Article V of the Society's constitution states that the president serves a one-year term of office subsequent to a one-year term of office as vice president. The terms of office begin at the conclusion of the Annual Business Meeting after the election. Because the vice president automatically becomes president, the president is ineligible for immediate reelection. According to the SAA Foundation's bylaws, the SAA president also serves on the SAA Foundation Board of Directors in their capacity as an SAA Executive Committee member. Subsequent to serving one year as SAA president, the SAA immediate past president serves one year on the SAA Foundation Board of Directors.
Bylaw 1 of the Society's bylaws states, "The president shall direct and coordinate the affairs of the Society, preside at all business meetings of the Society, of the Council, and its Executive Committee, and shall perform such duties as may be directed by the Council."
The SAA President provides vision, and leadership for the Society as a subject matter expert on behalf of the archives' profession. The President fulfills the following duties:
1. Preside over the Society's business meeting at the Annual Meeting.
2. Convene, facilitate, and call into session Executive Committee and Council meetings to ensure that agenda items are discussed, voices are heard, and generative debate is fostered in a spirit of collaborative leadership.
3. Facilitate productive and supportive communication between SAA Council, CEO, and Staff.
4. Support the vice president in appointing the chairs and the members of SAA committees, boards, task forces, and working groups, as well as representatives whose positions are created or become vacant during their term in office, according to the guidelines for each of these roles, and SAA practice.
5. Initiate and sunset standing committees, task forces, and other groups with the advice and approval of the Council.
6. Support Council and Executive Committee to make informed decisions and share knowledge by inviting subject matter experts , committees, and other relevant stakeholders to present on issues of importance or concern to the president, the CEO, the Council, or the Society at large.
7. Sign the current employment contract with the CEO..
8. Direct the search for a new CEO when necessary.
9. Appoint Council members to Council committees.
Approved by Council: June 1991
Revised: January 1992, May 2011, April 2025