The Municipal Association of South Carolina (MASC) is an organization committed to the advocacy, legislation, and education for municipal issues in South Carolina. With a wide range of services and initiatives, this association addresses the varying needs of local municipalities, offering robust supportive programs for involved officials and interested individuals.
The MASC's work manifests in a range of ways including education and events. For instance, annual meetings, regional advocacy meetings, and the small city summit are some of the highlighted events that bring together officials for updates and collaborative discussions. Notably, the Hometown Legislative Action Day stands out as a strategic initiative aimed at enacting legislative change at the grassroots level.
On the legislative front, MASC enables members to follow legislation and legislative reports, providing a tracking system from the local to federal legislation level. Their initiative, 'From the Dome to Your Home' aims to streamline the process of delivering legislative updates to members. Among its efforts to boost civic participation, MASC encourages members to get involved through several opportunities, including participating in Hometown Legislative Action Day and Regional Advocacy Meetings.
The education sector is a significant area for MASC which offers broad-based training programs to enhance the knowledge and skills of municipal officials. An impressive part of their educational initiative is their lineup of training institutes. The association hosts institutes such as the Advanced Municipal Elected Officials Institute, Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government, and the Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute. In addition to these, special training programs encompassing various municipal domains are available, including on-demand clerks training, planning and zoning training, and a risk management institute.
MASC is organizationally linked with several affiliate associations, including the Association of South Carolina Mayors, the Municipal Court Administration Association of SC, and the SC Association of Stormwater Managers, each catering to specific areas of municipal administration. By partnering with these associations, MASC gives a comprehensive network of resources for municipalities of all sizes.
From a structural standpoint, the association is governed by a Board of Directors and supported by sponsors. The MASC offers efficient communication means through its media contact and staff directory, making the association accessible to those who require their services. Furthermore, their history and the Association Awards showcase a long-standing commitment to their mission and their continued contribution to the development and administration of municipalities in South Carolina.
In conclusion, the Municipal Association of South Carolina channels comprehensive resources to drive change and improvement across municipalities in South Carolina. It strikes a good balance between advocacy, legislation, education, and resource provision in its approach to serve local municipalities and achieve its stated mission.
