Region Message for June

Ah, it is June. Once again we come to the close of another ARMA year. It’s time again to reflect back on the accomplishments of the past year.
One of my duties as Region Manager is to file a report to the Board of Directors twice a year. Essentially, this is a “state of the region and our chapters” report. Region Managers are asked to report on both the difficulties being faced by the chapters as well as any successes. In my recent report, I chose to skip reporting on the challenges. We all know what they are. They’re nothing really new. Instead I reported on the great successes in our region. This year, instead of just talking about things, we took action.

First, I reported that the Great Northwest Region is financially stable and doing well.

Next, I reported on our first region-wide webcast program held in February in which members from every one of our chapters logged in hear the presentation. To my knowledge, we are the first do this as a region. I reported that now we are exploring the possibility of a virtual event center. Again, we are blazing the trail.

I also got to brag once more about the awards won by our chapters at the Awards Luncheon in San Francisco last fall: Medium Chapter Newsletter-of-the-Year (Boise Valley Chapter), Large Chapter Newsletter-of-the-Year (Oregon), Chapter Recruitment Awards (Columbia Basin Chapter and Greater Anchorage Chapter), Chapter Participation Award (Greater Seattle Chapter), Special Merit Award – Silver Merit Award (Greater Anchorage Chapter). Plus one of our region’s favorite sons, Dave McDermott, CRM was accepted into the Company of Fellows of ARMA.

Following some of the other accomplishments of your chapters, I included some comments that I received from a couple of our Chapter Presidents. I think these speak volumes and are just a sampling of what Jenny and I hear from all corners of the region:

“The Greater Anchorage Chapter is growing in numbers, and has the most fantastic Board of any chapter in ARMA. We have had a great year with monthly meetings and speakers. The sessions have been informative and generated much discussion. We are in the process of updating our webpage, and a number of our members participated in the Regional Video Conference session. … we have managed to keep the program moving in a positive direction.”

And from Columbia Basin came “The people that come out to our chapter meetings really do make a difference. People are interested and learning and growing. When they bring their energy to the chapter meetings, it starts to inspire others. We appreciate new people that are excited about learning.”

It was fun writing that report. Despite the many challenges, we have enjoyed a great year. How could I be anything less than extremely proud of the members of the Great Northwest Region? It is my honor and privilege to represent and serve you. Thank you all for all that you do for your chapters, for the region, for ARMA and for our profession!

Marc

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