Thanks guys. I may well volunteer, although I am actually no longer an IRMS/RMS member due to the overwhelming focus on the public sector in recent years (and several of my industry colleagues are in the same boat). I’m sure the public-sector slant is not intentional and only reflects its membership but attending a regional meeting, for example, where the case studies and discussions are often not so relevant is not good use of time and money.

I will ponder over your response and those that I have also received off-list. Given that my colleagues and I are also members of our own industry-specific records management associations (e.g. Drug information Association, Scientific Archivists Group, GCP-RMA etc) – as I’m sure is common in other areas too – we would need to see benefit in also being part of a cross-sector association. I think this benefit would be more readily visible if the non-industry specific events (e.g. regional meetings, annual conference, bulletin) were deliberately less public sector focussed i.e. the question should be asked “Is this event/publication of relevance to the whole membership”? Not black-and-white, I know but I think you can see where I’m coming from.

Will think over the challenge and get back to you off-list!

Regards,

Eldin.

ps. if any pharma/biotech/life sciences members want to get in touch off-list to discuss this issue with me, please feel free. I’d be happier initiating a new industry-specific group if I had some cheery supporters!

Eldin Rammell, Rammell Consulting Ltd

http://www.rammell-consulting.co.uk

Tel: 08448 844926 (Rammell Consulting office) or 07940 859721 (mobile)

4 Knotts Avenue, Worcester, WR4 0HZ

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Skype: eldin.rammell

Eldin,

Our Groups cover a number of areas of differing geographical natures:  we have National Groups like Scotland and Wales, Nigeria, Ghana and the developing Czech Republic Group, Regional Groups across England, a city Group covering London and an cross national Group covering all of Ireland. We have eschewed the term “regional” for these groups due to the varied nature of their coverage and refer to these and what used to be described as “Special Interest Groups” (The Public Sector Group, The HE & FE Group, The Financial Sector Group, and The Sharepoint Group - which started on IRMS space) as just “Groups”

As an organisation we are keen to support any geographical, sector specific or other subject based groups and have established officer roles to assist in the development of our Groups and international involvement.  We are particularly looking to develop our representation in under represented verticals within the public sector such as schools, health and emergency services and especially, the private sector. Are you volunteering??????

Regards

Matt Stephenson                David Bridge
Chair IRMS                         Vice Chair IRMS

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