Summer Newsletter 2026 - Vol. 45 No. 4

President's Message

Scott Stauffer, MMC, City Recorder, Milwaukie

Welcome to the Summer ’26 edition of the association newsletter! I hope you are settling into the routines of summertime – finding time to get away from city hall to rest and relax. We work incredibly hard serving our communities and taking time to recharge and have fun is critical. I hope you get a chance to do that this year!

This is my final newsletter message as your president. It’s been an amazing year so far – lots of travel, many meetings, thousands of emails – and it has been a pleasure and honor to serve OAMR. Thank you for lifting me up in all the ways we work together – in person, at conferences, in random places, and of course on Zoom. And we’re not done yet – conference at Lincoln City is shaping up to be a real blast, and I hope you plan to be there!

A quick note while I still have your attention – on behalf of the many conference planners of our association, thank you for your patience as we work through the inevitable hiccups and questions of organizing a gathering of 120+ people. Staff at Chinook Winds have been fantastic and even with the best plans, things happen – so thank you for hanging in there with us! I promise Lincoln City in September – plus OAMR friends – you can’t get better than that!

Now, on to the reports!

PRESIDENTIAL TRAVELS

The CMCA audience in Anaheim required a two-part selfie.

As noted in the last newsletter, March-April-May is the busy travel season for state association presidents. Hot on the heels of the Washington Municipal Clerks Association (WCMA) conference in March came the California Municipal Clerks Association (CMCA) conference at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and shortly after that was the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) conference at the Peppermill Casino in Reno, Nevada. As seen in the photos – Anaheim and Reno did not disappoint, and it was a privilege to represent Oregon at these gatherings. 

Region IX members at the IIMC Conference in Reno.

We get to do amazing things in our communities – critically important things–and having a chance to be with folks who do this work in other states and other countries, to learn from them and commiserate with them, has been fantastic. Getting to carry the only two-sided flag during the IIMC annual conference opening ceremony parade of flags was a blast! I have come home to Oregon renewed in the spirit of public service and yes indeed lifted up by our clerk friends across the globe.

President Stauffer carrying the Oregon flag at the IIMC conference. 

OAMR members at the IIIMC conference event.

BOARD UPDATES

At its April 16, 2026, meeting, your OAMR Board heard the usual reports of all the good work our committees are doing and took several actions – including adopting a revised records management policy, retention schedule, and destruction form, and gave direction to the Records and Regulations Committee (RRC) to form a workgroup to implement the new records management policy. The Board also approved a letter of support for Oregon House Bill (HB) 4177 – which would have addressed public meeting law issues raised by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission (OGEC) ruling in 2025 – and the Board approved a revised Financial Policy document and several budget adjustments. For more information about this meeting check out the April 16 meeting page on the OAMR website.

The Board will hold its fourth and final regularly scheduled meeting of the 2025-2026 activity year on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. on Zoom. For more information visit www.oamr.org and click on EVENTS. 

And, speaking of association gatherings…

As announced by our Education Committee – the 44^th Annual OAMR Conference will be held September 21-25, 2026, at Chinook Winds Casino & Resort – I hope to see you there, see details below!

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP BUSINSS MEETING 

The Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders (OAMR) will hold its annual membership business meeting on Thursday September 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Chinooks Winds Casino and Resort, 1777 NW 44^th Street, Lincoln City, OR 97367. The annual business meeting will be held during the association’s 44^th Annual Conference and is open to all conference attendees – only association members may participate in voting on association business. Additional information about the business meeting, including the agenda and packet materials, will be posted online at www.oamr.org under the EVENTS tab before the meeting.

This notice has been posted on www.oamr.org under EVENTS.

And, also speaking of conference…

CITY FLAGS AT CONFERENCE

One thing to know about me is that I am an amateur vexillologist – I appreciate a well-designed flag – and this year we’re going to include city flags in our conference staging. If your city has a flag and you’re able to bring one with you – please do and let me know! I put a call out to the email listserv back in the spring to see who has a flag and as of June we have a handful of cities that have flags and are planning to bring them to conference to represent their communities – if you have one, please consider bringing it!

If you plan to bring your flag, please email me ([email protected]) to let me know and if possible, please bring a flagpole and base too. When you arrive at conference, you can deliver your flag to the Mikonotunne Room (our main gathering space) at the Chinook Winds conference center – place it around the stage – or find Scott!

