This is one of the elements of records management that keeps demanding a
good member survey, long promised by ARMA National but never provided. Surveys
have been based upon operations of the association and attitudes about national
 services. We need a survey that addresses the
profession--education-organization-personnel-content-uses of technology and  the like. It would address
many member concerns and benchmarking requests.

In direct response to the inquiry, I have personally favored placement in  an
administrative function since it provides involvement in both policy and
operational requirements. An example might be Vice President Information and
Administrative Services. Within this function there is IT and RIM, both
reporting on the same level and providing a needed interdisciplinary approach to
organizational as well as compliance matters.

There have been several shifts over the years in leadership depending on  the
emphasis of the records issues at the time. The records needs of an
organization involve more than legal, IT or any other given subject. An
administrative approach to RIM addresses these needs and provides a common grand  for
coordinating decisions regarding the management of information.

Bill Benedon

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