International Buddy Program

The objective of this program is to provide an opportunity for IIMC members to connect with colleagues in other countries to discuss matters of mutual interest.

To join the International Buddy Program Facebook group, click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/iimcintlbuddy. If you are already a member of another IIMC Facebook group, you will be automatically approved.

Listed below is a table of members who would like to connect with similar minded colleague.

CountryNameEmail
Council
Population
Budget
Purposes/
Topics of Interest/
Objectives

Added
Canada
Carolyn Mushata
cmushata@sooke.ca


15,000$1 millionAnything2021.08.03
CanadaDawn Chaplindchaplin@torbay.ca

Town of Torbay, NL7899$13 millionPolicies and procedures2021.08.03
Canada

Kerianne Poulsenkpoulsen@sechelt.ca

District of Sechelt, BC11,000$33 millionOverview of clerk services in other areas (I'm new!), Business Improvement Areas, best practice for policy development
2021.08.03
Netherlands
Ruurd Palstra

rpalstra@velsen.nl

Velsen70,000 €200 million
comparative governance, role of council clerk, innovative ideas on technology
2021.08.03
South AfricaWinnie Baloyiwinnie.baloyi@tzaneen.gov.za

Greater Tzaneen Municipality416,488R1.6 billion
How to ensure the effectiveness of Council meetings versus the use of advanced technology
2021.08.03
South Africa
Reply Mkhwanazi
replymkhwanazi@gmail.com

Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality - RSA
127,000


Good governance2021.11.24
South AfricaZanele Mkhwanazi
zani23366@gmail.com

Sekhukhune District Municipality
1,200,000
Learn about integrated planning and ethical local governance; Digital space is now an effective platform in interacting with global community in matters of interest.2021.11.24
United KingdomAndrew James McKenzieandrew.mckenzie@dawlish.gov.uk


16,000554,664
Community engagement, community cohesion, democratic processes, procedural matters, town council finances
2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Bruce PooleBruce.poole02@gmail.com; Parishclerk@bleadonparishcouncil.co.uk

Bleadon Parish Council Somerset1000£66,000
Education of colleagues and internationalise the profession; promote the aspect of Internationalism with Clerks2021.08.03
United KingdomCathy Voycecatherine@systontowncouncil.gov.uk


Syston Town Councilcirca 16,000£550,000
Parks, cemeteries, allotments, community hall--management and promotion, reaching out to the public, social media, council meetings, attracting councillors, keeping councillors engaged, dealing with difficult people, customer service skills 2021.08.16
United KingdomClare McRoyclerk@hatfield-tc.gov.uk

Hatfield Town Council, South Yorkshire
14,000£200k
Cemetery and play equipment management, how to lower vandalism, mandatory councillor training
2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Hayley Caves
hayley.caves@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Dorset Council
375,000£300 million
Support offered to elected officials, learning and development for elected members, political awareness skills.
2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Hayley Goldson
chedgrave.pc@gmail.com

Dorset Council
Approximately 1,000Precept approx £27,000
Exchange of ideas, ear about how other councils operate2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Helen Klaassen
council@bransgore-parish.gov.uk

Bransgore Parish Council
circa 4500
£106,000
To connect with and learn from other Clerks worldwide2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Helen Symmons
helen.symmons@leighonseatowncouncil.gov.uk

Leigh-on-Sea Town Council
22,000£600,000
Broaden knowledge, interested in how others work, always looking to improve services for our residents2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Jennifer Childsjennifer.childs@folkestone-tc.gov.uk

Folkestone Town Council
50,000£900k
Museums, parks, CCTV, Allotments, Tourism2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Katie Waldingclerk@sway-pc.gov.uk

Sway Parish Council, Hampshire County
350085,000Share ideas and offer support and learn from peers2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Lance Allan
lance.allan@trowbridge.gov.uk

Trowbridge Town Council
40,000GB£
5million
Sharing experiences, training opportunities2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Leanna McPherson
leanna.mcpherson@lbbd.gov.uk

London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
212906

I attended an IIMC conference a few years back and enjoyed talking to so many different people about how their areas work I would just really like to carry on those conversations!
2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Linda Larter
townclerk@sevenoakstown.gov.uk


