President

A. Term of Office

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 his or her 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.

B. Functions

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."

C. Duties

1. Preside over the Society's business meeting at the Annual Meeting.

2. Serve as a member of and preside over meetings of the Council.

3. Serve as a member of and chair the Executive Committee. The president shall call the Committee into session.

4. May at his or her discretion appoint 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 his or her term in office, according to the guidelines for each of these and SAA practice. Traditionally, the vice president / president-elect appoints representatives and chairs and members of SAA bodies who will commence their service at the beginning of his or her term as president. In general, the vice president fills vacancies occurring in mid-year in consultation with the president.

5. Create and terminate standing committees, task forces, and other groups with the advice and approval of the Council.

6. Direct representatives to outside committees and boards to present issues of importance or concern to the president, the executive director, the Council, or the Society at large before those committees and boards. The representatives shall bring the discussion of such issues by the outside committees and boards before the Executive Committee or the full Council for consideration and further advice.

7. Sign the current employment contract with the executive director.

8. Direct the search for a new executive director when necessary.

9. Appoint newly-elected Council members to Council committees.

Approved by Council: June 1991
Revised: January 1992, May 2011