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.
All Upcoming Events
- Letter from the President
Letter from the President
Spring 2022
First of all, I would like to say thank you for allowing me to serve as your President for 2022-2023. I am truly humbled by the honor. It is hard to believe how fast the past five years have flown by since I became a member of the Board of Directors for the Association. It seems like just yesterday that I sat in nervous excitement, wide-eyed and full of wonder at my first Board of Directors Meeting in 2017. Several years have passed, but I still sit wide-eyed and full of wonder at the amount of talent, intelligence, and experience that sits around me at our Board of Directors and Association Meetings. We are truly fortunate to have such a hard-working, engaged group of professionals in our ranks. Thank you all for your dedication and the good work you do for your counties, COGs, and citizens each and every day.
It was wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces at our Annual Conference at Great Wolf Lodge in Concord in March. The conference was great and the banquet at the Charlotte Motor Speedway was amazing!
We gathered some great input on the logo designs at our Annual Conference and our hope is to have updates ready within the next couple of months. We also continue to work on expanding the Communications Committee, the use of Constant Contact, and other ways to better engage our membership.
Our inaugural service project in Kannapolis at the Annual Conference went very well. Our next service project will be a “Stuff the Bus” campaign at the Commissioners’ Annual Conference in August in Concord. Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the Conference.
We will begin work on conference planning for the Regionals, November Clerk’s Academies, and the 2023 Annual Conference within the next couple of months, so if you have any topics you would like us to add please let me know.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have questions, or feel there are other ways we can enhance your membership. I am looking forward to serving you this year!
Sincerely,
Debbie Harris, President
NC Association of County Clerks


Contacts
Officers and Board of Directors
Position | Name | County | Contact |
---|---|---|---|
President | Debbie Harris | Davidson | Email Debbie Harris |
Vice President | Lindsay Ray | Chatham | Email Lindsay Ray |
Secretary | Melissa Long | New Hanover | Email Melissa Long |
Treasurer | Lauren Linker | Cabarrus | Email Lauren Linker |
Past President | Trisha Hogan | Transylvania | Email Trisha Hogan |
Director | Debra Ivey | Southwestern COG | Email Debra Ivey |
Director | Vickie King | Lenoir | Email Vickie King |
Director | Phyllis Nowlen | Cleveland | Email Phyllis Nowlen |
Director | Carol Bowden | Wayne | Email Carol Bowden |
Director | Maria Hass | Cherokee | Email Maria Hass |
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.
2022-2023 Committees
- Annual Conference Planning Committee
Lindsay Ray, Chair, Chatham County
Kym Crowell, New Hanover County
Melissa Long, New Hanover County
Lauren Linker, Cabarrus County
Debbie Harris, Davidson County
Trisha Hogan, Transylvania County
Lindsay Ray, Chatham County
Vickie King, Lenoir County
Ashleigh Sloop, Forsyth County
Carol Bowden, Wayne County
Kayla Whitley, Wayne County
Tory Frink, Alamance County
Maria Hass, Cherokee County - Birthdays
Gwen McGougan, Chair, Hoke County
Nan Holton, Craven County
Lynn Wilson, Davidson County - Bylaws Revision
Phyllis Nowlen, Chair, Cleveland County
Ashleigh Sloop, Forsyth County
Melissa Long, New Hanover County
Sarah Call, Wilkes County
Jennifer Gamble, Lee County
Janice Evans, Nash County
Carol Bowden, Wayne County
Vickie King, Lenoir County
Kay Draughn, Burke County - Clerks’ Reference Guide
Lindsay Ray, Chair, Chatham County
Katie Mosher, Beaufort
Debra Ivey, SW COG
Debbie Harris, Davidson County - Directory
Melissa Long, Chair, New Hanover County
Amy Anderson, Iredell County
Monica Wallace, Durham County - Fundraising
Trisha Hogan, Chair, Transylvania County
Debbie Harris, Davidson County
Katie Mosher, Beaufort County
Dana Cuddington, Johnston County - Goody Bag & Door Prize
Vickie King, Chair, Lenoir County
Debra Weary, Granville County
Dana Cuddington, Johnston County
Angela Stacks, Gaston County
Monica Wallace, Durham County - Historian
Trisha Hogan, Chair, Transylvania County
- Membership
Debbie Harris, Chair, Davidson County
Debra Weary, Granville County
Brenda Reaves, Person County
Lynn West, Union County
- Nominating
Trisha Hogan, Chair, Transylvania County
Phyllis Nowlen, Cleveland County
Debra Ivey, SW COG
Julie Wand, Onslow County - Outstanding Clerk
Kimberly Hines, Chair, Pitt County
Penny Owens, Tyrrell County
Debbie Harris, Davidson County
Julie Bennett, Washington County
Paula Woodard, Johnston County - Professional Development & Program
Lindsay Ray, Chair, Chatham County
Trisha Hogan, Transylvania County
Debbie Harris, Ex-Officio, Davidson County
Lauren Linker, Cabarrus County
Kym Crowell, New Hanover County
Melissa Long, New Hanover County
Monica Wallace, Durham County
Tory Frink, Alamance County
Maria Hass, Cherokee County
Vickie Green, Lenoir County
Ashleigh Sloop, Forsyth County
Carol Bowden, Wayne County
Kayla Whitley, Wayne County - Scholarship
Debbie Harris, Chair, Davidson County
Julie Bennett, Washington County
Trisha Hogan, Transylvania County
Lauren Linker, Cabarrus County
Maria Hass, Cherokee County - Scrapbook
Kristen King, Chair, Franklin County
Karen Davis, Camden County
Dana Cuddington, Johnston County
Angela Stacks, Gaston County
Dena Cook, Richmond County - State Certification
Kym Crowell, Chair, New Hanover County
Debbie Harris, Davison County
Melissa Long, New Hanover County
Janna Singleton, Pitt County - Communications Committee
Melissa Long, Chair, New Hanover County
Lauren Linker, Cabarrus County
Carol Bowden, Wayne County
Debra Ivey, SW COG
Phyllis Nowlen, Cleveland County
Vickie King, Lenoir County
Angela Stacks, Gaston County
Trisha Hogan, Transylvania County
Clerk of the Year Award
Pitt County Clerk Kimberly Hines Named 2021 Clerk of the Year
Pitt County Clerk to the Board Kimberly Hines was presented the 2021 Howard Holly Outstanding Clerk of the Year Award on March 17, 2022, during the North Carolina Association of County Clerks Annual Conference.
Mrs. Hines has worked for Pitt County since 2001. She was initially hired as Deputy Clerk to the Board. She was appointed Clerk in 2010. In addition to the numerous committees over the years, she has served as a member of the Association’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee and was President of the Association from 2017-18. Mrs. Hines has achieved the status of Master Municipal Clerk through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. She has also 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 Kimberly!

