AIIM Northwest Annual Boat Cruise

AIIM Northwest

AIIM Northwest will host the annual Round the Lake Summer Boat Cruise on Thursday, August 20, from 6:30 to 9:30pm.

The Cruise will include dinner and provide attendees the opportunity to relax and network on a scenic cruise across Lake Washington. This is an ideal trip for content management professionals and their business partners and clients to relax and partake of the beautiful summer scenery around Lake Washington.

Check out the Event Flyer
http://www.aiim.org/images/chapters/northwest/uploads/docs/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20AIIM%20Northwest%20-%20EventNotice8-20_Boat%20Cruise.pdf

REGISTER TODAY
http://www.aiim.org/Chapters/ChapterEventView.aspx?ChapterID=31&EventID=4509

Cost: $15 AIIM members/ $25 non-AIIM members

ARMA 2009 Registration is Now Open!

Registration is now open for ARMA International's 54th Annual Conference
& Expo in Orlando, Florida! The Conference & Expo is a must-attend event
for RIM professionals and individuals associated with the field. The
conference and expo will be held October 15-18, 2009 (a Thursday –
Sunday schedule) at the Orlando World Center Marriott, a gorgeous resort
just minutes from all the attractions.

The biggest and best education event in the profession, the 2009
conference features more than 100 education sessions, seminars, and
workshops. At these outstanding sessions presented by the top
thought-leaders in their respective fields, you can learn the skills you
need to move forward in your profession and help your organization rise
to the many emerging challenges posed by today's economic and
technological realities. Also, remember to invite legal, IT, and others
on your corporate compliance team, because good records and information
management requires a cooperative effort among all the key players.

The ARMA 2009 Expo hall, packed with more than 200 of the top
technology and service providers, is a great way to find the right tools
your organization needs to manage records and information in the 21st
century. The many networking opportunities at ARMA 2009 will also let
you engage more deeply with your peers and talk about solutions to your
shared information management challenges. Plus, at the end of the day,
you can relax in the Florida sun, attend a special event, or take in one
of Orlando's world-famous theme parks for a reduced price!

Why wait? Register today!

http://www.arma.org/conference/2009/
Sessions:
http://www.arma.org/conference/2009/ARMA_Orlando%2009%20Schedule.pdf
Registration: http://www.arma.org/conference/2009/regMENU.cfm

Andrea Bettger

ImageSource's annual Nexus conference

NEXUS 09 ECM Solutions Conference November 2-3 2009
Bellevue, Washington

Can't attend ARMA International this year because your travel and
training budget slashed? Consider attending NEXUS'09, it will be held
on November 2-3, 2009 in Bellevue, Washington.

Nexus is offering $100 off their registration price for ARMA members.
Additionally, they are pending approval of 9 ICRM CMP Credits.

Register by June 30 for $295 afterward goes up to $495.

If you would like more information on the conference, please visit
www.NexusECM.com.

President Message, May Digest

Hello,

With our June 4th meeting, we will be closing out our 2008-2009 ARMA
Greater Seattle year. I hope you enjoyed this year of education programs
and opportunities. During the summer months, the chapter will still be
offering brown bag lunches with presentations on Electronic Records.
Look for information about those brown bags in your inbox. We will also
have the 3rd Tri-Chapter picnic, which will be announced in the next few
weeks.

Our final meeting of the year is about the Greater Seattle members. The
board will introduce the Chapter Member of the Year, transferring
custody of our records to the University of Washington, recognizing
members. I plan to keep in-touch with members through the monthly
digests throughout the summer. Also, I hope to refresh the Greater
Seattle Website.

I hope you will consider joining us for the Year End Social on June
4th.

Andrea Bettger, Greater Seattle President

June Program
Year End Social: Greater Seattle Awards and Fun! This program is all
about the hard working members of our chapter. We will reveal the
Chapter Member of the Year, the new 2009-2010 board, membership
recognition, and have some interactive fun. This will be a great way to
interact and get to know new and old members. Program Director, Dean
Koga's will be hosting at his house, located on Queen Anne hill.

I hope you will consider joining the fun.

For the full May digest, please see our Website at:
http://www.armaseattle.org/images/MayDigest.pdf

Andrea Bettger, Greater Seattle President

June 4, Year End Social: Greater Seattle Chapter Awards and Fun!

Date: Thursday, June 4, 2009

Time: 5:30-6:00 p.m. Networking; 6:00-6:45 p.m.; Awards, Fun and Games;
6:45-7:30 p.m. Appetizers

Cost: FREE

Location: Dean Koga's House 114 Highland Drive, Seattle WA.
(directions below)
Program Title: Year End Social: Greater Seattle Chapter Awards and
Fun!
Program Description: This program is all about the hard working
members of our chapter. We will reveal the Chapter Member of the Year,
the new 2009-2010 board, membership recognition, and have some
interactive fun. This will be a great way to interact and get to know
new and old members.

Register: This program is open to all Greater Seattle members and their
guests. Please register by Monday, June 1 by emailing
registration@armaseattle.org and include your name, organization, and
phone number and number of guests; or Sue Gunderson at
sgunderson@datasitenw.com

How to Get There: Dean Koga's house is located on Queen Anne hill at
114 Highland Drive. Head north on 1st Avenue pass Key Arena. Turn left
on Roy Street and right at the next block onto Queen Anne Ave. Near the
top of the hill at the yellow flashing light, turn right onto Highland,
continue on Highland. (To avoid climbing stairs continue to Warren St.
and turn left and into the drive behind the houses.)

