Communications by and for the members of the Greater Seattle Chapter of the Association of Records Managers and Administrators (ARMA), International. The chapter's Web site is at http://www.armaseattle.org. Earliest messages are at the bottom; later ones were added above them. Read from the bottom up.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Region Treasurer on Raising Our Voices
Let’s Raise Our Voices!
Welcome to 2008! This year is destined be an historic year. 2008 will bring us many things including another February 29th as well as another Winter Olympics. It will also bring us another Great Northwest Region Conference this April. The conference committee has been working very hard. I’ve had a sneak peek and I know that you will be thrilled to see the conference they have put together for us! The brochure is due out very soon, so watch your mailboxes for it. This is one you won’t want to miss!
The most historic event of 2008 will be the Presidential election. Will we see history made with the election of the first woman President or the first Afro-American President? Or will it be one of the other candidates? Who will we elect? Regardless of who we elect, the most important part is “we elect”. Our right to vote is one of the most sacred of our rights. It means that we, the people get to decide who we want to lead us. It is a right that separates us from dictatorships and one that thousands of our country’s men and women have fought and died for us to have. When Abraham Lincoln wrote his Gettysburg Address, he used the phrase “of the people, by the people, for the people.’ “By the people” means that the government is elected by the people. But if we don’t vote, what message do we send to our forefathers? What message do we send to our troops around the world?
A lot of people like to believe that their one vote isn’t significant. What does it matter what one person thinks, right? Wrong! The idea for independence started with two men who persuaded fifty others to sign the Declaration of Independence, pledging their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the cause. Many of them lost their fortunes and many their lives in the struggle for independence. Don’t we owe it to them, and everyone who has fought to secure our rights, to vote?
The ARMA International 2008 Board of Directors elections are right around the corner with chapter elections soon after that. It is just as important that we all participate in those elections as well. Of all of the organizations that I have seen, ARMA is truly one that is made up of its members, by its members, and for its members. What we, the members, think and want is important. Let’s start 2008 off right by raising our voices and flexing our voting muscle. I urge all of you to visit the online candidate forum at My ARMA to read each of the candidate’s bios and views on the key issues. Then remember to vote!
Oh, and if you’re an “old dog” like me and aren’t real comfortable voting online, ask ARMA for a paper ballot. They’ll send you one! (Go to arma.org; log-on to “MyARMA”; click on “Account Preferences.” The third section shows a drop down menu next to “Election Ballot, where you can accept the default, “OnLine Ballot” or select “Paper Ballot.” Be sure to click on “Select Changes” at the bottom of the page after you have edited your account preferences.) Together, with a collective voice, we can and we will advance our organization and our profession.
On behalf of the entire Region Team, I wish you all a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
Sincerely,
Marc
Marc J. Simpson, Treasurer
Great Northwest Region – ARMA International
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Region Coordinator Message
Strengthening our ARMA GNW Region Network
My second challenge was to find a new job while finishing my tasks on the transition team. Here again, I had amazing responses from my ARMA family and my connections within the industry. Don’t underestimate the power of your own connections and networking activities! They are a powerful resource and will strengthen you both professionally and personally.
Speaking of connections, if you are between jobs, as I was, or just searching for your next adventure, don’t forget to check out our GNW Region Jobs Blog at http://armajobsnw.blogspot.com/ sponsored by several chapters in our Region. It is a great resource to our members. Also, don’t hesitate to use it to post available positions in our area. Just contact either Roger Winters at roger.winters@kingcounty.gov; Andrea Bettger at andrea.bettger@seattle.gov; or Bob Dalton at daltonconsulting@hotmail.com and they will be happy to make the posting on your behalf.
In addition, I encourage you to visit our region website to find information about region events, region messages, chapter leadership and RIM resources both within our region and ARMA at large. Your region leadership would greatly appreciate feedback as you visit the site on both its visual appeal and how we can make it more valuable to you as a region resource. The site address is www.armagreatnorthwest.org/. Again, I wish you all a wonderful holiday season!
Sincerely,
Fran Blaylock, Coordinator
Great Northwest Region of ARMA
Friday, October 26, 2007
The Federal Rules of Electronic Discovery: Is Your Records Management Program Ready?
Time: 9:00-9:15 a.m. Registration; 9:15-11:00 a.m. Program
Cost: $25 (includes continental breakfast)
Location: Seattle Central Library, 1000 4th Ave., Seattle, WA
Program Title: The Federal Rules of Electronic Discovery: Is Your Records Management Program Ready?
Program Description: Charlene Brownlee will discuss the impact of the Amended Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP) on records and information management.
Highlights include:
- The importance of “ESI” (electronically stored information);
- How to conduct an inventory of ESI;
- How to ensure your retention schedule includes retention periods for ESI;
- Effective management of ESI during a litigation hold; and
- Strategies for reducing the volume of ESI.
