palmetto Power Cities Manager
SC Association of Stormwater Managers
SCASM offers quarterly training on stormwater management policies and best practices. The SC Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors recognizes the quarterly training sessions for continuing education credits.
Staff contact: Elizabeth Copeland, Staff Associate for Affiliate Services
SC Business Licensing Officials Association
BLOA promotes best practices for administering the local business and professional license tax through training, networking and the Accreditation in Business Licensing and Masters in Business Licensing credentials.
Staff contact: Elizabeth Copeland, Staff Associate for Affiliate Services
SC Community Development Association
SCCDA provides educational forums for its members to address economic and community development needs. Members come from local and state government as well as private industry, elected positions and volunteer positions.
Staff contact: Lea Ann Mitchell, Staff Associate for Affiliate Services
SC Municipal Attorneys Association
The SCMAA annual meeting covers issues important to municipal attorneys, whether working as municipal staff or as a municipality’s outside counsel. The Supreme Court of South Carolina Commission on CLE and Specialization approves this training session for continuing education credits. MAA does not have memberships, and the meetings are open to all South Carolina municipal attorneys.
Staff contact: Lea Ann Mitchell, Staff Associate for Affiliate Services
SC Municipal Finance Officers, Clerks and Treasurers Association
MFOCTA training covers the diverse job responsibilities of its members. All of the training sessions qualify for a combination of continuing education credits for certified municipal clerks and certified public treasurers. MFOCTA sponsors the Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute with the Municipal Association and the Joseph P. Riley Jr. Center for Livable Communities.
Staff contact: Elizabeth Copeland, Staff Associate for Affiliate Services
SC Municipal Human Resources Association
MHRA's main objectives are to promote sound personnel administration, encourage innovative programs and provide information and the opportunity to exchange ideas.
Staff contact: Lea Ann Mitchell, Staff Associate for Affiliate Services
SC Utility Billing Association
SCUBA provides training and networking opportunities for its members, including billing clerks, meter readers and department managers. SCUBA’s meetings encompass a variety of topics focused on customer service, safety in the workplace and new technologies to increase the efficiencies of utility billing and collections.
Staff contact: Ken Ivey, Director of Member Services
Current members of each affiliate association received a renewal email in December.