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Since the spring newsletter, OAMR has welcomed several new members – when you see them on the listserv or at an OAMR event, or out and about in our great state, be sure to say hello!

·        Neal Morphis, City of Yachats

·         Lacey Townsend, Tualatin Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD)

·         Amanda Chaves, City of Lakeside

·         Becky Sturm, City of Powder

·         Stepha Kvokov, City of Warranton

·         Allison Schwister, Yamhill Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD)

We also congratulated members who earned the coveted certified municipal clerk (CMC) and master municipal clerk (MMC) designations. Congrats Kat and Winnie!

·       Kat Ricker, CMC, Chehalem Parks and Recreation District (CPRD)
Winnie Shepard, MMC, City of Medford

WIIIIMC REGION IX CONFERENCE 2027

And, finally, I am pleased to share the save-the-date flyer for the first ever IIMC Region IX Conference to be held in March 2027 during the WMCA annual conference in Spokane, WA. 

Depending on how the region conference goes in Washington in 2027, OAMR may host the next region conference in 2029. The OAMR Board will consider adding this in the coming year or two – stay tuned for more information and consider attending the region conference in Spokane!

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OAMR Awards

Help OAMR recognize our fellow recorders – please consider nominating someone and encourage your city managers, administrators, and mayors to nominate someone too! 

The deadline for all award nominations is August 4.

Breaking Barriers Award 

Outstanding contributions to a Committee – in the last two years. https://oamr.org/breaking_barriers 

Nominated by OAMR committee chairs. 

The Breaking Barriers Award (BBA) formally recognizes and honors an OAMR member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, significant contributions, and outstanding work on one or more OAMR committee. This award celebrates individuals who go above and beyond in their committee responsibilities, positively impacting the association’s goals and initiatives.

Qualifications:

1.    Eligibility – Any OAMR member in good standing is eligible to receive the BBA, except for the current president and vice president. “In good standing” means a fully paid  member. This award specifically recognizes contributions made during the current or immediately preceding OAMR fiscal year.

2.    Criteria for Evaluation – Nominees will be evaluated based on their contributions to an OAMR committee:

a.    Impact: The significance and positive effect of the nominee’s work on the committee’s goals, projects, or overall effectiveness.

b.    Initiative: Demonstrating proactive engagement, identifying needs, and taking ownership of tasks or projects within the committee.

c.    Collaboration: Working effectively with other committee members, fostering a positive and productive team environment.

d.    Innovation: Introducing new ideas, approaches, or solutions that benefited the committee’s work.

e.    Dedication: Consistent commitment, reliability, and willingness to go the extra mile in fulfilling committee responsibilities.

f.     Leadership: Providing guidance, motivation, or support to the committee and its members.

3.    Nominations – Award nominations are only accepted from OAMR committee chairs. Any association member may submit a confidential nomination to the president. Nominations must include the following information:

a.    Nominator’s name and contact information.

b.    Nominee’s name, city or agency, contact information, and the OAMR committee(s) on which they demonstrated outstanding work.

c.    A written description of the nominee’s contributions to an OAMR committee that clearly articulates how the nominee’s committee work was outstanding.

Nominations are due Tuesday, August 4, 2026, and should be emailed to OAMR President Scott Stauffer at [email protected].  

4.    Selection Process – The current OAMR president will select the recipient(s) of the BBA from the nominations submitted by the deadline. The selection of award recipients will be the president’s decision alone – there may be years in which there are no BBA recipients. The president has the final decision. 

5.    Recognition – The BBA will be presented at the OAMR annual conference. Award recipients will receive a plaque and one complimentary registration for the following year’s annual conference (non-transferable).

Questions about this award may be submitted to:

Scott Stauffer, MMC

OAMR President

10501 SE Main Street

Milwaukie, OR 97222

(503) 786-7502

[email protected]

President’s Award of Distinction

Exceptional contributions to a Committee or the Association – in the last two years or lifetime. https://oamr.org/Presidents_Award_of_Distinction 

Nominated by any OAMR member.

The President’s Award of Distinction (PAD) recognizes and honors an OAMR member who has made a great contribution to an OAMR committee or has performed exceptional work for OAMR in general. This award acknowledges outstanding service and dedication to the association in various capabilities.

Qualifications:

1.    Eligibility – Any OAMR Member in good standing is eligible to receive the PAD, except for the current president and vice president. “In good standing” means a fully paid member. This award recognizes contributions made during the current or immediately preceding OAMR fiscal year.