CLE and CRM: We are currently seeking Washington State Bar Association credits for CLE. Please updated information on the Greater Seattle Website. This will be valid for CRM accreditation. APPROVED 1.5 CLE credits by WSBA.
Speaker Profile: Charlene Brownlee is a partner with the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine LLP and co-author of Privacy Law, a treatise published by Law Journal Press.
Ms. Brownlee assists clients, including Fortune 100 global financial, pharmaceutical, energy and technology companies, with solutions aimed at reducing cost and exposure in the electronic world. She regularly advises clients with regard to privacy, data security, records management, e-discovery best practices and technology transactions.
Ms. Brownlee has lectured and published in the areas of Records Management and E-Discovery, Technology, Internet law and intellectual property, including publication in Corporate Counsel Weekly, Dow Jones, and Corporate Counselor among others.
Ms. Brownlee received an LL.B. in 1991 from the University of Manitoba. She was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1991 and the Texas Bar in 2001.
By attending, you can win Privacy Law, a treatise published by Law Journal Press, authored by Charlene Brownlee.
Register: This program is open to all professionals interested in learning about the impact of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on RIM. Please register by Monday, October 29. You may also request an invoice by contact the Greater Seattle Chapter.
Seattle Central Library Directions: Central Library is located in downtown Seattle. It is bounded by Spring and Madison streets and Fourth and Fifth avenues. Parking is located under the building for a fee. Detailed directions can be located at the Seattle Central Library Website.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Sue Lord on the RIM Core Competencies Document
At the recent 52nd Annual ARMA International Conference, a long awaited document was revealed. It was the “Records and Information Management Core Competencies” document produced by ARMA International’s Education Development Committee. I feel very lucky to have acquired a “pre-press” copy of the “Competencies” document.
This document was two years in the making. Over forty records and information managers worked tirelessly in its creation. The document defines the record’s field’s competencies – the knowledge, skills, characteristics, or traits that contribute to outstanding performance in our profession. It can be used for evaluating the records professional’s skills pertaining to hiring, performance, training, career development, and succession management. Eventually, this project will help us to be able to identify gaps between our present knowledge and skill sets and to aid us in discussing our performance, career aspirations, and development needs with our workplace supervisors.
The document is organized by “competency levels” and “performance domains”. The Levels reflect the amount of knowledge or experience a person has to a specific skill set. The competencies are divided into four levels, ranging from one to four representing a progression of responsibilities and skills. The Domains are categories of competencies in a particular performance area such as business functions, RIM practices, Risk Management, etc. There are a total of six domains.
The next step in this important process will be the development of an on-line “self-assessment” tool where members can evaluate ourselves – based on the Competencies - and figure out where we are and where we want to go in our profession. This tool will be available in the first quarter of 2008 and will be free to all ARMA members.
Based on the Competencies document, ARMA will develop programs (including classes at International Conferences), resources, webinars, and other bodies of knowledge to help the records professional to acquire the educational resources we need in our field. Beyond that, the hope is to design a curriculum for the records professional student to be used in educational institutions.
The Competency Project has been, and will continue to be, a high-priority program for continued development in our association. I find it very exciting! I hope you do, as well. I recommend you download the Competency document at www.arma.org/competencies. There is no charge for ARMA members. And do keep your eyes open for the announcement of the self-assessment tool next Spring. Happy reading!
Very truly yours,
Susan M. Lord, Manager
Great Northwest Region of ARMA
Saturday, September 29, 2007
King County's Electronic Court Records (ECR) Wins Harvard Prize
I am delighted to share the story below with my friends and associates in ARMA, particularly the Greater Seattle Chapter. From the beginning of my time with the King County Clerk's Office, I was a member of ARMA because the department director considered it a wise investment. I cannot recount all that I learned through ARMA that contributed to the development and success of our Electronic Court Records (ECR) program. The contacts made, sessions attended, articles read, and conversations held proved most enlightening and encouraging to me. Often, as I developed the concepts for scanning documents and working with images, I returned with excitement from a chapter event eager to try out a new idea or add a new piece of information to our growing store of relevant knowledge. The opportunities ARMA gave me to present about our plans and, later, our projects, and finally, our program and future vision, all helped me draw out the lessons learned that are always the payoff from reading or hearing about what someone else has done. The ECR program required hard work and sacrifice by everyone in my department. Scores of leaders were involved in helping to strengthen and move the program forward. The thousands who have learned to rely with confidence on the convenient availability of documents from case files have also been keys to
success. What I mean to say is that ARMA played an important part to the development and success of ECR and your contributions to this innovation deserve
to be recognized.
