SAA Foundation Governance Committee

I. Purpose 

The purpose and responsibilities of the Governance Committee is to support the mission of the SAA Foundation through the nomination of members and the governance of its Board of Directors.  

The Committee is responsible for creating a slate of Elected Director candidates for nomination by the SAA Foundation Board to the SAA Council each year, as well as recommending to the SAA Foundation Board a slate of non-Elected Directors to serve two-year appointments on Foundation committees each year, as necessary.  

The Committee is charged with addressing governance issues and requirements raised during SAA Foundation Board work, including amending and updating existing structures and procedures, and establishing new procedures, policies, and the documentation manuals to support them. 

II. Committee Selection, Size, and Length of Term 

The Governance Committee is an appointed body of the SAA Foundation Board. The Committee consists of a minimum of 4 members from the Board of Directors, either Elected or Non-Elected Directors, selected by the Board of Directors no later than the close of the SAA’s annual meeting.  The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) serves ex officio with a voice, but without a vote. 

SAA Foundation Elected Directors in the last year of their current term are eligible to serve on the Governance Committee.  However, if such an Elected Director then elects to put their name forward to serve on the Board of Directors for another term, that Elected Director must recuse themselves from the process of considering candidates to move forward for nomination, and their participation will be limited to addressing governance issues and requirements. 

In the event of such a recusal, the SAA Foundation President shall either serve in the recused Elected Director's place or name another Elected Director to do so.  

III. Reporting Procedures 

The Governance Committee reports to each full meeting of the SAA Foundation Board of Directors and at other times as requested by the Board of Directors.  

IV. Duties and Responsibilities 

Nominations 

V. Meetings 

The Committee meets via conference call periodically and may meet in person, provided that 1) there is a compelling need and 2) the Board approves the necessary resources. 

Creation of committee approved by the SAA Foundation Board, June 2024; Revised February 2026.