- Previous Clerk of the Year Awards
Year Name County Served as President 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
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
Newsletters
2018
2017
- Minute by Minute Winter 2017 (PDF)
- Minute by Minute Summer 2017 (PDF)
- Minute by Minute Fall 2017 (PDF)
2016
Certifications
- NC County Clerk Certification Requirements
- NC Certified County Clerk Initial Application 2023 Form
- NC Certified County Clerk Recertification Application 2023 Form
- NC Master County Clerk Certification Application 2023 Form
- NC Master County Clerk Recertification Application 2023 Form
Job Descriptions
- Job Description: Deputy Clerk to the Board of Commissioners (PDF)
- Job Description: Clerk to the Board of Commissioners (PDF)
Helpful Documents
Helpful Links
Membership
Dear Fellow Clerks and COG Secretaries:
Membership dues are payable during the first quarter of each fiscal year and should be remitted by September 30th of each year. If you have never joined this wonderful organization, I would like to invite you to consider it now. [Membership Application attached here]
Membership in the Association continues to gain ground and you will surely find value in the improved member 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
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.
City and County Clerks Academies
Topics for the annual School of Government Clerks Academies are chosen by both the NC Association of County Clerks and 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 so the topics selected for the City and County Clerks Academies offer sound management practices to help achieve our goals.
Certification Programs
The NC Certified County Clerk (NCCCC) and the NC Master County Clerk (NCMCC) program focuses on objectives that are more relevant to county government. 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
There are scholarships available for clerks who need financial assistance in attending the Annual Conference. 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 and mail it with the $55 fee to the address listed on the application or fill out the online membership payment and pay the $55 fee via card.
Respectfully,

Debbie Harris
Clerk to the Board
Davidson County Board of Commissioners
NC Association of County Clerks Membership Committee, Chair