Nancy L. M. Banks, a Master Municipal Clerk, was elected to the position of City Clerk in November, 1999. Ms. Banks became certified as a Municipal Clerk from Michigan State University in November, 2000, and received her Master Municipal Clerk designation from the IIMC in 2007. Clerk Banks is one of 19 municipal clerks in the state of Michigan to achieve the prestigious Master Municipal Clerk certification.
Ms. Banks, a lifelong Southfield resident, was a 25-year Clerk's Office employee prior to her election as City Clerk.
Ms. Banks is a graduate of Southfield High School, Oakland Community College and the Michigan State University's Michigan Municipal Clerks Institute. Ms. Banks was also selected to attend the prestigious Michigan Political Leadership Program in 2002, and the Michigan Municipal League's Elected Officials Academy - earning the Level Three Governance Award - the highest level of recognition bestowed by the Michigan Municipal League. Ms. Banks has also served on the Board of Directors of the Oakland County Clerks Association serving as the President and Vice President during her tenure.
Ms. Banks has been married to her husband, Thomas, for 28 years. They have been blessed with two beautiful children, Jonathan, 23 years, and Amanda, 21 years. Nancy and her family are very active in the Southfield community and also at St. John's Armenian Church in Southfield. Ms. Banks is a member of numerous professional organizations, including: International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks, Oakland County Clerks Association, Michigan Municipal League, Southfield-Lathrup Optimist Club, NAACP, Southfield Area PTA, Southfield Chamber of Commerce, Southfield Burgh Association, Women's Economic Club, Women Officials Network, Association of Records Management, League of Women Voters, and the Election Center.
Always looking toward the future, City Clerk Banks strives to improve communication with Southfield residents and is a strong believer in continued education. With a focus on voter education, City Clerk Banks hires high school students to work alongside seasoned election inspectors on Election Day. The students earn money to offset school activities and gain valuable experience about the election process and government.
As City Clerk for the City of Southfield, Ms. Banks' most noteworthy accomplishments are:
- Successfully administered over 25 elections as City Clerk;
- Implemented detailed City Clerk's Office web pages available 24-7;
- Implementation of the State Qualified Voter File System (QVF);
- Obtained an Election permit logo for all election materials;
- Created the Election Newsletter sent to all homeowners prior to each General Election;
- Utilizes high school students in the election process;
- Implemented the use of laptop computers in the voting precincts to assist voters;
- Provides voter education and registration for high school students and senior adults;
- Works with the League of Women Voters and Delta Sigma Sorority on "Get Out and Vote" campaign;
- Acquired the designation of Passport Acceptance Agency from the U.S. Department of State;
- Served as Vice President of the Oakland County Clerks Association 2004-2005;
- Served as President of the Oakland County Clerks Association 2005-2006;
- Currently serves on Legislative Committee of Oakland County Clerks Association;
- Consolidated and reduced the number of voting precincts to provide a more balanced number of voters per precinct;
- Successfully launched a new voting system (M-100 Optical Scan and AutoMark ADA marking device) for the City of Southfield with 100% funding from the Federal Government;
- Implemented a Telephone Bank for the Presidential General Election in 2008;
- Advocated the consolidation of school elections to save money for both the City and Schools;
- Completed the update and republication of the City Charter and City Code.
In her spare time, City Clerk Banks enjoys entertaining, cooking and traveling with her family!