Roger Winters, Past President, Greater Seattle Chapter of ARMA, International
Program and Project Manager, King County Department of Judicial Administration
roger.winters@kingcounty.gov (206) 296-7838
KING COUNTY ELECTRONIC COURT RECORDS HONORED AS INNOVATIONS IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AWARD WINNER
Harvard University’s Ash Institute RecognizesWork Facilitating Access to Court Records
Cambridge, Mass., – September 25, 2007 – The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government today announced King County’s Electronic Court Records (ECR) Program as a 2007 Innovations in American Government Award winner. The ECR Program of King County, Washington was one of seven $100,000 award winners announced at yesterday’s Innovations in American Government Awards twentieth anniversary reception in Washington, D.C. Recognized as a more efficient, cost-effective solution for addressing the cumbersome paper-based court record storage and retrieval process, King County’s ECR Program will receive $100,000 to share its practices across the nation.
As the thirteenth most populous county in the country, the King County Superior Court Clerk’s office receives 8,000 daily filings for both criminal and civil cases through the work of thousands of attorneys, litigants, and more than 60 judicial officers. With court records only accessible at the Clerk’s office during business hours and with only one person able to view a case file at a time, retrieving records could take days. Often judges had to make decisions without all relevant information in hand.
Encouraged by a 1998 statutory change, King County’s Department of Judicial Administration was able to designate the electronic document as the official case record. In 2000, the ECR Program kicked off a phased roll out of projects including conversion of all paper-based records into electronic versions, implementation of electronic filing and enabling online public access. Thanks to the dramatic improvements in operational efficiencies, the program reports over $5 million in savings. Benefits include:
Ease of Access: Judges, clerks, attorneys, court commissioners and sheriffs can instantaneously access or file electronic court records at any time without going to the Clerk’s office. Judges review court records electronically while on the bench.
Multiple Users: Unlike the previous paper-based process, multiple parties can access court records simultaneously, eliminating frustrations over checked-out or missing files.
Security: Issues of document defacement and lost or stolen files are no longer a problem under the program’s electronic document platform. The system’s rule-based credentialing ensures only authorized users have access to sealed court records. In the event of a system crash, ECR’s built in back up platform prevents data loss.
“We are incredibly grateful to be recognized as a 2007 Innovations in American Government Award winner,” said Barbara Miner, director of the King County Department of Judicial Administration and superior court clerk. “As a result of the efficiencies put in place by the ECR Program, our judges have dramatically improved access to court case record information to support more informed judicial decision-making. Thanks to the ECR system, we are more efficient and we are able to serve the court, litigants and the public better than before.”
“The King County Electronic Court Records Program demonstrates the power of collaboration to fundamentally improve the judicial process,” said Stephen Goldsmith, director of the Innovations in American Government Program at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. “The King County Clerk’s office worked hand-in-hand with multiple parties to replace the paper-based process and enhance justice. It is our hope that as a 2007 Innovations in American Government Award winner, King County will share its practices with other judicial departments around the country.”
Established in 1986 at Harvard University by the Ford Foundation, the Innovations in American Government Award Program has honored 174 federal, state and local government agencies. Through this annual competition, the Program provides concrete evidence that government can work to improve the quality of life of citizens. Many award-winning programs have been replicated across jurisdictions and policy areas, and some have served as harbingers of today’s reform strategies or as forerunners to state and federal legislation. By highlighting exemplary models of government’s innovative programs over the past 20 years, the Program drives continued progress and encourages research and teaching cases at Harvard University and other academic institutions worldwide.
About The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation
The Roy and Lila Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation advances excellence in governance and strengthens democratic institutions worldwide. Through its research, publications, leadership training, global network and awards program – developed in collaboration with a diverse, engaged community of scholars and practitioners - the Ash Institute fosters creative and effective government problem-solving and serves as a catalyst for addressing many of the most pressing needs of the world’s citizens. The Ford Foundation is a founding donor of the institute. Additional information about The Ash Institute is available at http://www.ashinstitute.harvard.edu/. Organizations are encouraged to apply to the 2008 Innovations in American Government Awards by October 15, 2007 at http://www.innovationsaward.harvard.edu/.
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Thursday, August 23, 2007
Great NW Region Message from Susan Lord
Dear Great Northwest Region of ARMA members:
Welcome to the 2007-2008 ARMA year! I know that your chapter officers and directors have been busy these past few months preparing for a most excellent chapter business year. Most of the chapters began this year by having representation at the 2007 Great Northwest Region Leadership Conference hosted by the Columbia Basin Chapter in Richland, WA. I believe we all learned a lot about ARMA International, the Region, duties of the chapter’s BOD positions, and best practices for our chapters. There was opportunity to network and share information with each other - which I believe is one of the greatest things about ARMA members.
During the summer, your chapter Boards have been calculating budgets, planning the calendar, contacting speakers for your educational programs, and a myriad of other things. I hope you will thank your chapter officers and directors - at your next opportunity - for the time and effort they volunteer on behalf of our organization. I appreciate them and I am sure you do, too!
