About us
History
With our first organizational meeting on November 11, 1976 at the Institute of Government, Chapel Hill, the NCACC was formed to provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and techniques used in the performance of the Clerks’ duties, to obtain information on the operation of the respective departments in the 100 counties of the state, to obtain knowledge on existing and new federal and state programs and laws affecting county government, to keep abreast of new trends implemented in and by county governments in the state and to promote, create and improve efficiency in the operations and record keeping of the Clerks’ office throughout the state of North Carolina.
Mission
Our goal is to create a professional organization that would give opportunities for Clerks to exchange ideas/information and initiate plans for continuing organizational activities, formulate specific projects to help develop strong leadership and to separate the position of Clerk to the Board of Commissioners from other positions which had historically performed the duties of Clerk, i.e., Register of Deeds, Finance Officer, Manager.
Contacts
Officers and Board of Directors
Directory
There are many names and many faces to remember! The Directory of County Clerks & Deputy Clerks gives you a unique opportunity. It will assist in helping you to begin putting faces with names or just prove as a refresher from those you’ve met in the past. It is also a great networking tool! Updates to the directory may be submitted to Melissa Long.
Committees
The NCACC President will appoint all committees and has the duty to see that all committees function effectively.
There are currently 18 Committees: Nominating, Outstanding Clerk, Program, Site Selection, Scholarship, Membership, Homepage, Newsletter, Historian, Professional Development, State Certification, Scrapbook, Records Retention, Goody Bag, Door Prize, Hospitality and Directory.
Members should contact the President if they are interested in serving on any committees and/or note their interest on the membership form.
2024-25 Committees
- Bylaws Committee
Phyllis Nowlen, Chair, Cleveland County
Close accordion
Katie Mosher, Beaufort County
Dale Stiles, Catawba County
Debbie Harris, Davidson County
Ashleigh Matthews, Forsyth County
Kristine Smith, Mecklenburg County
Melissa Long, New Hanover County
Kym Crowell, New Hanover County
Toni Womack, Wake County - Clerks’ Reference Guide
Debbie Harris, Chair, Davidson County
Close accordion
Kym Crowell, New Hanover County
Trisha-Ann Hoskins, Duplin County
Debra Ivey, Southwestern Commission COG
Katie Mosher, Beaufort County
Phyllis Nowlen, Cleveland County
Toni Womack, Wake County
Kat Wright, Burke County
Melissa Long, New Hanover County - Communications Committee
Maria Hass, Chair, Cherokee County
Close accordion
Melissa Long, New Hanover County
Kat Wright, Burke County
Dale Stiles, Catawba County
Lindsay Ray, Chatham County
Phyllis Nowlen, Cleveland County
Arlissa Eason, Mecklenburg County
Angela Dean, Nash County
Debra Ivey, Southwestern Commission COG
Paula Pulley, Warren County
Monica Wallace, Durham County
- Fundraising Committee
Katie Mosher, Chair, Beaufort County
Close accordion
Maria Hass, Cherokee County
Phyllis Nowlen, Cleveland County
Debbie Harris, Davidson County
Dana Cuddington, Johnston County
Melissa Long, New Hanover County
Lexi Stanfield, Pender County
Debra Ivey, Southwestern Commission COG
Trisha Hogan, Transylvania County - History Committee
Lindsay Ray, Chair, Chatham County
Close accordion
Trisha-Ann Hoskins, Duplin County
Katie S. Mitchell, Piedmont Triad Regional COG
Dale Stiles, Catawba County - Membership Committee
Debbie Harris, Chair, Davidson County
Close accordion
Maria Hass, Cherokee County
Ashleigh Matthews, Forsyth County
Melissa Capps, Harnett County
Kristine Smith, Mecklenburg County
Angela Dean, Nash County
Paula Pulley, Warren County
- Nominating Committee
Lindsay Ray, Chair, Chatham County
Close accordion
Debbie Harris, Davidson County
Ashley Matthews, Forsyth County
Julie Bennett, Washington County - Outstanding Clerk of the Year Committee
Donna Buff, Chair, Gaston County
Close accordion
Trisha Hogan, Transylvania County
Kimberly Hines, Pitt County
Debbie Harris, Davidson County
Penny Owens, Tyrrell County - Professional Development and Conference Planning Committee
Phyllis Nowlen, Chair, Cleveland County
Melissa Long, New Hanover County
Maria Hass, Cherokee County
Lindsay Ray, Chatham County
Jenifer Johnson, Chatham County
Dorothy Tyson, Scotland County
Katie Mosher, Beaufort County
Dale Stiles, Catawba County
Melissa Capps, Harnett County- Goody Bags Subcommittee
Dana Cuddington, Chair, Johnston County
Close accordion
Susan Reeves, Johnston County
Kayla Whitley, Wayne County
Melissa Capps, Harnett County
Angela Dean, Nash County
Lexi Stanfield, Pender County - Registration Subcommittee
Debbie Harris, Chair, Davidson County
Close accordion
Paula Pulley, Caswell County
Melissa Capps, Harnett County
Abby Rich, Caldwell County
Kat Wright, Burke County
Lexi Stanfield, Pender County
- Goody Bags Subcommittee
- Scholarship Committee
Melissa Long, Chair, New Hanover County
Close accordion
Julie Bennett, Washington County
Kristine Smith, Mecklenburg County
Lindsay Ray, Chatham County
Katie Mosher, Beaufort County - State Certification Committee
Kym Crowell, Chair, New Hanover County
Close accordion
Melissa Long, New Hanover County
Phyllis Nowlen, Cleveland County
Clerk of the Year Award
Gaston County Clerk Donna Buff Named 2023 Clerk of the Year
Gaston County Clerk to the Board Donna Buff was presented the 2023 Howard Holly Outstanding Clerk of the Year Award on April 11, 2024, during the North Carolina Association of County Clerks Annual Conference in Cleveland County. The conference banquet was held at Spinning Leaf at the Vineyard in Shelby.
