I had passed on answering the original post a couple of weeks ago but now
that Carol has brought it up again, I'll take a shot.  I am all for ARMA
becoming "International" and think it is a great goal.  But until we as a
records management community (especially in the U.S.) get our act together,
I just can't see this happening any time soon.

I often (fairly or unfairly) compare ARMA with another organization I belong
to, the Project Management Institute (PMI)(www.pmi.org).  PMI is truly an
international association, with over 100K members in over 129 countries.
PMI has an excellent chapter support structure and many of them dwarf our
largest chapter.  For example, I was the Secretary for the KC PMI Chapter;
when I left last November, our membership alone was over 700 and growing.

PMI has a lot of things going for it, including a strong marketing program
(focusing on "branding"), partnerships with universities for graduate level
PM programs, excellent publications including a quarterly scholarly journal
(I heard rumors that this idea was proposed to ARMA some time back but was
turned down because it wouldn't generate much $$), established PM
competencies and a base of knowledge (also known as the PMBOK) that is
recognized throughout the world.  PMI has even made inroads within the U.S.
Federal Government, where project management now has its own career path and
most projects now require a skilled, and in some cases credentialed, project
manager.  I could go on but hopefully you've gotten the picture.

Some will argue that PMI has significant resources available and yes they
do.  But they started from humble beginnings just like ARMA.  And just like
ARMA they depend upon volunteers.  Now I am not saying that ARMA should be
like PMI.  But I do believe we could learn some lessons from them.  First,
though, we really need to first figure out as a profession who we are, spell
out what records management is, what we can bring to the table and then
market to the public.  I've posted some ideas in the past so won't reiterate
them.

I say this because, at times it seems that some of us (I would include
myself in that group at times) are ashamed of our profession.  Some records
managers I know are afraid to admit, that well, they are records managers.
Most project managers are willing to share what they do.  In addition, I
suspect many company executives have at least some understanding of project
management.  Most, though probably have little clue of is meant by records
management or, for that matter, what a records manager really does.

With all of that said, I have noticed a positive change in ARMA over the
past couple of years, giving me hope.  Susan McKinney's post a few weeks ago
seeking input for the strategic planning meeting (along with other recent
initiatives) was extremely positive and provides me a level of confidence
that I didn't have, say two years ago.  I've been associated with ARMA for
years now and this is the first time I can remember a Board Member truly
soliciting input from the membership on the direction ARMA should be taking.
I've also been acquainted with Susan for years and know she means it.  So I
encourage everyone to review all the documents on ARMA's website and provide
comments to Susan or other board members.  This is our best opportunity to
step up to the plate and make our opinions known one way or another.  I did
it a few weeks ago - I hope others do as well.

Well, enough ranting for one evening - time to go home and enjoy a margarita
on the back porch.

Bruce L. White, MBA, CRM, PMP
Manager, Records Management
Sempra Global
619-696-4671
619-696-2534 (Fax)
619-952-7145 (Cell)

"While you're at it, you might as well
      add discovery to death and taxes."
                               Nicholas Ralph Baum

"Sempra Global is not the same company as the utility SDG&E or SoCal Gas,
and Sempra Global is not regulated by the California Public Utilities
Commission."

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