North Carolina Association of County Clerks

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

PositionNameCountyContact
PresidentDebbie HarrisDavidsonEmail Debbie Harris
Vice PresidentLindsay RayChathamEmail Lindsay Ray
SecretaryMelissa LongNew HanoverEmail Melissa Long
TreasurerLauren LinkerCabarrusEmail Lauren Linker
Past PresidentTrisha HoganTransylvaniaEmail Trisha Hogan
DirectorDebra IveySouthwestern COGEmail Debra Ivey
DirectorVickie KingLenoirEmail Vickie King
DirectorPhyllis NowlenClevelandEmail Phyllis Nowlen
DirectorCarol BowdenWayneEmail Carol Bowden
DirectorMaria Hass CherokeeEmail 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!

Pictured above: Pitt County Clerk to the Board Kimberly Hines (center), with members of the Pitt County Board of Commissioners and staff, and sons Colton and Cash.
  • Previous Clerk of the Year Awards
    YearNameCountyServed as President
    2020Penny OwensTyrrellN/A
    2019Debbie HarrisDavidson2022-23
    2018Julie BennettWashington2016-2017
    2017Paula WoodardJohnston2015-16
    2016Kristen KingFranklin2014-15
    2015Gaynell LeeLeeN/A
    2014Carolyn BargerRowan2013-14
    2013Kathy GreeneCaldwell2009-10
    2012Debby CoreBrunswick2011-12
    2011Jeanette DeeseCarteret2010-11
    2010Marcia WilsonWayneN/A
    2009Gwen BryanCraven2003-04
    2008Brenda HunterDavie2007-08
    2007Elizabeth "Libby" CornHenderson2006-07
    2006Kathy HughesBuncombe2005-06
    2005Kay BlanchardHarnett2004-05
    2004Susan BanksPitt1998-99
    2003Pam RobertsonRockingham2002-03
    2002Lois AskewWashington1993-94
    2001Joyce EnnisJohnston2000-01
    2000Wanda SmithCaldwell1997-98
    1999Sandra CatherwoodVance1996-97
    1998Betty BlankenshipCaldwell1997-98
    1997Marsha FogleCumberland1987-88
    1996Ida SmithColumbus1992-93
    1995Barbara MooreUnion1994-95
    1994Charles MashburnAlexander1991-92
    1993Bobbie WilsonGranville1989-90
    1992Alice FortnerIredell1979-80
    1991Jane ColeForsyth1983-84
    1990Oleta LopezHoke
    1989Odessa JohnsonRockingham1985-86
    1988Norma BodsfordGuilford1988-89
    1987Lucie HarrellNew Hanover1986-87
    1986None Listed in HistoryN/AN/A
    1985Eleanor CreechJohnstonN/A
    1984Judy MatthewsTransylvania1980-81
    1983Virginia EdwardsCarteretN/A
    1982Belinda FormyduvalOnslow1982-83
    1981Rachel GoinsStanly1981-82

Minutes, Forms & Resources

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 Signature

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