Donna Buff has worked for Gaston County since 2008. She was appointed Clerk to the Board in 2012. In addition to the numerous committees over the years, she has served as a member of the Associations’ Board of Directors and Executive Committee and was President of the Association from 2020-2021. She has achieved the designation of North Carolina Master County Clerk through the North Carolina Association of County Clerks.
The Howard Holly Outstanding Clerk Award is presented in recognition of accomplishments superior to accepted standards and distinguished continuing contributions to county government in North Carolina.
Congratulations Donna!
- Previous Clerk of the Year Awards
Close accordionYear Name County Served as President 2022 Trisha Hogan Transylvania 2021-22 2021 Kimberly Hines Pitt 2017-18 2020 Penny Owens Tyrrell N/A 2019 Debbie Harris Davidson 2022-23 2018 Julie Bennett Washington 2016-2017 2017 Paula Woodard Johnston 2015-16 2016 Kristen King Franklin 2014-15 2015 Gaynell Lee Lee N/A 2014 Carolyn Barger Rowan 2013-14 2013 Kathy Greene Caldwell 2009-10 2012 Debby Core Brunswick 2011-12 2011 Jeanette Deese Carteret 2010-11 2010 Marcia Wilson Wayne N/A 2009 Gwen Bryan Craven 2003-04 2008 Brenda Hunter Davie 2007-08 2007 Elizabeth “Libby” Corn Henderson 2006-07 2006 Kathy Hughes Buncombe 2005-06 2005 Kay Blanchard Harnett 2004-05 2004 Susan Banks Pitt 1998-99 2003 Pam Robertson Rockingham 2002-03 2002 Lois Askew Washington 1993-94 2001 Joyce Ennis Johnston 2000-01 2000 Wanda Smith Caldwell 1997-98 1999 Sandra Catherwood Vance 1996-97 1998 Betty Blankenship Caldwell 1997-98 1997 Marsha Fogle Cumberland 1987-88 1996 Ida Smith Columbus 1992-93 1995 Barbara Moore Union 1994-95 1994 Charles Mashburn Alexander 1991-92 1993 Bobbie Wilson Granville 1989-90 1992 Alice Fortner Iredell 1979-80 1991 Jane Cole Forsyth 1983-84 1990 Oleta Lopez Hoke 1989 Odessa Johnson Rockingham 1985-86 1988 Norma Bodsford Guilford 1988-89 1987 Lucie Harrell New Hanover 1986-87 1986 None Listed in History N/A N/A 1985 Eleanor Creech Johnston N/A 1984 Judy Matthews Transylvania 1980-81 1983 Virginia Edwards Carteret N/A 1982 Belinda Formyduval Onslow 1982-83 1981 Rachel Goins Stanly 1981-82
Minutes, Forms & Resources
- Minutes
2022
2021
2020
- Business Meeting Minutes – March 25, 2020 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – August 14, 2020 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – November 19, 2020 (PDF)
2019
- Business Meeting Minutes – March 21, 2019 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – August 23, 2019 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – November 14, 2019 (PDF)
2018
2017
- Business Meeting Minutes – January 19, 2017 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – April 6, 2017 (PDF)
- Business Meeting Minutes – August 11, 2017 (PDF)
2016
Close accordion
Membership
Dear Fellow Clerks and COG Secretaries:
It is time to renew your annual membership in the North Carolina Association of County Clerks to the Boards of County Commissioners. If you have never joined this wonderful organization, I would like to invite you to consider it now. Dues are payable during the first quarter of each calendar year and should be remitted by September 30.
Membership in the Association continues to gain ground and you will surely benefit from taking advantage of the improved benefits and vital training offered to Clerks. The benefits from our professional organization, which is an affiliate of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, include:
Training through the Association and in conjunction with the School of Government (SOG)
Ever increasing legislation adds layers of complexity to our roles as Clerks. Training events are structured to ensure we stay abreast of those changes and the way in which they affect our profession and our boards of commissioners. We are ever mindful of the need to render sound management practices.
SOG November Clerks Academies
Topics for the annual SOG Clerk Academies are chosen by the Association and also by the NC Association of Municipal Clerks. Who better to suggest topics for training than those of us who are in the trenches on a daily basis and are in need of the most accurate and up to date information available? We constantly strive to improve the administration of our offices and the topics selected for the January Clerks School offer sound management practices to help achieve our goals.
North Carolina Certified County Clerks (NCCCC) and North Carolina Master County Clerk (NCMCC)
The Association and the SOG listened to county clerks across the state and responded to the need for a state certification program for county clerks. The program focuses on objectives that are more relevant to county government. The first inaugural class was recognized by the Dean of the SOG during the January Clerks School in January 2010. The certification may be used in conjunction with, or replace, the Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) and Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) designation conferred by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
Scholarships
For clerks who need financial assistance in attending the Annual Conference, there are scholarships available. If your county has limited funds for educational training, or has imposed travel restrictions, please apply for a scholarship.
Membership Fee
We can never learn too much. The $55 membership fee is a wonderful bargain in exchange for the knowledge, training, networking, and certifications to be gained for our professional development. Download a membership application (PDF) and mail it with the $55 fee to the address listed on the application.
Respectfully,
Debbie Harris
Clerk to the Board
Davidson County Board of Commissioners
NC Association of County Clerks Membership Committee, Chair