LOCKHART — Networking and learning critical skills are what the South Carolina Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute is all about.

Brenda Cameron of Lockhart should know.

She and two others recently graduated from the program.

Cameron was required by the Lockhart Town Council to complete the institute’s training courses. She is the town’s municipal clerk. MCTI is a three-year program co-sponsored by the Municipal Association of South Carolina designed to provide clerks and treasurers with the skills critical to their respective municipal professions.

To graduate, Cameron had to attend more than 100 hours of classes regarding not only the role of a municipal clerk but also financial management, management skills, overview of government, records management, public administration, election administration, conducting meetings, personal development, personnel management and municipal law.

The Lockhart Town Clerk attended class two times a year for nearly three days each time to receive her certificate of graduation from the institute’s program. She and her fellow graduates — finance clerk for the Town of Edisto Beach Maxine Burton and finance manager for the Town of Port Royal Chris Canaday — were presented their certificates at the institute’s 2009 Fall meeting during a luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 3.

She actually completed her final course to receive the certificate on Friday, Dec. 4.

Cameron is glad she had the opportunity to meet people in the same or similar position as her through her classes with the institute.

“It was enjoyable,” she said. “You got to meet people you otherwise wouldn’t meet — people in the same positions.”

She also said the courses were informative and well worth the time.

“They have some very good speakers and people who talk to us,” Cameron said. “They were knowledgeable about all the topics they talked about.”

And it is great to now have people she can call in the event she has a question or needs help with an issue.

“It’s a real help,” Cameron added. “Not only what you learn but who you meet.”

She and the Lockhart Town Council appreciate the assistance they receive from the municipal association. As a member of the association, Lockhart has an outlet for help with issues that doesn’t come with a huge price tag — an important benefit for a small town.

MCTI is an added bonus to the assistance the municipal association gives to communities.

The institute is approved by both the International Institute of Municipal Clerks and the Municipal Treasurers Association of the United States and Canada. Completion of MCTI satisfies the education requirements for certification from both groups.

MCTI is co-sponsored also by the Municipal Finance Officers, Clerks and Treasurers Association and the Center for Governmental Services at the University of South Carolina’s Institute of Public Services and Policy Research.