If you are planning to attend this year’s International Conference in Baltimore, please know you are invited to attend a no-host GNW Region Luncheon at a local restaurant near the conference venue – probably on Tuesday, October 9th. Keep your eyes open for a notice/sign-up sheet to be posted at the message board near the Registration area.
In addition, for those who are chapter leaders, please consider attending “ARMA Leadership Day” on Friday, October 5th and/or “Region and Chapter Leadership Day” on Saturday afternoon on October 6th. Also, I encourage ALL Great Northwest Region members to join me at a “Meet and Greet” Region reception to be held Saturday, October 6th - probably late in the afternoon at the conference hotel. (Holy cow! We are going to be busy!!) Please contact me should you have any questions.
Finally, I hope you have a great ARMA year!
Very truly yours,
Susan M. Lord, Manager
Great Northwest Region of ARMA
253-383-3791
slord@vjglaw.com
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Recent Developments in Electronic Records Management: Seminar
Date: Friday, September 7, 2007
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Location: WA State History Museum- Tacoma, WA
The Puget Sound Chapter of ARMA and the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
is collaborating on their 5th annual seminar entitled "Recent Developments
in Electronic Records Management". This year's focus will be on the new
Federal Court Rules and how they impact preparations for litigation. The
program - including a "mock deposition" will be of interest to attorneys,
records managers and information technology personnel. Please see the
attached electronic version of the brochure for the guest speakers and more
information.
3 CRM and CLE credit hours HAVE BEEN APPROVED by the appropriate
organizations.
Please see Puget Sound Website for more details
Posted by: Andrea Bettger, Programs Coordinator
Monday, June 25, 2007
Greater Seattle Chapter Summer Update
AIIM Northwest will host their final meeting on June 28, from 4:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Swedish Club (1920 Dexter Ave N, Seattle WA). Topic will be ECM Regulatory Compliance Update and second program will be The Digital Mailroom. See the flyer at http://www.armaseattle.org/
Call for Presentations: 2008 Great Northwest Region Conference (April 7-9, 2008) Presentation proposals due by August 17, 2007. For more information and the guidelines see the Great Northwest Website: http://www.armagreatnorthwest.org
Tri-Chapter Picnic July 15, 2007: The Bellevue Eastside, Greater Seattle and Puget Sound Chapters of ARMA, International will be hosting a summer picnic in Federal Way on July 15. This will be a great way to meet our fellow area ARMA members and their families. Stay tune for more details about this event and for specific location. You will see more details at http://www.armaseattle.org/ or in your email box.
Volunteers: The Greater Seattle Chapter is looking for volunteers! If you are interested in leading the chapter in the future or would like sharpen your leadership skills ARMA is a great place to learn. We are seeking volunteers to assist a non-profit organization with records retention project; follow a board member program; membership recruitment event; program evaluation assistant. Contact the Greater Seattle Chapter for more details or to sign-up contact Andrea Bettger
Andrea Bettger
Director of Programs
June 25, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
Greater Seattle Chapter June Meeting, Triple AAA (Auction, Awards and ARMA) and Biotech
Time: 5:30-6:00 p.m. Registration & Networking; 6:00-6:50 p.m. Dinner; 6:50-8:00 p.m. Program
Location: Best Western Executive Inn (200 Taylor Avenue North). FREE PARKING (see below). For directions, see below
Cost: $25 includes dinner and one complimentary beverage
MENU
Pan Seared Northwest Salmon with Vine Ripened Tomato Couscous and a Sweet or Pasta Primavera (Vegetarian).
Caesar salad, vegetables, focaccia bread.
Dessert: Chocolate Mousse.
Program: Triple AAA: Auction, Awards and ARMA
including a special presentation: “Biotech: a Maze of Regulations; Documenting Clinical Trials” by Fran Blaylock of ICOS.
This is the final Greater Seattle Chapter program in the 2006-2007 ARMA year. Our silent auction raises funds for the Chapter to give as scholarships. The awards ceremony recognizes people with special achievements in the chapter or in the profession, including the Chapter Member of the Year (CMOY). The Chapter Member of the Year is supported by the chapter to ensure she or he can attend the annual conference of ARMA, International.
Guest Speaker
Fran Blaylock, Region Coordinator for the Great Northwest Region of ARMA International, will discuss ARMA, International’s goals and available resources. Fran also will present Biotech: a Maze of Regulations; Documenting Clinical Trials.
