At the November meeting, the SAA Council approved with minor changes the SAA Committee on Education’s revision of the Archival Continuing Education (ACE) Guidelines. The revisions bring the document into alignment with SAA’s Guidelines for a Graduate Program in Archival Studies (GPAS).

November 16, 2017—The SAA Council has approved creation of a Tragedy Response Initiative Task Force to 1) create and/or compile material for ready accessibility by archivists who are facing a sudden tragedy and 2) explore the feasibility of creating a standing body within SAA that would update documentation as needed and serve as a volunteer tragedy response team.

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.