John & Bill, It's good to see both of you weighing in on the International issue, and on the upcoming election. As noted in the responses to questions in the ARMA Candidate Forum (in MY ARMA, then Member Forum), there are differences between candidates that should prove helpful as ARMA members work to get to know the candidates and to determine for whom they should vote. Just in response to the comments I've seen, I would recommend that anyone who is interested or concerned about what ARMA is doing in the International area, take just a few minutes to read through the 2005 International Strategy Task Force Report: http://www.arma.org/pdf/governance/Strategic%20Operating%20Plan%202005.pdf and through the Decisions of the Board, Fall 2005: http://www.arma.org/pdf/governance/1005BoardDecisions.pdf That should provide you with more information on the general direction that the ARMA International Board is taking presently. Speaking as ONE member of the Board, and not presuming to speak FOR the Board, I hope that we will continue to serve all existing members, but will focus our strategic efforts in two areas. Those would be (1) serving and promoting the recognition of and the needs of the profession of Records and Information Management, and (2) promoting ARMA International as an Association. I believe that we're taking some very good steps in the International arena, but know that we have not yet defined our strategy. Our efforts to fully vet potential strategies should help us avoid the mistakes made by other associations, should help us focus on returning value to our members, and should contribute to the recognition and influence of the profession and of ARMA International. Douglas P. Allen, CRM, CDIA+ [log in to unmask] List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance