FYI from the Records Management Assn of Australasia listserv. This is the
start of a longish thread that covers discussion of information mgmt vs. RM,
what the professional association should and should not cover, perceptions
of RM, etc.
More broadly, this list has a very good signal-to-noise ratio and is not as
active as this one most of the time. I find it very valuable; if you want to
sign up for the list you can do so here:
http://www.rmaa.com.au/docs/contacts/listservFAQ.cfm
Regards,
Jesse Wilkins, CRM
<mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask]
(303) 574-0749 direct
Twitter: <http://www.twitter.com/jessewilkins>
http://www.twitter.com/jessewilkins
From: Barbara Reed [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 7:22 PM
To: RMAA_list
Subject: [rmaa_list] Name change
Hi Listers
The RMAA is currently discussing a change of name from RMAA to IMPA -
Information Management Professionals Association, and a motion to that
effect is being proposed for the AGM. I am definitely against such a change
and think that it's a big professional question worthy of wide discussion
outside any decision the Board might take. So, here is my response to the
RMAA's proposal
I think that changing the name of the RMAA to the IMPA is a really bad idea
and I will be voting against it.
I am highly involved in information management, and indeed have contributed
to the development of one of the conceptual teaching models of information
management. So please don't take this as an anti-information management
stance. I think that records have a huge role to play in the larger and
broader information management agenda. And they should.
HOWEVER, this doesn't mean that records management=information management.
Records management is a PART of information management - an important part,
and the part that we have a particular professional responsibility for - but
it is not the whole. I get that the notion of 'records' has some perception
problems. But the answer is not to jettison the concept and go with a broad
and fuzzy term, the answer is to fix the perception. That is an important
role of the RMAA. We shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater. And
- I'll point out from the vantage point of too many years - we've been here
before (late 1980s and early 1990s) and it was a disaster from which we had
to retreat.
Records are not just the same as other information resources. They need to
be regarded as a specific subset of information resources. The distinctions
are clear. Record arise out of doing business action (defined very
broadly). They need to be persistently linked with that business action and
the actors involved with the action. In addition they need to be managed in
ways that preserve and enable us to make authoritative statements about
their authenticity, reliability, integrity and useability. While some other
information resources share some of these requirements, the whole of the
notion of evidence of action (ie records) depends on it. Its not a nice add
on. And its that set of understandings that we have to offer to the broader
information management agenda.
What this particular, and very clearly definable set of requirements
provides us with is a certainty and a professional purpose and resolve. We
actually have a disciplinary base, and one that can draw on over 200 years
of conceptual thinking. And it is of incredible importance in the digital
world. I think that in comparison to some of our other information
management colleagues we are in a very strong disciplinary place. We're (we
should be) able to articulate a very strong message about how we need
resources to be managed, that is different and distinct from other
'information' requirements. No its not easy. Yes it is often
misunderstood. That doesn't mean we should give it up!
By all means play games with words. But when it comes to the professional
agenda and the things we need to defend when our backs are to the wall - the
concept of records is very high on my professional agenda.
I totally oppose this proposal.
Barbara Reed
Member RMAA
From: Maree Cooper [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, 13 July 2010 9:45 AM
To: Maree Cooper
Subject: RMAA COMMUNICATION: AGM Item - Proposed Change of Company Name
Sent on behalf of Kate Walker, Chief Executive Officer
Dear Professional Member
In 2002, our Association went from being the Records Management Association
of Australia to being the Records Management Association of Australasia.
Records Management professionals and the Association have branched out into
various types of Information Management areas, it has been harder and harder
to define succinctly what we do with just the term Records Management.
The Board has undertaken several surveys over the years in relation to
changing the name of the Association to ensure that it covers the entire
scope of the profession. In addition, with the recent review of the
Constitution, comments were received that it was also time to change the
name of the Company to reflect the broad profession and not what is seen as
a subset of the profession. At its meeting in July 2010, the Board made the
decision to submit to the 2010 AGM, the change of the company name to:
Information Management Professionals Australasia (IMPA).
The case for change
Applicability. While the words "records management" remains important to the
identity of the profession, it is no longer the best descriptor for what our
profession encompasses. It conjures images of traditional "filing and
mailroom functionality that can limit or even be detrimental to the overall
image of the profession. Many professionals have moved beyond traditional
records management settings and are prevalent in nearly every professional
field, affecting compliance, legal, economics, management, health care,
logistics and education in addition to our traditional territory of records
management. The word "Information Management" better describes our growth,
evolution, relevance and skills.
Ownership and exclusivity. The education and practice of information
management encompasses complex systems and processes, but other Associations
/ Institutes / Organisations are taking ownership of activities that fall
within our profession. As the body dedicated to the profession, it is
important that we be recognised as the primary source for information
education and training. Clearly defining our profession to Information
Management would also clarify and enhance our role in the community.
Relevance. Traditional records management has received scant attention in
recent years from funding agencies, academies and the media while
Information is being highly touted.
Some "records management" academic programs are not perceived as having a
strong niche and are being combined with other programs or eliminated
entirely. But many prominent, thriving programs have incorporated
"Information Management" into their names.
Growth. Expanding the name to reflect Information Management would better
position the company to attract new members who are not working in
traditional settings and to serve the growing profession of information
management. It reflects the future of the profession and the Company and
responds to current and future needs.
Perception. Information Management professionals have a well-respected
reputation and a solid identity, partially due to the organisations that
have named their departments accordingly.
The Board encourages you to support this company name change to ensure that
we can serve your needs currently and into the future.
If you cannot attend the AGM in September 2010 (and hold professional
status), please remember to submit a proxy vote.
Queries / Comments can be directed to Kate Walker, Chief Executive Officer
- [log in to unmask]
Regards
Kate
Kate Walker FRMA MAICD AMIM
Chief Executive Officer
RMAA - Records Management Association of Australasia
Phone: 0409 250 795
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