Kansas City Election Board staffer Alby Shipman was awarded the Rosemary Plitt Award at the 2013 Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities Conference (MACCEA).

      The Rosemary Plitt Award for Excellence in Election Administration was established in 1987 through the joint efforts of the Urban Election Boards, the Missouri Association of County Clerks and the Missouri Secretary of State's Office. The award was established to honor, on an annual basis, an individual or group of individuals who have made significant contributions to elections or to the electoral process.

      At 91-years young, Alby knows a thing or two about elections. She has been employed at KCEB for 24 years, joining the agency at the young age of 67. Prior to

Alby Shipman received Rosemary Plitt Award from Secretary of State Jason Kander.

becoming a full-time employee "Miss Alby," as the staff affectionately calls her, served for years as an Election Day judge. In 1989, her outstanding work at the polls was recognized and she was hired full-time in KCEB's Records Department. She transitioned from Records to the position she enjoys the most now, Switchboard Operator.

       "Kansas City Election Board, how may I direct your call?" is her signature greeting when voters call the office. "I love to talk to people all over the world, said Alby. "I like how it sounds like someone is next door, but they are really in another state or overseas in another country."

      Alby always looks forward to Election Day. She is the first person to the office in the morning, and she is the last person out of the office after election night results have been posted. Her favorite part of Election Day is answering the overflow of phone calls to assist the voters.

       Alby has experienced much more than just elections in her 91 years. She has experienced many more adventures than most people can vouch for in their lives.  A worldwide traveler, Alby visited Europe, the Caribbean and more recently Central America. When visiting the Caribbean, she went parasailing at age 72. She also enjoyed traveling to Paris, where she climbed the Bell Tower at the top of Notre

Shawn Kieffer, Shelley McThomas, Alby Shipman, Regina Moore, and Jeannie Westmoreland at Plitt Award Luncheon.

Dame Cathedral. For exercise Miss Alby has periodically walked up flights of stairs backwards. She came in second in a 5K marathon in the "80 and up" category several years ago. 

      A native of Indiana, Alby grew up an only child with her father and grandfather, where she spent summers at their country home and winters at their city home. She came to Kansas City by way of Stephens College in Columbia. There she met and married Ernest Shipman and raised five children - one daughter and four sons. At one time Alby was the area president of the local PTA in Kansas City. Now a widow, she enjoys the company of her children, 15 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, as well as being an active member of her Eastern Star Lodge and church groups.

      KCEB is truly honored to have Miss Alby receive the Rosemary Plitt Award. 

      KCEB has launched its new "Future Voter Reading Program." During the fall, KCEB staffers will visit various elementary schools in Kansas City. Staffers will hold book readings and will read one to two books per class and answer questions from the students. Students will receive "Future Voter" stickers and pencils. Book contents include the importance of voting, how to vote, etc. 

      KCEB's goal is to bring voter education to youth in schools to help prepare students to vote in the future and encourage their parents to vote. KCEB staffers are excited about this new outreach program and look forward to speaking to the students.

      Many of you know the familiar face of Mandi O'Neal as one of the Data Services Clerks at the Kansas City Election Board. Mandi was born in the state of Kansas, but grew up right here in Kansas City, Missouri. She grew up as the oldest child with her younger brother Josh, who also works at the Election Board. Mandi had a great childhood filled with fun, a lot of friends and great parents. Her favorite experiences from her childhood were how they always went on family vacations every year. Later down the road, Mandi went to East High School, where she enjoyed learning English and History.

      Mandi's first job was in the fast food industry and later in the hotel industry. She then decided to be a stay-at-home mother while her children were young. After the encouragement from her mother, she decided to take a job in the Records Department at the Election Board. She worked in the Registration Department and is now at the position she enjoys most 

today, Data Services Clerk. "I enjoy being able to work at the front counter and assist voters coming into the office," said Mandi.

      You may say her family enjoys elections just as much as she does. She followed in the footsteps of her late mother, Vicki, who worked for the Election Board for 36 years. "She is the greatest mother in the world and she was always there when I needed her," said Mandi. Her brother works in Election Services, her dad works as an election worker and her daughter assists with training classes. 

      Another secret you may not know about Mandi is she is a huge Kansas City Chiefs fan. She always keeps everyone in line and makes sure KCEB staff wear red on Fridays during football season.

      On Election Day, Mandi's primary job is to answer the many incoming calls from voters. You will almost always see her helping voters at the front counter. "I enjoy it when all the departments work together as a well-oiled machine and pull through as a team to make it a successful Election Day," said Mandi. Her favorite part on Election Day is when the green bags with the memory cards come in on election night. "I enjoy the fast-paced environment and knowing that the votes are beginning to be tabulated."

      Mandi has served at the Election Board for 16 years. Mandi always says "It's always best to be honest with people, whether it's tough on them or not. Honesty is the best policy." In her life, she is most grateful for her husband, Shanon, and her two children, Jessica and Jordan. The Election Board is truly thankful to have a dedicated worker like Mandi as one of its team members!