“Don’t assume that just because it’s government, it’s boring.” With Hugh Plappert and Aileen Dickson, the path runs from television marketing to a city clerk’s office where elections, records, and public access shape every decision. Aileen traces a move from one computer per department and photocopied council packets to digital operations, Open Troy, and careful exploration of AI for searches. She explains being appointed and confirmed, the shift from paper to electronic records, and why “elections take over everything” as law changes in 2018 and 2022, COVID years, and presidential cycles require agility. Responsibilities span agendas and minutes, FOIA, vital records, cemeteries, parliamentary procedure training, budgeting, community engagement, and a new precinct map. Education, mentorship, and association work support new clerks and succession planning. Creativity shows up in precinct outreach with a Finding Nemo play and a sixties pop diner feel that gets attention and shares information from the source.

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👤 Guest Bio

Aileen Dickson discovered election administration while working in police records and volunteering after hours. She transferred into the clerk’s office as an office assistant, took on budgeting, council agendas, ordinances, and resolutions, and became city clerk in 2011. Appointed by the city manager and confirmed by the city council, she has been called to this work for 25 years. Aileen is a master municipal clerk and a Level 3 M-I-P-M-C, active in county and state associations, mentoring new clerks, and pursuing an election official certificate through Oakland University.

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📌 What We Cover

• From police records to the clerk’s chair and “the job that I didn’t know I wanted”
• Appointed city clerk, confirmed by council, and differences across Michigan cities and townships
• From photocopies and hand delivered agendas to digital operations and Open Troy
• “Elections take over everything,” agility with 2018 and 2022 constitutional changes and COVID years
• Careful exploration of AI for searches while protecting accuracy and security
• Budget season, new voting system planning, and shifting resources for presidential years
• Vital records, FOIA coordination, cemeteries, records retention, and parliamentary procedure training
• Community engagement booths, a new precinct map, Finding your precinct with under the sea themes, stickers, and a sixties pop diner feel
• Education and certifications through MAMC, IIMC, county associations, state and county election training, and Oakland University
• Mentorship, Facebook group support, membership tracks, and succession planning for new clerks

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🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Open Troy
• Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks
• International Institute of Municipal Clerks
• Oakland County Clerks Association
• Bureau of Elections at the state and the Secretary of State’s office
• Oakland University election official certificate
• Facebook group for clerks
• Finding Nemo (precinct outreach play)