HISTORY OF THE PITTSBURGH CHAPTER

of the

AMERICAN RECORDS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

by Glenn A. Vasbinder

                The idea of a Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Records Management Association was conceived by June Astley in the spring of 1966 when she attended an area conference in Atlantic City .  Bill Benedon, Editor of “Records Management Quarterly” was also at the conference and strongly encouraged the formation of a chapter in the Pittsburgh area.

Dick Grimes, who ultimately became the first chapter president, was contacted and the wheels really started to roll.  Mr. Grimes had been earnestly devoted to ARMA from the beginning and had dedicated endless time and energy to the organization.  He and Ms. Astley were able to corral twelve individuals for a chapter formation meeting.

 Recognizing the need for local professionals to share problems and ideas about Records Management, the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Records Management Association was organized at a meeting held at the Red Raven Restaurant, Holiday Inn, Harmarville , Pennsylvania on April 24, 1967 .  The charter meeting was held at the Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel on June 12, 1967 , where the group was officially launched with twelve members.  Bill Southart, the new National President, came from Houston , Texas , to present the official Charter.   The Charter listed Richard Grimes as President, June Astley as Vice President, Sam Di Domenico as Treasurer, Fran Gruguras as Secretary, Lawrence Yont and George Louvris as Directors and Dolores Russell, Paula Bilnick, J. S. Guinan, Frank Rule, Richard Curto and L. Neale Leffler as members.

            The first year got underway with a meeting held on September 19, 1967 , at the Roosevelt Hotel in downtown Pittsburgh .  Dolores Russell served as Program Chairman that year and brought in speakers from California , Delaware , New York , and Ohio as well as Pennsylvania .  Administratively, Richard Grimes created a framework for operation with priorities given to finance, bylaws and a monthly newsletter.  By November, the first issue of the “Armagram,” as the newsletter was titled, was published under the co-editorship of Frank Rule and Sam Di Domenico.

            National attention was focused on the Chapter during the second year when a two-day seminar, that attracted approximately 171 participants from the United States and Canada , was held on April 14-15, 1969 .  Under the chairmanship of June Astley and George Louvris, the first day featured seminars and workshops at the Flying Carpet Motor Lodge in Coraopolis , Pennsylvania , while the second day was devoted to a tour of the National Storage Company’s underground storage facility in Boyers, Pennsylvania .  One of the highlights of the meeting was the keynote address by W. F. Rockwell, Jr., Vice-Chairman of Rockwell Manufacturing Company and Chairman of North American Rockwell Corporation who spoke on the “Executive View of Records Management.”

            George Louvris was elected president for the third year that ran from June, 1969 to June, 1970.  Under Mr. Louvris’ leadership the Chapter came of age with a revision of the bylaws and the first annual Christmas Social.

            Continuing the tradition of progress has been one of the trademarks of the Pittsburgh Chapter.  Dolores Russell served as the fourth President, and her tenure was highlighted by the joint sponsorship with the Washington , D. C. Chapter of a one-day Regional Seminar held at the Host Farm Resort Motel in Lancaster .  The first Chapter Yearbook was published during this year and the Chapter sponsored a booth at the Pittsburgh Business Show as well as hosting the ARMA National Board Meeting.  Included as part of the activities at the National Board Meeting was an “ARMA Night at the Meadows,” a local horse racing track.  Donald Evans, the National President, broadcast on a local radio station.

            Under the direction of Raymond Trimmer, a Chapter Library was formed, and the second annual yearbook was published.  The week of October 10-16, 1972 , was designated as “Records Management Week” in Pennsylvania .  “Trim Costs with Total Records and Information Management” was the theme of a seminar held at Chatham Center , in Pittsburgh on March 13, 1972 .  Norma Hinds, Director of Systems Education and Training Records Management, at Tab Products Company, defined “TRIM” to 89 seminar participants.  Four Pittsburgh Chapter members were included on the speaker’s roster.

            The first years saw the development of a strong, vigorous Chapter in Pittsburgh .  Many of the members gained wide notice as writers and speakers in the Records Management field.  Two members, Richard Grimes and June Astley, brought honor to the Chapter by being elected regional Vice-Presidents of ARMA International.

            As the years passed membership and attendance at the monthly meetings grew, the quality of programs excelled and numerous seminars were sponsored in the Pittsburgh area.  The “Armagram” increased in size and the quality of articles provided valuable information about the rapidly expanding record’s management field.  Chapter members annually attended the national ARMA Conferences at various locations across the country in an attempt to expand their knowledge.  Upon returning, new ideas were shared at the monthly meetings and through the “Armagram” to other members of the Chapter.

            The Chapter continued its work in the Pittsburgh through the sponsorship of seminars, the participation in regional computer and business shows, and the formation of a speaker’s bureau to provide speakers for various organizations in the area.

            In the early 1980’s, the Chapter was very active in Project ELF, a national project designed to reduce the administrative operational costs of business and government by twenty five percent.  The project was Eliminate Legal-sized Files (ELF).  Members helped with design of a national slide show program and presented it locally to interested companies and organizations.

            In 1985, Chapter members designed and taught record’s management courses through Community College of Allegheny County at two downtown locations and a one of the campus locations.  Members also spoke at Career Days at many of the local high schools.

            On June 3, 1992 , the Pittsburgh Chapter celebrated its 25^th anniversary with a celebration at the Grand Concourse Restaurant at Station Square .  The evening’s events included a re-chartering ceremony, recognition of founding members and past presidents, awards presentation and installation of officers for the upcoming year.

            Not all activities of the Chapter were business related.  Each year the Chapter had a summer picnic at the home of one of the members, and followed that with a Christmas holiday party at one of the local restaurants or the Gateway Clipper.

            The Chapter has also been very active in community relations by annually answering phones at the WQED Auction, by Christmas caroling at Allegheny General Hospital , by collecting Toys for Tots, and by having a booth at the annual Pittsburgh Business Show.

            Today, the Pittsburgh Chapter maintains a strong commitment to the field of record’s management, just as it did when the group was founded back in 1967.

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