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Subject:
From:
Lorinda Kasten-Lowerre <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Records Management Program <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 11 Apr 2006 09:19:02 -0700
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Hi, Doug,

A couple quick questions for those who might wish to comment or ponder:
(A couple of long answers.)

(1) Do we have a greater level of participation now than we did previously,
when our 150 chapter Boards of Directors made recommendations to an
election management committee? Yes.  Turnout in the "good old days" was
10-11%.  We had a 5% increase in participation despite the election
glitches.  We only lost 1% compared to the two previous elections.

Our management stresses, "Plan, Do, Check, Act" and we need to check what
worked before rushing out  to implement a bunch of new ideas.  One thing
about ARMA elections, the candidates are qualified so that none are real
stinkers that can sink the association and the membership rubber-stamps the
selection.  Yes, this can be perceived as the "good old boys" network.
Even the real radicals can't do much to change the association because of
the massive inertia in the policies, procedures and history.  However, they
did manage to open up governance and increase communication by using the
internet.

(2) If the level of participation is approximately the same, are our voters
better informed? equally informed, or perhaps not as well informed in
casting their ballots as in the past?  Better informed.  Yes, if the ARMA
International website and Member Forum were redesigned with access to
information as the major goal, it would be better.

And if the chapters were intentionally brought online earlier to do more
than pass on the link to the Member Forum and the dates of the election and
whatever information they could glean, in their newsletters, there would be
even more participation.  What more could the chapters do?  Sources for
handouts to be given out at meetings.  Digested versions of Member Forum
and town meeting video-type things (like Dating Game) to be played at
meetings.

New members look to experienced members for guidance.  I asked, "Who should
I vote for?" for the first 15 years of my membership, because the issues
and candidates were concealed.  The listserv, Member Forum and Board
transparency changed this, (and Board members making themselves available
at Leadership Conferences and speaking engagements all over the country).
The election before last, I knew all but one or two candidates from the
above sources.

I believe getting the information out, polishing the election process
(which is being done), and working on being more open and inviting at the
leadership level should be much higher priority than getting in people's
faces.

So, maybe we can do better, but take a moment to look back and realize - we
are doing better!

Lorinda Kasten-Lowerre
Records Management Analyst, Senior
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Torrance, California, USA
Member - The Orange County Chapter of ARMA International
[log in to unmask]
<Check out Orange County California ARMA's website at ocarma.org
Diane Carlisle, CRM - "RM's own the rules; IT owns the tools".

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