The January 2010 release of ARMAWORKS is now available! 

Delivered by Deb Marshall on behalf of the Greater Washington DC Chapter, June 19, 2002 at the Annual Awards Banquet.

Where do I begin? All of you here tonight probably know that Rita was a best friend to me. It was an honor and privilege—and it was sometimes an exercise in joyous frustration. You either loved Rita, or you were in trouble. And I do mean that you were in trouble—not Rita. Rita was the same for everyone, she was honest and straightforward; she was as they say in the IT world, WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). This is not to say that Rita did not have political savvy—it is probably a misconception many people had because she appeared to be very spontaneous, but she studied and analyzed situations extensively. There were many conversations we had about what was re a l l y going on at our jobs, in the chapter, in ARMA, and maybe even in your personal life situation. Rita always prepared options ahead, so that she would be ready as things developed and decisions needed to be made.

You all know that Rita is from DeQuincy, Louisiana, pronounced Looseyanna. She has one sister, lots of cousins and felt that family was important and a top priority. Family encompassed more that blood relatives and once Rita took you in to be in her family you were in for life, just like a blood relative.

Rita’s educational credentials included a Bachelor of Science Degree from Louisiana State University in 1970 where she had a minor in Library Science. She was a school librarian in Houston for three years. Marriage to Steve, who was in the military, and birth of a son, Jeff, kept her busy for awhile. She was the Microfilm Coordinator for the City of Newport News, VA for two years while Steve was stationed there.

In her professional career, Rita had over 20 years of records & information management, forms management, micrographic and facilities experience in both legal and non-legal organizations. Her tenure served in the industry after Newport News is as follows:

• Records Analyst, Nov. 1977—Nov. 1978
  National Rural Utilities Cooperatives Finance Corporation
• Microfilm Supervisor, Nov. 1978—Mar. 1981
  National Academy of Sciences
• Records Manager, Mar. 1981—July 1984
  McKenna, Conner & Cuneo
• Records Management Supervisor/Forms Administrator, July 1984—Jan. 1986
  Amtrak-National Railroad Passenger Corporation
• Manager of Office Services & Records Management, Feb. 1986—Sept. 1990
  Casson & Harkins
• Facilities Coordinator/General Services Coordinator, Sept. 1990—Aug. 1992
  Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan
• Records Manager, Aug. 1992—1998
  Arent, Fox, Kintner, Plotkin & Kahn
• Records Manager, 1998—2002
  Caplan & Drysdale
  

As you can see from these varied professional positions in information management field, Rita did everything from count paper clips to establishing solid records programs, order luggage tags to office build outs, shredding & emptying trash cans to retention guidelines, index cards to software selection.

In her professional association life, it wasn't’t long after Rita came to work in the DC area that she found ARMA or ARMA found her. Although we do not have Rita’s original membership certificate, if my memory serves me accurately, Rita became active in ARMA in 1978. Rita found me my first job in records management and exposed me to GWDC ARMA right away in 1980. She hooked me with her famous, "It will only take an hour" line—yeah, right!

Her first official responsibility in the chapter was as Secretary, 1979-81. She also served as my Secretary when I was President in 1988-89. There are so many offices and responsibilities that Rita performed that I cannot accurately list them all. Even Rita stopped collecting the information about her service because she couldn't keep track of it all. Most importantly, she was President of the Chapter, 1981-1983 and 20 years later, when the chapter was in a bind, she stepped in and filled the role of President again. She was an elected director from 1993-1997 and filled in as a director in many other situations. She was Chapter Member of the Year, 1983 and received both Meritorious Service and Long Term Meritorious Service awards. She was instrumental in the development of the International ISG’s formerly known as IAC’s. She has organized, run and participated in countless local and international workshops. She was on the ARMA Conference Program Committee and served as a Conference Session Monitor. And she loved participating in the WETA/charity events of the chapter.

Rita maintained a staggering corporate memory of the chapter and its activities. I can’t tell you the number of times that someone has said, "Call Rita, she’ll know or she’ll figure it out." I know that there were countless times that we also said, "Call Rita, she’ll help us out." Even when sick, the chapter was important and she continued her activities. This year, the chapter’s board of directors determined that it would name its chapter member of the year award in Rita’s name.

