Collaboration Objective:

The ACA is an independent certifying body for supporting a standardized Body of Knowledge for the archival profession. It is beneficial for the ACA to be attuned to emerging standards development and professional literature through SAA. As mission and scope-aligned organizations, having a formal collaboration ensures coordination and mutual benefit for both organizations.

Collaboration Logistics

The ACA is encouraged to have an institutional membership with SAA. This will allow them to have access to SAA communications and have a voting representative (customarily the ACA president).

Any collaborations between SAA and ACA are encouraged to be initiated by the representative Presidents or their delegates.

II. Number and Length of Appointments

A. The SAA vice president appoints an official representative to the ACA for a 2-year term..

B. To ensure the familiaritry of the representative to the mission and work of ACA, the official representative is encouraged to have been a member of the ACA for a few years prior to appoitnment. ACA membership during the time of appointment is a requirement for the liaison role.

III. Duties

A. The CEO is responsible for financial issues.

B. The SAA liaison represents the Society on issues of archival policy, such as education, publications and standards, in which SAA and ACA have a mutual interest; and on issues where coordination of efforts is desirable, such as the work of the nominating committees.

IV. Reporting Procedures

The SAA liaison prepares an annual report to Council in accordance with established procedures and reports to Council when necessary throughout the year.

V. Meetings

The SAA  liaison meets with ACA at the SAA's Annual Meeting and at special meetings called by the ACA when appropriate. The CEO may also attend ACA meetings as appropriate.

VI. SAA Stakeholders

A. Committee on Education

B. Archival Educators Section

C. Standards Committee

D. Publications Board, SAA publications editor, and American Archibist editor

Approved by Council: September 1991
Revised: May 2025