2009/10/26 - Councilmember Mary Jane Melink earns Certificate of Municipal Leadership

Press Release #: 09-78
Date: 2009/10/26
Contact: Kate Roewe - AWC
Phone: 360.754.4137

Councilmember Mary Jane Melink earns Certificate of Municipal Leadership

Olympia, WA – Councilmember Mary Jane Melink recently received a Certificate of Municipal Leadership (CML) from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC). Councilmember Melink completed over 30 hours of training credits to earn this distinction.

The CML program is designed to enhance the ability of elected municipal officials. The program provides mayors and council members in Washington with knowledge and skills required for effective governance. To earn this certificate, the official attends a variety of AWC sponsored municipal workshops including sessions on budgeting, land use planning, personnel, and leadership. The courses help mayors and council members learn the essentials of municipal service and improve their ability to work with council colleagues, City staff, and citizens.

Councilmember Melink has served on the Longview City Council since January 2006.  She has been the executive director of The Health Care Foundation since 2003, served as the executive director for Parents Place from 2001 to 2003, and worked as an associate planner for Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments from 1992 through 2001.  Councilmember Melink has a Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing and a Masters of Urban and Regional Planning, both from Portland State University

AWC is a private, non-profit, non-partisan corporation that represents Washington's cities and towns before the state legislature, the state executive branch, and with regulatory agencies. Membership is voluntary; however AWC maintains 100% participation from Washington's 281 cities and towns. The goal of AWC is to create and maintain livable cities and towns throughout the state.

• Download Press Release