Jacksonville, AL – Councilwoman Sherry Laster of Jacksonville has achieved the prestigious designation of Advanced Certified Municipal Official (CMO) from the Alabama League of Municipalities. The recognition comes as a testament to her dedication to ongoing professional development and commitment to effective municipal governance.
Laster’s journey towards the Advanced CMO designation involved completing a comprehensive training program conducted by the League. To obtain the Certified Municipal Official designation, she dedicated 40 credit hours to training, and an additional 40 hours were invested to secure her advanced certification. The curriculum covered a diverse array of topics crucial to effective city council membership, ranging from council meeting and parliamentary procedures to the Open Meetings Act, public records, ordinance drafting, conflicts of interest, and state ethics law.
Reflecting on her achievement, Councilwoman Sherry Laster emphasized the impact on her role in Jacksonville. “For me, becoming an advanced certified municipal official is really about Jacksonville. The more I learn about effective leadership, the better I can be at representing our residents and meeting their needs,” she stated.
Laster, a distinguished member of the 25th graduating class of Advanced Certified Municipal Officials, was honored for her accomplishments during a graduation ceremony held in Orange Beach, Alabama, on November 8. In total, 35 municipal leaders received the Advanced CMO designation this year, marking their commitment to elevating the standards of municipal governance.
The training program, initiated in 1994 by the Alabama League of Municipalities, was developed under the direction of its Executive Committee to address the need for formal training for elected officials. Before its inception, no structured training had been offered for individuals in elected positions.
Greg Cochran, the League’s Executive Director, highlighted the vital role municipalities play in the state’s economy. “Alabama’s municipalities are the foundation of our state’s economy. Vibrant communities depend on knowledgeable and engaged leadership, which is exactly what the CMO program encourages through training on the finer points of municipal government,” said Cochran. “Earning the Advanced Certified Municipal Official designation further showcases the commitment of community leaders to be better informed, more effective municipal officials.”
