Strengthening our ARMA GNW Region Network
Greetings! I would like to extend my warmest wishes to you for a relaxing and fun holiday season. It is so important during the holiday season to remember the value of family, friends, and professional acquaintances and reflect on the things that help shape us as unique individuals.
I know for me, it is very important to give back to the community, both professionally and personally, that which I have received. Charity, caring, and compassion are important attributes to include in our daily activities whether at work or in our personal lives. These traits deserve special focus, especially as we enter the holiday season!
I know I have shared with many of you a few of the challenges I recently faced in my own work environment. Through this I have gained a greater understanding of the value of networking and the power of our professional connections. This past year my company was acquired by another large pharmaceutical. For the last nine months I have been part of a transition team. As part of this team, my job entailed transferring our documents to their new home in a systematic and timely manner. This required me to constantly rely on the power of networking, both internally and externally, to not only boost my spirits, but to collaborate with the transition team. I cannot say enough about my ARMA friends and cohorts. It is so important to connect with others within your profession that can relate to the RIM issues you face and offer guidance and support. I was lucky enough to also have ARMA/RIM guidance internally from the company that acquired us. This was an added treat as I will carry these new ARMA friends to my new job!
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
