Program Objectives:

• To increase knowledge of the major aspects of public records and information management.

• To develop skills necessary to carry out records and information management functions in state and local government.

• To develop and maintain high standards of public records and information management.

• To increase professionalism in public records and information management throughout Georgia.

Eligibility:

To be eligible to participate in the certificate program, the individual must:

• submit a yearly membership fee, and

• be currently employed in state or local government with records and information management responsibilities.

Requirements of Certificate Program:

Requirements for designation as a Records Management Professional include completion of four required courses (attendance and test) and twelve elective courses. One retest option is available for any participant unsuccessful in passing each exam.

Course Work:

To receive credit for a course, the participant must attend the entire course and score seventy percent or higher on the test at the end of the course. Participants who fail the test are entitled to one retest. A second failure will require the participant to repeat the course.

Cost

The certificate program has a one-time nonrefundable, non-transferable application fee of $100.00. Please make checks payable to Georgia Records Association. This fee is due at the beginning of the program and is in addition to the cost of registration for the individual courses. The fee allows the participant four years to complete the program.

When Will Courses Be Offered

Courses are typically offered at the fall and spring GRA conferences. Notices will be sent to all GRA members. Only courses sponsored directly by GRA will be considered for program credit.

Continuing Education

Once the certificate program has been completed, 15 hours of GRA-sponsored continuing education over a two-year period are required to maintain the Records Management Professional designation.

For Further Information

Contact Judy J. Wilson at the Carl Vinson Institute, Governmental Training, Education, and Development Division, University Of Georgia. wilson@cviog.uga.edu or 706-542-9855.

Certificate Program Application

Curriculum for the Records and Information Management Professional Certificate Program

Required Courses

1. ACTIVE RECORDS MANAGEMENT: This course includes fundamentals of Records Management to include retention scheduling, the records inventory process, filing systems, disaster recovery, and managing vital records.

2. LEGAL FOUNDATIONS OF RECORDS MANAGEMENT: This course outlines the principles of the Georgia Records Act, open records legislation, privacy issues, and effective solutions to implement legally compliant Records Management programs.

3. IMAGING AND ELECTRONIC RECORDS: This session explores the development of electronic records management systems, optical storage, automated records management systems, and the value of microfilm.

4. INACTIVE RECORDS MANAGEMENT: This session will focus on the development of a records center and the custodial responsibilities of maintaining a centralized records management program. This course will include a discussion of records preservation techniques, legally acceptable destruction methods, and archival information for historical information.

Elective Courses

1. GOVERNMENTAL BUDGETING: This session will examine the budgeting process for local and state governments. You will explore the elements of an efficient budget preparation process and develop an awareness of the considerations necessary to prepare a departmental budget.

2. LEADERSHIP IN A POLITICAL CLIMATE: This course explores leadership skills necessary for success in local and state government, various styles of leadership, and the appropriate roles of records management employees.

3. WORKPLACE SAFETY: This informative presentation will provide information on the prevention of violence in the work place and provide valuable information to make your professional and personal life safer.

4. WORLD CLASS CUSTOMER SERVICE: This session focuses on good customer service practices and how the customer views the organization. You will develop approaches and techniques for generating positive relations with the customers emphasizing image, values, and communications.

5. EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION SKILLS: This course will highlight the skills necessary to deliver authoritative and persuasive presentations. You will learn to build rapport with your audience, to design and use visuals effectively, and to organize ideas for impact.

6. BASIC PERSONNEL LAW: This is a field that is constantly evolving due to new laws and court decisions, which often directly impact agency policies and procedures. Issues to be discussed include recruitment and the job selection process, harassment, and recent court decisions impacting personnel law.

7. GOVERMENTAL PURCHASING: This session will examine the purchasing process for local and state governments. You will explore the elements of an efficient procurement process and develop an awareness of the various methods of purchasing goods and services in a fair and legally compliant manner.

8. ETHICS IN RECORDS MANAGEMENT: This course focuses on specific ethical dilemmas faced by records and information managers and considers ethics from a legal perspective.

9. MOTIVATION: This session reviews the sources of motivation, individual motivators, and ways leaders in the organization can create a climate for motivation.

10. CONFLICT MANAGEMENT: This session provides an understanding of the concepts and tools for managing and resolving conflicts in the workplace. You will gain an understanding and development of communication skills, including strategies for effective listening.

11. BUSINESS WRITING: This course focuses on the improvement of basic business writing skills and includes tips for report writing and standard business documents. You will gain an understanding of determining your audience and streamlining the information you need to present.

12. MANAGING PERSONAL RECORDS: This session will focus on the organization and maintenance of your typical household records. From tax returns to canceled checks, you will learn to manage these records in accordance with state and federal law.

13. TIME MANAGEMENT: This course provides an understanding of the skills required for managing time effectively at home and in the work environment. You will learn to clarify goals and priorities, overcome procrastination, and structure your life based on the value of time.

14. EFFECTIVE FACILITATION OF MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS: This session will focus on the skills required to plan and facilitate successful small and large meetings in a business environment. You will learn to set the agenda of a meeting, establish roles for key meeting participants, facilitate a meeting, and capitalize on meeting outcomes.

15. PROJECT PLANNING: This course will promote the development of project planning skills, including determining scope and setting objectives. You will learn to break work down into manageable components, set a timeline, and control processes in the project plan.

16. EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP: This session will develop specific skills to identify and adapt a leadership style appropriate for various levels of competency and motivation. You will learn to apply effective communication strategies for coaching and to identify, understand, and counter factors that reduce motivation.

Other classes may be offered as pertinent issues are identified.