20,000£2m approx
Learning and sharing experiences2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Mark Williams
mark@falmouthtowncouncil.com

Falmouth Town Council,
26,000£3million
Delivering in partnership; Devolution of assets and services from others; Building capacity; Community resilience
2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Nick Mills
nicholas.mills@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Cambridgeshire County Council
860,000£630m
interest in South American local government (I speak Spanish, so that would help if communicating with colleagues from the region)
2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Paul Hodson
townclerk@buckingham-tc.gov.uk

Buckingham Town Council
15,000£930k
Neighbourhood Planning, Climate emergency plan, sustainable development, University town relationships, cultural strategy development, Spoken word arts (Bard of Buckingham), Flood emergency planning, Historic Market Town development, Town Centre Manager,  Market development, Parks and Open spaces, Solar panels, Covid recovery, historic museum..
2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Pauline Whitehead
pw@twentyoneseven.co.uk

North Horsham Parish Council
24,000£350,000
To learn more about councils in other countries.
2021.08.03
United Kingdom
Sheridan Jacklin-Edward
clerk@henleytowncouncil.gov.uk

Henley-on Thames Town Council
12,000

£630k

Budget: £1.7m


Engaging with communities / innovative ideas for tackling common issues / learning from different cultural approaches to local democracy
2021.08.03
United KingdomJoe Cooneyjoe.cooney@keighley.gov.uk


57,000£630,000
Sharing of best practice and ideas
2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Kate Egan
clerk@stokestmichaelpc.org 

Stokes St Michael
700£25k

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Catherine Purvesparishclerk@idmistonpc.org 

Idmiston
4,000£70k

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Julia Warrenjulia.warren@wheathampstead-pc.gov.uk 

Wheathampstead
6,401
£264,241


2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Peter Evanspeter.evans@aldenham-pc.gov.uk 

Aldenham
10,000£683k

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Christopher Drakecwdrake37@gmail.com 

Launceston  
13,000£765,000 and budget of £1m

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Helen BojaniwskaHelen.Bojaniwska@stroudtown.gov.uk 

Stroud
13,828£735880

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Neil Hitchclerk@petersfield-tc.gov.uk 

Petersfield
15,000£850k

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Shar Roselmantownclerk@newport-pagnell.org.uk 

Newport Pagnell
18,000£800k
Very interested in this, particularly South Africa, as I was born there but happy to buddy up anywhere. Precept over £800,000 but associated income from Leisure Service providers makes our income over £2M, apart from this year when Covid struck. Population 18000 rising with new build.
2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Alison Benfield
clerk@stivestowncouncil.gov.uk 

St. Ives
18,000£800k

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Ian Morrisimoysterboy@gmail.com 

Peterlee
20,000£1.3m
New Town, budget £2.5m+, area of multiple deprivation, 83% of residents living in CT Band A or B homes
2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Terry Philpotttownclerk@waretowncouncil.gov.uk

Ware20,000£1.1m

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Bill Richardstownclerk@chesham.gov.uk 

Chesham21,000£997k

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Sharon Petelasharon.petela@bradleystoke.gov.uk 

Bradley Stoke21,000£815k

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Mark WilliamsMarkWilliams@falmouthtowncouncil.com 

Falmouth25,000£2.7m

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Philip Peacockphilip.peacock@huntingdontown.gov.uk 

Huntingdon

25,000£1.4m

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Joseph Whelanjoseph.whelan@hertford.gov.uk 

Hertford26,000£1,237,289

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Stuart Cartertownclerk@eveshamtowncouncil.gov.uk 

Evesham27,000£582k

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Janet WheelerJWheeler@didcot.gov.uk 

Didcot29,000£1,144,053
Population 29,000 and growing (Didcot Garden Town is predicted to be around 60,000 when finished!)
2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Sharon Grothsharon.groth@witney-tc.gov.uk 

Witney29,000£1.4m

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Helen BallHelen.Ball@shrewsburytowncouncil.gov.uk 

Shrewsbury70,000£3.6m

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Malcolm Nicholson
malcolm.nicholson@wsm-tc.gov.uk 

