First Fridays
Friday, August 8, 2025
12:00 p.m. – 01:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time)
Back in 2021, SCA launched its First Fridays online series as a way to bring membership together during the isolating days of the COVID-19 pandemic; in 2025, we aim to revive the initiative to provide a place for members to connect and commiserate in these turbulent times. Programming will include a variety of labor, advocacy, and educational topics.
The inaugural session will be Friday, August 8 from 12-1; after that, the series will be held on the first Friday of each month. The Labor, Advocacy, and Public Policy and Education Committees will alternate programming; additional committees may host programming in the future. Our first session, hosted by LAPP, will be an open forum to hear from members directly about what issues are affecting you right now and help us shape future topics of discussion.
Please forward any questions or comments to Melissa Haley and Marissa Friedman at advocacypublicpolicy@calarchivists.org.
The cost is $0 for SCA members; $0 for student members. This is an SCA Member event only. This event will not be recorded.
Registration is open until August 07.
Promoting Archival Work Through Advocacy and Outreach
Thursday, August 21, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. (Pacific Standard Time)
In this time of funding uncertainty, how can you be an effective advocate for libraries and archives and what do you need to get started? How can you make the leap from concerned archivist to active advocate? Archival consultant Jess Farrell will outline common strategies and tactics for getting your story out there with tips for how to choose the best path to achieve your goal. The workshop will also feature strategic communications consultant Alice Walton, who will discuss how archives professionals can tailor their messaging for different audiences.
Please forward any questions or comments to Rob Strauss and Gillian Goldberg at educationcommittee@calarchivists.org.
The cost is $10 for SCA members; $5 for student members; $20 for non-members; and $5 for unemployed or precariously employed individuals.
Presenters:
Jess Farrell is an organizer and archival consultant living and working in Greater Boston. She advocated internally for digital archives over 15 years before establishing Redstart Works, an archival consultancy, in 2024. Jess has been on the Society of American Archivists' Committee on Public Policy for 7 years, currently serving as Chair. She has participated in all kinds of collective action projects, from developing national legislation for archives to flipping a city council.
Alice Walton is a seasoned strategic communications consultant, specializing in navigating the intricate landscape of high-profile clients to achieve ambitious regulatory and legislative objectives. Currently, Alice serves as a key member of the team at Fiona Hutton & Associates. Alice began her professional career as a political reporter, contributing her insights to the Los Angeles Times, 89.3 KPCC public radio and the regional wire service, City News Service.
Registration is open until August 20. Online payment is required.
