Part-time job leads to full-time career for Dianne Rowan

Dianne Rowan was looking for a part-time job in 1995 just as the city of Florence was looking for a part-time office assistant.

She applied, got the job and found out her talents were in demand as a backup for the municipal clerk at the time. Rowan did a great deal of transcriptions as well as minutes for Florence City Council meetings.

When the municipal clerk left in 1997 and David Williams was named city manager that July, Williams promoted Rowan to municipal clerk.

Rowan hasn’t looked back since because she enjoys her job almost as much as the magnificent view of Florence she has from her sixth-floor office.

“I really like what I do and the people I work with,” she said. “The job just kind of grows on me every day. It’s always the same, yet it’s always different.”

Among others, Rowan is in charge of typing the agenda for city council meetings, taking minutes and making sure those minutes are officially recorded, backed up and kept in a safe place.

And the minutes aren’t done in the blink of an eye. It usually takes her a day to get them transcribed.

Rowan also is charged with making travel arrangements for members of city council as well as taking care of administrative matters for them.

Technological changes have taken quantum leaps since she came aboard. Information is easier to access and agendas can be e-mailed to council members and city officials. City council meetings also are videotaped and aired on public access television.

Rowan is a 1970 graduate of McClenaghan High School. She completed a three-year course through the Municipal Clerk and Treasurer Institute, which consisted of 105 hours of instruction.

“Dianne Rowan is the backbone of city of Florence,” Mayor Stephen J. Wukela said. “She has been an invaluable asset to David Williams, to me and to all the city council members. I don’t know what I would do without her.”

Former Florence mayor Frank Willis is well aware of Rowan’s expertise, too.

“Dianne is one of the most pleasant people I’ve ever worked with,” he said. “I never worked with anybody more conscientious than Dianne.”

Willis said Rowan is a “can-do” person.

“You never asked Dianne for something or asked her to do something that she didn’t do it,” he said. “If she didn’t have time to do it that instant, she would say, ‘yes, sir, I can’t do it right now, but I’ll get it for you.’

“She’s just a really, really conscientious employee and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She is a credit to the city of Florence and a great lady on top of that.”

And her expertise hasn’t gone unnoticed by Williams, either.

“Dianne has worked in the city manager’s office for a number of years, initially as a part-time assistant,” Williams said. “When the municipal clerk position became available, she applied for it and brought with her a number of years of office experience and a quiet, calm demeanor which has served her well in the often hectic environment of this office.

“As the municipal clerk, Diane interacts frequently with elected officials, department heads and the general public. She is sometimes considered the source of all kinds of information about the city and the surrounding community.

“Dianne is known as a team player who seldom tells anyone ‘no.’ She will go the extra mile to track down requested information. She demonstrates courtesy and rapport with members of city council and city staff and is highly respected for her good nature and cooperative spirit.”