We as RIM's wear many hats.  Ginny has made some very good points and we 
as RIM's need to consider the historical value of records.  For instance, 
we have a centralized records paper program in place.  Prior to 
implementation of our centralized system, there were considerable records 
that were sent offsite when the filing cabinets became full.  As a result, 
when on site records came to Central Filing, these records were ignored. 
Over the past year, I have been pulling these boxes from storage and 
identifying the contents.  Some are coming into our records system as they 
still have value and retention has not been achieved.  In other cases, the 
records are disposed of as they have no value (historic, administrative, 
financial etc)..  However, much of the information found in these boxes 
are from the early days of the organization such as the details and 
reports behind the reconstruction work of watercourse.  As this 
information was never part of our records system, we had to create new 
retention series to manage these.  In many cases, we were able to cull the 
information and keep the "good stuff". 

To make a long story even longer, we do not have an archivist on site. So, 
I have had to learn how to distinguish historical material and retain it 
within the organization.  The people who created this material in the 
early 50's are long gone and the people who have replaced them give me a 
blank stare when I ask if these still contain value.  As well, they just 
won't spend the time to consider this material. 

So the onus falls to me to manage this.  Part of me says, get rid of it 
all.  But  as a 32 year veteran of this organization with the wisdom 
gained through the years, and also as a CRM, this will not happen.  So 
diligently, I cull through this information and do my part. 

It has been a good exercise in that I have learned more about the 
organization from the early days.  Also, offsite storage costs will be 
reduced as previously it had a permanent retention.
 
John Annunziello, CRM, ermm
Manager, Records and Information 
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
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