National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators

NAGARA is pleased to announce the results of the 2026–2027 Board of Directors election.

Thank you to all candidates who stepped forward in service to the profession, and to the 500+ members who participated in this year’s election.

Please join us in congratulating the newly elected Board members:

• Vice President: Shawn Rounds
• Secretary: Emma Rose Powers
• Federal Representative A: Markus Most
• Federal Representative B: John Leon
• State Representative: Heather Hahn
• Local Representative: Barry Primes

We are grateful for your leadership and commitment to advancing archives and records management across all levels of government.

View full results and candidate details on our website here: https://nagara.org/Board/2026-Election-Results

NAGARA is excited to announce two new Affiliate Partnerships with the Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA) and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC).

These partnerships reflect a shared commitment to strengthening the archives and records management profession through collaboration, increased visibility of professional development opportunities, and deeper engagement across our communities.

Through our partnership with ACA, Certified Archivists will gain expanded access into NAGARA’s webinars, online forums, and Annual Conference, many of which are eligible for ACA Continuing Education Credits (CECs). ACA members are also eligible for a 50% discount on first-year NAGARA membership.

ACA Partnership: https://nagara.org/aca

Through our partnership with MARAC, we are strengthening connections across regional and national communities by promoting each other’s programs, expanding engagement opportunities, and maintaining a presence at each organization’s conferences.

MARAC Partnership: https://nagara.org/marac

Together, these partnerships help ensure that NAGARA continues to reflect the full spectrum of the profession (from records management to archives), while expanding opportunities to connect, learn, and contribute.

We’re excited to build a more connected, collaborative professional community alongside our new partner (and “sister”) associations.

*This message is brought to you by our sponsor, CivicPlus, but it does not imply an endorsement of their product/service*

Reduce Risk in Records Request Redaction!

Not all public records requests carry the same level of risk.

As request volume increases, so does the complexity of reviewing and redacting sensitive information. Manual processes can lead to inconsistencies, missed exemptions, and unnecessary exposure.

Records managers are prioritizing more structured approaches to:

• Batch redactions
• Consistent review workflows
• Clear documentation of disclosure decisions

The goal is not just speed. It is defensibility, consistency, and confidence in every response. Modern tools can support this shift while keeping records teams in full control of the process.

Learn how agencies are strengthening records request management workflows: https://bit.ly/4chBB4c

There are just 10 days left to register for NAGARA’s 2026 Spring Online Forum on April 24.

This one-day virtual event, Sync or Sink: Finding Flow in Times of Change, is designed to deliver practical, real-world strategies for government archivists, records managers, and information professionals navigating today’s evolving landscape.

In addition to actionable programming, the Forum is also pre-approved for continuing education credits across multiple credentialing organizations, making it a valuable opportunity to advance your professional development while maintaining certifications.

Join us for a focused day of learning, connection, and practical insight.

View the full program and register: https://nagara.org/onlineforums

Interest in the 2026 NAGARA Annual Conference has been incredibly strong, and we’ve been thrilled by the response. Because attendance in Philadelphia is limited to 500, and fewer than 100 spots remain, now is the time to secure your place!

We look forward to welcoming colleagues from across the country for a week of practical learning, meaningful connections, and shared insight across the government archives, records, and information space.

Once we reach 500 attendees, additional registration requests will move to a waitlist. Any available spots will then be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you know you want to join us in Philadelphia, now is the time to secure your place!

https://nagara.org/annualconference

Earn Pre-Approved Continuing Education Credits (Without Leaving Your Desk)!

NAGARA's 2026 Spring Online Forum (just around the corner on Friday, April 24) is officially approved for continuing education credits across multiple professional organizations, making it one of the most efficient ways to maintain your credentials this spring!

✔ 5.0 CEC (ACA)
✔ 5.0 CIP CEU (AIIM)
✔ 5.0 IGP (ARMA)
✔ 5.0 CMPs (ICRM)
✔ 8.0 GARA Study Hours

Beyond the credits, this one-day virtual event will deliver practical, real-world strategies for archives and records professionals navigating change, limited resources, and evolving technologies.

