Aloha Esteem Colleagues and Friends,

I'm impressed and gratified by the posts made by Natasha, Sharon, Donald and David on the state of the industry.

Needless to say, I am in agreement with your thoughts and concerns.  Here's my "humble" contribution to the discussion...

I think ARMA truly needs a "gut check" as to what "it is" and what it "wants to be". I don't believe ARMA can be the panacea or standard bearer for the industry, but it can be a very effective "player." Right now, ARMA is neither and needs to be more "transparent" with its membership and "realistic" about its expectations. IG still lacks definition and acceptance...It's all about throwing the spaghetti noodles up against the wall and seeing if sticks. Quite honestly, there are more noodles on the floor, than on the wall. The business case still needs to be made and there are more "pretenders" than "practitioners" touting IG. IMHO, ARMA needs to focus on its strength, which is Records Management, but provide a conduit to "management" and "governance" of information. A historical problem with the Association is that it is comprised of "technicians" who may be less adept at addressing the broader picture of managing information.  Likewise, not being "managers", leaves them out of broader management discussions and the corporate decision making process.

The change needed in ARMA is simple: Transparency and Engagement. They need to ensure transparency within the Association and they need to "engage" the participation of its members. ARMA cannot continue to operate in a "vacuum" and expect to be relevant to its members and the RIM industry. As for certifications, many continue to resist certifications until they are "indicative" of competency.  Unless one is independently wealthy and able to afford the costs of taking certification exams, you have to pick those certifications that will provide you the "return on investment" desired.  Obviously the "best" certifications are "degrees" issued by college, as the process is irrefutable and tangible.  I was never "sold" on the need for an IG certification when you have a recognized certification process "in place" (i.e. CRM).  Granted, the CRM needs to be reviewed and reassessed (e.g. Tier Certification), but egos tend to get in the way of change.

ARMA used to be the "Association of Records Managers & Administrators"...Its origins go back to several smaller organizations joining together to create a "professional" association.  As ARMA continues on its current path, some may feel disenfranchised and abandoned. It wouldn't surprise me if the "disenfranchised" band together to create a new association responsive to the RIM profession or to another association that better supports their needs...

Sad...but "change" is in the wind...

Have a great week!

Mahalo,

Brian


Brian A. Moriki
AVP & Manager - OSD Records Management
First Hawaiian Bank

***THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ARE STRICTLY "MY OWN" AND IS NOT ENDORSED OR APPROVED BY MY EMPLOYERS OR ANY ENTITY THAT I PARTICIPATE OR REPRESENT.***


----------------------------------------------------------
At First Hawaiian Bank, we care about the environment.  
Please consider our planet's limited resources before 
printing this email.

This email is intended only for the person or entity
to which it is addressed and may contain confidential 
information.  Any review, retransmission, dissemination 
or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, 
this information by persons or entities other than the 
intended recipient is prohibited.  If you receive this 
e-mail in error, please contact the sender by replying 
to this e-mail and delete this e-mail and any attachments 
from all computers without reading or saving the same 
in any manner whatsoever.

List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html
Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance
To unsubscribe from this list, click the below link. If not already present, place UNSUBSCRIBE RECMGMT-L or UNSUB RECMGMT-L in the body of the message.
mailto:[log in to unmask]