Further to Steve's accurate statement, anticipating the flurry that  
sometimes occurs around this topic, I urge recognition of the true  
value that independence brings to the Certified Records Manager.   
Some other thoughts below, too.

  The ICRM is an independent evaluator of the professional body of  
knowledge--there is no vested interest in passing individuals who  
have taken a "sponsored" or otherwise recognized course, program,  
etc.  It is open to persons who qualify to write, and through a  
graduated mix of academic learning and experience, opportunity to be  
tested in the body of knowledge extends to a wide range of people  
with a wide range of academic backgrounds.  In my (admittedly biased)  
view, the CRM has an integrity that is woefully lacking in today's  
"certificate" marketplace.

No program is perfect.  So, while I'm at it, I would strongly  
recommend that CRMs find ways to contribute, strengthen, otherwise be  
a part of growing the brand (as it were ;-)  I served on an Ad Hoc  
Ethics Committee prior to being elected to the Regent for  
Certification Maintenance position, and later President, Board of  
Regents.  It was a privilege to work with committed professionals,  
and satisfying to know that however much some boards avoid the  
difficult questions and challenges of facing the future, the ICRM  
does engage.  We don't always agree, and that's a good think--keeps  
the thinking sharp and the value at the forefront of decisions.  
Again, I urge that CRMs get involved.  A serious problem for the  
board (in my view) is lack of clammer to get involved.  This limits  
ability to play "what if" and develop strategies that can take the  
CRM forward.   If the stats still hold, there are more people taking  
the exams all the time.  But the rigour ensures that only those  
deserving actually pass.  It does not take a brain surgeon to know  
that the curve of costs associated with exams against the trajectory  
of revenue from the members only revenue base may not be  
sustainable.  (I hope that the electronic advances may have changed  
this and would welcome hearing a board view on how this may be the  
case.)  I personally would like to see a "richer" ICRM but have  
concern that if and when such a need is acted upon, that pressure to  
be an accrediting body will grow.  Given certain factors that are  
inherent in the current structure of the ICRM, I could not support  
such a move.

There are often calls for the ICRM to do this or that to promote  
certification--that takes resources--cash and bodies.  My own views  
are strong in this, but we had infrastructure stuff to do and moved  
us forward well, I think.  If others share the view that there is  
more work to be done, then start thinking about how you can  
contribute.  There is some amazing work being done by individual CRMs  
to open eyes and doors--another challenge is that the ICRM is not a  
professional associate--rather it is a testing body.  So, community  
among CRMs is a fragile and largely unsupported thing except, again,  
for the fine efforts of individuals (as in this list, the icrm yahoo  
group, etc.).  Can we do more, is there a need to?

One fellow's thoughts...yours?




John James O'Brien, BA, CRM, MALT
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Partner & Managing Director
IRM Strategies
Hong Kong: +852 3101 7359
Bangkok: +66 2 207 2530
www.irmstrategies.com

Associate Partner, S4K Research
Stockholm www.s4k.com
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