I. Purpose
The Committee’s purpose is to provide strategic information and advice to the SAA Council to enhance SAA’s capacity to address public policy issues and concerns affecting archivists, archives, the archival profession, and its stakeholders. The Committee recommends to the SAA Council the public policy priorities on which SAA should focus its attention and resources, within the context of the Society’s mission and strategic plan. Although the Committee's purview is broad, its overarching priorities are issues related to the preservation of and access to records of enduring value that affect archivists, archival institutions, and users of the archival record.
II. Size, Composition, Selection, and Length of Terms
The Committee consists of eight members. Six members are appointed by the SAA Vice President for staggered three-year terms; a vice chair and chair serve one-year terms.
The SAA Vice President appoints a vice chair from among the Committee members serving in their third year. That individual serves a fourth year as vice chair and accedes to chair in the fifth year. Individuals may be reappointed to the Committee.
III. Duties and Responsibilities
The Committee has the following duties and responsibilities:
A. Acting proactively, the Committee:
B. Acting in response to requests or events, the Committee:
IV. Reporting
The Committee works closely with the President, its Council Liaison, and the Executive Director to ensure that it is responsive to the Council's needs and is working in coordination with the staff office. In certain cases, when time is of the essence, Committee communications with the President and Executive Director may be discussed and acted upon solely by the Executive Committee.
Approved by the SAA Council: September 2013
Name change to Committee on Public Policy (COPP) approved by the SAA Council: May 2016