Another option is north on 5th Avenue, about seven blocks after
crossing Mercer Street, turn left on Highland. Continue on Highland and
right onto Warren St. then left down the driveway behind the houses.

The Chapter's Blog: Remember to check our Greater Seattle Chapter
Blog (Web Log) periodically. There you will find more in-depth news and
information than is appropriate for e-mail. Our chapter's Blog is at
http://seattlearma.blogspot.com. If you would like to comment on a
posting, you may do so on the Blog. If you want to add a new item,
please send it to: andrea.bettger@seattle.gov.

Andrea Bettger, Greater Seattle President

Message from the Great Northwest Region Manager – Marc Simpson

It’s hard to believe that we’re quickly approaching the end of our ARMA year!
This year the Region Team chose to use a “Wizard of OZ” theme to weave through our messages. The choice became obvious at our Leadership Conference last June. Fran, Cindy, and I were having our picture taken with Tom Killam, Director of Member Services at ARMA International. Fran and I barely hover around the 5’ mark and Cindy a bit below that. Tom on the other hand easily tops 6’. So Tom got on his knees for the picture and was still nearly as tall as we are! Well Munchkin land quickly came to mind. When Deb Martin, our Region Director of Marketing told us she is from Kansas, it was a done deal. We hope you’ve enjoyed it.

In the end of the story, as Dorothy awakens from her dream, one of the things she tells her Auntie Em is that if she ever feels the need to go looking for her heart’s desire again, she needn’t go any farther than her own backyard. And that is how I feel about ARMA.

Interestingly, not long after I became Region Manager, I started receiving things from other organizations. Some wanted me to join them. Another offered me a special rate to take their courses to earn one of their designations. I received announcements regarding every conference under the sun. Now there’s nothing wrong with any of the organizations that contacted me. They are fine organizations and I am always interested in expanding my knowledge. It simply made me ask myself if I wasn’t already getting everything I need from ARMA. It didn’t take very long for me to realize that I do! Everything I need in RIM is available through ARMA!

Through my membership in ARMA and my local chapter, I have access to webinars, seminars, chapter programs, InfoPro Online, the Information Management magazine, GNW Region conferences, and the annual ARMA International Conference; to say nothing of the volume of information available through my chapter’s library and the ARMA International bookstore! From basics to bleeding edge, ARMA has it all. And it is all available to you too!

As we’ve mentioned over the past nine months, unlike any other organization I’ve ever known, ARMA is a family. I have made some life-long friends through ARMA. I’m sure that many of you have as well.

So for me, it’s as plain as a Kansas cornfield. There’s no place like ARMA.

As we come to the end of another year, we also are coming to the end of Fran Blaylock’s tenure as our Region Coordinator. I don’t think that I can find enough words to describe what a tremendous asset she has been to our region and especially to me. But you all know that. This is my rookie year as Region Manager and Fran has been there to help me every step of the way. It’s with great sadness that we will watch her leave the Region Team at the end of June. Please join me in thanking Fran for the great job she has done!

Hey, why not thank Fran in person? Attend the Great Northwest Leadership Conference, June 26-27 in Boise, Idaho. Although we really want all of the chapter leadership to be there, this conference isn’t just for members of the chapter boards. It’s also for newsletter editors, webmasters, and anyone who would like to get some great leadership training! Check out the flyer posted on the Region website for details.

Has your training budget been slashed? We know that we’re all feeling the pinch. That’s why our conference co-chairs, Michelle Morrison and Bruce Walters rolled up their sleeves to put together a leadership conference that will be as great as ever, but with a few less frills. The result is a lowered registration rate and a great hotel rate. Kudos to Michelle and Bruce for a great job!

And don’t forget, the Great Northwest Region is once again offering four scholarships for registration to the conference. Still need a little help? Because we know that travel budgets have been cut for many of us, the Region is offering all carpools of 3 or more attendees up to $50 to defray your fuel costs. We hope to see you there! Check the region website for an application for both of these offerings.

So as this ARMA year winds down the yellow brick road, I want to thank my Region Team and all of you for all you do for our chapters, our region, ARMA, and our profession and for all of your support!

There truly is no place like ARMA!

Very Truly Yours,

Marc J. Simpson, Manager
Great Northwest Region
Of ARMA International

Seeking Chapter Member of Year-Greater Seattle Chapter

The Greater Seattle Chapter is accepting nominations for the Chapter Member of the Year. If you would like to send a nomination of a member that showed outstanding performance this year. Please send me the individuals name and your reason for the nomination to me at: president@armaseattle.org or please contact me 206-615-1609.

Thank you,

Andrea Bettger
President Greater Seattle Chapter

Greater Seattle Elections OPEN

Annually, each ARMA chapter must elect board members to represent members and assist with educational program development. For 2009-2010, your board of candidates are the following:

• President: Andrea Bettger, City of Seattle
  
• Vice President: Andrew SanAgustin, Foster Pepper
  
• Treasurer: Meaghan Kahlo, PEMCO
  
• Secretary: Kirsten Zielke, Providence Health & Services
  
• Membership Director: Brian Rector, InfoCurrent
  
• Programs Director: Dean Koga, Stoel Rives and Paul White, City of Redmond (2 positions open)
  

Elections will be open until May 21, at 5 p.m.