2.    Criteria for Evaluation – Nominations will be evaluated based on the significance and impact of the nominee’s contributions in one or more of the following areas:

a.    Exceptional OAMR Committee Work:

                                          i.    Significant leadership within a committee.

                   ii.    Demonstrated commitment and effectiveness in achieving committee goals.

                                       iii.    Development of valuable resources or initiatives for the committee.

                                       iv.    Exceptional dedication and effort in committee activities.

                                        v.    Positive impact on the overall success and productivity of an OAMR committee.

b.    Exceptional OAMR Association Work:

                                          i.    Significant contributions to OAMR programs or education development.

                                        ii.    Demonstrated leadership or initiative in advancing OAMR goals.

                                       iii.    Outstanding efforts in membership recruitment or retention.

                                       iv.    Exceptional service in support of OAMR events or activities.

                                        v.    Other significant contributions that have positively impacted the association.

c.    When applicable, Lifetime Achievement:

                                          i.    While not solely a lifetime achievement award, a long history of significant contributions may be considered.

3.    Nominations – Award nominations are only accepted from OAMR members. Any individual member or board member may submit a confidential nomination to the current president. Nominations must include the following information:

a.    Nominator’s name and contact information.

b.    Nominee’s name, city or agency, contact information, and area(s) of expertise in committee or association work, and/or lifetime achievement.

c.    A written description of the nominee’s exceptional contributions to an OAMR committee or to OAMR that clearly articulates how the nominee’s committee or association work is exceptional.

Nominations are due Tuesday, August 4, 2026, and should be emailed to OAMR President Scott Stuaffer at [email protected].

4.    Selection Process – The current OAMR president will select the recipient(s) of the PAD from the nominations submitted by the deadline. The selection of award recipients will be the president’s decision alone – there may be years in which there are no PAD recipients. The president has the final decision. 

5.    Recognition – The PAD is presented at the OAMR annual conference and includes a plaque and complimentary registration for the following year’s annual conference (non-transferable).

Questions about this award may be submitted to:

Scott Stauffer, MMC

OAMR President

10501 SE Main Street

Milwaukie, OR 97222

(503) 786-7502

[email protected]

Recorder of the Year Award

Significant impacts on a City, the Association, or Profession – in the last two years or lifetime. https://oamr.org/roy

Nominated by city managers, administrators, and mayors. 

The Recorder of the Year (ROY) Award recognizes and celebrates an individual who has made a significant impact on their city or jurisdiction, OAMR, and the municipal recorder profession.

Qualifications:

1.    Eligibility – Any OAMR Member in good standing is eligible, except for the current president and vice president. “In good standing” means a fully paid member. This award recognizes contributions made during the current or immediately preceding OAMR fiscal year.

2.    Criteria for Evaluation – Nominations will be evaluated based on the significance and impact of the nominee’s contributions in one or more of the following areas:

a.    Significant OAMR Committee Work:

                                          i.    Significant leadership within a committee.

                                        ii.    Demonstrated commitment and effectiveness in achieving committee goals.

                                       iii.    Development of valuable resources or initiatives for the committee.

                                       iv.    Exceptional dedication and effort in committee activities.

                                        v.    Positive impact on the overall success and productivity of an OAMR committee.

b.    Significant OAMR Association Work:

                                          i.    Significant contributions to OAMR programs or education development.

                                        ii.    Demonstrated leadership or initiative in advancing OAMR goals.

                                       iii.    Outstanding efforts in membership recruitment or retention.

                                       iv.    Exceptional service in support of OAMR events or activities.

                                        v.    Other significant contributions that have positively impacted the association.

c.    When applicable, Lifetime Achievement:

                                          i.    While not solely a lifetime achievement award, a long history of significant contributions may be considered.

3.    Nominations – Nominations are accepted only from city managers, administrators, or mayors. Nominations must include the following information:

a.    Nominator’s name and contact information.

b.    Nominee’s name, city or agency, and contact information.

c.    A written description of the nominee’s contributions to their city, OAMR, and/or the municipal clerk profession that clearly articulates how the nominee’s contributions to their city, OAMR, and/or the municipal clerk profession.

Nominations are due Tuesday, August 4, 2026, and should be emailed to OAMR President
Scott Stauffer at [email protected]. 

4.    Selection Process – The current OAMR president selects the recipient(s) of the ROY from the nominations submitted by the deadline. The selection of award recipient(s) will be the president’s decision alone – there may be years in which there are no ROY recipients. The president has the final decision. 

