November 2011 Great Northwest Region Message

2011 November Great Northwest Region Message
By Tim Hunt, CRM, GNW Region Treasurer

Our Region Manager, Marc Simpson – ever the adventurer – is shaking things up a bit by asking (begging?) other region team members to deliver the monthly GNW Region Message to our chapters. This month that honor falls upon yours truly, your humble Region Treasurer. Given my role, I have chosen to devote part of this message to a discussion of finances.

You all probably know that each chapter has a treasury that is funded primarily by a portion of ARMA dues and by proceeds from chapter meetings and seminars. These funds are often used to continue to offer educational events for chapter members, to provide scholarships that allow chapter members to attend the ARMA International Conference, to make donations to the ARMA International Educational Foundation or other charitable organizations or to fund other local projects that benefit the chapter’s community.

But many of you may not have been exposed to the makeup and purpose of the region treasury. The region treasury exists to support activities and undertakings that benefit the seven chapters in the region as a whole.

At the top of the list is financial responsibility for the biennial Great Northwest Region Conference (being held in Boise next spring March 12-13, 2012 – more on that later). By assuming that fiscal role, the Region alleviates that responsibility from the host chapter so that they can concentrate on providing the best educational content and the most engaging presenters available. Proceeds from the Region Conference are distributed between the region and the chapters.

The region also has responsibility for the annual Chapter Leadership Conference. The Leadership Conference is open to all chapter members, although is primarily attended by chapter board members. GNW Chapter Presidents receive a complimentary registration to the Leadership Conference. We do this to ensure that all chapters are represented. The conference provides professional training to help chapter leaders acquire and develop the skills necessary to run a successful chapter.

The treasury also covers the administrative expenses of the region. These expenses include hosting the region website, supporting region team members in attending the Region Conference, and – this year – to explore the development of a “virtual meeting space” that will be available for use free of charge by the chapters.

As with each chapter’s treasury, the goal of the region treasury is not to amass a fortune, but rather to be fiscally responsible, to remain solvent and be able to provide educational content and support to our GNW Region members.

Speaking of educational opportunities, please plan to attend the Great Northwest Region Conference, which will be hosted by the Boise Valley Chapter, in Boise, Idaho on March 12-13, 2012. Boise is a beautiful city of mountains and rivers with plenty to do both inside and out. The conference will provide the same high caliber content and presenters that one sees at the ARMA International Conference, but at a fraction of the cost. Early registration will be $299 for ARMA members (late registration will be $349). An ICRM workshop will also be presented on March 14th for a cost of $150 (for workshop only) or an additional $100 on the registration fee if you are attending the full conference. Some additional activities are also being planned. Look for more information in your e/mailbox soon!

Thanks for being a part of ARMA and on behalf of the GNW Region Team have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Timothy B. Hunt, CRM, Region Treasurer
Great Northwest Region
ARMA International