Hi Sarah,
I'd like to hear more about what is proposed, but my initial thoughts are
against such a scheme for the following reasons: For those who seek
external recognition and training for RM there are now many more routes to
a qualification that don't require taking time out of work: Aberystwyth,
Liverpool and Northumbria Universities all now offer distance learning
training and education in RM. I think employers are more likely to
recognise formal qualifications of this kind, assuming that is one of the
aims of the scheme.
Such a scheme will be labour intensive to manage and regulate. I doubt
whether the RMS as it presently stands has the ability to do this.
The Society of Archivists has (I think) recently rejected the idea of such
a scheme, so it would be well worth talking to them if you haven't already
done so.
Sorry to be pessimistic, but I think it's important to really think such a
scheme through before raising expectations that may not be met.
Sarah Westwood
Records Management Officer
Girton College
Cambridge CB3 0JG
Tel: 01223 338976
Fax: 01223 338896
Website: www.girton.cam.ac.uk
--On 11 May 2005 10:04 +0100 "Emmerson, Sarah" <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> At the recent Annual General Meeting of the Records Management Society
> during the annual conference in Bournemouth, an accreditation sub group
> was set up after the meeting. A number of interested members got together
> to discuss the 'vision' of introducing an Accreditation Scheme for RMS
> members. This idea is still very much in its infancy but the meeting was
> an opportunity to kick around some ideas and identify some support for
> and against the initiative. At this stage no research has been undertaken
> as to what style an accreditation scheme would take. However it is
> recognised that the basis of any accreditation scheme would need to be
> inclusive to cover the wide membership (and equally varied backgrounds)
> of the society. This means there is a need to recognise both on the job
> practical experience as well as professional qualifications within the RM
> field as contributing towards accreditation. The possibility of the
> scheme prompted a range of discussion, however it was agreed that the
> initial step should be to seek the broad opinion of the membership as to
> whether this is an avenue you would like the Society to pursue. It was
> widely felt that if the RMS did not take a lead in this field then
> another commercial company/ archive society might do so instead. We are
> aware that there is a vast range of knowledge and experience out there
> and we would appreciate it if you could share your thoughts (for &
> against) on: Would you like the RMS to research into the feasibility of
> developing an Accreditation Scheme for its members? If the answer is yes
> can you also provide three reasons why you want a accreditation scheme?
> It would also be helpful if you could suggest any barriers or issues that
> you see in the development of a scheme? I realise this is a hard question
> to answer without information on exactly what type of scheme might be
> offered however we are, at this stage, just trying to understand what the
> 'ground swell' of opinion is so the RMS can judge whether to take it
> forward. Any experience or comments you have would be much appreciated
> and collated back to the membership. Kind regards
> Sarah Emmerson
> Records Management Co-ordinator
> Diageo plc
> 5 Lochside Way
> Edinburgh Park
> Edinburgh
> EH12 7DT
>
> Tel: 0131 519 2097
> Mob: 07803 854 999
>
>
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> ________________________________________________________________________
Sarah Westwood
Records Management Officer
Girton College
Cambridge CB3 0JG
Tel: 01223 338976
Fax: 01223 338896
Website: www.girton.cam.ac.uk
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