5.    Recognition – The ROY Award is presented at the OAMR annual conference. Award recipients will receive a plaque and one complimentary registration for the following year’s annual conference (non-transferable).

Questions about this award may be submitted to:

Scott Stauffer, MMC

OAMR President

10501 SE Main Street

Milwaukie, OR 97222

(503) 786-7502

[email protected]

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Annual Conference Information

Lifting each other up

Claudia Cisneros, CMC, Vice President

It’s finally here! Registration is officially open for the 2026 OAMR Annual Academy and Conference at Chinook Winds Casino & Resort in Lincoln City!

September 22, 2026, through September 25, 2026 - Register Here
Briefly, the schedule is 

Athenian Dialogue - September 22

OAMR Annual Academy – September 23 

Conference Day 1 - September 24 

Conference Day 2 - September 25

Thank you, OAMR and Friends! So far this year, thanks to your support, we have raised almost $1,300 for our organization’s educational scholarship funds. Each year OAMR sets a fundraising goal and with $1,300 raised so far, we are on our way to our $8,000 goal.

To meet our fundraising goal for the year, your Events & Fundraising Committee (EFC) Finance & Fundraising Subcommittee (F&FSC) is hard at work planning some great fundraising activities ahead of our annual conference in Lincoln City. A quick preview of what we’ve done and what is to come is below – we’re looking forward to seeing all of you in September!

Popcorn Fundraiser! Thank you to everyone who participated in our first-ever online popcorn fundraiser. We raised $231.50!

2026 Annual Conference Merchandise! The 2026 conference merch is available in our online store – Lifting Each Other Up merch! Be on the lookout for the items to be available here https://www.bonfire.com/store/oamr-merchandise/ and place your order to wear at Conference!

Online 2 Night Getaway Raffle STILL LIVE! It’s not too late to buy tickets for a wonderful 2 Night Getaway Raffle to Chinook Winds Casino & Resort. The package includes a stay for 2 people, a gift certificate for dining, golf, and a gift shop card. The winner will be drawn on JULY 8. $10 per ticket or 5 for $60 and tickets can be purchased at WWW.OAMR.ORG. SPREAD THE WORD! Thank you to Hanna Bentley, CMC from the City of Warrenton for securing this donation!

Conference Fundraisers… as of the summer newsletter, the F&FSC is looking at doing the annual 50/50 Card Raffle, we’ll have our regional basket/backpacks raffle, we’ll do a heads/tails bead game, a wine pull, and of course our annual silent and live auctions and paddle raise during the Thursday night banquet, with one of the auctions being spending a day with President Scott Stauffer! Start practicing your paddle raising!

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Click www.NinePeaksSolutions.com/OAMR to contact Nine Peaks Solutions

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Welcome New Members

Welcome New Members

By Committee Co-Chairs Stacey Stockhoff, La Grande, and June Hinojosa, Bandon 

On behalf of the Membership Committee, please join us in extending a warm welcome to our new members!

REGION I

Kim Karber, City Admin/Recorder, City of Columbia City.

Stepha Kvokov, Deputy City Recorder, City of Warrenton.

REGION II

Michele Diaz, District Recorder, Oak Lodge Water Services (Oak Grove).

Allison Schwister, Office Administrator, Yamhill Soil & Water Conservation District.

Lacey Townsend, Executive Director, Tualatin Soil & Water Conservation District, recently marked an impressive 20 years with the organization. She started at the District right after finishing her graduate degree in Environmental Management at Portland State University, following earlier studies in marine biology at Oregon State University. She even volunteered in the District office during grad school, long before she knew it would become her professional home.

She would welcome support in expanding her professional network, staying informed about updates to public meeting law, and keeping current with public records requirements.

At home, life is lively with two kids—ages 10 and 13—who keep her moving from one sport to the next. Their dog, Boots, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, rounds out the family. Lacey is a big baseball fan and loves catching Hillsboro Hops games. She also spends a lot of time exploring local natural areas with her kids, especially Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve. And when she needs a little energy boost, her go‑to musical pick‑me‑up is anything from ’90s alternative.

REGION III

Pamela Dornbusch, City Recorder, City of Monmouth began her role on March 1, 2026. She brings nearly four years of experience with the City, having previously served as an Account Technician and also stepped into recorder duties during a temporary vacancy, gaining valuable experience that prepared her for the role. Before entering local government, Pamela worked as an Orthodontic Dental Assistant and later as a Licensed Massage Therapist, owning and operating her own practice.

