Region Message: We interrupt our regular programming to bring you this special news update

I remember the very special episode of Gilligans Island where they interrupted the radio programming (remember that old radio that the batteries never seemed to wear out?), to let the listeners know that Santa Claus had disappeared near the island. And next thing we know there is the big guy in the red suit, well more like a darker shade of gray depending on what era we’re talking about wandering around in the sand. I always found it interesting that Santa, being the jolly fellow he is didn’t offer the castaways..

“We interrupt our regular programming to bring you this special news update.”

This special broadcast is being brought you by ARMA International, we have some new procedures and policies in place we would like you to know about In case you didn’t know already, in October they moved to new offices. E-mail addresses and phone numbers are the same, just the physical address is different.

Two-Pay option plan for annual dues. With the current economic conditions and many employers no longer paying individual membership dues for their employees, ARMA is implementing an optional two-pay plan for members to renew their membership. This is the way it works:

1. A form will be included with annual dues invoices for members to complete if they would like to pay their dues in two equal payments.
2. The plan requires the dues to be paid with a credit card (or debit card with the Visa or MasterCard logo)
3. Members must provide their card information and sign an agreement allowing ARMA to process half the dues upon receipt and the other half 6 months later.
4. A reminder will be sent to those members participating approximately one month prior to processing the second half.

Charge for webinars. We’ve had some reports that chapter members have tried to access webinars at http://www.arma.org/ and found that there is now a charge for some of them. ARMA is indeed charging for webinars, this is due to a number of reasons including the reduction in revenues in todays economy. But the revenue that comes in from these charges will also be helpful in developing new on-line training courses which will benefit members at all levels.

Last, voting for new board of directors will begin in January. Please keep an eye on your mailbox (email or postal system) for ballots. More information including a recorded candidate forum can be found on the website at http://www.arma.org/news/index.cfm?NewsID=872&Type=Industry

Thank you, we now return you to our regularly scheduled program….

And that is why I think that it’s important to offer what assistance you can to fellow castaways.

Thanks and I hope you had a happy and safe holiday season!

Jennifer Winkler
Region Coordinator

Message from the President

The ARMA year is almost half way over. If you have not been able to attend a program make sure to view our Educational Brochures on our Website. The last two programs on November 19 and December 5 were very interesting presentations. On November 19, many of you crossed Lake Washington to Redmond were we co-hosted a presentation on SharePoint 2010. We had people wanting to attend the meeting up to the last minute. There were over one hundred people registered for the event and had very close to one hundred people in attendance. Bruce Schinkelwitz from Beaverton, Oregon spoke on December 5, regarding Functional Classification: What it is and how to benefit? At the December meeting, we also collected several can goods for Northwest Harvest and $10 from our members for the can food drive. I am sure Northwest Harvest will be grateful of the can goods.

I hope to see you next year because we still have some very exciting programs for you to attend.

Andrea Bettger, Greater Seattle President


January Program
The Greater Seattle Chapter will be starting the 2010 year of right. On January 7, Andrew SanAugustin with be speaking about Law Firm Records Management. If you are new to legal or if you are already in the industry and interested in organizational best practices then this session is for you! This session is a review of records management in a law firm environment (mid- to large-size). SanAugstin will touch upon various aspects of records management in the legal culture – far different than other business disciplines. This interactive discussion revolves around managing the record life cycle (physical and electronic), from creation to destruction – and the pitfalls in between. SanAgustin will discuss transfer procedures, managing electronic and physical records, develop strategies to manage a legal hold, and implementation of a retention policy.

This session was presented in Orlando, Florida in the October 2009, in ARMA International Conference. We will also raffle of a goodie bag from the conference, so make sure to attend. All attendees will receive one raffle ticket for free; you can buy additional raffle tickets for $1—all proceeds will go to the Greater Seattle Scholarship fund.

SharePoint 2010 Presentation
Did you miss the SharePoint 2010 presentation on November 19? Well, go to the link below and attend the meeting or attend the presentation all over again. The Bellevue and Greater Seattle Chapter sent a digital copy of the presentation to ARMA International and it is posted. To see the presentation go to: www.arma.org/chapters.

ARMA: Two-Pay Option for Annual Dues Announced!
With the current economic conditions and many employers no longer paying individual membership dues for their employees, ARMA International is implementing an optional two-pay plan for members to renew their membership. If you would still like to remain an ARMA member please take advantage of this option!

