archives
Like any other A.A. service, the primary purpose of those involved in archival service is to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous. Archives service is more than mere custodial activity; it is the means by which we collect, preserve, and share the rich and meaningful heritage of our Fellowship. It is by collection and sharing of these important historical elements that our collective gratitude for Alcoholics Anonymous is deepened.
A.A. members have a responsibility to gather and care for the Fellowship's historical documents and memorabilia. Correspondence, records, minutes, reports, photographs, newspaper and magazine articles from the past and present should be collected, preserved, and made available for the guidance and research of A.A. members and others (researchers, historians, and scholars from various disciplines) - for now and generations to come.
A.A. members have a responsibility to gather and care for the Fellowship's historical documents and memorabilia. Correspondence, records, minutes, reports, photographs, newspaper and magazine articles from the past and present should be collected, preserved, and made available for the guidance and research of A.A. members and others (researchers, historians, and scholars from various disciplines) - for now and generations to come.
committee members
- Conduct A.A. Archives workshops
- Create portable archives exhibits to display at local A.A. events
- Ask groups to complete Group History forms to capture local A.A. history
- Work with Communications Committee to make information visible and accessible
Suggested Service Ideas
- Show the DVD Markings on the Journey in Archives workshops or other A.A.-related events, to inspire interest in A.A.’s history.
- Create presentations about Archives Committee activities, including photos of your own repository and exhibit area.
- Create portable exhibits that are easily conveyable to various events, such as state or regional A.A. conventions, Area assemblies and district or central office meetings.
- Organize oldtimers meetings and invite a number of A.A. members with longtime sobriety in your Area to share their stories.
- Initiate projects and assign one task per committee member, for example, digitizing analog recordings to digital media, conducting inventories, creating finding aids, scanning, filing and other archives-related tasks.
- Host an annual archives open house and invite other service committees to display their work.
- Host archives workshops and include hands-on activities and tours of your archives repository.
- Communicate with other local Archives Committees and archivists to share your own experience and glean suggestions from others involved in archives service work.
- Develop forms, policies or guidelines, as practical, for local needs. These may include, for example, Collection Scope; Deed of Gift Form; Group History Questionnaire; Guidelines for Collecting Oral Histories; Oral History Release Form; Photocopying Policy; and Research and Access Policy.
- Produce an archives newsletter or contribute to a section in your Area’s newsletter, highlighting your work or a new and exciting find.
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Use this form to contact our District Archives Representative. |
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