Pamela looks forward to deepening her knowledge with the support of OAMR and sees the Listserv as an essential resource for staying current and connected.

Raised in Brookings, Pamela later lived on the East Coast before returning to Oregon to raise her children in Coos Bay. She and her husband relocated to Monmouth in 2019 after their kids left the nest. Together, they share a blended family of four grown children, three grandchildren, and two dogs, and they remain closely connected.

Outside of work, Pamela enjoys camping, spending time with friends and family, and visiting her favorite place — the Chetco River in Brookings. Her go‑to boost‑of‑energy song is Soak Up the Sun by Sheryl Crow, and she carries with her the personal motto: “Progress, not perfection.”

Neal Morphis, City Clerk, City of Yachats.

REGION V

Amanda Chavez, City Clerk, City of Lakeside, began her role on June 9, 2025.  She previously held the same position for a short period in 2024, giving her early hands‑on experience with the role. Before entering local government, Amanda worked as a customer service representative for the Coos Bay–North Bend Water Board, building a strong foundation in public service and community support.

Amanda is eager to continue growing in her position, especially in the areas of records management, organization, and municipal procedures. She brings a genuine passion for helping people and values being an active, engaged member of the Lakeside community.

Born and raised in Nevada, Amanda moved to Oregon in 2017 and has made it her home. She has one dog and one cat, loves spending time outdoors, and enjoys hiking whenever she can. She is also in the exciting process of purchasing her first home.

When she needs a boost, Amanda turns to Silver Lining by Kacey Musgraves. She carries with her a personal motto that guides her work and outlook: “Your next move matters more than your last mistake.”

Lorna Jessee, City Clerk/Deputy Recorder, City of Gold Hill, began her role on March 6, 2026. Though new to city government, she brings 26 years of county-level experience with Public Works in HR, Safety, DOT compliance, and IT. Before entering public service, she worked in the private sector with Personnel Employment Service.

Still getting acquainted with the full scope of her responsibilities, Lorna is giving herself time to learn the role before identifying where she may want additional support.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, and raised in a military family, Lorna lived all over the world before settling in Grants Pass in 1999 after a move from Santa Maria, CA. She and her husband, James, share a family of three children and three grandchildren, along with a lively household of pets—two dogs, four cats, a goat, and a couple of chickens.

In her free time, Lorna enjoys reading, gardening, and growing orchids, and she hopes to travel more in the future. She brings warmth, adaptability, and a steady curiosity to her work and her community.

REGION VII

Crystal Rey, City Recorder, City of Spray, has served in her role since November 4, 2014. Although she did not have prior municipal experience before joining the City, she has grown deeply into the position over the past decade. Crystal is committed to continually strengthening her knowledge of policies, rules, and current standards to ensure she is providing the most accurate and up‑to‑date support to her community.

Originally from Alaska, Crystal moved to Oregon in 1991 and spent most of her childhood growing up in Spray. After starting her own family, she returned to the town she loves — drawn back by its close‑knit, family‑oriented spirit and the people who make it feel like home. She is a proud mother of two and a grandmother, and she treasures the deep roots she shares with the community.

Outside of work, Crystal enjoys gardening, riding quads, hiking, and playing volleyball. One of her favorite local spots is Sora Sushi, where she loves to unwind and enjoy good food. Crystal brings dedication, hometown pride, and a genuine love for her community to everything she does in her role with the City of Spray.

Becky Sturm, City Recorder, City of North Powder.

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Call to Leadership

By: Christie Teets, Nominating Committee Chair

At the September 2026 OAMR Business Meeting, the membership will be asked to elect officers for the 2026-2028 term. Offices of Vice President and Directors for Regions I, III, V, and VII will be up for election.

Natasha Johnson, CMC, City of Amity,

Candidate Statement

My name is Natasha Johnson, and I am honored to submit my candidacy for Vice President of the Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders. I would not have had the courage to run for Vice President if it wasn't for the support and amazing friendships from my fellow OAMR family and my amazing Mother-in-Law Karin Johnson who has been my mentor and previously has served as President for OAMR.  

For the past eight years, I have served as a City Recorder for the City 
of Amity, and I joined OAMR in 2019. I have attended the Northwest Clerks Institute (NCI) PDI, PDII and PD III and earned my Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) in 2023, reflecting my dedication to professional development and excellence in our profession.  

