Lewis S. Eisen, JD, CIP

Speaker / Coach / Facilitator / Writer — Showing organizations how to word their policies and rules respectfully.

I Love Our Organization’s Information Policies,” said no one.

 In many offices, IG policies are long and confusing, and no one reads them. Worse, they often sound like angry parents scolding naughty children. Adults bristle at disrespectfully worded statements, making compliance a battle. The reality is that the policy writers want to sound strict but not sound confrontational. 

In this session, you will learn how you might improve the conversation dynamic.  

Takeaways:

1. Policies and compliance done right are a collaborative effort, not a power struggle


2. The wording of your policies can unintentionally reveal your internal problems

3. We need to change the rule-making dynamic from Parent–Child to Adult–Adult, so that IG Specialists are seen as experts rather than enforcers 


ARMA Oklahoma Chapter Board Panel Roundtable

This Chapter meeting will be a special Board Panel roundtable. Each of our Board members will be sharing stories of our RIM experiences from throughout or combined careers. Some of the most exciting ideas and perspectives from industry thought leaders come from discussions like these, and are typically the highlights of conferences! Join us on the 16th and bring your questions for us! We are looking forward to this time of conversation and testimony.

INTROVERT’S SURVIVAL GUIDE: Tips to Thrive at In-person Events - Wendy McClain

Learn tips and tricks to help you tackle the challenges of attending conferences. We will discuss Sessions, Exhibits, Parties and Networking, and beyond! 

Wendy McLain is an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the School of Information Studies at Louisiana State University. After earning an MLIS from LSU, Wendy worked for 30+ years in the field of Records and Information Management (RIM). In addition to creating and leading RIM programs within the government, healthcare, engineering, and energy sectors, she became a leader within the profession, serving in many board roles including President of both ARMA and ICRM. As a longtime advocate for blending academics with practice, Wendy created and taught Principles of Records Management as an adjunct professor for LSU and served as an internship supervisor for graduate students seeking professional experience. She was instrumental in the creation of the RIM certificate partnership with the ICRM.

Make your plans now to travel to and join together on June 20th for our first ever Oklahoma Chapter Appreciation Luncheon to be held at the Rock Cafe Route 66, 114 W Main St, Stroud, OK 74079, rockcafert66.com. Lunch will begin at 11:30am and may last until 1:30pm.

From Tulsa to the restaurant is approximately 50 miles, or 46 minutes.

From OKC to the restaurant is approximately 58 miles, or 55 minutes.

Based on the survey that was previously sent to the membership, many members were liking the idea of carpooling. Please get with other chapter members near you to work out travel plans.

This is a chapter member lunch, but our chapter friends (non-members) are certainly welcome to join at the lunch price of $10. No money will be collected at the restaurant. Any friends (non-members) that plan to join for lunch will need to pay in advance on our website, or can pay through their mobile phone on our website.

The Top Three Key Focus Areas for IT Security Initiatives 

Dan Reisig, VP of Technology & Innovation UV&S

As the data security threat landscape continues to evolve what should you be doing to combat against cyber threats?  

1.      Employee Training and Awareness: Educate employees about cybersecurity risks like phishing, malware, and social engineering through regular training sessions. Teach them to recognize and respond to threats, practice good password habits, and avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments. 

2.      Endpoint Security: Secure devices like laptops, desktops, and mobiles with antivirus software, firewalls, and endpoint detection tools. Regularly update and patch endpoints to prevent malware, unauthorized access, and data breaches. 

3.      Data Backup and Recovery: Implement robust data backup plans to protect critical business data. Store backups securely offsite or in the cloud, encrypting them for added security. This ensures data remains recoverable in case of cyber-attacks or disasters. 

Please join us at the upcoming ARMA monthly meeting, where we'll delve into proactive cybersecurity strategies and the criticality of adopting a layered approach to strengthen your defenses against cyber threats. While no security solution is perfect, you can greatly reduce risks to your data and business. Enjoy lunch on UV&S as we engage in insightful discussions on safeguarding your organization's digital assets in a constantly evolving threat environment. 

Dan Reisig embarked on his technology journey in 1986 within the U.S. Air Force, dedicating over a decade to advancing tech capabilities across the globe. His transition to the private sector in 1996 marked the start of a leadership legacy, steering transformative technology projects for Fortune 500 giants and small enterprises alike, fueled by a deep-seated passion for leveraging tech to solve complex challenges. 

In 2001, Dan co-founded Concergent IT, a trailblazing tech firm in Wichita, KS, committed to delivering cutting-edge data center and tech consulting services. Under his guidance, Concergent IT flourished, expanding its offerings and expertise. The pivotal acquisition by UV&S in 2016 elevated their capacity to pioneer state-of-the-art IT solutions. 

In his current role as VP of Technology and Innovation at UV&S, Dan is at the forefront of integrating acquired companies and driving the introduction of new products and services to global markets, embodying a career dedicated to the relentless evolution and advancement of technology. 

What is Your Conflict Management Style? by Azure Brown

Azure will guide us to understand the neuroscience behind it and how to respond to others in a conflict situation. RIM professionals deal with conflict daily. It can range from the need for financial support to finding your forever home in the organizational structure. Either way, you have to be able to effectively communicate and collaborate with various stakeholders and there is bound to be conflict. This presentation will provide an assessment to learn what your conflict management style is, understand what is happening in the brain during conflict and how to effectively manage it.  

