I think Larry and Doug both raise good points. I've suggested some
elements of mail/distribution that fit into an RM set of core
competencies. Doug, your point about being given assignments as being a
vote of confidence is well taken - I love your positive take on things! 

I would caution, however, of creating too broad a set of competencies,
thereby diluting the ones that matter. Doug, your point has less to do
with the specifics of mail/distribution and more to do with simple good
management practices: personnel, budgeting, contracting, continual
improvement, project management, etc... These can be applied to any
number of areas. In fact, a significant portion of my career (as I
suspect is true with others) has been to be a jack of all trades, often
taking on responsibilities to "fix" what is broken, then passing them
on. Were I to choose a set of core competencies, I would focus on the
management skills, with an eye to only those mail/distribution elements
that have an impact on records keeping systems. In my opinion, these are
fairly limited, and individuals that have to obtain more depth of
knowledge can do so through the many great resources available within
the mail industry.

Dwight Wallis, CRM
Records Administrator
Multnomah County Fleet, Records, Electronics, Distribution & Stores
(FREDS)
1620 SE 190th Avenue
Portland OR 97233
phone: (503)988-3741
fax: (503)988-3754
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