I. Purpose
The Section Health Assessment Working Group (SHAWG) will pursue envisioning a new, remote-first model for Sections which support the following foundational principles:
Sections are valuable communities of practice that foster information-exchange, creativity of expression, and support for members.
The model for sections needs to be sustainable in terms of funds, staff and volunteer time, and administrative maintenance.
Council liaisons have a responsibility to support their sections through proactive communication and orientation to SAA’s governance requirements, and SAA section leaders have a responsibility to adhere to governance requirements and communicate with their liaison. This allows us to hold section leaders and the associated Council liaison collectively accountable for compliance with governance responsibilities.
II. Working Group Selection, Size, and Length of Terms
The SHAWG will include up to five volunteer members and two Council members, at least one of whom will be in their second or third year on Council.
The volunteer members will be selected by the current Working Group members after a Call for Expressions of Interest and will be appointed for the 2-year interim span. Expressions of interest and selection of members should include the consideration that at least two volunteer members should have recently served on a section steering committee.
III. Duties and Responsibilities
As part of their envisionment work, the SHAWG will review the full spring 2023 section health survey responses closely, with particular attention to the ideas generated for future models of sections. They may conduct focus groups to gain broader feedback and buy-in. As a new section/communities of practice model is developed, the Working Group will lead a Town Hall or other membership communication efforts to communicate the model and form a transition plan from the current model. Toward the end of the Working Group’s two year initial term, Working Group members should conduct an assessment of their work to determine whether a proposal should go to Council to extend or alter the work.
SAA Council working group members are responsible for facilitating the Guidelines for SAA Sections on Merging, Transitioning to a Discussion Group, and Sunsetting.
IV. Reporting Procedures
The SHAWG reports to the Council and will submit regular updates to that group, in addition to ensuring that SAA members are aware of their ongoing work.
The Council Liaison(s) will regularly report to Council on the work of the group as well as ensure that regular meetings occur and deliverables are produced.
The SHAWG is also responsible for ensuring that minutes of the group’s meetings are prepared and posted on the group’s microsite to inform SAA members of its activities and comply with SAA’s record-keeping requirements.
V. Meetings
The working group shall meet virtually as needed to conduct its work. The working group may conduct its business by email, telephone, or virtual meeting during the course of the year.
Adopted by Council: August 2024