Speaker Profile Fran Blaylock is in her second year as the Region Coordinator for the Great Northwest Region of ARMA (Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Alaska). She has been a member of ARMA and the Bellevue/Eastside chapter for 10 years. She has filled many positions within her chapter including Newsletter Editor, Vice-President and President. She organized and hosted the 2005 Great Northwest Region Leadership Conference and has been on hand to assist the Bellevue-Eastside Chapter Board as needed in a supporting role. She is currently working the CRM certification and will be sitting for Part 6 very soon. Fran is Senior Records Specialist at ICOS Corporation, a position she has filled for six years. Previously she worked as a RIM consultant for King County’s Regional Justice Center project and has worked with various other construction firms in the area. Fran holds membership both in ARMA, International and in the Drug Institute Association, EDM Sector.
Register The program is open to all interested persons. Please register by Monday, June 4, 2007, by logging on to http://www.armaseattle.org/registration.htm.
Directions to Best Western 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. The first opportunity to turn left is a left-turn lane pull-out – take that left turn (onto Taylor Avenue). The Best Western is on the left side. Turn left just before the Best Western, turn right at the next alley, and immediately enter the parking area under the hotel. Park there – but remember to get your parking pass at the meeting room and come back immediately to put it on your dashboard.
FREE Parking is available under the Best Western hotel (enter the parking area at the northeast corner of the building). Be sure to pick up your free parking pass at the meeting registration desk . Return to your vehicle immediately and place the pass, as directed, on your dashboard. Parking is underneath the Best Western or there is on-street meter parking.
Note: If you would like to be added to the email list for chapter programs, please contact the Greater Seattle Programs director at programs@armaseattle.org
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Message from the Great NW Region Manager
But, I am not going to let you off the hook yet! There are a few events and dates I would like to remind you of:
June 12 & June 13: Susan McKinney, the President of ARMA International Board of Directors is coming to the Pacific Northwest! She has made special plans to recognize two chapters in our Region who are celebrating significant anniversaries. What an honor! On Tuesday, June 12th, Ms. McKinney will be attending the Bellevue/Eastside Chapter meeting to recognize the occasion of their 15th chapter anniversary. On Wednesday, June 13th, she will be in attendance at the Puget Sound Chapter meeting in recognition of their 30th Anniversary. I hope you will consider attending one or both Bellevue/Eastside or Puget Sound’s chapter meetings in June if you are able. At each meeting Susan will be giving an educational session. She is a delightful lady and a great speaker. Watch for more information about Ms. McKinney’s visit at each of the chapters’ websites: www.armabellevue.org and www.pugetsoundarma.org.
June 22-23: The Great Northwest Region of ARMA Leadership Conference will be hosted by the Columbia Basin Chapter in Richland WA. This is a great opportunity for chapter leaders and general members to receive training in leadership skills, learn information about ARMA International – both from the Board of Directors and International Headquarters - and networking with other Board members from throughout our Region from Alaska to Idaho. If you have not received a brochure about this event, please contact your chapter President or myself and we will be happy to forward a copy of it to you. I hope to see you there!
October 7-10: ARMA International’s 52nd Annual International Conference and Expo will take place in Baltimore, MD. This is the premier educational event within our organization. If you have been to this conference before, you know what I am talking about. If you haven’t been, do try to get there. You will be amazed at all the things you will learn!
April 7-9, 2008: The Great Northwest Region Conference will be hosted by the Oregon Chapter in Portland at the Oregon Convention Center. Our Region’s answer to the International Conference is held every other year. Again, there will be excellent learning opportunities for a fraction of the cost of the International Conference. Save the date!
Sigh….well, I’m running out of dates and running off the page. I hope to see many of you at the upcoming events noted above. I thank each of you for being ARMA members and/or ARMA volunteers. Without you, there wouldn’t be, well, ARMA!
I hope you have a wonderful summer break!
Very truly yours,
Susan M. Lord, Manager
Great NW Region of ARMA
slord@vjglaw.com
Monday, April 30, 2007
Seattle Area Archivists Meeting
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
2-4 pm
NARA - Pacific Alaska Region
6125 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle
Gary Menges, Preservation Administrator at the University of Washington, will present a two-part program. First, he will talk about "preservation in a nutshell," covering basic concepts we all need to know. Second, Gary will review recent preservation initiatives in the Northwest to provide a framework for a discussion on some possible new area projects. Gary is looking for input on how to proceed with local initiatives, so this is a great chance to both learn and contribute!
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Nominations Sought for Member of the Year
I was delighted to be honored last year as your “Chapter Member of the Year.” We did have a great 2005-2006 ARMA year, I thought.
It’s now time for me to ask you to send in your nominations for “Chapter Member of the Year 2006-2007.” I will present the nominations to the Chapter Board at their May meeting. They will consider the individuals you have nominated and they will then use a secret ballot to select the winner. I will have the honor of announcing the winner at our June 7 meeting!
What does it take to be “Chapter Member of the Year?” There are no set criteria for this handed down from ARMA International or from our own chapter traditions. Here are some excerpts from ARMA’s ADMINISTRATIVE LETTER No. 711, which provides some guidance on the subject.