Weston-super-Mare
77,000£2,567,277

2021.11.24
United Kingdom
Hanneke Soansassistant@irlingborough-tc.gov.uk 

Irthlingborough Town Council


Interested in a Dutch buddy please
2021.11.24
United StatesAmy Warfield
awarfield@burlington.org

Burlington, Massachusetts26,555156 M
Leadership development; team development; election
2021.08.03
United States
April Beggerow
abeggerow@plantation.org

City of Plantation, Florida94,000$710,774 department budget $235,000,000 city budget
general topics, I'm sure there are big differences between countries
2021.08.03
United States
April Sousa
asousa@mckinleyvillecsd.com

McKinleyville Comm. Services District, California17,000
Community services/Water/Wastewater/Parks and Recreation - Board policies for all of these.
2021.08.03
United States
Barbara M Harrison
bharrison@chicagoridge.org


14,305$20 millionLocal Economy, Transparency, Diversity and New Technology
2021.08.03
United States
Becky Tellier
voftheresa@gmail.com

Village Board1,256
Elections, Budget, Ordinances/Resolutions
2021.08.03
United States
Camilla Pitman
cpitman@chreenvillesc.gov

Greenville, South Carolina74,000

2021.08.03
United States
Cara Dahill
cara.dahill@carverma.gov

Carver, Massachusetts10,780168,000Elections Integrity  (Election process in Ireland )
2021.08.03
United States
Cari Johnson
clerk@emily.net

Emily City Council854$1,257,700Options for increasing positive relationship with Council and public, targeting a specific group of tourists to visit City, challenges of economic development while maintaining a small town feel.
2021.08.03
United States
Carol Chasesummerhilltown@gmail.com

Summerhill, New York
1,211440,000Rural life and public participation in matters2021.08.03
United States
Chad Daggettchad@chelan-douglas.org

Chelan-Douglas Transportation Council
40,000$716,000I would like to learn about the Chief Clerk of the House of Lords in the Parliament of the United Kingdom
2021.08.03
United States
David Carnahandcarnahan@sunnyvale.ca.gov

City of Sunnyvale, California
156,503$516 millionManaging Board and Commission terms and member requirements. Most any Clerk topic.
2021.08.03
United States
Debbie Burkedburke@cityofml.com


35,000$96 millionI plan on going on a future Travel Abroad and it would be great to learn a little about other countries before that adventure
2021.08.03
United States
Elizabeth Butlerelizabeth.butler@cityofomaha.org

City of Omaha
~700,000Department ~$900,000; City ~ $1,129,629,695
Understanding of concerns big cities have in other countries. Interested to see if problems are the same or different2021.08.03
United States
Elizabeth Garcia-Beckfordegbeckford@nlauderdale.org

North Lauderdale, Florida
45,000
Records Management, Historic Preservation of city history
2021.08.03
United States
Ethan Watsonewatson@cabq.gov

City of Albuquerque, Albuquerque New Mexico
1 million$1.2 billionElections, public records requests
2021.08.03
United States
Gloria D. Harpergharper@sealbeachca.gov

City of Seal Beach City Council, Seal Beach, California
25,000$62 millionIncrease global connections and bridge the gap between international Clerks and the community
2021.08.03
United States
Holly Martinezhmartinez@ci.alamosa.co.us

City of Alamosa, Colorado
9,000UnsureConnecting with other countries on processes, trainings, creating more of a worldwide network.
2021.08.03
United States
Jessica Lynne Hiltsjessica.hilts@westerville.org


39,242
Mentorship/ Record Retention/ Special Events Permitting / Education / Public Service
2021.08.03
United States
Jill Domingojadomingo@cityofalbionmi.gov

Albion City
8,800$4.6 millionProcedures for Clerks Office
2021.08.03
United States
Joseph A. Kosteckijoseph.kostecki@boroughofsouthtomsriver.com

Borough of South Toms River
3,800$5.3 millionPen pal2021.08.03
United States
Keith Hookerkhooker@toknc.com

Town of Kernersville
26,000$39,000,000Learn about other countries, what their clerks do, and get to know people
2021.08.03
United States
Kelley Millar
kelley.millar@townofupton.com

Town of Upton, Wyoming
1,106$3 millioncommunication on unpopular matters, fostering a volunteering spirit in staff
2021.08.03
United States
Kim Meltzer
k.meltzer@clintontownship-mi.gov

Charter Township of Clinton
103,0003 millionDemocratic election processes2021.08.03
United States
Kristen Puhalainen
kpuhalainen@atlantisfl.gov

City of Atlantis, Florida
2,0105.6 millionCommunity interaction, governing body interaction, scope of duties
2021.08.03
United States
Kristi Morrow
kmorrow@friscotexas.gov

City of Frisco
209,184586 millionArchiving/Preservation of Records over 100 years old and general procedures.
2021.08.03
United States
Laural Casey
laural@olwsd.org

Oak Lodge Water Services District
29,000$40.6 millionRecords, public meetings, general workload management2021.08.03
United States
Lauren Linker
lelinker@cabarruscounty.us

Cabarrus County
216,000280,000,000Learning2021.08.03
United States
Linda McKinney
linda.mckinney@hollyspringsnc.gov

Town of Holly Springs, North Carolina
42,000$7.6 millionDealing with conflicts on Council; managing a city cemetery; increasing diversity2021.08.03
United States
Linda Troyan
linda.troyan@cityofrc.us


188,000$150 millionElections, records management, electronic agenda2021.08.03
United States
Lisa Cassity
lcassity@richmond.ky.us

Richmond, Kentucky Board of Commissioners
34,000$28 millionRecords management, preserving the city history, meeting packet process2021.08.03
United States
Lisa Stites
lstites@ci.oak-island.nc.us

Town of Oak Island, North Carolina
8,200$44 millionLearn about how government works in another part of the world2021.08.03
United States
Lori Matley
lmatley@sanjacintoca.gov

City of San Jacinto, California
50,000
Travel, work, family2021.08.03
United States
Lucinda Williams
lucindaw@cityoffullerton.com

Fullerton, California140,000$110 millionRecords, technology, parliamentary procedure2021.08.03
United States
Mandy Walters
mandy.walters@southsound911.org

Pierce County
904,980
If there are any other Clerks for 911 centers, it would be great to connect!2021.08.03
United StatesMarcia Brown
mbrown@yorbalindaca.gov


67,000$40,000,000Share best practices, discuss elections, our similarities and differences2021.08.03
United States
Marie A Moe
marie.moe@portagewi.gov


10,132$22,700,000Elections, citizen engagement, general operation2021.08.03
United States
Mary Johnston
mary.johnston@westerville.org

City of Westerville, Ohio
40,000$210 millionPublic records; records management2021.08.03
United States
Melissa Chosewood
mchosewood@hiram-ga.gov

City of Hiram, Georgia
4,000$3.5 millionTo learn new/different ways of doing things better2021.08.032021.08.03
United States
Mina D. Barberis
mina.barberis@norfolk.gov

City of Norfolk, Virginia
250,000$975,000,000Citizen engagement/communications2021.08.03
United States
Roxanne Breceda
rbreceda@accessduarte.com


21,721$26,892,200General tasks, Redistricting, CW retention schedule2021.08.03
United States
Sandra Kandell
skandell@cityofpacificgrove.org

City of Pacific Grove
15,522$39.8 millionFilling open seats on Boards, Commissions, Committees; encouraging majority public involvement-not just minority; working for a divided council; records management2021.08.03
United States
Sarai Byrd Allen
sballen@selma-nc.com

Selma, North Carolina
7,000$247 millionGeneral discussions regarding comparisons in tasks and responsibilities2021.08.03
United States
Sharon K Cassler
clerkofcouncil@cambridgeoh.org


11,000$26,650,633Best practices; citizen involvement; recruiting volunteers; municipal parks & recreation programs2021.08.03
United States
Sharon M Knight
toaclerk@frontiernet.net


7,200$1.3 millionSolar/learn about other countries2021.08.03
United States
Shelby Haganshagan@cityofbondurant.com

City of Bondurant, Iowa
5,493
Just interested in growing my network and learning from other Clerks2021.08.03
United States
Stephanie G. Carrara
scarrara@stoughton-ma.gov


25,000 +/-$108,329,489Seeing how the process works in overseas Clerks' offices. Seeing if something they do could be applied in my office.2021.08.03
United States
Steven B. Wood
swood@farmvilleva.com

