State of the association

Information Management Journal, May/Jun 2003

In his report to the ARMA International Board April 11, Executive Director/CEO Peter R. Hermann, CAE, summarized the association's current state with regard to the four Ms - membership, money, momentum, and (more) challenges. He also provided an overview of some of the major accomplishments and challenges experienced by the association over the past nine months.

The following is an excerpt from that report:

Membership

ARMA has instituted many new membership processes to increase renewals and facilitate effective communications with new members. ARMA membership totals have remained relatively stable over the past few years at an average of 10,000 members.

Renewals are steadily improving, showing an average same-month improvement of between 6 percent and 10 percent from 2001 to 2003. This is especially significant in light of the long-term economic pressures on the public and private sectors, downsizing, outsourcing, and general malaise of the marketplace. On average, overall renewals are now at 74 percent, up from 71 percent two years ago and 69 percent in 1999.

ARMA's member-get-a-member campaign - "MemberFest" - has brought in 186 new members to date, thanks to the efforts of 126 member-recruiters.

ARMA currently has 131 active chapters. Of those, 106 are reportedly healthy and viable, while 25 are struggling. New chapter formations are ongoing but infrequent. Region managers, coordinators, and Member Services staff are devoting significant time and energy toward activities that support these chapters.

Money

Each month, ARMA's Financial Planning Committee reviews monthly financial statements, which include year-end projections. Based on the February 28 financial reports, we do expect an unbudgeted surplus at the fiscal year end (June 30, 2003). This is the result of significant expense savings as well as some stronger-than-expected revenue streams. The 2003-04 operating budget, which was approved by the board at its April 13 meeting, contains a budgeted surplus of nearly $55,000.

Momentum

ARMA also is making significant progress in increasing its visibility (actively seeking involvement) and exposure (market recognition and awareness). Public and private organizations are actively seeking out ARMA for presentations, co-sponsorships, joint ventures, and strategic liaisons. The U.S. Department of Treasury, Disaster Recovery Institute, SRA International, and the American National Standards Institute are but a few of the organizations that have recently contacted ARMA.

(More) Challenges

Hermann cited several challenges facing ARMA as it strives to offer relevant, timely, and affordable education to RIM professionals. These challenges include

* assimilating all the knowledge, contacts, relationships, and strategies created over the past two years into ARMA's program offerings

* identifying, developing, and producing beneficial career development programs, tools, and resources

* developing, planning, and implementing industry-specific education with the assistance of the Industry Specific Group leaders

* research, development, and delivery of education and training on e-records management

To read the report in its entirety, visit www.arma.org/news/assodation.cfm.>

Copyright Association of Records Managers and Administrators Inc. May/Jun 2003

Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved