<According to IGer's records management is a subset of IG.>

Whether one agrees or disagrees with this statement, the fact remains that records management is still important.  The profession is based on methodologies and concepts that do not expire.  When properly taught and used, they can be applied to any kind of recordkeeping - paper, electronic, clay tablets - and establish a standard language and usage that can apply from organization to organization, regardless of whether it is private business or government. 

As more and more reports of inane recordkeeping (or not keeping) practices hit the media, I am reminded that we have lost touch with our own profession.  We no longer spread the word on how and why recordkeeping should be practiced, but rather on whether we should or should not follow a retention policy.  Retention is a small subset of RM and always has been.  It is important, but it feeds and is fed by other RM principles and concepts.  

As Donda pointed out - the Conference of late has offered very little, if any, basics for folks just getting into the field.  It seems to me that as RM (especially the retention issues) is being recognized as important by more and more businesses, ARMA is stepping away from the RM playing field.  No wonder the inane practices go on (and hit the media) if we no longer teach the basic tenets of our profession to corporate and government entities.


Ginny Jones 
(Virginia A. Jones, CRM, FAI) 
Records Manager 
Information Technology Division 
Newport News Dept. of Public Utilities 
Newport News, VA 
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