Presidential Candidate
Andrea Bettger, I have served for the past year as president. Previous to 2008-2009 year, I have served as the Programs Director for four years and secretary one year. In March 2002, I began working for City of Seattle as the Records Analyst. I have over eight years experience working with archives and records management in several different types institutions. I hope to serve as you President next year and continue to grow and develop Greater Seattle into a healthy and active chapter. How one defines healthy and active chapter in ARMA, I believe is changing. I look forward to creating activities that reflect the change in our members and our members needs.

Vice Presidential Candidate
My name is Andrew J. SanAgustin and currently I am the Records and Conflicts Manager with Foster Pepper PLLC, a Seattle based full service law firm. I have been in the RIM field over 15 years, and have worked in different industries including Banking, Real Estate, Accounting, Government, and Legal. I have been involved with ARMA for most of my career, and I have been a Board member of the Greater Seattle Chapter for three years. In 2009-2010, I will be moving into the Vice President role. I am also a member of AIIM and ALA, and I spearhead the Seattle LISG (Legal Industry Specific Group).

Treasurer
I am Meaghan Kahlo and I work as a Document Specialist for PEMCO Insurance Company processing the corporate archives and supporting the Records Analyst. I earned my Master of Arts degree in Museum Studies with an emphasis on collections care and conservation, primarily archival collections and historical photography, from San Francisco State University in 2005. Each week I volunteer at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) library processing a collection of Seattle Post Intelligencer black and white negatives. I have served on board of the Greater Seattle Chapter of ARMA as the Membership Director for the past year and is looking forward to transitioning into the position of Treasurer.

Secretary
Kirstin Zielke, I am the Records and Library Coordinator with Providence Health & Services. I have worked in various aspects of the records management field for over 25 years. I joined the Greater Seattle Chapter of ARMA in 1995, and served two terms on the Board of Directors as Secretary.

Membership Director
Brian Rector, I am excited to join the leadership of this body, and look forward to meeting all of our members in the Seattle chapter! I work for InfoCurrent, a company that has been working with ARMA members across the country on records and library positions. We have been doing this for the past 15 years, and we have been here in Seattle since late last year. Over the next year, I plan to grow our business here in the Puget Sound and across the west coast.

Programs Director Select Two Candidates
Dean Koga, works for Stoel Rives LLP as a Records Supervisor for the Seattle, Minneapolis and Anchorage offices. I have been member and volunteer for the Greater Seattle Chapter of ARMA and ARMA International since 1989. I have served as Chapter President, Region Coordinator, on the Region Conference Committee, and on the ARMA International's Conference and Program committees. I encourage all of you to become an active member of the ARMA chapter, whether you volunteer as speaker, serve on a committee or serve as chapter officer. Your time will be richly rewarded with experience, education and many friendships.

My name is Paul White and I am with Departmental Administrative Coordinator in the City of Redmond Clerk's Office. My duties currently include development of records management and public records disclosure policies. I, also, have experience as a land-use planner and served the Florida Legislature as a Supervising Editor for seven years, where I learned the subtle art of diplomatically correcting the grammar of elected officials. I am relative newcomer to the field of records management, I am eager to contribute to the success of the Greater Seattle Chapter of ARMA.

If you have not recieved a ballot, please contact the Greater Seattle Chapter at president@armaseattle.org for balloting information.

Oregon Chapter celebrates is 40th Anniversary

Oregon ARMA Member/Friend:

Get out your tie-dyes, mini-skirts and bell-bottoms!

Registration is open for Oregon ARMA Chapter's 40th anniversary celebration at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutdale, Oregon on Thursday, May 21st.

You'll have a chance to mingle with past and current Oregon ARMA members and meet the new Board. There will be 1969-related fun activities with prizes, a silent auction benefitting the Oregon Food Bank, as well as a great buffet dinner and a no-host bar.

The cost for members and non-members is a reasonable $25 - so bring your friends and family!
For details see our May Newsletter and to joion us, please go here to register.


Tim Hunt, CRM
President, Oregon Chapter of ARMA International, Inc

Preparing for Greater Seattle Elections

Hello,

I wanted to let the Greater Seattle members to get ready to vote your 2009-2010 board members. You will soon see a Survey Monke link in your inbox and you will be able to vote soon!

Andrea Bettger, President Greater Seattle

Message from the President: Greater Seattle

The Greater Seattle upcoming events are:

• April 18, Shredding Day with NAPO, Datasite, and Office Max in Shoreline, WA. 9- noon (for more details below).
  May 1, It’s E-lectric! Decoding the Mysteries of E-mail, E-records, E-discovery and Computer Forensics.
  
• It is the Tri-Chapter Seminar in Tacoma, WA. All Day!
  
• Space still available $85 for members and $95 for non-members
  
• May 1, Seminar has no tiered registration and registrations accepted until April 24
  

Are you interested in getting more involved with ARMA? I would also like to hear from members about joining the Greater Seattle board. We are looking for someone to co-chair Programs with Dean Koga next year. This would be a great way to join the board by sharing duties and roles. If you are interested, please contact me.