My involvement with OAMR has provided me with valuable opportunities to contribute to our organization. Since 2019, I have served on the Special Projects/Fundraising Committee, helping support initiatives that strengthen our association and benefit our members. I also served on the Audit Committee from 2020 to 2021 and the Conference Committee from 2021 to 2022. 

Beyond OAMR, I am an active member of the Oregon Government Finance Association and currently serve as President of the Auxiliary for my local volunteer fire department. These experiences have broadened my understanding of organizational leadership, community service, and volunteer engagement.  

I bring a collaborative leadership style, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to supporting the success of others. I value open communication, thoughtful decision-making, and building connections among professionals across our state. As Vice President, I would work to encourage member involvement, support professional development opportunities, and help advance OAMR's mission of serving and strengthening municipal recorders throughout Oregon.  

I am passionate about our profession and grateful for the opportunities OAMR has provided throughout my career. It would be a privilege to serve as your Vice President and continue working alongside dedicated colleagues to support the future of our association.  

Thank you for your consideration and support. 

Please consider applying for OAMR leadership roles. Our organization gives so much to its members and serving on the Board is a very rewarding way to give back to a fabulous organization.  OAMR provides a leadership mentoring program, so if you feel like you need a mentor to assist with Board or Director development, a mentor can be assigned to you.

Below is a brief summary of the job description for positions available. (You can find complete descriptions on our website at www.oamr.org. Click on “ABOUT OAMR”, then scroll down to “Board Applications”.

The term of office for Region Directors is two years. Duties shall include, but are not limited to:  

·         Attendance at all Board meetings and conferences

·         Encouraging membership in both OAMR and IIMC

·         Encouraging attendance at OAMR mid-year and annual conferences

·         Contributing articles and/or information for inclusion in the OAMR quarterly newsletter

·         Coordinating region basket for fundraising at conference

·         Writing letters of support for members applying for their CMC designation 

Region Director Positions up for election include (covering cities located within the listed counties):

REGION I DIRECTOR: (Clatsop, Columbia, and Tillamook Counties)

REGION III DIRECTOR: (Benton, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, and Polk Counties)

REGION V DIRECTOR: (Coos, Curry, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Lake Counties)

REGION VII DIRECTOR: (Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallow, and Wheeler Counties)

General eligibility criteria are that you must be an active member in good standing and have actively participated on an OAMR committee for two years. 

If you are interested in submitting your name as a candidate for any of the above positions, please complete the following steps, and submit a completed application to the Nominating Committee Chair by Thursday, August 27, at 5:00pm.

·         Declaration of Candidacy Form

·         Candidate Statement

·         Letter of Support from the Mayor or municipality you represent

·         Recent Photograph (high quality digital)

·         Copies of OAMR certificates issued for participation on OAMR Committees for two years, within the past four years.

Information will be provided for publication in the OAMR Newsletter, as well as the Annual Conference program. Elections will be conducted in accordance with Article VI of the OAMR Bylaws at the Annual Conference.

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CMC and MMC Awards

Kat Ricker, Chehalem Park & Recreation District, earns her CMC!

By Crystal Robles, City of Molalla

If there's one word that captures Kat Ricker's approach to her career, it might be forerunner. In her 16 years at Chehalem Park & Recreation District, she has worn more hats than most and she's made each one fit. As the District's first-ever Public Information Director, Kat essentially invented her own role, building what she cheerfully calls a "Recorder-Plus" position from scratch: managing the agency website (and rebuilding it four times, for those keeping score), producing publications, and orchestrating everything from ribbon cuttings to groundbreaking ceremonies for parks and facilities across the District. 

A two-year OAMR member, Kat is already a vocal champion of the organization and she doesn't mince words: "Join!" She credits OAMR's semiannual and annual conferences, the ever-active daily listserv, and the tight-knit community of professionals as genuine gamechangers for anyone in the recorder world. Her certification advice is equally direct: Invest in yourself. The certification is worth it!. She describes OAMR as a place that prioritizes education and fosters "a most remarkable community of stellar professionals who continually engage in supporting one another”.

Outside of work, Kat is as accomplished as she is active: she became the first national and international weightlifting official in Oregon and competed for decades, formed an LLC to teach boxing for fitness in partnership with her park and rec agency, and pursues hiking, kayaking, and creative writing. She notes, with characteristic practicality, that the skills that make a great recorder also tend to make a person successful at just about everything else in life. 

