Regional Archival Organizations and the Society of American Archivists

Abstract

For over three decades following its founding in 1936 the Society of American Archivists remained the only professional organization of archivists in the United States. Just as SAA was a child of other professional organizations, particularly the American Historical Association, it has in turn generated its own offspring. Even though some leaders of the SAA viewed the creation of the first regional archival organizations with apprehension, the SAA Council did provide a number of them with financial assistance as they were being organized. Likewise, several of the SAA's leaders were instrumental in organizing a number of the regionals. At present there is a considerable overlap between leaders of the SAA and the regionals. The author of this article describes the historical context for the emergence of the local, state, and regional archival organizations; provides a current profile of these organizations that includes information on the dates of their founding, number of members, cost of individual dues, frequency of meetings, and type of publications; discusses the evolving relationship of the SAA with the local, state, and regional organizations; and offers several suggestions for improving these relationships.