Janice ‘Candy’ Browne, CPS, CAM
Campus Records Centre
University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados
LINC Member
Status and Development of RIM in Barbados:
GLA and Its Impact on my Records Management Career!
This is the third article in the series “Status and Development of RIM in Barbados”. I hope you are finding them informative and enlightening. The first article (Oct-Nov 2008) had an overview of Barbados and the need for this profession, and it was entitled “Barbados and Its Uniqueness: Great Need for RIM”. The second article (Dec 2008-Jan 2009) dealt with BARIM, Barbados Association of Records and Information Management, as a major player in RIM. This article will look at my personal efforts through different methods and avenues to further the RIM profession in Barbados, and how GLA has impacted on my development.
I was exposed to the Profession of Records and Information Management after joining the staff of the Records Services (Registry) Department of the University of the West Indies in 1999. Within a few months, I was enrolled to complete the Certificate Course in Records Management at the University for two years during the summer (2000-2001), and after successfully completing this course being one of the top students, there was an intense desire to grow within the exciting profession of records and information management. (See Photo #1).
During 2007, I was promoted to Supervisor, Campus Records Centre where I am responsible for supervision of the semi and inactive records of the University. I was delighted with this position, and I use this opportunity to develop records management skills to its optimum within the capacity offered to me. (See Photo #2)
With limited knowledge and skill, I learnt tremendously from the sponsorship of ARMA-Greater Los Angeles Chapter during 2004 – 2006 as a LINC member. I received ARMA International monthly magazines which are full to the brink with so much information. I still have those copies which I received during my sponsorship. I also take the time to read current ARMA magazines from those who are still registered as ARMA Members.
In 2004, I became a founding member of the Barbados Association of Records and Information Management (BARIM) where a group of interested professionals sought to raise the level of professionalism and awareness concerning records and information management in Barbados. I functioned within the capacity of Executive Secretary for the first two years, and I am currently a member of the Public Relations Committee. I have been encouraged to write articles on different records management issues, which have been published in the local newspapers. (See Photo #3)
Using a strong administrative background, I have conducted records management courses within my local churches, where I teach secretaries and clerks how to be efficient and effective on the various committees and boards, especially paying attention to the recording of minutes and the management of the records.
For the past five years, I have maintained the post of Executive Secretary for the Island Development Council (IDC) of Seventh-Day Adventists in Barbados, where I service all meetings (take accurate minutes of the meetings) and maintain all the records. Even though I will not be maintaining the post during 2009, I have volunteered my services to initiate and establish a fully functional records management programme for the IDC Council and to maintain it until I have trained the Executive Secretaries on how to manage and maintain the system. (See Photo #4). My personal efforts to encourage RIM are not limited to these areas mentioned. Often I assist individuals in setting up records management systems in their homes. I have represented UWI/BARIM at Records and Information Exhibitions (See Photo #5), had experiences organizing photographic collections at the UWI Archives (See Photo #6), and also in the transferring of records to the UWI Archives (See Photo #7).
These different areas where I have functioned within a records management profession have truly allowed me to develop critical analysis and classification skills, as well as business processing techniques. Records and information management is truly a dynamic profession. Not having the opportunity to further my records management skills (as I am completing the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) post graduated professional programme), I depend largely on having access to the Greater Los Angeles website for information that helps me in my career development. I keep abreast of records management issues, like Sarbanes-Oxley Act, legislation that affects RIM, technological issues and methods, and the varied articles written by professionals far advance in this profession. As a LINC member who lives in Barbados, I also keep in touch with the other members of the Association who I have never met personally, but could identify with as the website has several photos of members, and the different activities that are sponsored by the Association, as well as the updates on the achievements of members. Having the opportunity of publishing articles bi-monthly on GLA website has been encouraging, as GLA has shown an interest in my career development, and its impact on Barbados, as well as the records management issues within Barbados. I am most grateful for the continual support of GLA, especially since there is limited training in records management within Barbados and the Caribbean.
In the near future, I have strong intentions of undertaking the CRM programme when I complete the (ICSA) programme in June this year, and I have been preparing myself based on the information that I have gleaned so far from the GLA website. Of course, I know that there will be fellow professionals from GLA who would lend me support when I proceed with this qualification. I am also desirous of obtaining my Masters in this field and I know that once I have completed the CRM, I would be given lots of advice on how to proceed with the Masters. This website has been a truly great blessing, especially for me who have limited access to professional information concerning records and information management.
Finally, but in not the least, I look forward to meeting the members of GLA in the near future.
The next article will take a brief look at Archives Administration in Barbados, as well as the four major institutions in Barbados which impact on records management.
#1 - Certificate in Records Management Graduation, UWI
#2 - Supervisor in Campus Records Centre, UWI
#3 - Members of BARIM
#4 - Executive of IDC
#5 - First RIM Exhibition in Barbados
#6 - UWI Archives (Photographic Collection)
#7 - UWI Archives (Transfer of Records)
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