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Region News

rEGION III

Gloria Tucker, CMC, Port of Newport, Region III Director

Hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July. Can you believe 250 years? I struggled to think of some way to make it special. I settled on a Ken Burns' documentary marathon, a letter to myself in 50 years, and going all out on fireworks. In any case, July means it's time for our annual lunch/dinner. Since we've been having them in the valley recently, I decided it was time for y'all to come to Lincoln County. This year's lunch will be at Cafe 235 in Toledo. They have the best Hawaiian food in Oregon. And, if you don't like Hawaiian food, (who are you?) they have Chinese and American options. I'll send out a doodle poll for dates.  

Several of Region III's members just returned from PDI. Lucky ducks! It was absolutely fabulous when I went (2018). If you're thinking about it, go! I will write you a letter! I will get other OAMR folks to write you a letter! High-quality education and lifelong friends. What more can you ask for???

Like Independence and Monmouth, Newport is now looking into bringing a trolley to town. I hope it comes to fruition. (I love trolleys) And, maybe as more cities in Oregon get them, we could have a whole tourism trail, like we do for wine.

Last, but certainly not least, check out this wonderful letter the chair of Newport's Sister City Committee wrote about two amazing women -- Allie Anderson and Sherri Marineau -- to Newport's City Council. ~~

Last month we celebrated our 60th year of friendship with our Sister City Mombetsu Japan. This included a delegation from Mombetsu coming to Newport for multiple days of activities, discussions, cultural exchange, and celebrations.

There were many people that contributed to the success of the recent delegation visit including the Sister City Committee, 60+ center volunteers, local businesses, city staff, and elected officials. It was certainly a group lift that took hundreds of hours in planning and execution.

There are two individuals that I feel deserve special recognition for the enormous amount of work and attention to detail they gave to the Sister City delegation visit. Those individuals are City of Newport employees Allie Anderson and Sherri Marineau. The amount of work these two individuals took on and executed with complete competency was staggering. They made hotel reservations, organized the tree planting ceremony, organized a formal dinner, managed guest lists and RSVP’s, bought gifts, ordered food, paid vendors, staffed Sister City Committee meetings, communicated with our sister city, picked them up at the airport and completed a thousand other tasks. They were simply on top of everything.

While the amount of work they took on and completed was truly amazing, it is not the tasks alone that stand out. It is the two of them as individuals and as representatives of our community that does. Yes, they were competent, but they were also kind, funny, charismatic and simply wonderful to work with. They are the kind of people that are good representatives of what Newport is, the friendliest. I could not imagine better people to represent us in the ongoing communications with our Sister City, and I could not have asked for better staff to work with as a volunteer.

I ask that you recognize them both for their amazing work in cultivating our relationship with Mombetsu and creating a very successful 60th year delegation visit.

Respectfully,
Kaety Jacobson

rEGION v

Winnie Shepard, MMC, City of Medford, Region V Director

Region V held a little elections training on April 3 at Medford City Hall.

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Committee News

scholarship committee

Cathy Nelson, MMC, City of Harrisburg

Hello my fellow OAMR members. We are taking Scholarship Applications for our upcoming 2026 Annual Academy and the 2026 Annual Conference. You can apply for both scholarships. Please indicate on the application form witch scholarship you are applying for and make sure to fill out the portions pertaining to that specific scholarship. Please also remember that you are required to include a letter of support from your agency to be considered for any OAMR scholarship. If awarded one of these scholarships, you will need to sign up for and participate in the Conference Committee during the next year.

2026 Annual Academy Scholarship is $195 and covers the cost of registration.

2026 Annual Conference Scholarship is $385 and covers the cost of registration. If there are funds remaining, we can also award funds to help cover lodging.

Both Scholarships will be accepted from July 1, 2026, through August 15, 2026. Please send all applications and attachments to me at [email protected]

All Scholarship information and applications can be found on the OAMR website or by using this link Oregon Association of Municipal Recorder - Scholarships (oamr.org)

The 81^st Annual IIMC Conference Scholarship applications will be accepted December 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. If interested in applying for one of two available $2000 scholarships to attend our National Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, look over the requirements on the OAMR Scholarship page and watch for more information coming soon. 

BYLaws committee

Aimee Amerson, City Recorder, City of Carlton

Background

The Bylaws committee received an amendment regarding Region Directors from the Board to review for consideration and vote. According to our Bylaws, the amendment needs to go in the summer newsletter for review by the membership prior to our annual business meeting to meet the 20-day notice requirement.