All sessions will be recorded and made available in the event archive to those registered following the event.

See what's planned by viewing the full program and registering today: http://nagara.org/onlineforums

NAGARA is pleased to offer Travel Scholarships to members for the 2026 NAGARA Annual Conference in Philadelphia this July!

APPLICATIONS are DUE this Friday, April 10 by 11:59PM ET.

These scholarships help government archivists and records managers attend the profession's premier event for professional development, collaboration, and peer connection.

https://nagara.org/2026/Travel-Scholarships

If you've been hoping to attend but travel costs are a barrier, we encourage you to apply!

Recipients receive financial support to help offset the cost of attending the conference, where participants will explore emerging issues in government archives and records management while connecting with colleagues from across the country.

Even if you are not applying for a scholarship, conference registration is open and we encourage all to register today!

Explore the program, networking opportunities, and professional development designed specifically for government archives and records professionals.

https://nagara.org/annualconference

We hope to see you in Philadelphia this summer!

If you’re planning to join us in Philadelphia for the 2026 NAGARA Annual Conference, consider arriving a day early.

On Tuesday, July 21, we’re offering a series of pre-conference workshops designed to be practical, approachable, and immediately useful in your day-to-day work.

Options include:
• Foundations of Records Management
• Basics of Archives
• Shared Drive Cleanup Strategies
• Microsoft 365 Lifecycle Management
• Practical AI Use Cases

Whether you’re new to the field or looking to sharpen specific skills, these sessions are built to help you walk away with tools you can actually use.

👉 Explore workshops and add-ons: https://nagara.org/2026/Pre-Conference-Workshops

A quick planning note: The room block at the Lowes, our host hotel, has now sold out. We do have an overflow block at the Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square, just 0.6 miles down the street from the Lowes. Attendees are also welcome to reserve another nearby hotel of their choosing outside either discounted room block.

We look forward to welcoming you to Philadelphia this July!

There's still time to register for NAGARA's upcoming webinar: "Proof of Concept: Planning Your Approach", scheduled for Thursday, April 2 at 1:00 PM ET

Planning a successful archives, records management, or legislative system deployment often starts with a strong Proof of Concept (PoC). This webinar will explore how a PoC can help organizations test ideas, refine workflows, identify practical use cases, and build the case for broader implementation.

Attendees will gain practical insight into how to:

- Identify specific use cases and process requirements
- Test and refine an approach before full deployment
- Communicate findings and results to build internal buy-in

This webinar is especially valuable for professionals looking to move from concept to action with greater clarity and confidence.

LEARN MORE or REGISTER: https://nagara.org/webinars

We're just one month away from NAGARA's 2026 Spring Online Forum, and already 200+ government archivists, records managers, and information professionals have registered for this practical, one-day virtual learning event.

This Online Forum features engaging, practitioner-led sessions designed for professionals seeking real-world strategies they can apply immediately. Even if you can't attend live, all sessions will be recorded and available on-demand in NAGARA’s Events Archive for registered attendees.

Today we're highlighting Session 5:

"Managing OneDrive and Email Retention with Microsoft Purview"

As agencies continue balancing collaboration tools, employee transitions, and public records responsibilities, this session offers practical guidance for managing user content in Microsoft 365 environments.

Learn how to:
• Retain critical OneDrive and Exchange content when employees leave
• Use retention policies, labels, and adaptive scopes effectively
• Target specific user groups (executives, departments, exiting staff) for smarter governance

Why attend NAGARA’s Spring Online Forum?

• Practitioner-led sessions with actionable insights
• Topics spanning AI, Microsoft 365, governance, workflows, and more
• Flexible access with on-demand recordings
• Practical strategies for modern public-sector environments

This year’s Spring Online Forum is all about helping teams "find their flow" (achieving meaningful results without massive budgets).

Explore the full agenda and secure your spot today: https://nagara.org/onlineforums