Committees and Task Forces
Committees and task forces are key to how SAA operates. Many research issues related to their committee charge in order to make policy recommendations to SAA's Board of Directors. In a single year, twenty-four different scholarships, awards, and grant committees select individuals to receive more than $200,000 in recognitions to help the profession honor excellence and become a more diverse cohort. Some committees advise the Board with regards to the media, the public, and government agencies.
SAA has over 50 committees and task forces, staffed by more than 700 volunteers and this village of volunteers helps SAA keep dues as low as possible, so that as many archaeologists as possible may join. Most committees work by email and may meet in person at the annual meetings. SAA student members are also eligible for committee service; in fact, most committees must appoint at least two student members.
Organizational chart of the SAA
Click on image below to download a graphic of the organizational structure of the SAA.
Volunteer for Committee Service
Meet new members and contribute expertise to the community.
Volunteers may express interest at any time of the year in the work of a committee by emailing the chair. Additionally, each October, the SAA staff makes an “open call for committee service” to its membership.
Committee Policies and Guidelines
Committee and task force chairs work with their Board liaisons to make appointments to their advisory bodies. The SAA Board adopted its Committee Appointment Policy at its December 18, 2019 meeting and is intended to make this process more transparent and easier for all to understand.
While the majority of committee and task force seats are filled by the chair and the Board liaison, members elect some specific seats. Specifically members elect two seats on the Nominating Committee and two seats on the Finding Verification Committee. In addition, members elect the entire Board of Directors. Each January, members select the leadership of the organization by voting. Self-nominations to seats are welcome and members can email the Nominating Committee chair with their name by July 31.
The Board also adopted guidelines for committee chairs and board liaisons to define roles and facilitate this crucial work: Best Practices for Committee and Task Force Chairs and Board Liaisons
Frequently Asked Questions
How are committee chairs selected?
The Board of Directors appoints current members to chair its advisory Committee and Task Forces. Each Committee and Task Force has a Board liaison and often this person plays a key role in identifying a new or incoming chair. If you are interested in chairing a committee, reach out to the Board to tell them of your interest.
How can I serve on a committee or task force?
Any current SAA member is eligible to serve. To ensure widest possible opinion from across SAA’s membership, the Board adopted term limits for committee service. For awards scholarships, you can serve one three-year term per role; for other committees and task forces, you can serve up to two consecutive three-year terms per role
Committee or task force chairs select their committee or task force members with the approval of their Board liaisons. The Board liaison then lets the SAA membership staff know about the appointment, so that SAA staff can update the committee and task force roster and so that the member receives an appointment letter.
You can respond to the "open call for committee service," or contact a chair at any time of the year to express your interest in their committee.
Can committees create their own webpages?
Committees and task forces have the option of setting up their own social media as long as they follow the SAA policy, which clarifies among other things:
- Posts and comments do not speak for the SAA but rather for the individuals
- The page should include a link back to the SAA’s website