The board is also accepting nominations for Chapter Member of the Year. If you have any nominations those should be directed to me also at president@armaseattle.org or 206-615-1609.

I hope to see you at the May 1, Tri- Chapter Seminar it is going to be a very informative event!

Andrea Bettger, Greater Seattle President


April 18, Shredding Event
Do you have items for shredding? From 9-noon, we will be co-sponsoring shredding event in Shoreline with National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), Datasite, and Office Max. The shredding will take place at Office Max 1345 N 205th Shoreline, WA 98133, you will be allowed paper and up to six boxes. Please feel free to inform friends, family, and co-workers about the event and pass along the flyer. If you would like to assist, please contact me at: president@armaseattle.org or 206-615-1609.
Shredding Flyer http://www.armaseattle.org/images/ShredDay041809.pdf

May 1, Tri Chapter Seminar: It’s E-lectric!
It’s E-lectric! Decoding the Mysteries of E-mail, E-records, E-discovery and Computer Forensics, the Tri-Chapter Seminar is finally here. Make sure to attend the joint seminar on Friday, May 1, all day at La Quinta Inn, Tacoma, WA. The seminar is the work of the three Western Washington chapters: Bellevue Eastside, Greater Seattle, and Puget Sound Chapter.

First track speaker will be, Jesse Wilkins, from Access Science Corporation. Wilkins’ will be speaking about E-mail Management and Blogs, Wikis, RSS: Emerging Records Management Issues and Strategies, also on Compliance 2.0 Managing Records in the Cloud. Wilkins is a fabulous speaker on Records and Information Management. Wilkins speaking engagements commonly costs a thousand dollars, so the entrance fee to see him at $85 is well worth attending.

The Spring Seminar’s second track will be David Matthews from the City of Seattle. Matthews will be speaking about Computer Forensics. You can learn how the technology professionals look inside a computer and find all those dirty little secrets. This session will be partnered with E- discovery, which will be presented by Todd Nunn of K & L Gates, who will present about E-discoveries and the Best Practices.

This is a great educational opportunity!

· Program Brochure http://www.armaseattle.org/images/TriChapterSeminarfinal2.pdf
· Registration Form http://www.armaseattle.org/images/Tri-ChapterRegistrationForm2.doc
This seminar is approved for 5.5 CLE credits and 5 CRM credits!

Welcome New Members!
Joined between December 2008 to April 2009
• Abigail M. Bonk—Sound Transit
• Jamie Carr-- Iron Mountain
• Terry Chappell– ASRCMS/ EPA
• Kathleen Clark -- Bayer HealthCare
• Seth Dalby -- Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle
• Grace H. Fitzgerald-- University of Washington
• Shawn Hanley-- Dendreon Corp.
• Jay Jenkins-- T-Scan
• Patti Larsen-- Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland
• Margi Layman-- Terrace Falls Group LLC
• Sharryl Matsumoto—BECU
• Robin Maberry--NOAA
• Elizabeth McAnlis--City of Redmond
• Michelle McGehee--City of Redmond
• Caitlin Oiye—King County
• Cori Phelps-- Puget Sound Energy
• Julie Pulliam—Starbucks
• Danelle Roath- Western Washington University
• Jerry E. Rugh--Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
• Neil Simons-Smead
• Christine Taylor--University of Washington
• Paul J White--City of Redmond
• Romaine Williams--Puget Sound Energy
• Joshua Zimmerman—City of Bellevue

Message from Region Coordinator

The Journey of a Lifetime…Following the Path of Evolution in RIM

Along with the rest of the world, the RIM profession is constantly changing and evolving, just as the business environment changes around us. We as ARMA members are moving right along with the changes, sometimes one journey after another. I reflect on one of my favorite songs from ENYA named Pilgrim. It is about taking a journey and not knowing where that road will lead you. Does it bring success or will you just find another leg of your journey? When I think of picking up my walking stick to continue on my own trek, I realize the things we learn and people we meet along the way are as valuable as the end result. Just as in the Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy made new friends and learned valuable lessons in her journey, we all need to take heart in those experiences along the way.

Speaking of evolution, it is finally Spring! This brings a promise of regenerating and of planting new seeds. During this time our GNW ARMA members are busy accomplishing their own “regeneration” and planting new seeds within their perspective chapters. New board members will soon be announced. It is always exciting to me to see a blend of the seasoned as well as new members take the reigns as your leadership for a new ARMA year. Take this opportunity to think of ways you can help your chapter either in a leadership role or in support of all the year’s activities. Remember, you have a voice in the parts of your chapter’s journey.

This leg of my ARMA journey is coming to a close. It is my final year as GNW Region Coordinator. I have greatly enjoyed the years I have spent in this role because of all of you! I feel a great sense of pride in our region, not only because of our ability to cope with the evolution of our profession, but because of the friendships and true dedication of our membership. I feel as I have grown in my role both professionally and personally. I greatly appreciate your support and sometimes patience as I have journeyed down this road. It is with a great sense of sadness I will be stepping down from this position. However, there are yet new paths to be forged. I am very excited that your new Region Coordinator will be Jennifer Winkler, the current President of Bellevue Eastside Chapter. I am confident that Jenny will bring a sense of new “growth” and “fresh ideas” to our region. I know I leave my position in capable hands!

Finally, in speaking of journey’s to be forged, don’t forget the upcoming GNW Leadership Conference taking place in Boise in June 26-27. The Boise Valley Chapter has done an excellent job of helping to put this together, considering our current economic environment. I encourage you, if you will be in a leadership role within your chapter to consider attending this conference. Even if you are not on your chapter board, consider attending if you have visions of leadership in the near future. The conference brochure will be sent out soon!

Very truly yours,

Fran Blaylock
GNW Region Coordinator

Message from the Great Northwest Treasurer

Message from the Great Northwest Region Treasurer

In the RIM world, if we have a hand in the organization’s program, I can imagine that we envision our program like that shining emerald city of OZ. I can also imagine that we look at our program and want it to be that jewel, so we think “great thoughts.” As we wind through that yellow brick road of another ARMA year, we come across some final challenges still to face before we can see our program to the brilliant end. We need to make it through that dark and evil forest and cross that beautifully deceptive poppy field to get to that city of green. While it is important to conquer that forest with a strategic plan, or create a great vision in order to navigate the poisonous field, we need to focus on implementing the program. It’s working through people and getting things done. While you may want to lay that to someone else, the individuals that have to lead your program have to understand how the bricks of the road are put together. It is not necessarily for them to do the work of bricklaying themselves, but to be aware of how they follow up to make things happen.

One traditional style of program management is represented by the Wizard of Oz, which is comprised of five goals of what is termed “school-based management.” In the order of their appearance, I will briefly describe each of these goals as we can relate and apply them to our records management programs no matter which stage that program has achieved.

The mild and meek Dorothy exhibits the quality of the first goal. This goal allows employees to share in shaping their own work environment. A successful records program is a flexible one that gives everyone in the organization a voice in dealing with the life cycle of records. A successful records manager will bring others along to meet basic regulatory record keeping requirements. Dusting off and sharing that retention schedule could be just what you need to get started on that road to keeping a bright and shiny program.

Dorothy first meets the Scarecrow who shows us the second goal stressing accountability. We all know the importance of attention to detail when it comes to records management. This consideration will pay off when it comes to being able to access records and when faced with their admittance in litigation. We are seeing more and more that instant access to your company’s records is dramatically increasing. This brings up the issue of keeping up with technology and the changing face of records as to be accountable for those bits and bytes. If you are like me, that does take a bit of that ole brain power. Those records inventories and file plans should be reviewed to give you that sense of security of meeting those all knowing eyes watching your program.

Next we meet the Tin Man on that road. He illustrates the third goal of giving the employees as much freedom as they need to do their job. I have found it hard at times as a records manager to let go and at times to give your heart and trust to employees to do the right thing in their record keeping practices. You can’t be everywhere and all knowing at all times. You can give them the tools and assistance to get started and monitor them on their way. ARMAs Leadership Academy might just fill that void for you to check out. This can give you that feeling of satisfaction that you are sharing those skills with others to make a brilliant records program.
The fourth goal speaks of control. The team comes across the Cowardly Lion next. He growels the lesson that we need to be as steadfast and confident in our own internal controls we have set for our records management program as we show them outwardly to the world. As a records manager, it can take a lot of fortitude to address the need for more security and budget controls that need to be addressed to administer your program. Take another look at ARMA’s records management competencies that are outlined and put forth from your Chapter leadership or on ARMA’s website for guidance and assistance with these control issues.

By this time, we see we have a well functioning records program and that we have reached the expectations we wished for. Or did we? In the story, the team finally reaches Oz but feels something is missing. They still want to meet that Wizard they know will fix everything for them. The Wizard does just that in revealing the fifth and final goal of fostering a system that encourages innovation and creativity. He shows them that they all have the tools already to work together to make each of their wishes come true. He encourages us to think “outside of the box” and try new ways of thinking about records management. We come up with ways to work smarter and not harder in the wake of astronomical environmental and economic changes. We still need to run our records program in the parameters in the way we have always done it but that does not mean we can’t come up with more effective and efficient ways of getting the same results. Check out the records management LISTSERVE to gain and share in those innovative ideas that happening out there. Have you listened to the radio talk show Inside the Records Room? What an idea….how clever huh?

It is my hope that this ARMA year has been a good journey down that records management road that in your Chapter meetings you were able to impart to your “team” these goals as I outlined above. I have seen what you are doing in some of your monthly programs and you have indeed touched on these without even knowing it I bet! Please celebrate your successful journey this year. Know that even though the road is not a straight one and there are many challenges and obstacles to face, you all are making a difference and contribution to the success of your organizations in the way you manage that all important RIM program of yours!

Cindy Fredrickson
Great Northwest Region Treasurer

Message from the President

Well, time flies when you are busy! My apologizes for the lateness of the February digest; however, the board has been busy working on some great spring items. I hope to see you on March 5, when Barbara Benson, University of Washington will speaking on Records Retention Scheduling and Policy. She is always a great speaker—ask her about eyes. Then the board has a very special treat for you on March 9 and in the next coming months. I am not going to put the details here, but you should have seen the exciting offer in your inbox.

In April, we have two great events. On April 3, at the Columbia Tower Club from 8-10 a.m. we will be holding a new member meet and greet. This is by invitation only! New members will get to meet other new members in the Greater Seattle Chapter and a select group of members will also be available to greet them. Next up, April 18 from 9-noon, we will be co-sponsoring shredding event in Shoreline with National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), Datasite, and Office Max. More details about this event are below.

