Learn about the Advocacy Committee
The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (A.R.T.) is now accepting nominations for the A.R.T. Board for the 2015 - 2016 election year. Terms shall commence at the conclusion of the A.R.T. Annual Meeting, to be held June 15, 2015, at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), with the announcement of the election results. Deadline for nomination submissions is Friday, 29 May 2015, midnight EST. All current A.R.T. members are eligible for nomination. Nominations from colleagues and self-nominations are both welcomed. Serving on the A.R.T. Board is a unique volunteer opportunity. As an A.R.T. Board member, you will gain skills and expertise beyond the scope of your past and present work commitments. Local leadership, project management, and networking are a few of the key benefits. Most importantly, you are serving as a representative for your colleagues and all A.R.T. membership.
The following positions are open:
Vice President (1 Year Term: 1 year Vice President/President Elect, 1 Year President)
Secretary (1 Year Term)
Treasurer (2 Year Term)
Director of the Advocacy Committee (2 Year Term)
Director of the Education Committee (2 Year Term)
Director of the Communications Committee (1 Year Term)
Positions are two-year terms, with the exception of the Vice President, which is a one-year term, following which the Vice President becomes President without an election; Secretary, and Director of the Communications Committee. After the nominations period closes, each candidate confirming acceptance of the nomination will be required to provide a short biography, candidate statement, and headshot for the ballot, due by Wednesday, 3 June 2015, midnight EST.
Please access the following link for the nomination form:
https://nycarchivists.wufoo.com/forms/call-for-nominations-art-board-2015-2016/
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has released the following regarding the House of Representatives budget proposal eliminating IMLS funding (among other budget cuts such as eliminating the NEH):
http://www.arl.org/news/community-updates/3568-us-house-budget-proposal-calls-for-elimination-of-imls#.VSlfBCjtieG
To see the full impact IMLS funding has on communities around the country, see their annual report:
http://www.arl.org/news/community-updates/3569-imls-releases-annual-report-for-2014#.VSlgwCjtieG
Contact your representatives today to let them know how such cuts would imapct your archives and the community you serve:
http://www.house.gov/representatives/
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Statement regarding public officials using private email to conduct official business
The Board of Directors and the Advocacy Committee of the Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York, Inc., expresses concern at recent news reports that public officials at different levels of government have used private email accounts to routinely communicate and conduct official business. Use of non-official systems to send and receive email, except in extreme circumstances (i.e. emergency situations where government systems are not available) increases the likelihood that messages which meet the legal definition of a public record are not captured or managed in accordance with existing laws and regulations. Public records, whether email messages or paper documents, not captured in official records management systems diminish the historical record, decrease government efficiency and effectiveness, and impede the public¹s ability to hold government officials accountable. The Board of Directors and the Advocacy Committee urge governments to adopt records regulations that prohibit the use of non-official email systems except in extreme, emergency situations. Furthermore, the Board of Directors and the Committee urge that stricter rules regarding the use of official email accounts for official business be implemented and enforced to ensure preservation of the historic record and to foster greater transparency and accountability at all levels of government.
The statement can be downloaded at the following link [PDF]:
2015_ART_email_advocacy_letter.pdf
Change.org petition on the state of funding for the Iowa State Archives and Historical Society:
Budget cuts and reorganization plans for the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) endanger the preservation of Iowa history contained in diaries, letters, photographs, maps, oral histories and other materials housed at the Society's two libraries in Des Moines and Iowa City.
Drastic reductions in operating hours and staff, the diversion of resources to unrelated activities, and recommendations to "streamline" the SHSI libraries threaten public access to the state's history. Iowans risk being severed from their past.
https://www.change.org/p/iowa-department-of-cultural-affairs-terry-branstad-state-historical-society-of-iowa-save-iowa-history-restore-funding-for-the-state-historical-society-of-iowa-libraries-and-archives-keep-physical-records-of-iowa-history-accessible-to-all
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” -- Benjamin Franklin
Ideas for MayDay Activities
For more on these ideas: http://www2.archivists.org/initiatives/mayday-saving-our-archives/ideas-for-mayday-activities
Associated Press CEO Gary Pruitt writes on the challenges and difficulties encountered when trying to access public records under Freedom of Information laws and includes some very illuminating examples.
AP CEO: Government undermining 'right to know' laws
http://www.ap.org/Content/Press-Release/2015/Gary-Pruitt-Sunshine-Week-column
March 15-21, 2015
Join us in the annual nationwide celebration of access to public information and what it means for you and your community. Find all the free resources you need to get started right here.
It's Sunshine Week's 10th anniversary, and we've made a lot of gains in open government thanks to your work.
For more info see: http://www.sunshineweek.org/
For more info see: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/advleg/nlld
Make your voice heard: the FOIA Advisory Committee seeks public comments
As the FOIA Advisory Committee works hard to examine some challenging areas of FOIA law and policy, it needs your help. Input from the public will help the subcommittees better understand the issues that FOIA requesters and agencies face.
Please visit the FOIA Advisory Committee’s webpage, including the Public Comments page, for information about the Committee and how you can get involved.
For more on the issues the Committee is examining, see: http://blogs.archives.gov/foiablog/2015/02/11/make-your-voice-heard-the-foia-advisory-committee-seeks-public-comments/
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