Are we there yet?

Information Management Journal, May/Jun 2003 by Skillman, Juanita M

This is a dynamic, exciting time for records and information management (RIM), and it behooves us to reflect on where we are and reevaluate our priorities. Are we where we want to be? Is our association where we want it to be? Let's look at:

ARMA's Vision:

At ARMA International, we recognize that information is a vital asset of every organization. Our vision is to provide leadership in education, research, and networking for the benefit of information professionals.

Our Mission Statement says:

The mission of ARMA International is to provide education, research, and networking opportunities to information professionals, to enable them to use their skills and experience to leverage the value of records, information, and knowledge as corporate assets and as contributors to organizational success.

And our values are defined as:

We, ARMA International, believe . . .

* that our members come first in everything we do

* in respecting each other as equals

* in affording members and staff the opportunity for professional development

* in actively soliciting and welcoming input from others

* that individual contributions are both valued and recognized

* in recognizing members and staff as partners on our team

* in providing the right information to all requests at the right time

* in doing business with respect, integrity, and professionalism

* in the power of sharing what we know

As I finish up my term as president of ARMA International, I feel that we still do not have a meeting of minds on just WHAT our association is or should be, WHO it serves, and WHAT it should be doing. Is it an association to advance the profession of RIM or one that serves our members, the information professionals already in the field? Is there a difference? Can we do one without the other? Is it our responsibility to evangelize the RIM profession outside the association to those who don't understand or appreciate its importance, or just to concentrate on those already in the profession who pay dues to belong to our organization? Should one exclude the other? If we can agree that both are important, how do we divide our resources to accomplish both goals equitably? As evidenced by the small percentage of our membership that votes in our elections and participates in surveys or on the forum, our members seem almost apathetic, and so it falls on the volunteer leadership, elected or appointed, to interpret that vision and chart ARMA's course for the future.

Our profession's increased visibility and accountability as a result of world events makes it even more important for us, as ARMA International, to have our act together. Continued debate and internal squabbling only serve to divide us and keep ARMA from accomplishing its full potential and does not serve the profession or the professional. Open, two-way communication is vital and for this to happen, the members need to step up and let their views be known. Don't be content to be a silent majority, even when you agree with what we are doing. Contact your elected leaders, your committees and ISGs, the staff at headquarters, and your local chapter leadership. Vote in the upcoming election and then communicate with and support your board of directors. We can't and shouldn't operate in a vacuum. We need positive, as well as negative, feedback. ARMA is continually changing, and while change is necessary and usually good, only you can ensure that the changes are in the direction that you, as a member, can support.

ARMA has been important to me for 23 years, and it has been my privilege to represent you as your president this year. As chairman of the board of directors next year, I would love to see a renewed spirit of participation at all levels of our association. Make ARMA work for you by working for ARMA.

Juanita M. Skillman,CRM,FAI President 2002-2003

Juanita M. Skillman, CRM, FAI

President

jskillman@ocsd.com