I, also, hope you will consider attending the Tri-Chapter Seminar on May 1!

Andrea Bettger, Greater Seattle President

Tri Chapter Seminar, May 1

Tri-Chapter Seminar will be held on Friday, May 1, all day at La Quinta Inn, Tacoma WA. The Bellevue Eastside, Greater Seattle, and Puget Sound Chapter will be hosting a joint seminar.

The Tri-Chapter Seminar has several great speakers planned. Jesse Wilkins from Access Science Corporation will be speaking about E-mail Management and Blogs, Wikis, RSS: Emerging Records Management Issus and Strategies, also on Compliance 2.0 Managing Records in the Cloud. Wilkins is a fabulous speaker on Records and Information Management. He is well worth attending this event.

The Spring Seminar’s second track will be David Matthews from the City of Seattle. Matthews will be speaking about Electronic Investigations. You can learn how the technology professionals look inside a computer and find all those dirty little secrets. This session will be partnered with E- discovery, which will be presented by Todd Nunn of K & L Gates, who will present about E-discoveries Best Practices.

The Tri-Chapter presidents are very proud to present this wonderful opportunity to hear some great speakers. The costs plan to be minimal and the Greater Seattle Chapter will be opening the wallet to scholarships.

Look for detials on scholarship for the event soon!

Welcome New Members!

Welcome to the Greater Seattle Chapter!

New Members
Shawn Hanley - Dendreon Corp
Margi Layman, Terrace Falls Group LLC
Jay Jenkins
Jerry E. Rugh - Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Paul J. White - City Clerk's Office, City of Redmond

Greater Seattle Upcoming Events

March 5, Records Retention Scheduling and Policy
Barbara Benson, University of Washington is will be talking about her wide variety of experiences in records retention scheduling. Benson has worked for several different types of organizations that provide several different perspectives of records management. Benson will also speak about the challenges of enforcing the records retention policy. I wonder what she uses a whip or a big stick?

New Member Meet and Greet
On April 3, at the Columbia Tower Club from 8-10 a.m. Greater Seattle will be holding a new member meet and greet. This is for our new members, so they can be introduced to the Greater Seattle Chapter and also they can be introduced to the board. If you are a new member, I hope you will consider attending. Columbia Tower club has some great views of Elliot Bay! This is by invitation only.

Shredding Event
April 18, from 9-noon, we will be co-sponsoring shredding event in Shoreline with National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), Datasite, and Office Max. The shredding will take place at Office Max 1345 N 205th Shoreline, WA 98133, you will be allowed only paper and 2 boxes. If you would like to assist, please let me know.

For more detials on these events, please see the Greater Seattle Website: http://www.armaseattle.org/

Shredding Event

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
Location:
Office Max
1345 North 205th
Shoreline, WA 98133
Shredding: Paper and 2 boxes only

National Association for Professional Organizers (NAPO), ARMA International-Greater Seattle Chapter, Office Max-Shoreline and Datasite will be sponosoring this shredding day.

We hope you will stop by with something to shred!

2009 ARMA Election is underway!

2009 ARMA Election is underway. Please take a moment to cast your vote.

You should have recieved an email in your inbox about 2009 ARMA Elections make sure you you follow the email link to your ballot.

You have until: 23:00 HRS Eastern Daylight Time, February 16th 2009!

Andrea Bettger
Greater Seattle President

The Value of the ARMA Network - Resilience in a Time of Economic Changes

Greetings my ARMA friends!

I have been struggling with what to say that will help us build resilience and appreciate the value of ARMA during these times of economic struggles. It is difficult to remain optimistic when our training budgets are under the microscope and our jobs in possible jeopardy. The one thing that is a constant in this time of flux, is the support, networking and training opportunities you get from being a member of ARMA. The reason Dorothy and her friends made it to OZ is because they shared their fears and triumphs, stuck together and helped each other overcome the obstacles until they reached their goal. I know it is unsettling times right now both on a personal and professional level. It is during these times that we need to appreciate each other as we move down the yellow brick road. It is important to value and communicate our strengths as leaders in the RIM profession. I know for me, I always count on my ARMA network to remind me of the importance of our work and to feel a sense of camaraderie with others facing similar challenges. I think this is a good time to reflect on the ARMA International vision and values statement:

ARMA International Vision Statement
"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."

ARMA International Values Statement

We, ARMA International, believe...
· That members come first in everything we do.
· In recognizing members and staff as partners on our team.
· In respecting each other as equals.
· In providing the right information to all requests at the right time.
· In affording members and staff the opportunity for professional development.
· In doing business with respect, integrity and professionalism.
· In actively soliciting and welcoming input from others.
· In the power of sharing what we know.
· That individual contributions are both valued and recognized.


We need to ensure that this vision is carried down to the Region and Chapter levels. I believe it is this philosophy that will bring us through the myriad of obstacles we face everyday.

There are things we can do as individual members to ensure we have strong and resilient chapters within our region. One is to look to your own chapter and help build the ARMA vision and values into its core operations and member activities. Each of you has unique RIM experiences and knowledge. When shared, it is like a ripple effect and soon you have a greater circle of knowledge and strength within our profession. I know I have said this many times, but the strength of ARMA comes from its members and their contributions.