“In evaluating candidates, emphasis is given to the member’s participation in and contribution to the chapter’s activities. The outstanding member is also a person who has supported and promoted ARMA International objectives.”
A number of factors that a chapter might consider in selecting the Chapter Member of the Year are listed in the ADMINISTRATIVE LETTER. If you would like to see these criteria, you can find the letter on the ARMA International site or ask me to send you a copy.
To submit a nomination, all you need to do is to contact me via email at roger.winters@metrokc.gov or by phone at (206) 296-7838 by May 10, 2007. Please let me know the name of the person you wish to nominate and whatever information you have to support that person’s candidacy for Chapter Member of the Year. I will present all nominees to the Board at their May 17 meeting and they will choose the winner.
The Greater Seattle Chapter for the past several years has given the Chapter Member of the Year support to attend the annual ARMA International conference. This year’s winner, unless her or his company is covering the costs of attending the conference, will receive whatever support from the Chapter she or he needs in order to attend.
If you have questions about this process, please let me know and I’ll answer to the best of my ability. Thank you for your attention to this – and, now, whom will you nominate for this honor for the 2006-2007 ARMA year?
Roger Winters, Past President
Message from Fran Blaylock, Region Coordinator
Leadership in the RIM Profession
It is the time of year when our GNW chapters select and vote on their board for the 2007-2008 ARMA year. With thoughts of selecting leaders for your chapters, I think it is an excellent opportunity to think about the meaning of leadership in the RIM profession, both as a RIM professional and as a member of your local chapter. I encourage each of you to look at what you can do on an individual basis to further enhance your skills as a leader in RIM to move our profession to the next level.
There is a vast amount of material easily available that help us to understand both the context and meaning of leadership. One quote that helps me put leadership into perspective is:
“Leadership is understanding people and involving them to help you with a job. That takes all the good characteristics, like integrity, dedication of purpose, selflessness, knowledge, skill, implacability, as well as determination not to accept failure” by Admiral Arleigh A. Burke. Another quote more directly related to our own line of work, “One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency” by Arnold Glasgow. I would also like to share 21 qualities of a leader that came across in a leadership session. Think about how you could apply these principals either as a whole or individually to your own situations:
Ø BE A PIECE OF THE ROCK: Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character, which inspires confidence.
Ø CHARISMA: The first impression can seal the deal.
Ø COMMITMENT: It separates doers from dreamers.
Ø COMMUNICATION: Without it you travel alone.
Ø COMPETENCE: If you build it, they will come.
Ø COURAGE: One person with courage is a majority.
Ø DISCERNMENT: Put an end to unsolved mysteries. “Smart leaders believe only half of what they hear … discerning leaders know which half to believe.”
Ø FOCUS: The sharper it is, the sharper you are. Focus 70% on strengths, 25% on new things and 5% on areas of weakness – “growth equals change … to get better, you have to keep changing and improving.”
Ø INITIATIVE: You won’t leave home without it.
Ø LISTENING: To connect with their hearts, use your ears.
Ø PASSION: Take this life and love it. “You can never lead something you don’t care passionately about. You can’t start a fire in your organization unless one is first burning in you.”
Ø POSITIVE ATTITUDE: If you believe you can, you can.
Ø PROBLEM SOLVING: You can’t let your problems be a PROBLEM.
Ø RELATIONSHIPS: If you get along, they’ll go along.
Ø RESPONSIBILITY: If you won’t carry the ball, you can’t lead the team.
Ø SECURITY: Competence never compensates for insecurity.
To improve your security: know yourself, give away the credit, and get some help.
Ø SELF-DISCIPLINE: The first person you lead is you.
Ø SERVANTHOOD: To get ahead, put others first. “The leader serves people. Serves their best interests and in so doing will not always be popular, may not always impress. But because true leaders are motivated by loving concern rather than a desire for personal glory, they are willing to pay the price.”
Ø TEACHABILITY: To keep leading, keep learning.
Ø VISION: You can seize only what you can see.
I look to each of these as a personal challenge to improve my own position in RIM and more importantly to become a mentor and guiding force to our profession.
Leadership happens at so many levels and across every sector of our lives. I encourage each of you to consider what leadership means to you and use this as a guiding light as you move forward in your careers, as a vital member of your chapter and in your personal lives.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Spring Message: Sue Lord Looks Ahead
Happy Spring to you! I certainly feel that “spring” in my step as the days become longer and the air becomes warmer. How about you?
Please mark your calendars for the GNW Region of ARMA’s Leadership Conference to be held in Richland, WA on June 22-23, 2007. The Conference is being hosted by the Columbia Basin Chapter of ARMA. This conference is designed for those ARMA members who have an interest in leadership within the organization – and, frankly, within the workplace, as well. Because, what you learn at an ARMA leadership conference is certainly applicable to all areas of your life such as family, church, and work.