An expert in conflict management within the records and information management field, Azure G. Brown currently serves as the Records Management Officer at Austin Community College and as a volunteer mediator and conflict coach through the Minnesota Conflict Resolution Center. Azure regularly presents as a keynote speaker and panelist at industry events and conferences where she talks about the transformative nature of conflict management. Azure is known for her highly engaging approach to teaching mediation tools with the power to transform lives. Though she’s been appearing as an expert since 2021, Azure most recently shared her knowledge, insight, and experiences at the 2023 e-Records Conference, For the Win! Records and Data, and the Texas Library Association: Black Caucus Roundtable.  

Born and raised in East Austin,Texas, Azure believes strongly in the value of teaching people to manage conflict—both in personal and professional settings. She credits her own experiences avoiding conflict and subsequently learning to manage it with springboarding her success as a “conflict management evangelist.”  Azure is a Certified Records Manager and holds a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, with Continuing Education as a Mediator and Conflict Coach. When she’s not working or educating audiences, Azure enjoys all things fashion!

This workshop will introduce attendees to the concept of the records and information management playbook - the list of “plays” that keep the RIM program running. We’ll review the purpose and value of having a playbook (and not just for RIM!) and the specific benefits building one offers to the organization including centralization and standardization. We’ll also walk through the structure of the playbook and the structure of the individual plays. We’ll conclude with a look at how to actually build and maintain a RIM playbook. Attendees will receive an editable template including suggested RIM plays that they can use to develop their own RIM playbooks..

IG Education and Leadership How do you prepare one's staff for IG? What about your educational needs? This presentation will explore academic programs and certification opportunities for IG professionals. Further, a sample of resources will be reviewed, along with an introduction to other IG/RIM and leadership resources that can be used to improve and evolve an IG program and career.

Andrew Ysasi (EE-SA-SEE), MS, CRM, IGP, CIP, CIGO, FIP, CIPM, CISM, PMP, has 25 years of experience in executive leadership and information governance. As Vice President of Advocacy for VRC, Andrew mentors, educates, and volunteers with the IG community on behalf of VRC. In addition to VRC, he served on the Executive Committee for the ICRM from 2020-2023, is an instructor at San Jose State University's MARA program, and a resume expert with Admovio®, where his work is published on CIO.com. In the past, Andrew contributed to ARMA's IGBOK and Wiley's Information Governance, Second Edition. Andrew has a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University, a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, certificates in Data Analytics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and Data Privacy Strategy from Cornell.

Wishing you and yours the very best New Year!

May the peace and beauty of the Holiday season be with you at Christmas and throughout the coming year!

Chris Thibault, Operations Manager Iron Mountain will walk us through a standard day of operations at Iron Mountain.

Iron Mountain's employees have many different roles, but two of the most common are Record Center Specialists and Transportation Specialists. These employees are on the front lines, working to protect records as if they were their own. Join us to discuss some of the challenges they regularly face and the solutions they use to overcome them.

ARMA Leadership Panel Discussion

For our first meeting, we are excited to have a panel discussion with three amazing ARMA International Leaders.  Nate Hughes, CEO; Margaret Hermesmeyer, Chair of ARMA International; and Heather Lehman, Director of Member Engagement with be joining us (via Zoom) to connect with our chapter and answer any questions you may have about ARMA.  It will be an open discussion, however if you have questions already in mind, please submit them to the Board by email, armaokchapter@gmail.com so we can forward them on to the panel.

Your ARMA Oklahoma Chapter will be hosting, at no cost to you, a Member Appreciation Luncheon in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa!! This is the first time our chapter has offered an event like this and we are looking forward to your participation and hope you will join us.

Tulsa Area Chapter Membership lunch will be held at the Boulder Grill, 17 W 7th St., Downtown Tulsa.

OKC Area Chapter Membership lunch will be held at Charleston’s Bricktown, 224 Johnny Bench Dr, Downtown Oklahoma City.

This event has been planned by the Board of Directors so that we can recognize our new and tenured chapter members and say thank you for continuing to support ARMA.

Registration/RSVP is required. Registration will close on Wednesday, June 21st @ 11:30am.

If you are not a member of the chapter, you are certainly welcome to participate as a guest for $10. Simply click the “Pay for the Lunch” link above, AND click to register for the city near you. We sincerely hope you will consider joining ARMA, and we would love to have you join the Chapter!!

     Member Cost - $0

     Non-Member Cost - $10

(There will be no virtual option for this luncheon.)

Paul Ross, Labor and Employment Attorney, McAfee & Taft, will be providing a legal oversight of employment law including marijuana in the workplace in Oklahoma and the U.S. Paul has presented to our chapter before and received great reviews, so you'll want to mark your calendars!

Are you adrift in a sea of legal information? Strap on your flippers and don't fear the shark.
We'll tell a salty tale or two and explore these issues together on a deep dive. Information Governance in the Legal field. (Originally aired on February 17, 2022.)

Panelists:
Tyrene Bada, MLS, CRM -  Born and raised in the Portland, Oregon area  Joined ARMA and the Oregon Chapter in 2007  Past Chapter President, VP of Education, still serving as webmaster  Has attended every ARMA International Conference since 2008  Currently serving on the ARMA Board of Directors (Elected in 2020)  Is a proud SWIFTIE

Moderator:
Heather Lehman, ARMA International

Disaster Recovery

Kimberly DeCola, CRM, Information Management and Public Information Manager| Austin Energy

Kim has presented this session at numerous workshops and conferences including ARMA InfoCon. She is currently serving as the President of the Austin ARMA Chapter.