In the next couple of months, each chapter will be planning to fill its slate of officers and directors for the 2009-2010 ARMA year. I hope you will consider looking to your chapter for ways to volunteer and extend that circle of knowledge. I know that our chapters are excited and pleased to welcome new volunteers to the various positions on their boards. I encourage you to think about the possibility of working for your chapter in that capacity. If you prefer a different way to support your chapter, you might think of either providing a program or sitting on a subcommittee within your chapter. I can guarantee that any support is appreciated by your chapter and its members.

Both Marc and I are looking forward to visiting each chapter in the Great Northwest Region during the next few months. So keep involved in your chapter meetings and events, think about what you can offer as a chapter member and hopefully one of us will get to meet you soon! Marc and I agree, one of the best perks of being a Region Leader is having the opportunity to know the ARMA members of our Region!

Have a great rest-of-the ARMA year!

Fran Blaylock
GNW Region Coordinator

About Greater Seattle Membership: Low Meeting Attendance

The Greater Seattle Chapter currently has 92 members; however, participation and networking is at all time low!

If you have some ideas, comments about how to change this please send me an email at: president@armaseattle.org or call me at 206-615-1609. I would like to hear from members that have ideas on how to encourage participation, attendance, and more networking.

Or, tell me your needs from the local organization.

The Greater Seattle board has decided to no longer host meetings at an area hotel because we can't make your minium required number of attendees. The Greater Seattle board decide to host meetings, for now or until our attendance increases, at free venues.

What does this means for you?

• You will still get a high quality educational program.
• You will get it at a lower cost-$5 for just to cover the food the board will purchase.
• You will still get to network with area Records and Information Managers.

I hope to see you at either February 5 at Seattle City Hall, Room 370 8:30 a.m. March 5 at Seattle Municipal Tower, Room 4050/4060. (For program information and addresses see Greater Seattle Website.)

Andrea Bettger, Greater Seattle President

Message from the Greater Seattle President

Message from the President

If you were at the January 8, chapter meeting, you may have noticed I was absent. I was speaking (via teleconference) to IT professionals at the Northwest Public Power conference in Portland. It was a great experience and I am still getting emails from people asking questions about records management. Word back from the conference is that it was one of the best sessions.

Next month on February 5, Stephanie Wade from Boeing will be speaking about imaging and scanning. It will be great to hear how a large corporation manages their small, medium, and large scanning projects. Imaging and scanning projects are also playing a more important role in records management in my office. I have recently had several questions regarding imaging projects. I am looking forward to hear about how Boeing handles their many projects. We will be announcing the location very soon.

Andrea Bettger, Greater Seattle President

Venue Change
For the last three years, we have been at the Best Western Executive Inn. Due to shrinking attendance at our meetings, we will no longer afford venue and meals at the Best Western. The Greater Seattle meeting will be hosted at several large offices in the Seattle area, so make sure you pay attention to the location when you see the meeting announcements. If you have a large conference room or would like to host a breakfast or lunch meeting in the future, please contact a Greater Seattle Board member.

Tri Chapter Seminar: Update!
The date of the Tri-Chapter event has changed to Friday, May 1. The Bellevue Eastside, Greater Seattle, and Puget Sound Chapter will be hosting together a joint seminar on all day at La Quinta Inn, Tacoma WA. It was originally scheduled for the Thursday, but there was small change of plans, which I think are for the better.

The Tri-Chapters event has several great speakers planned. Jesse Wilkins from Access Science Corporation will be speaking about Enterprise Content and Records Management. He is a very excellent and informative speaker on Records and Information Management topics. He regularly speaks at ARMA International Conferences. The Tri-Chapter presidents are very proud to present Wilkins.
The Spring Seminar’s second track will be David Matthews from the City of Seattle. Matthews will be speaking about Electronic Investigations. You can learn how the technology professionals look inside a computer and find all those dirty little secrets. This session will be partnered with E- discovery. We are still finalizing the speaker, but soon will be announced. You will want to make sure to attend this event!

ARMA International News
ARMA International Education Foundation
The ARMA International Educational Foundation is a funding resource for research and scholarship in the field of records and information management. The source of funds is the income earned by an Endowment being raised by concerned individuals and organizations in the profession. Established by ARMA International, the leading professional association of records and information managers, it is a 501(c) 3 non-profit entity.

The Greater Seattle Chapter made a commitement to give five $100; this year will be our fourth pledge year. The pledge is from chapters that donate for five years $100. AIEF also sales drawing tickets to the ARMA International conferences. There will be tickets on sale for the 2010 conference in San Francisco, CA. The Greater Seattle Chapter is looking for a new AIEF Champion. If you would like to make an announcements at meetings and sale the 2010 raffle tickets, please contact the Chapter President.

ARMA International Website News
ARMA International's online shopping cart will be unavailable February 1 - 3 due to a system upgrade. After February 3, the ARMA Website and the online shopping cart should be working.

ARMA International Board Voting
ARMA International 2009 Board of Directors Election is open from January 7, 2009 until February 16, 2009 at 11 p.m. Make sure to check out who to vote online at:

· http://www.arma.org/news/enewsletters/index.cfm?ID=3241

A Message From the Region Manager

February. Did you ever wonder why, when the calendar was being decided, that February was only given 28 days? I think that perhaps it was because they were hoping that February would go by quickly. After all, February is nestled smack dab in the dead of winter. Personally I have found myself battling a state of the winter doldrums.
It’s dark, it’s dreary, and it’s cold. Add to that the state of our economy. More and more employers are talking about cutbacks. Whispers of the “L” word have even been mentioned in my workplace. It would be so easy to become depressed and give up trying.

