City clerks operate at the intersection of leadership, public trust, communication, and execution — often under intense scrutiny and time-sensitive conditions. Success depends on the ability to remain aligned, adaptable, and effective when the pressure is highest. In this engaging session, keynote speaker Rob Shanahan will draw from his three-decade career of experience working alongside many of the world’s biggest music icons to reveal the performance principles that separate good teams from truly exceptional ones. Discover how trust, communication, preparation, and shared purpose create environments where individuals and teams consistently perform at their best. Attendees will leave energized, equipped with practical takeaways, and reminded that legendary performance is rarely the result of individual talent alone — it is the product of alignment, trust, and a commitment to a shared mission.

This session analyzes how modern government communications and technology systems create records that many agencies may not fully recognize, retain, or manage. Presenters will discuss how the application of the California Public Records Act (CPRA), records retention requirements, and litigation hold obligations to digital records and communications across a range of platforms, devices and storage systems. Participants will gain insight into how routine technology practices may inadvertently create compliance risks, result in incomplete responses, or unintentionally destroy records. The session will also provide practical strategies for identifying hidden records, collaborating with information technology staff, evaluating retention practices, and modernizing records governance in an increasingly digital environment.

This training will introduce you to digital and website accessibility fundamentals, with a focus on WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) Level AA. You will learn the basic rules for websites, documents, mobile apps and social media; explore simple accessibility tools; and gain an overview of upcoming U.S. Department of Justice rule changes. We will explain what these updates mean and how they may affect the city clerk’s office.

It’s that time of year again! In this session, we will share highlights from the previous legislative session and discuss new bills related to open meetings, records, and more. We will also work to identify legislative solutions to future challenges in the profession, especially as it relates to elections.

In April the US Supreme Court decided Louisiana v. Callais, adopting new, restrictive interpretations of the federal Voting Rights Act, which has potential implications for the California’s Voting Rights Act (CVRA). Currently, the Legislature is advancing SB 1164. In part, the bill aims to insulate the CVRA from the Callais decision. But SB 1164 goes far beyond that, adding new grounds for legal challenges to at-large cities, increasing the financial rewards for attorneys bringing such challenges, removing the need to have even a single resident support a lawsuit, and creating a “pre-clearance” system that will require some jurisdictions to get approval from the California Attorney General before changing election procedures. The panel will discuss the impact of these bills on both by-district and at-large cities.

“First Amendment Auditors” are no longer an occasional inconvenience — they are a coordinated, growing phenomenon that has reached city clerks' offices across California. For city clerks, who sit at the intersection of public access and sensitive data protection, the legal and operational stakes are uniquely high. In this session, the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections will share their Know-Prepare-Protect-Share framework and provide a forum for clerks to explore practical approaches for responding professionally, confidently, and consistently while protecting staff, sensitive information, and public trust. Speakers will discuss the legal and operational considerations surrounding public recording, strategies for establishing clear office policies and visitor protocols, and techniques for managing confrontational or disruptive interactions. Attendees will leave with a legal checklist, a staff training framework, and a set of operational protocols they can implement immediately.

City clerks manage public comment periods, records counters, council chambers, and front offices — often with minimal staff and no formal training in conflict management. This session will discuss techniques for managing emotionally charged encounters, setting appropriate boundaries, responding to disruptive behavior, and communicating effectively under pressure. The session will also examine how preparation, consistent policies, staff training, and clear communication can help reduce tension and support positive outcomes for both employees and the public. Using the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections’ de-escalation framework, attendees will practice real scenarios drawn from the city clerk environment, receive feedback, and leave with practical tools and peer-informed strategies for confidently handling difficult interactions while fostering trust and maintaining a safe and respectful workplace.

This session will take a deep dive into what AI can do and tools available for local government. Special focus will be given to the ethics of AI, including drafting policies, content, privacy, disclosure, and data protection. The session will include case studies from municipal clerk offices around the state, along with sample guidelines, policies, and practical applications for becoming a driving force within your agency.