Dear Colleagues:

This is a very good document. It certainly explains how everything fits together.

I find the mission poorly stated because it lists what we do rather than creating a target we can all aim at. Shouldn't we be saying something like "Leading in records management."

My greatest criticism is in the Values section. There are really only two values listed there: members come first and transparency. Not having defined transparency, I do not see the value of listing it. For example, I have always thought the list of discernment topics released to the members was an empty gesture. Even as a board member, I could not make heads or tails of it without all the documentation that went along with it. If we are to truly call upon "transparency" as a value, shouldn't we be handing over the reports board members must complete in order to submit a discernment item? While we are being transparent, what about all the Region and Committee Reports?

What about adding real values like: support for diversity in our membership and on our board, respect for the environment (we control how many millions of boxes of paper?), respect for all members, and support for a civil society. How about a commitment to appropriate levels of privacy and security for information?

Goals need some word-smithing. "Raise the awareness of the profession . . . " says that the profession of records management needs to have its awareness raised. We already have awareness, it's someone else who needs awareness. As for "Improve the skills . . . " we also need knowledge. Number 3 is right on target.

Radar Screen looks better than last year except for #4 which is geared way too much to multi-nationals. List bullet "a" addressed multi-nationals as does "b" by saying "by localized approaches many multinationals take" suggesting that the "misperceptions" belong to multinationals as well.

Why is "Lack of formal education curricula" listed as #5. I hear members complain a great deal about this.

Association issues is great! This is really on target and addresses our issues.

Best wishes,
Carol
Carol E.B. Choksy, Ph.D., CRM
CEO
IRAD Strategic Consultant. Inc.
(317) 294-8329

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