Remember the scene in the Wizard of OZ when the bad witch casts a spell on Dorothy and her friends and causes them to lie down in the fields and sleep? Ah, but Glenda the Good Witch comes along and makes it snow which causes them to wake up and continue on.

O.K. the snow has fallen. It’s time to wake up from the winter malaise and move forward! And just like Glenda, ARMA International will be there to provide us with the tools we need along our journey. Free webinars, new publications in the ARMA bookstore, and leadership training are just a part of the services available to us.

Spring is coming and with it will be a number of excellent spring seminars being put on by our chapters. Contact your chapter leadership for details. I encourage you to attend!

Coming in June will be the annual Region Leadership Conference. Did you know that attendees receive four hours of leadership skill training by Alliance Training and Consulting? Dale Mask will be joining us again this June. Ask anyone who was there last June how tremendous Dale is! This is some of the finest training you can get and it’s provided to attendees by ARMA International. Now here’s the best part. You don’t have to be a member of your chapter’s Board to attend and get in on this opportunity! So mark your calendar for June 26-27 to join us in Boise. I hope to see you all there!

Finally, please remember your Region Team is here to help. If you ever have any questions, concerns, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to contact me or Fran.

Out of the dead of winter will come new growth. I urge you all to grow as well this spring by taking advantage of the services and opportunities available through your membership in ARMA!

Very Truly Yours,
Marc


Marc J. Simpson, Manager
Great Northwest Region
of ARMA International

Message from the President-Greater Seattle

Message from the President
The Greater Seattle Chapter will be starting the 2009 year of right. On January 8, Doug Jordan from DataSite with be speaking about data warehousing, records and media storage, and mobile shredding. Jordan has been a member of the Greater Seattle Chapter for many years; it will be great to have him speak about his business--data warehousing. I am looking forward to hearing about Data warehousing and the important details that all records managers need to know about these important topics. I have noticed an interesting trend in IT group. I have been asked by IT professionals how long data tapes need to be retained. Of course, when I tell them it depends on the data the get annoyed because its not a clear one or zero answer.

In February, we will hear from Stephanie Wade from Boeing about how Boeing makes decisions on imaging and scanning. It will be great to hear how a large corporation manages their small, medium and large scanning projects. Imaging and scanning projects are also playing a more important role in records management. I have recently had several questions regarding imaging projects and I am looking forward to hear about scanning at Boeing. I hope to see you at one of the next meetings!


After the last breakfast meeting on December 4, the board made a decision to reduce breakfast meeting costs to $15. Looking at the numbers it would save us money if we had 20 breakfast attendees versus 15 breakfast attendees and five members to join the program only. I hope you will consider joining us a half hour early for breakfast. This is a great price for: networking, learning and technology information. I hope to see you at one of the breakfast meetings, January or February. You can meet and chat with other area ARMA members and learning more about records and information management while munching on pasteries.

I want to wish you a very happy holiday season and a happy new year!
Andrea Bettger, Greater Seattle President

Data Warehousing, Records and Media Storage, and Mobile Shredding

Date: Thursday, January 8, 2009

Time: 8:30-9:00 Breakfast; 9:00-10:00 Program

Cost $15 (Continental Breakfast); presentation only $10
New Breakfast price!

Location: Best Western Executive Inn, (200 Taylor Avenue North). For directions, see below.

Program Title: Data Warehousing, Records and Media Storage, and Mobile Shredding

Program Description:
With increasing need to ensure secure and safe electronic records management, DataSite provides some of these services to the Northwest. Jordan will provide information on records and media storage, also mobile shredding. He will be presenting an overview of all three business lines, and how the industry is projected to change in the next few years.

Speaker Profile:
Doug Jordan started his records management career in 1984-1988 at the Pay N Save Corporation, where he managed 15,000 boxes for 400+ stores located in nine western states. Next, between 1988-1997 with Bekins Northwest, where he managed ten records storage locations in five western states. In 2002 to present, he stared his own business, DataSite Business Archives, which provides records and media storage, also mobile shredding in the Seattle area. DataSite is one of the leading records and media storage facility in the Northwest.

Register: This program is open to all professionals interested in learning more about records and information management. Please register by Monday, January 5, by emailing registration@armaseattle.org and include your name, organization, and phone number; or Sue Gunderson at sgunderson@datasitenw.com


Directions to the Best Western Executive Inn: From Interstate 5, driving north or south, take the Mercer Street exit (Exit #167). At the bottom of the ramp, bear right (onto Fairview) and then go left at the stoplight. After crossing 9th Avenue, you will pass through a short tunnel and the street becomes Broad Street. Stay in the left lane as you proceed on Broad Street. The first opportunity to turn left is a left-turn lane pull-out, which you should take (onto Taylor Avenue). The Best Western Executive Inn is on the left (East) side of the street.
Parking: There is on-street metered parking available. (We can no longer offer parking for our members in the hotel’s garage.) You may also take Metro buses 3, 4, or 16.

I hope you can join us!!
Andrea Bettger, Greater Seattle President