After discussion at the Strategic Planning Group and the OAMR Board meetings, the following changes were suggested. When creating changes, the Board took several factors into account. First, most of OAMR membership is smaller cities. Second, most of Oregon is made of smaller cities. Third, keeping insight and engagement from eastern Oregon and southern Oregon is valuable to OAMR. Fourth, cities benefit from relationships with other cities of similar size, no matter the location. Fifth, members in close proximity to each other create relationships on their own. Sixth, the distribution of members should be as even as possible. Seventh, membership expansion should be expected for the future.

We ask that you, the membership, review the proposed amendment for a vote at the upcoming business meeting at the annual conference. Thank you for your time.

ARTICLE V - OFFICES AND TERMS OF OFFICE

Section 2. Representatives:

Six Representatives, one for each designated population category in the State, shall be elected for a term of three years, with Representatives I and IV, II and V, and III and VI rotating years for elections and term dates.

Designated population categories are: Representative I (4,999 or Less within the counties of Gilliam, Wheeler, Morrow, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Baker, Grant, or Malheur), Representative II (4,999 or Less within the counties of Coos, Curry, Douglas, Josephine, Jackson, Klamath, Lake, or Harney), Representative III (4,999 or Less within any Oregon county not listed), Representative IV (5,000-19,999 within any Oregon county), Representative V (20,000-49,999 within any Oregon county), Representative VI (50,000 or More within any Oregon county).

Special Districts and cities that cross county lines and are 4,999 or Less will be assigned to the representative associated with the City Hall or headquarter location. Members in any area may attend meetings in any area they choose but may only hold the office of representative within their designated population category. The Nominating Committee will ensure eligibility via census data at the time of nomination.

Section 6. Powers and Duties

Representatives shall represent the members in their population category and carry out the responsibilities and duties as determined by the Board. Representatives are encouraged to hold a minimum of one virtual meeting per year and create teams to assist in their duties.

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IIMC Update

Region IX Directors Marc Donohue and Shawn Campbell are excited to host the upcoming Lunch Time with Region IX virtual event on Thursday, August 13, 2026 @ 11:00 a.m. Alaska Time / 12:00 p.m. PT!

You can register for the event by clicking here. During this event, we’ll be providing updates on everything related to IIMC and answering any questions that you might have.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Apply to Become The Next

IIMC Region IX Director

By: Christie Teets, Nominating Committee Chair

On behalf of the Nominating Committee, it is an honor to announce that applications for IIMC Region IX Director are now available!

Interested individuals shall complete all application forms and submit them to Nominating Committee Chair, Christie Teets; President, Scott Stauffer, and Vice President, Claudia Cisneros for consideration no later than, August 28 at 12:00pm.

Please note there are two forms to submit:

·         IIMC Region Director Application

·         OAMR Region IX Director Application Addendum

For applicant review and consideration are:

·         IIMC Region IX Director Custom Job Description

·         IIMC Directors’ Responsibilities – IIMC Chapter 2.30

·         Excerpt from the Nominating Committee Chair Job Description related to IIMC Region IX Director

·         IIMC Website link to Election of Region Directors

In addition, an OAMR Region IX Candidate Forum has been scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 12:00-1:00p.m. via Zoom. Mark your calendars! You’ll have an opportunity to meet the candidates prior to conference! Elections will take place at the Annual Business Meeting on September 24, 2026.

Please contact Nominating Committee Chair, Christie Teets, for applications or go to the OAMR website. Thank you!

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Representatives

OAMR Board Members Pictured Above

Front row (L-R): Vice President Claudia Cisneros, CMC; Secretary Melissa Bisset, MMC; Region IV Director Allyson Pulido; & Immediate Past President Kayla Duddy, MMC

Back row (L-R): Region III Director Gloria Tucker, CMC; Region VI Director Keli Pollock; Treasurer Kim Herring; Region I Director Lisa Scholl, MMC; Region II Director Krystal Stevens; and President Scott Stauffer, MMC

2025-2026 OAMR Board

2025-2026 OAMR COMMITTEE CHAIRS

IIMC Region IX
alaska * California * Oregon * Washington * Hawaii

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Mission Statement

The mission of the Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders is to enhance the quality of our office and to encourage dedication to our profession, by providing educational experiences of the highest quality as well as promote the professionalism of the office of municipal recorder.

Newsletter Submission Deadlines

Fall 2026 - October 23, 2026

Winter 2027 - December 11, 2026

Spring 2027 - March 5, 2027

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