SfAA Elected Positions: Roles and Expectations

Overview of Elected Positions

The Society for Applied Anthropology elects members to serve in “at-large” positions on its Board, except for the Student Board Member. These positions do not represent specific groups or constituencies. Instead, the Nominations and Elections (N&E) Committee seeks candidates who are committed to advancing the Society’s mission and goals.

Ideal candidates are those willing to dedicate time to their responsibilities. Many have prior experience serving on SfAA committees, contributing to SfAA publications, or assisting with the Annual Meeting, which provides valuable insight into the Society’s policies and procedures.

Eligibility Requirements

  • All candidates, except the Student Board Member, must be SfAA Fellows.
  • Members who have previously run for office but were not elected are encouraged to try again.
  • Those who have previously held elective office may run for the same or different positions.

Nominations

Nominations, including self-nominations, should be submitted to the SfAA Office at info@appliedanthro.org. Each nomination must include:

  • A brief candidate statement explaining the candidate’s interest in running
  • A current resume or CV
  • A recent photo

President and Secretary Roles

Candidates for President and Secretary are typically chosen from individuals with prior experience on the Board of Directors. While this experience is not required, it helps candidates effectively manage their responsibilities.

Commitment to Diversity

SfAA values diversity among its elected officers. The N&E Committee actively seeks candidates who reflect the Society’s membership, considering factors such as race, ethnicity, age, gender, professional background (practitioner or academic), and geographic location. As a global organization, SfAA also prioritizes international representation on the Board and seeks qualified candidates from practice settings.

Student Board Member

Candidates for the Student Board Member position must be students at the time of election. This role carries a two-year term and is specifically dedicated to representing student interests within the Society.

Election Slate and Position Descriptions

The Nominations and Elections (N&E) Committee prepares an election slate each year, which may include some or all elective positions, depending on the year. Below are descriptions of the duties and responsibilities for each position:

Term of Office: Four years, progressing through the following stages:

  1. President-Elect (Year 1) – Serves as Vice President and steps in for the President as needed.
  2. President (Years 2 and 3) – Leads the organization and fulfills presidential duties.
  3. Past-President (Year 4) – Continues as Vice President, offering guidance and support.

If the President is unable to serve, the Vice President assumes their duties.

Responsibilities:

  • Calling and presiding over Board and Annual Business Meetings.
  • Appointing members to standing and special committees, with Officer approval.
  • Carrying out duties as directed by the Board of Directors.

Term of Office: Three years

Responsibilities:

  • Recording all Board and Annual Business Meeting deliberations.
  • Developing the agenda for Board meetings.
  • Coordinating electronic communication among Board Members.
  • Managing Board votes and reporting results.
  • Appointing a Secretary Pro Tempore in their absence (with Board approval).

Key Duties:

  • Executive Committee Role – Serves as a voting member of the Board and Executive Committee.
  • Agenda Preparation – Works with the President to compile Board meeting materials.
  • Meeting Minutes – Drafts, revises, and finalizes official Board meeting minutes.
  • Action Item Summaries – Collaborates with the President to highlight key decisions and action items.

Term of Office: Three years

Responsibilities:

  • Overseeing SfAA’s policies, finances, and record-keeping.
  • Approving the annual budget.
  • Selecting a Program Chair and confirming the Annual Meeting’s Program Committee.
  • Establishing committees and Topical Interest Groups (TIGs).
  • Approving awards, prizes, and publication editors.
  • Maintaining governance procedures not covered in the bylaws.
  • Following Robert’s Rules of Order when necessary.

Meeting Schedule:

  • Monthly Zoom meetings (90-120 minutes).
  • In-person meetings at the SfAA Annual Meeting (typically Wednesday and Saturday mornings).

Travel Reimbursement:

  • SfAA provides partial reimbursement for in-person meeting travel expenses, considered “last dollar” support (members should seek other funding first). The amount is determined by the SfAA Treasurer.

Preparation and Responsibilities: Board Members are expected to:

  • Review meeting materials in advance.
  • Oversee specific SfAA activities (e.g., membership, publications).
  • Serve as committee liaisons, reporting committee activities to the Board.

Role: Identifies and prepares candidates for elective offices.

Responsibilities:

  • Soliciting and reviewing potential candidates.
  • Informing candidates about office duties.
  • Collecting biographical statements for the election process.

Committee Composition:

  • Three elected members serving staggered three-year terms.
  • One new member is elected each year to ensure continuity.
  • The N&E Committee is one of the few elected committees within SfAA, alongside the Board of Directors and Officers.