SAA President Helen Wong Smith began her term at the conclusion of ARCHIVES*RECORDS 2023. As new leadership takes their seats in working groups, committees, and sections this fall, Helen shares her vision for the coming year and what SAA hopes to accomplish as we work together toward a bright archival future.
To paraphrase the Nobel Prize recipient bard, Bob Dylan, there has never been a better time to redefine the boundaries of our profession and shape the fabric of SAA. Recent changes and actions in operations, programming, education, and advocacy provide increased opportunities to participate, collaborate, and expand our impact not just within the profession but on society. Prudent redefining of boundaries requires an openness to change (forgive the additional Bob Dylan reference) while recognizing our history.
During the 2023 Business meeting, I offered an ʻŌlelo Noeau, or Hawaiian proverb:
ʻAʻohe pau ka ʻike i ka hālau hoʻokai
All knowledge is not taught in the same school.
One can learn from many sources.
I’d like to couple it now with this proverb:
I ulu no ka lālā i ke kumu.
The branches grow because of the trunk.
Without our ancestors we would not be here.
SAA can be viewed as a professional ancestor, and like many families, there are agreements and disputes, appreciation and neglect, which may lead to separation but also, hopefully, reconciliation. If we recognize the benefits the Society provides through its members, staff, and infrastructure, and open our minds to dissimilar knowledge in order to accept and affect change, there are no boundaries to our societal impact. This, at a time when the public is aware of archives but not necessarily cognizant of what it entails, is an opportune moment to increase our visibility as champions of archival values and ethics and their impact on humanity and the historical record.
To accomplish this, we continuously strive to improve and adapt not just to maintain our relevancy but also to play a proactive role in the profession. This includes such actions as:
- Voting this fall on the revisions of the SAA constitution and bylaws that were presented at an open forum on January 5, 2023, and again in a virtual Town Hall on August 14, 2023. The proposed amendments reflect current best practices for association management within SAA and include changes regarding dues, Fellows selection, governance procedures, and administration with the intention to streamline processes without compromising SAA’s transparency or the role of membership in decision-making on issues of importance.
- Implementing the 2023–2025 Strategic Plan, which provides a roadmap to achieve SAA’s four goals of advocacy, professional growth, advancing the field, and meeting members’ needs. Having the opportunity to assess and schedule the actions in the Strategic Plan with SAA Past President Terry Baxter and Executive Director Jacqualine Price Osafo this past year revealed the deep level of intent and consideration dedicated to refining SAA. I encourage you to investigate the Strategic Plan to identify an action that speaks to you and where you can create change (e.g., the Work Plan on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, which articulates a variety of tasks in need of your support).
- Contributing to sections, committees, working groups, and task forces, which provide exemplary guidelines, toolkits, standards, and platforms. These significant resources require extensive volunteer time and effort, and I encourage you to share your knowledge and ideas in these spaces.
- Increasing collaboration with allied organizations, such as the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH), American Library Association (ALA), Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums (ATALM), Council of State Archivists (CoSA), National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators (NAGARA), and regional archival associations. The phrase, “It’s a kākou thing,” which means advocating for collective action to address a social problem, is applicable to the health and relevancy of SAA among other cultural heritage professions and endeavors. We are not a behemoth that can stand aloof from our colleagues; rather we should serve as agents for cooperation toward shared goals.
Each of us have interests and causes dear to our heart, and I offer that SAA is an effective “ancestor” in which to advocate for them to the benefit of many. As we move forward this year, I hope you will join me in building on the work of everyone before us to create a bright future.
Helen Wong Smith
SAA President 2023–2024
Off the Record 