The Municipal Association of South Carolina's affiliate associations provide many opportunities to meet the professional development needs of staff within cities and towns. These groups aim to create a community of peers who can network, learn through specially-tailored training, and share best practices and experiences. Each affiliate receives management support from the Municipal Association and guidance from a board of directors elected from the affiliate's membership.
This year, the affiliate associations are gaining access to a new listserve system to make sharing information and best practices easier.
All of the affiliates' membership applications and renewals for 2021 are available on January 4. The nominal membership costs provide each participant with discounted training registrations and access to that group's closed listserve. The listserves, which are using an improved platform in 2021, allow users to post questions and seek feedback from colleagues.
These are the 11 affiliate organizations:
Building Officials Association of SC
BOASC focuses on the challenges of administering and enforcing building and related codes in order to protect the life, health and property of building occupants. Staff contact: Elizabeth Copeland
Municipal Court Administration Association of SC
MCAA provides training for court administrators, clerks of court, municipal judges and other employees involved in court administration. Staff contact: Sara Whitaker
Municipal Technology Association of SC
MTASC exposes members to a broad range 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: Sara Whitaker
SC Association of Municipal Power Systems
SCAMPS focuses on legislative initiatives, mutual aid and provides training for elected officials, management staff and operational personnel of the electric cities in the state. Staff contact: Elizabeth Copeland
SC Association of Stormwater Managers
SCASM offers quarterly training on stormwater management policies and best practices. Training addresses topics like proposed changes to stormwater regulations and case studies of innovative practices. Staff contact: Sara Whitaker
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
SC Community Development Association
SCCDA training focuses on economic and community development needs, best practices and successful case studies. Members come from local and state government as well as private industry, elected positions and volunteer positions. Staff contact: Sara Whitaker
SC Municipal Attorneys Association
The MAA annual training, designed for city and town attorneys, complies with the Supreme Court of South Carolina Commission on CLE and specialization requirements for continuing education credits. Staff contact: Eric Shytle
SC Municipal Finance Officers, Clerks and Treasurers Association
MFOCTA training covers the diverse job responsibilities of its members. 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
SC Municipal Human Resources Association
MHRA helps members stay current on state and federal labor law and court rulings. Its trainings are accepted by national human resources organizations for continuing education credits. Staff contact: Sara Whitaker
SC Utility Billing Association
SCUBA trains members on utility billing, collections and customer service. Programs frequently focus on customer service skills, workplace safety, and best practices in utility billing and collections. Staff contact: Ken Ivey
Current members will receive a renewal notice the first week of January. Join an affiliate online or by contacting the Association's staff. Learn more at www.masc.sc (keyword: affiliate).