Great Northwest Region Conference April 15-16, 2010
The Great Northwest Region will be hosting a region conference on April 15-16, 2010. The program and planning is in the early stages, but it will be hosted in Seattle-area. Be sure to place the date on your calendar and ask your supervisor for some funds for this informative event. This event will be local and the Great Northwest Region will try to keep the event economical and very educational. As part of the planning team, the Greater Seattle Chapter is making sure our meetings throughout the year are very low cost or no cost. Look for more information on the Great Northwest Conference soon!

Greater Seattle Website Facelift
You may be noticing some changes to the Greater Seattle Website come January. Andrew SanAugustin and myself will be working on a facelift to the Greater Seattle Website. I hope to also bring back the registration form and keeping all the old great content.

ARMA Webinars
Many times in the past we have highlighted ARMA Webinars that you might be of interest to you. However, ARMA International is now charging for the Online Webinars. I understand the ARMA International has felt the pinch of the bad economic times and will not be offering these for free. It appears for the time being, the Chapter meetings content is free, but that the Webinars are no longer free.

Blog Abuse

Hello,

I wanted to let Greater Seattle Blog readers know I have removed several inappropriate comments. I have also decided to restrict comments to members of the blog only. If you would like to provide a comment or would like to comment in the future, please feel free to contact me at president@armaseattle.org and I will add you as our blog members.

Andrea Bettger
Greater Seattle President

Law Firm Records Management: January 7 Seattle Municipal Tower, Rm 1610

Date: Thursday, January 7, 2010

Time: 11:45-12:00 p.m. networking; 12:00-1:00 p.m. program

Cost: FREE (Brown Bag lunch)

Location: Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5^th Ave Room 1610 (16^th floor)

Program: Law Firm Records Management

Program Description: This session is an introduction to records management in a law firm environment (mid- to large-size). Come discuss all aspects of records management in the legal culture – far different than other business disciplines. This interactive discussion revolves around managing the record life cycle (physical and electronic), from creation to destruction – and the pitfalls in between.

Upon completion of this Web Seminar, participants will be able to:

· Apply best practices in the management of all the enterprises records (electronic and physical).

· Draft a policy on how transfers are processed for the release of records, incoming attorneys with a book of business, and outgoing attorneys leaving with clients to other firms.

· Develop strategies to use to manage a legal hold scenario for electronic and physical files.

· Implement a retention policy and design a destruction program for electronic and physical records.

Speaker: Andrew J. SanAgustin has been in the Records and Information Management field for 20 years. Currently, he is the Records and Conflicts Manager with Foster Pepper PLLC, in Seattle, WA. He began his career in Washington DC (where he attended the University of Maryland). His technical knowledge, understanding of Records theory and application, and project management ability lead him to opportunities in Pittsburgh, New York, and Seattle. His experience as a RIM leader spans across different corporate environments and business fields, including banks, real estate firms, accounting firms, city governments, and law firms. Along with managing team members with his solid peopling and coaching skills, Andrew is able to identify the Records needs of a business, and implement effective solutions with positive results - (including document and electronic content management, retention, destruction, offsite management, policy drafting and implementation, disaster recovery, E-Discovery management, Litigation Support, and vital record management­).

Andrew is a member of AIIM, ALA, ARMA, a board member of the Greater Seattle Chapter of ARMA, and spearheads the Seattle LISG (Legal Industry Specific Group). He is a National Speaker, a Topic Expert Presenter, a lecturer and Advisory Board member of the University of Washington Electronic Discovery Management Certificate Program, and CLE speaker and instructor (through the Washington State Bar Association), and has authored published articles on Records and Data Management.

Register: This program is open to all Greater Seattle members and their guests. Please register by Tuesday, January 5 by emailing registration@armaseattle.org and include your name, organization, and phone number and number of guests; or Sue Gunderson at sgunderson@datasitenw.com

Directions: To Seattle Municipal Tower on Southbound on I-5: Take the James Street exit #165A and turn right on Columbia or James streets. Northbound on I-5: Take the James Street exit #164A and turn left on James street. For Parking or more detailed directions please see the following Website: http://www.seattle.gov/html/citymap.htm

Andrea Bettger

Records Analyst

600 4th Ave., Floor 3

Mailing Address: PO Box 94728

Seattle, WA 98124-4728

The Office of the City Clerk supports open government and the democratic process by preserving and maximizing public access to the City's official and historical records, promoting City-wide compliance with records retention law, and facilitating the legislative process.