On March 30, 2022, in Chicago, at the first in-person SAA Annual Meeting in three years, the SAA Board approved new purpose, mission, and vision statements for the first time in more than a generation. These new statements did not appear out of thin air—they are the result of a deliberate, systematic, and inclusive process, detailed in the September 2022 issue of The SAA Archaeological Record and on a webpage dedicated to updating members on the strategic planning process.
Purpose (our why)
Advancing archaeology, preservation, and practice.
Mission (our aim)
SAA empowers its members to understand humanity’s past through ethically-based scientific and humanistic investigation, to promote preservation of archaeological resources and cultural heritage through support of legislation and education, to create collaboration between the profession and descendant communities, and to assist professional growth.
Shared Vision (our direction)
To champion archaeologists in their efforts to advance knowledge of and to protect the past for society; and to build a more ethical, just, and equitable future of the profession.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for the Society?
By the terms of the Bylaws, members elect a Board of Directors who has the ultimate decision-making for the organization. To facilitate this work (and benefit from expertise among its members), the Board has advisory Committees and Task Forces, who make recommendations to the Board about policies.
The Board delegates the operationalizing of its policies to its Executive Director.
Where can I find the decisions made by the Board?
SAA members can find minutes of the Board and the policies adopted by the Board behind the member login.
How can I add my voice to the organization?
Your voice matters. You can reach out to the SAA staff to get help about how you can participate more fully in the organization. Below are the most important ways people contribute their ideas:
- SAA members vote to elect their peers to the Board and to the Nominating Committee, the member-volunteers who assemble the slates that appear on the ballot. Ballots typically open January 2 each year and close about 30 days later.
- SAA members run for office. Any member can self-nominate to the Nominating Committee chair (or any member of that committee) before July 31 of a given year.
- SAA members volunteer to participate on committees and/or task forces. Each fall there is an "open call for committee service," and chairs welcome hearing from you expressing your interest in their committee.
- SAA members can present at the Annual Meeting and can submit an abstract for a proposed session discussing almost any aspect of the discipline, practice, and/or research.
- SAA members can propose online seminar topics to promote best practices.
- Anyone can submit a proposal to the editor of our magazine, The SAA Archaeological Record, or to our peer-reviewed journals.