THE DATA ADMINISTRATION NEWSLETTER – TDAN.com
ROBERT S. SEINER – PUBLISHER

Published in TDAN.com July 2001

DAMA International has entered the new millennium as the premier professional organization for the information technology discipline.

DAMA International is a not-for-profit, vendor-independent association of technical and business professionals dedicated to advancing the concepts and practices of information resource management (IRM) and data resource management (DRM).

DAMA International's primary purpose is to promote the understanding, development and practice of managing information and data as a key enterprise asset.

Data Resource Management (DRM) is the development and execution of architectures, policies, practices and procedures that properly manage the full data lifecycle needs of an enterprise. DRM is organizing people, energy, practices and procedures into activities that properly manage the information needs of an enterprise. Therefore, DAMA's objective is to help DRM/IRM practitioners become more knowledgeable and skilled in their profession by ...

• Defining and clarifying the roles of information and data resource management
• Educating corporate management by demonstrating how information and data asset management affects corporate performance
• Providing a focal point for addressing issues relating to information and data resource practices
• Establishing academic and professional certification programs for the DRM/IRM professional

DAMA International is fostering alliances with other organizations to further the data resource management and enterprise information. These alliances include relationships with the academic community and industry to promote an understanding of data resource management. DAMA International is defining levels of sponsorship for other organizations that range from recognition, to endorsement, involvement, and partnership.

DAMA International is run by a Board consisting of a President, Past President, and nine Vice Presidents for Conference Services, Member Services, Online Services, Financial Services, Education Services, Chapter Services, Industry Services, Communications, and Operations. DAMA International also has an Advisory Board of prominent individuals that provide advice to the Board regarding the direction and activities of the organization. The individuals on the Board and Advisory Board are volunteers that contribute their time to improve DAMA International and its goals.

Presently, DAMA International has over 35 established chapters worldwide and a member-at-large program for individuals that are not located close to an established chapter. DAMA members receive the benefits of local chapter’s activities and members-at-large receive all the benefits of DAMA International’s products and services. All members can network with other professionals to share ideas, trends, problems, issues, and solutions. Additional information about chapters can be found on the DAMA International web page http://www.dama.org.

DAMA members receive the benefits of local Chapter activities, plus:

• A network of IRM professionals to share ideas, trends, problems and solutions
• A newsletter of activities and events
• A discount on associated vendor’s products and services
• Discounts on conferences and seminars affiliated with DAMA International
• Access to material developed by member Chapters
• Access to IRM professional advice through electronic mail services
• Opportunity to participate in standards committees and working groups to advance IRM knowledge and skills
• Direct interaction with industry leaders
• A professional certification program through the Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals (ICCP)
• A growing presence on the Internet
• Free subscription to DM Review

DAMA International is continually seeking new members and the establishment of new chapters. To learn more about the mission of DAMA International, local chapters, membership benefits, individual achievement awards, conferences and training events, discounts, job listings, education opportunities, and prominent speakers, please consult the DAMA International web page www.dama.org.

Column submitted by Rose Romero, the VP of Communications for DAMA International. Rose can be reached at VP_Communications@DAMA.org. Please visit the DAMA International web-site at http://www.dama.org.