Erik Moore, Candidate for Nominating Committee

Professional Experience: University Archivist and Co-Director, University Digital Conservancy, University of Minnesota Archives, 2011–present. Assistant University Archivist and Lead Archivist for the Health Sciences, University of Minnesota Archives, 2010–2011. Archivist, Academic Health Center, University of Minnesota, 2006–2010. Digital Program Associate, Immigration History Research Center, University of Minnesota, 2002–2006.

Education: MLIS, Dominican University, 2005. MA, Historical Studies, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 1999. BA, Russian Studies, Gustavus Adolphus College, 1995.

Professional Activities: Society of American Archivists: Electronic Records Section, Steering Committee, 2013–present; Membership Committee, 2012–2015; Research Libraries Roundtable, Chair, 2011–2013; Key Contact, 2007–2012; Student Program Subcommittee, 2007. Midwest Archives Conference: Council, 2013–present; Nominating Committee, 2011; Local Arrangements Committee, 2011; Marketing Tools Task Force, 2010– 2012; Webmaster, 2008–2012; Program Committee, 2008. Twin Cities Archives Round Table (TCART): President, 2006–2010; Webmaster, 2005–2010.

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Question posed by Nominating Committee: Define your vision of diverse leadership for SAA and describe how you would select candidates to make this vision a reality.

I believe SAA leadership should reflect not just who we are, but who we want to be as an organization. We are a young organization. In the 2012 survey of membership 49% of respondents were under the age of 40. Fifty-one percent have been members less than five years; 76% less than ten. An estimated 20% of all members are students. We want to be a diverse organization. In the same survey SAA's individual and institutional members highlighted diversity of the profession as a high priority. SAA's Statement on Diversity, reaffirmed in 2013, emphasizes two important areas for us to focus on for the recruitment, training, and retention of leadership: individual and community socio-cultural identities and broad repository and geographic participation.

As a member of the Nominating Committee I would construct a ballot that is both supportive of SAA's membership and emboldens the vision of diverse leadership. I would implement the Statement of Diversity as a tool to identify and recruit candidates for the elected positions. I would view leadership as a quality not defined by age, years in the profession, or prestige of institution, but rather a willingness to serve and a desire to put thought into action. I would seek out potential candidates who already volunteer for committees, task force assignments, and elected positions within the roundtables and sections. I would include those who have demonstrated effective leadership in the regional associations and their communities. I believe it is the Nominating Committee's role to look toward the future and I am honored to be a candidate.