This year, ARMA International is providing an executive level trainer, Dr. Charles R. Stoner, Professor at Bradley University, for each of its region Leadership Conferences.
“Developing the Leader in You” will be the topic of Dr. Charles Stoner’s presentation. The program will comprise ½ day in the form of a workshop. This workshop promises to be an active, engaged combination of presentation and discussion with opportunities to practice the use of key leadership skills. Some of the skill sets that will be taught includes: addressing and resolving conflict; coaching and mentoring; team building; and other skills that are helpful for the contemporary leader’s success.
This will be great! I heard Dr. Stoner at the International Conference in San Antonio last fall and he was an excellent speaker and teacher. I am so pleased that ARMA is providing this top-notch educator to its membership. See, ARMA is very interested in helping our members grow!
Attendees at the Leadership Conference will have the opportunity to meet Trevor Mitchell, Manager of ARMA’s Member Services who will have much information about the relationship between ARMA and its Chapters. We will have the pleasure of our Region’s own Bonnie Nadler, Director, ARMA International Board of Directors, who will update the attendees on the Competency Project, highlights of “hot issues,” and other information about our association. We also will have former ARMA International President, Juanita Skillman, in attendance. This will be a terrific Leadership Conference! I do hope you will plan to attend.
Detailed information will be following in the next few weeks. Please remember the Great Northwest Region is offering five (5) registration scholarships, valued at approximately $125.00. In addition, ARMA International is offering two (2) Leadership Conference Grants to members of our Region valued at $400.00 - meant to cover transportation and two night’s hotel expenses. Each of these is a great opportunity for assisting current and future leaders of ARMA. I do hope you will consider attending the conference and if you are interested in either of these assistance programs, please contact me. By the way, ARMA Int’l would like to have applications for their grants by the end of April. More information about the Region scholarships will be forthcoming.
Please contact me for appropriate forms or if you have any questions about the financial aid.
Very truly yours,
Susan M. Lord, Manager
Great NW Region of ARMA
253-383-3791
slord@vjglaw.com
ARMA HOUSTON 2007 Spring Conference
“ARMA HOUSTON’S CONFERENCE DELIVERS PROVEN RESULTS!”
Earn 9.5 ICRM Credits!
The ARMA Houston chapter invites you to attend the ARMA Houston 2007 Spring Conference. You must see it to believe the power, performance and impact of the Houston ARMA Conference!
Visit the Exhibitor Booths to explore state-of-the-art records management products and services!
Who: Keynote speakers Jessie Wilkins and John Montana as well as a host of
well-known records management experts will deliver two days of critical insights, techniques and solutions.
Track titles include:
· Business 101
· Project Management Lab
· Deposition for Records Managers Workshop
· Mock Trial
· Management Topics
· RM Fundamentals
· Vendor Track
· Case Studies
· Technology Topics
· Industry Specific Round Tables
· ALHEF (Alice L. Haltom Educational Fund) Sponsored Sessions
· Successful RM/DM System Implementations
Save the date: April 24 – 25, 2007.
Where: Stafford Centre, Stafford, TX
Don't miss this opportunity to network with Records and Electronic Data Management experts - representing a multitude of local as well as international enterprises. Learn from those who are facing the same challenges you are!
For program & registration information, please visit armahouston.org.
$50 off if you register before March 31st, 2007!
Lift your spirits and recharge your batteries at the ARMA Houston Southwest Conference!
ARMA HOUSTON 2007
“ARMA HOUSTON’S CONFERENCE DELIVERS PROVEN RESULTS!”
Earn 9.5 ICRM Credits!
The ARMA Houston chapter invites you to attend the ARMA Houston 2007 Spring Conference. You must see it to believe the power, performance and impact of the Houston ARMA Conference!
Visit the Exhibitor Booths to explore state-of-the-art records management products and services!
Who: Keynote speakers Jessie Wilkins and John Montana as well as a host of
well-known records management experts will deliver two days of critical insights, techniques and solutions.
Track titles include:
· Business 101
· Project Management Lab
· Deposition for Records Managers Workshop
· Mock Trial
· Management Topics
· RM Fundamentals
· Vendor Track
· Case Studies
· Technology Topics
· Industry Specific Round Tables
· ALHEF (Alice L. Haltom Educational Fund) Sponsored Sessions
· Successful RM/DM System Implementations
Save the date: April 24 – 25, 2007.
Where: Stafford Centre, Stafford, TX
Don't miss this opportunity to network with Records and Electronic Data Management experts - representing a multitude of local as well as international enterprises. Learn from those who are facing the same challenges you are!
For program & registration information, please visit armahouston.org.
$50 off if you register before March 31st, 2007!
Lift your spirits and recharge your batteries at the ARMA Houston Southwest Conference!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Gold in the Great Northwest Region!