I couldn’t have summarized Rita’s philosophy of service to and involvement with the chapter any more eloquently so from a statement that Rita provided for a bio I quote: "Participation in a professional organization is a tool for individual growth. My participation in ARMA has meant so very much to me over the many years. The ARMA network has so often provided numerous answers to questions that began with "How do I. . ." or "Where do I find. . ." The ARMA network has also provided many friends who understand the enjoyment and frustration of the industry. Serving as a member of the Chapter’s Board of Directors is a way to give back to an organization that has given so much to me."

Rita touched so many lives, because she always added a personal touch to her professional interactions:

*I miss her as a professional colleague and as a personal friend. She has been and will continue to be instrumental and inspiring in my life as a records and information manager and she contributed to my being a better person through her example of generous life. There are too many stories to detail here, but I will say two things. One—that there will never be an ARMA activity where I will not think of Rita. One of my strongest impressions that stays with me is how Rita never faced problems—she addressed challenges. Rita charged with enthusiasm into battle, whether it was cleaning out and organizing a forgotten room of records or her health. She wanted to win and put her whole heart in doing her best. Two—a true friend accepts you for who you are, not who they want you to be. Rita accepted flawed me and I think everyone. She challenged me to be better, but accepted who I was/am—and that is truly a blessing.

*I know that especially in its infant years, she impacted the business, Professional Records Storage, Inc. At the new headquarters location, Bob Larson, in February 2002, dedicated a conference room/reference room in Rita’s name. The conference room displays many of Rita’s awards, certificates and accomplishments in ARMA. The dedication was very special to Rita, not so much because of the display of the room, but because it gave a very special segment of her family the opportunity to fellowship together. Bob & Jane Larson and his family, Doug Peters & wife (Doug started with Rita at McKenna Conner Cuneo as a summer intern), Rita’s staff from Caplan Drysdale, a few close friends and of course, husband Steve, son Jeff and his new wife, Keri were present.

*Trish Broud acknowledges that when she decided to come to the awards banquet tonight, she was considering transportation/commuting arrangements. The first person that she thought of for help was Rita because in the past Rita had often helped her with a ride back to her car which was parked in a garage in Arlington. (Trish is again working out of Arlington) "I will miss Rita, but not just for a free ride."

*Lennie Walker says that his best and most lasting recollection of Rita is from his first ARMA seminar when his firm had just made him their Records Manager. He doesn’t remember the seminar topic, but does recall wondering at the time, "What have I gotten myself into?" At the lunch break, Rita sat down at a table with him and a couple of other ‘newbies,’ to the profession. Rita was so enthusiastic and so full of knowledge that he went back to his job with renewed confidence. He says, "I’ll always be grateful to her for that."

*A specific recollection from Kurt Lauer: It was one of my first chapter meetings that I attended. It was a warm spring evening & I was a bit nervous. I was new to DC & its subways, streets, circles & cabbies. Coming from downtown Chicago chapter you would think that I would handle those things well. Back to that warm (hot) evening—I was nervous about meeting some of my new ARMA family members but I knew I had to get my feet wet. It was a condition for getting the OK to go to the Int’l conference in Chicago that year. I arrived about 40 minutes early (way too early for a chapter meeting) and spent my time looking out the window at the DC skyline & re-reading the agenda. Rita, who was busy setting up things for the meeting finally had a chance to introduce herself. She was, what I found out to be later, her normal charming and friendly self. She welcomed me to the chapter and was delighted that I had come to the meeting. She offered her help with any questions or concerns I might have about the chapter. Later on, I would take her up on those offers and she would always graciously reply. She went beyond the professional level and offered up a more important level of professionalism—personal kindness and caring. From sharing with us shelled pecans at holiday baking time to offering free rides home from the Chapter’s evening meetings. (She did this when she found out I lived in her area) I never took her up on those free rides and I know I missed out on a wealth of interest, insights, and more kindness. After six years I can see what an asset to the Chapter she was. Where are we ever going to get such good deals on those wonderful pecans and the kindness and caring?

I close by saying that this presentation was compiled with love and is just a tip of the iceberg as a tribute to all Rita did for us. I would ask that because of this recollection that I have outlined and the personal recollection you have that may not be public, that you renew your level of personal commitment to the efforts you put forth in your job (your work product), the efforts you put forth with chapter activities (your professional growth), and the efforts you put forth in your own personal growth (kindness & caring). I believe that even though Rita is no longer with us physically, that we can be inspired by her example of generous living in our personal and professional lives.

Thank you for reminiscing with me in tribute to Rita.