Executive Summary

UAC (with its sister Council TAC) emphasized collaboration and continuity this term. There were significant challenges, as well as notable accomplishments, in both areas. The Spring half of the term saw a higher level of turnover than expected, which taxed the bandwidth of members nearing the end of the term. Despite this, the accomplishments of UAC this term set up the Council to be organized and active beginning next term with the infusion of new members.

Challenges:

• Five (5) resignations from UAC between January and May for various personal and professional reasons, most common being that the member transitioned to a new opportunity at an organization that was not an ArchivesSpace member organization. Where there was not a change in workplace, bandwidth to continue Council work was also cited.

  • As a result, it was difficult to sustain workload with fewer members

• Difficulties finding avenues for collaboration between the teams given the differences in workflows

Accomplishments:

• Made it to the end of a rocky Spring, when UAC saw a lot of change. Council continued to do excellent work despite disruption. Members stepped up to fill leadership roles (shout out to Cory Nimer and Mary Pedraza).

• Council Handbook = improved documentation

• Some sub-teams found new avenues for collaboration that did not exist before the term

• UAC and TAC continued strong presence at the ArchivesSpace Online Forum

• Leadership advocated for increased size of Council. Through the insights of sub-team leaders, we now know that UAC should be between 18-23 members

  • Result: Council size will increase next term

• Professional development opportunities continued for Council members, more emphasis on technical skills. This year Council members were invited to register for a Lyrasis GitHub webinar

• Addition of Vice Chair to Nominating Committee improved efficiency of end of term work and will hopefully lead to more continuity and clarity during Spring recruitment season

Things To Do Differently/Lessons Learned:

• In terms of UAC membership levels, look forward but don’t be surprised by unexpected turnover. It is likely UAC will continue to experience turnover the next few years

• Write an official Council workplan and publish to Council wiki--consider collaborating with TAC on portions of this.

Priorities for next term:

• Continue to emphasize collaboration between teams

  • The creation of workplans seems to be a good moment in the year to set intention for collaboration and to present projects/venues for collaboration

  • Advice: Think simple. Consider creating space for collaboration/discussion where natural collaboration does not exist

    • Particularly successful example this term was Development Prioritization had a standing invitation to Council members to attend its meeting

• Leadership should continue to promote a sense of belonging and create spaces for members to interact with one another. For example through Coffee chats, etc.

• Leadership should continue to monitor membership cycles and levels. Reassess beginning every January/February through nomination season (April/May)

  • Check-in with sub-teams and ask: Are more members required? Are there any concerns about leadership/future continuity, etc?

    • Subteam leads should be prepared to respond to these questions

• Continue to improve Council Handbook, as needed

• Publish UAC workplan and retrospective yearly.

Leadership for 2023-2024

Chair: Suzanne Reller

Vice Chair: Rebecca Baugnon