Labor, Advocacy and Public Policy Committee
Responsible for promoting advocacy in response to key issues that may impact archives, diversity, and the role of archives and archivists within society.
General Description
This standing committee is responsible for advocating for archives and archivists, focusing on labor practices, diversity, and the role of archives and archivists within society. The committee also monitors legislation and policy, political appointments and governmental funding agencies, and political issues of interest to archivists. It makes recommendations to the SCA Board in regards to formal statements by the Society and implements the resulting action, as approved by the Board. The committee facilitates access to resources that will aid archivists in advocating for the profession in the aforementioned matters. The committee serves as a key resource for apprising members of news, events, discussions, and information relevant to archivists, associated professionals, and archival repositories. The committee communicates its findings to the membership via the SCA Board, the Newsletter, special mailings, and the annual members meeting. It also orchestrates special projects on an as-needed basis.
Composition of the committee and terms of office are defined in Handbook section 3-1 and governed by the Bylaws.
Responsibilities
General responsibilities are outlined in Handbook section 3-1.
1. Monitors legislation and public policy issues of interest to archivists.
2. Monitors larger issues of diversity, parity, and inclusion within the profession.
3. Informs the SCA Board of issues and recommends a course of action.
4. Informs SCA membership of political developments, and situations that call for advocacy, through the Newsletter, the annual members meeting, and special mailings if necessary.
5. Coordinates, on an as-needed basis, special projects that address issues of concern to the larger archival profession
6. Maintains a copy of the SCA Handbook, and recommends revisions of the Advocacy and Public Policy Committee section to SCA Board when needed.
7. Forwards non-current records of the committee to the SCA Archives at the end of the year.
Labor Advocacy Resources
List of Resources for labor advocacy from the Final Report of the SCA Task Force on Labor Issues Within the Profession
Past Efforts
October 2021, Salary Transparency Statement and Job Posting Policy establish guidelines for acceptable job postings on the Western Archivists Listserv (west_arch) and align with SCA’s ethical guidelines and commitment to dismantling structural inequities within the professional community, as outlined in our Code of Conduct.
September 2017, Letter expressing concerns about the future of the Riverside Municipal Archives, signed by David Uhlich, SCA President.
August 2017, Letter supporting Senate Concurrent Resolution 75 (SCR 75) designating October as California Archives Month, signed by David Uhlich, SCA President.
June 2017, Letter supporting funding for NARA, NHPRC, NEH, and IMLS to Committee of Appropriations, United States Congress, signed by David Uhlich, SCA President.
April 2017, Postcard supporting continuing funding for IMLS.
June 2016, Letter supporting the nomination of Dr. Carla Hayden as 14th Librarian of Congress.
July 2014, Letter opposing cuts to funding for the National Endowment for the Humanities.
April 2014, Letter supporting funding for NEH and IMLS.
March 2014, Letter supporting California's SB 1009, authorizing the Secretary of State to use professional archival practices to appraise and manage the records of former Governors deposited with the State Archives.
August and May 2013, SCA letters of support for California's SB 479 to transfer the record management duties of the Director of the Department of General Service to the Secretary of State (and the State Archives).
July 2013, SCA letter of support for NHPRC funding.
March 2013, SCA letter of support for opening historic voter records to the public.
September 2012, SCA letter of support for the Georgia State Archives.
June 2012, SCA letter of support for NHPRC funding.
May 2012, SCA written testimony in support of the NHPRC.
Members
General email: advocacypublicpolicy@calarchivists.org
Co-Chairs
Marissa Friedman, 2021-2024: UC, Berkeley, marissafriedman34@gmail.com