Great Northwest Region Treasurer, Message

Message from the Great Northwest Region of ARMA Treasurer – Cindy Fredrickson

Greetings to the Region Chapters! What an honor for me to be able to share a message this month from the Region Team. It is a month that we can reflect on those things that we are thankful for. For me, I am still reeling in what has transpired for me since Marc asked me to be the Region Treasurer. My first reaction was like the Cowardly Lion in that Land of Oz when seeing the mighty wizard. I wanted to flee and was scared that I would not be able to do justice to the position. Right after that call, I was offered a new position at work which meant a job change and relocating to another city. After accepting these two life changes, then I happened upon a third. I had a car accident which totaled my car which meant getting used to a new vehicle too. All of this happened within a month. Needless to say, I was chewing on my tail and did scare myself a few times biting it. I did find that courage though to get through these challenges. I have been able to view these challenges as opportunities places before me and am thankful every day for the fact I have the strength and courage to carry it out.

What does this have to do with records management you ask? We all have that inner courage to deal with new challenges especially when it comes to implementing a new records system, getting ready for the CRM exam, or when we have to train employees on correct or new record keeping practices. Those are just a few situations which should bring a shudder to anyone’s fur. We do have that intestinal fortitude to take records management to the next step. As the wizard pointed out, we can be under the unfortunate delusion that simply because you run away from the unknown and challenging, you have no courage. That "delusion" is a strongly held belief that is in fact completely wrong. We can confuse courage with wisdom. Those that have courage show this by taking their fortitude out of mothballs and parade it down the main street of the city. They show off their medals. Our "medals" refer to any worthy or deserving behavior or actions, while both "extraordinary valor and conspicuous bravery" and are fancy words for great courage. For example, getting the certificate for putting in the long hours of research for taking the CRM exam, getting thanks for the hours volunteering on a position or committee on your local chapter board, and the benefits you receive from your company in taking the hours to work with various staffs to implement a new electronic record keeping system. Again, those are just a few of those conditions in which we can show that inner courage of ours.

In the world of records management, what is needed at this point in time are those that are willing to experiment with creative combinations of ideas, old and new, who are courageous enough to speak out and form partnerships with information specialists, auditors, risk managers and others, whose language and methodologies are different; who are motivated to learn new skills; and ultimately, who are committed to developing strategies for managing electronic records; and who will commit to attending Leadership and Region conferences to network with other records professionals, no matter where this journey may lead them down that yellow brick road. In my case, I am taking that leap of faith to be accountable to you all for the Region’s financial affairs and “Aw shucks, I’m speechless”.


Cindy Fredrickson
GNW Region Treasurer