Amy,
Certification promotes credibility. End of story. The CRM is important because as you pass each section, you become more confident in yourself. Credentials at the end of your name are for the others. The process is for you.
The process isn't difficult--after meeting all requirements to become a candidate, if you test and write well, you'll do fine immediately. If you don't take tests well or you have difficulty organizing your thoughts, then it will take you a little longer.
I work for the ARMA Houston chapter as the professional development chair, which includes the ICRM process. Feel free to contact me anytime!
Mimi Dionne
-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Amy Conant
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 3:41 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Qualifying for the certification exam
Excellent points. I have put a similar list together as our goals. As you can probably tell we are in the beginning stage of getting our county to use records management. I'm very excited to be a part of doing something new and so clearly beneficial. (at least in my eyes) What you listed below I consider as the goals of what we are trying to do. What they are looking for is "why should we bring on a certified records manager" What does it mean to be a certified records manager. My management team understands why, they want me to put it into words the county commissioners will understand.
Amy
-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Mimi Dionne
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 2:26 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Qualifying for the certification exam
Amy,
If I was in your shoes, as I wrote my reply to management, I would remember that RIM is a calling, like a doctor, lawyer, or attorney.
I would begin with the traditional. The RIMgr. is responsible for meeting the following objectives (and at the risk of sounding like a Robek drone, but I'm studying for the CRM, too):
1. To reduce operational costs (RIM can be soft-profitable for the organization)
2. To provide efficient customer service--marketing a RIM department to other departments, CXOs, outsiders...
3. To promote critical and operational intelligence--including those pesky business process improvements
4. To identify and process records as quickly as possible for prompt retrieval (access to records is the number one reason we exist in the first place)
5. To reduce vulnerability to legal and ethical factors, including compliance issues. As you know already, after email management, SOX and compliance is the most infamous RIM story to date...
6. To safeguard vital information--think disaster recovery
7. To support better management decisions (which will make those who are asking you happy)
8. To preserve the corporate memory
I would also recommend visiting ARMA's Careerlink Database, Monster.com, and other employee dbs. In order to know what skills I should develop, I periodically review what's "hot" out there in the job adverts to stay on top of the game and promote good content for the conferences I work on.
And, by the way, it's not always called "records management", so type in some keywords like "Sarbanes Oxley"--you'll be surprised how many hits you get. Employers know they want RIMgrs...they just don't know our name very well. Yet. But we'll change that, won't we?
-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Amy Conant
Sent: Monday, March 14, 2005 3:07 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Qualifying for the certification exam
I have been totally amazed by the response both in list and out. So much so that I am going to pose another question somewhat related. My management team has asked me what a Records Manager is. I've looked up job descriptions, but so far all of them have been specific to a particular position. In looking at all of them I have come up with the following. Any additions would be welcome.
Records Manager
Develop and design a records system and practice
Develop and monitor retention schedules
Train staff in records management for their organization
Be a liaison with divisions in the organization on records management
Adherence to professional codes of ethics.
Thanks,
Amy
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List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html
Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance
List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html
Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance
List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html
Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance
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