November 15, 2017—SAA Representative Bill Maher commented today at the World Intellectual Property Organization's Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights that, "Now it is time to stop the foot-dragging and begin textual work on an international instrument to ensure the future vitality of copyright." Read his full comments here.

November 6, 2017—On October 12, 2017, the Trump Administration announced its intention to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2018 and seek to establish a permanent observer mission to the organization. The Society of American Archivists (SAA) does not support the administration’s abandonment of an organization that is involved in important cultural work throughout the world.

By Meredith Evans, SAA Vice President/President-Elect

Archival work is more important than ever. In this time of information overload and an abundance of alternative facts, it’s our profession that brings perspective and truth by preserving records and evidence. It’s our collections that provide context and authenticity to the manifestation of human intellect and collective memory that inform and have an impact on the documentation and reciting of history and culture today.

The Membership Committee would like to learn more about the nature and extent of employer support SAA members receive for professional development. Click here to take this brief survey. Thank you!

This survey will close on Wednesday, November 22, 2017.

SAA has signed on to a letter, written by the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT), to Acting Privacy Chief Officer Jonathan Cantor expressing “concerns with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) System of Records Notice…stating that DHS will now store social media information in ‘Alien Files’ (A-Files), which include the official record of an individual’s visa and immigration history.” This "raises concerns that the collection, retention, use, and sharing of social media information will (1) invade the privacy of immigrants and U.S.

The Society of American Archivists (SAA) promotes the protection and accessibility of records found in governments, organizations, and archives repositories. Because records ensure the protection of individuals’ rights, the accountability of governments and organizations, and the accessibility of historical information, equal and equitable public access to government information is a cornerstone of our democracy. Read the full statement.

The SAA Council will review the Strategic Plan 2014-2018 in depth during its November 5-7 meeting—and hopes to include your feedback in its discussion. Looking ahead to 2018-2020, do you think the goals and objectives are/will be relevant? Do you have suggestions for revising the goals or objectives? Please share your perspectives by Friday, October 27.

The SAA Council accomplished the following on the October 6, 2017, conference call: