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Diversity Committee
I. Purpose
The Diversity Committee works to ensure that the organization’s services, activities, policies, communications, and products support the goal of a more diverse SAA and professional archival community. It functions as a catalyst for new diversity-related initiatives, developed in coordination with various SAA entities, and monitors, evaluates, advocates for, and reports on matters pertaining to the diversity of archival practitioners and documentation.
II. Committee Selection, Size, and Length of Terms
The committee consists of six members, including the chair, who are appointed by the SAA vice president/president-elect. The chair serves a two-year term. Committee members serve staggered three-year terms, with two appointments occurring annually.
III. Duties and Responsibilities
- Guides members and staff to recognize the integral links of diversity to all SAA entities and concerns.
- Develops diversity-related initiatives either on its own or in conjunction with other SAA units or the SAA office. Identifies prospective initiatives through reviews of the annual reports of SAA units and other means.
- Regularly informs the membership of SAA’s progress regarding the organization’s efforts.
- Monitors within and outside the organization issues that pertain to diversity concerns and advises the Council on how to address them.
- Gathers, reviews, and analyzes feedback from the general membership, SAA leaders, and the Council.
- Explores strategies with the SAA Membership Committee for recruiting and retaining individuals from underrepresented populations into the organization.
- Cultivates relationships with allied professions to seek out opportunities for collaboration.
IV. Reporting Procedures
Each year, the committee chair reports on the status of SAA’s diversity initiatives at the annual business meeting and in the organization’s periodicals and submits an annual report to the Council by December 31. The chair also submits recommendations for action by the Council as necessary.
V. Meetings
The committee meets once per year at the annual meeting and may also meet mid-year when appropriate. In addition, the committee may conduct its business by e-mail or telephone during the course of the year.
Approved by Council: 2003
Revised August 2006
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