There’s Gold in the Great Northwest Region!
As Treasurer of the Great Northwest Region of ARMA it is my responsibility to keep track of the wealth of our Region. I am happy to report that we are fiscally sound and growing. For more details, please visit our website at www.armagreatnorthwest.org . But there is far more wealth in our region than can be reported in our financial statements. Ladies and gentlemen, there is gold to be found in the Great Northwest Region!
Now don’t run out and buy panning supplies. This gold isn’t found in the form of nuggets. It is found in our members and in the opportunities that are available to all of us. I have never ceased to be amazed at the wealth of talent, skills, and knowledge of our membership. Even more so is the willingness of members to share their experiences and knowledge. The networking opportunities are endless. Add in the educational opportunities available through chapter workshops, programs and seminars, Region and ARMA International Conferences, webinars and publications and there is a goldmine available to our membership.
But how would you like to strike the motherlode?
Did you ever want to apply for a supervisory position only to find that it required supervisory experience? Or have you been interested in project management, but didn’t know where you could learn more about that? Where do you go to learn new leadership skills and hone old ones?
The answer is simple…in a chapter of the Great Northwest Region of ARMA. There are supervisory and leadership skills to be learned and honed in the officer and director positions of chapter boards. Project management skills and team building can be sharpened serving on a variety of committees. And if all you have is a few minutes a month that you can invest, consider passing out name tags at your hospitality table or greeting members at the door. Imagine how quickly your network can grow! Whether you have five minutes or five days a month that you give, the reward will be worth it. Talk to your chapter President. I am sure that he or she would be thrilled to have you join the team.
Involvement in your chapter can be personally rewarding too. It was through my work in records and involvement in ARMA that I met my (then future) mother-in law and consequently, my wife. I have also found gold in a few lifelong friends. Talk about striking it rich!
Election time is coming right around the corner. Consider a board position in your chapter or joining a committee. The prospects are just waiting for you. The more you dig in, the more gold you will find.
Very Truly Yours,
Marc J. Simpson
Treasurer, Great Northwest Region of ARMA
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
ERM Certificate Program Coming to Seattle!
ERM Practitioner Certificate Workshop - April 3-4, 2007
ERM Master Certificate Workshop - April 3-6, 2007
These workshops are very popularity across the US and in Canada. More information can be found at www.imergeconsult.com/ermworkshops.html
ARMA members can register at a discount rate!
If you have any further questions, please contact:
Lynnea Brown
Training Administrator
IMERGE Consulting
847-829-1870
Lynnea.brown@imergeconsult.com
Posted by Andrea Bettger
Programs Director-Greater Seattle Chapter
Friday, January 19, 2007
Sue Lord Speaks!
Oh! The woes of winter! My neighborhood is one big slurpy as I pen this message to you. Those of us who live in the geographical Puget Sound area have suffered the “S” word for about 9 days, now. We are not used to snow and temperatures that dip well below 32 degrees for extended periods of time. I am looking forward to the warmer forecast of 45 degrees and I am thinking it is sounding quite balmy! (I can just hear our ARMA friends in Boise and Anchorage chuckling about now!)
Speaking of looking forward…
I am looking forward to voting for several candidates for the ARMA International Board of Directors. I received my reminder e-mail about a week ago and am pleased I have until 23:00 HRS EST on February 16th, 2007 in order to cast my ballot. Please don’t forget to participate in this exercise! Do set aside a half hour or so and read about the candidates, then do the right thing by selecting the candidates you prefer and clicking on the little green button. If you did not receive the e-mail regarding ARMA voting, or if you have any questions, please contact Connie Hardy at connieh@arma.org or 888-299-4094.
I am looking forward to continuing to work with Fran Blaylock as GNW Region Coordinator. Fran recently re-applied for the position and was selected to serve another two year term. Fran brings many qualities to our Region including a distinct sense of “level-headedness” and very thoughtful consideration of issues within ARMA and our Region. We are lucky to have her as a volunteer leader!
I hope you will consider looking forward to volunteering for your chapter. In the next couple months, each chapter will be planning to fulfill its slate of officers and directors for the 2007-2008 ARMA year. I know that our chapter boards are pleased to welcome new volunteers to the various positions on their boards. So, do consider working for your chapter in that capacity. If you would prefer a different sort of volunteer duty, certainly you may find a committee within your chapter where you can exercise your talents!
Both Fran and I are looking forward to visiting most of the chapters in the Great NW Region during the next several months. So keep your eyes on your chapter publications, attend your chapter meetings, and, hopefully, one of us will get to meet you soon! We both truly enjoy getting to know the ARMA members in our Region!
I’m looking forward to a great rest-of-the ARMA-year! I hope you are, too!
Very truly yours,
Susan M. Lord, Manager
Great NW Region of ARMA