May 4-8, 2026
The Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association (MCFOA) and St. Cloud State University’s Department of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) are pleased to present the Minnesota Municipal Clerks Institute (MMCI or Institute) in May of each year. The MMCI is a three-year continuing education program leading to professional accreditation. Each year the Institute consists of a required five-day, 40-hour curriculum, for a total of 120 hours of programming over the three-year period.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- The MCFOA Board recommends that first-year participants have completed at least 9–12 months of employment in a municipal setting before attending the Institute in order to receive a full understanding of the information provided throughout the program.
- The MCFOA Board strongly recommends that all participants are a member of the MCFOA in order to attend the institute.
- If you are applying for a scholarship, register after you receive notification from the MCFOA of its decision. You will be able to complete your registration prior to the registration deadline.
Registration coming April 9th
Registration Fee: $640 for member and non-member
- If you registered with the "register now/pay later" option, an invoice will be emailed within 1-2 days for payment.
- Registrations must be completed/received no later than April 20, 2026.
- On-site registrations will not be accepted.
- Payment must be received no later than April 20, 2026.
- If payment is not received, your registration is not valid and you will not be permitted to participate.
- Refunds, minus a $25 processing fee, will be granted for written cancellation received by April 20, 2026.
- If you cancel after April 20, 2026 or do not attend, you will not be eligible for a refund.
Program Questions:
Kassidi Andres, 320-308-5759
Registration Questions:
Roxann Neu, 320-308-4962
Core & Main: Institute Banquet Sponsor Bolton & Menk: Tuesday a.m. Break Sponsor
The MMCI offers:
- Top-notch courses that are directly applicable to work in the field.
- Professional development in the areas of public administration, social and interpersonal skills, and special topics central to emerging issues.
- The chance to view problems from multiple perspectives and to refine problem solving techniques.
- Lecture, discussion, and hands-on training, taught by experts with a focus on practical, how-to education.
- Accredited and experienced professionals who recognize the critical role of the municipal clerk in serving both large and small cities.
- An invaluable networking opportunity for discussion and idea sharing among clerks from throughout Minnesota.
This training program strives to enhance the quality, professional competence and performance of municipal clerks in the state of Minnesota. The intent of training is to improve local governance and thus improve service to the local citizen.
The Institute delivers the following outcomes:
- Participants will be well-versed in the theory and practice of their profession and learn how to keep abreast of new laws or changes affecting the profession.
- Participants will be able to apply what they have learned to their jobs.
- Participants will be able to gain insight into their profession through contact with instructors and through a network of experienced municipal clerks.
- Participants will be able to attain their CMC certification within three years if they have also obtained the IIMC required experience points and meet IIMC membership requirements. Graduates of the Institute can also apply for the designation of MCMC if they have also obtained the MCFOA required experience points and meet MCFOA membership requirements.
The MMCI (Institute) is a three-year continuing education program leading to professional accreditation.
Each year the Institute consists of a required five day, 40 hour curriculum, for a total of 120 hours of programming over the three year period. Once participants have completed the mandatory 120 hour curriculum, they become graduates of the Institute.
This is an exceptional and internationally accredited program, for which SCSU is the only authorized provider in Minnesota. The International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) has set forth the guidelines and accredits the Institute.
Clerks successfully completing the three year Institute program are awarded 60 points toward the Education requirements of the Minnesota Certified Municipal Clerk (MCMC) designation. Graduates must apply to the MCFOA for this certification, showing 25 points in the Experience category and 3 years of active membership in the MCFOA in addition to their 60 Education points.
MMCI graduates can also apply for certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks for the Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) designation which requires 60 points in Education and 50 experiences points with two years of active membership in the IIMC.
Registration Fees
If you are applying for a scholarship, register after you receive notification from the MCFOA of its decision. You will be able to complete your registration prior to the early registration deadline.
- MCFOA members and non-members $640.00, if submitted by April 20, 2026.
- Registration closes on April 20, 2026, except for special circumstances.
- Those approved to register after April 20, 2026, will incur a $25 late registration fee.
Cancellations and Refunds
- A refund, minus a $25 processing fee, will be granted if you cancel by April 20, 2026.
- If you cancel after April 20, 2026 or do not attend, you will not be eligible for a refund.
Main Block:
Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis North
6300 Earle Brown Dr, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
763-560-2700
Rate: $114.00 per night
Booking Deadline: April 19, 2026
Call and book under "Clerks Institute 2026"
Overflow Block:
Fairfield Inn & Suites Minneapolis North
620 Earle Brown Dr, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
763-561-8000
Rate: $132.00 per night
Booking Deadline: April 19, 2026
Call and book under "Clerks Institute 2026"
A new learning management platform, called Docebo, will be used.
Similar to Whova, attendees can: (from a phone or laptop)
- access the agenda
- take learning assessments
- complete the institute evaluation
- learn more about each speaker.
All curriculum hours are mandatory. Registrants who do not complete the required curriculum will not be allowed to advance to the next level toward graduation. There is a strict adherence to punctuality in each session and no cell phone calls or texting are allowed in the classroom (devices are allowed for session materials only).
Attendance will be tracked. In rare instances related to emergencies, excused absences are allowed if approved by the Institute Director. These excused absences will require a “makeup assignment” that is provided by the Institute Director (who will collaborate with the instructor prior to the end of the programming). Participants who fail to comply with attendance and punctuality requirements will not receive a certificate of completion.
Scholarships
Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers Association (MCFOA) is a membership organization open to the Municipal Clerks and Finance Officers of the 855 Minnesota cities. Members are eligible to apply to MCFOA for an MMCI scholarship. You must be a paid member to apply.
If you are applying for a scholarship please register after you receive notification from the MCFOA of their decision. You will be able to complete your registration prior to the registration deadline.