Farmville, Virginia
8,216$22,000,000Interested in the International Clerk Community. I am a fairly new Clerk. Topics: Board recruitment, meeting facilitation2021.08.03
United States
Susan Jackson
sjackson@inverness.gov

Inverness, Florida
7,400$45,776,500To share our experiences, etc.2021.08.03
United States
Suzanne Welsh
swelsh@avamissouri.org

Ava, Missouri

2,997$12,043,416How do you manage keeping up with ordinances when it seems like so many things are changing so fast.
2021.08.03
United States
Twila Lycette
tlycette@lisbonme.org


10,000Town Budget totals $9 Million (Clerk-$180,000)
Interests include different storage & retrieval systems, permitting procedures, & genealogy techniques.
2021.08.03
United States
Vida P. Barone
vbaone@cerritos.us

City of Cerritos, California
50,462$112,900,000Encouraging and expanding opportunities for civic engagement; inclusivity; increasing opportunities for youth civic engagement
2021.08.03
United States
Karen Hayesclerk@crescentcity-fl.com


1500$1,899,879.99
Minutes and proclamations; new Clerk

2021.11.24
United States
Dianne K. Bucco
townclerk@manchester.ma.us

Board of Selectmen - USA
5000

Network2021.11.24
United StatesCourtnie Louia
cityclerk@conwayspringsks.com


1200
Education2021.11.24
United States
Kassi J Mackie
kassi.mackie@ci.longview.wa.us


35,000$219 Million BiennialRecords management; public records requests, contract management; virtual discussions featuring groups <5 on specific topics.2021.11.24
United States
Mitzi Allen
mallen@cedartowngeorgia.gov

City of Cedartown, Georgia10,190$15,000,000Best Practices with other Cities, learning about abnormal circumstances that occur during meetings that make you think when your writing your minutes up. I would love to have interactions with my international brother and sister clerks!
2021.11.24
United States
Jill Gruppen
jgruppen@hudsonville.org


7629
Learning- I'm a new Clerk; Elections
2021.11.24
United States
Kari Graber
kgraber@hiawatha-iowa.com

City of Hiawatha7,024$22,593,854Interested in sharing experiences and learning how the processes work in the clerk's office overseas and if anything could be applied in our office.
2021.11.24
United States
Shelley Neis
sneis@losgatosca.gov


33,000$47 millionFilling board and commission openings, community outreach and engagement, best use of technology
2021.11.24
United States
Kathrine G. Coviello
kcoviello@mahwahtwp.org


24,000
Council Meetings, Distribution of Materials to Council, what they do different than what I do
2021.11.24
United States
Jenna De Long
jdelong@losgatosca.gov

Town of Los Gatos
30,000
Share stories, learn the roles of Clerks in other countries, most anything else; virtual tea and cookies
2021.11.24
United States
Diane M Pflugfelder
clerk@libertytownship.org

Liberty Township, Warren County, NJ
2,8512.033 millionpromoting your municipality, initiating new programs; virtual meetings with smaller groups for everyone's involvement
2021.11.24
United States
Rachael Telesca
rtelesca@cityofsafetyharbor.com

Safety Harbor, Florida18,000$73 millionElections, Budget, Records Management, Boards; Originally from London, UK (South Kent) and would like to share both local and international ideas, best practices, new technologies. Looking forward to connecting.
2021.11.24
United States
Tana Ward
tward@myrantoul.com

Village of Rantoul, Illinois
13,000$51,000,000Global Connections, Technology, Licensing, Innovative Ideas; More courses available via video conferencing will aid in this process. The more options for connection will increase global diversity and awareness within our communities.2021.11.24

If you would like to be added to this list, please click HERE to submit a form with the following information:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Council/authority and country
  • Population of your council area
  • Budget of your council area
  • Purposes/topics of interest/objectives (please limit to 75 characters)

In submitting your details, you agree that IIMC members may contact you at the email address provided. It is your responsibility to contact Karen Lee with contact detail changes. 

If you no longer want to participate in this program--or if you make the connections you seek and no longer want to share your contact information--please contact Karen Lee so that IIMC may remove your details.  

IIMC reserves the right to remove your contact details at any time.


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