Standing Rules
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, and five ex-officio members which include: Council Liaison, SAA Liaison, COPA Chair, SAA liaison(s) to an external public policy mentor(s) and/or legislative advocacy consortia, and Immediate Past Chair. Six members are appointed by the SAA Vice President via the Appointments Committee for staggered three-year terms.
The Committee shall be led by a Chair and Vice Chair who serve staggered two-year terms. The Vice Chair shall be chosen by the SAA Vice President via the Appointments Committee from among the Committee members serving in their second or third year.
After completion of the two-year term, the Immediate Past Chair will continue to serve for another year as a non-voting, ex-officio Committee member.
- Chair
The chair shall preside at all meetings; represent the Committee in its relations with SAA in general and with the Council and other groups within SAA; serve on SAA committees, task forces, etc., as an ex-officio member when required or appoint a representative to do so; appoint committee working groups as needed; and submit an annual report of Committee activities to the SAA executive office after the conclusion of his or her term. - Vice Chair
The vice chair shall serve for one year as vice chair and will assume the position of chair at the conclusion of the term. The vice chair will assist the chair in leading the committee and will represent the committee in the absence of the chair. - Immediate Past Chair
The Immediate Past Chair shall serve for 1 year as ex-officio member assisting with the Chair transition, documenting institutional memory, and mentoring members.
III. Duties and Responsibilities
The Committee has the following duties and responsibilities:
A. Acting proactively, the Committee:
- Periodically reviews and suggests (for Council approval) revisions to SAA’s Advocacy Agenda.
- Prepares drafts, for Executive Committee or Council approval, of position papers, statements, issue briefs, and other documents related to public policy issues, seeking input from members and experts (including component groups) as appropriate and feasible.
- Tracks legislative, regulatory, and other public policy issues that are of concern to archivists so that the Council is prepared to address the issues in a knowledgeable manner.
- Brings to the Council's attention areas in which collaboration with other organizations may advance the Society's public policy interests and, under Council direction or with its approval, cooperates with such organizations in furthering SAA's interests.
B. Acting in response to requests or events, the Committee:
- Responds in a timely fashion to requests from the President (acting on behalf of the Council) or the Executive Director for background information and recommendations on matters related to public policy issues.
- Develops and coordinates strategies for the Council and SAA to use in responding rapidly and appropriately to public policy issues or situations that require SAA comment and/or action.
- Prepares position statements and issue briefs on high-priority topics for approval by the Council.
- Collaborates with SAA component groups to ensure that the Committee and the Council are aware of and responsive to the advocacy and public policy issues that are of concern to members.
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.
V. Revision History
- First established: September 2013
- Last updated by the SAA Council: January 2024
- Name change to Committee on Public Policy (COPP) approved by the SAA Council: May 2016
