ARMA Fort Worth 2009-10

Enlist, Enlighten, Engage

FORT WORTH - As I write this, August has just turned to September.  It's almost Fall and it's time for ARMA Fort Worth to begin our chapter year in earnest.  We had an excellent time at the leadership conference and a good planning retreat and we're ready to work with you toward our theme of Enlist, Enlighten, Engage.  This theme fits both for the work of our chapter and the work we do in the organizations which employ us. 

Managing the records and information of an organization might be a task for which one person is held accountable, but to accomplish it, there has to be persistence to enlist those who hold various business and systems positions through the organization, enlighten them with concepts of good practical records management and engage them in carrying out those practices.  This process is not a one-time process, but a constant theme.  You will find heroes who appreciate the guidance and some who might not be ready to accept the responsibilities so we're challenged to constantly make the material fresh and practical and the education relevant and memorable.

If you are a records practitioner, nearly without exception, there is e-mail being sent and received in great volumes.  Spreadsheets, word processing documents, presentations and databases are bein saved and updated and likely parts of many records.  Applications which serve organizations well build up more and more data in tables and produce reports.  Hardcopy records are disproving the idea of the paperless society. 

Our chapter is here to serve professionals and promote the profession in this area.  As chapter members, we want to engage you in the chapter's mission.  Come to the September meeting and learn more about how you can be involved and develop your leadership skills.

Tom Wilson, CRM

President, ARMA Fort Worth

September 1, 2009