Clerks and treasurers in every town, city, and village are essential for the smooth functioning of municipal government, ensuring transparency, accountability and efficient service to their communities. To provide the extensive training clerks and treasurers need to undertake their many responsibilities, UW-Green Bay created the Wisconsin Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute (CTI) in 1975. CTI offers a progressive curriculum over three years, with each year involving 32-34 hours of training, covering topics such as leadership, communication, financial management and more.
“The Institute offers specialized education that’s specific to our position and communities,” says Diane Hermann-Brown, City of Sun Prairie. “It’s an investment in that position. The more knowledge you can give that position the better your municipal clerk’s office will function.”
Prior to the establishment of CTI, training for municipal clerks and treasurers in Wisconsin lacked structure and comprehensiveness. It was primarily fragmented, concentrating on election-related topics, with limited chances for broader professional development.
CTI is a nationally recognized virtual program held annually during the summer. CTI leverages resources from UW-Green Bay’s public administration bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and collaborates with stakeholders and industry experts to provide comprehensive training over five full days. This year, CTI will run Monday through Friday, July 14-18, offering multiple-year learning tracks. New clerks and treasurers begin with Year 1.
CTI is one of the largest Institutes of its kind and is dedicated to improving the professionalism of municipal staff. It is accredited by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Wisconsin Municipal Clerks Association and Municipal Treasurers of Wisconsin.
During the three years of progressive training, clerks and treasurers will earn all the education hours required for certification specific to their position.
In 2025, CTI will expand to Illinois through a partnership with the Municipal Clerks of Illinois. This collaboration will offer an equally progressive and relevant curriculum, equipping Illinois clerks with the essential skills and certification needed to effectively support their municipalities.
Learn more about UW-Green Bay’s Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute by visiting the website or by contacting Laura Nolan, Associate Director, Business & Government Outreach and Director, CTI at nolanl@uwgb.edu or (920) 465-2772.
Wisconsin Clerks and Treasurers Institute is created and hosted by Business and Government Outreach within the Division of Continuing Education and Workforce Training at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.