Standing Professional Committees (SPCs) of the Association of African American Museums are vital to the advancement of the goals of the Association. Committees assist AAAM by serving as a source of expertise that represents broad ongoing interests of the museum profession. SPCs have objectives that support and enhance the Association and its membership at a national level.

There are six committees representing broad areas of museum activities:

• Administration & Development Specialists
• Alliance for Professional Development
• CARE (Curators, Archivists, Registrars, Exhibit)
• Educators & Special Event Coordinators
• Directors Roundtable
• Disaster Task Force

CRITERIA

A SPC is defined by the AAAM's Board of Directors as "an organized group of professionals associated with museums and cultural institutions including, but not limited to, those professionals with specialized academic backgrounds and training, who are active members of AAAM."

GUIDELINES

• An individual committee shall elect its own chair and shall meet at least once a year, normally in conjunction with the Association's annual conference.
• The committees may elect officers and prescribe dues in addition to regular Association dues for the purpose of carrying out special programs. Any changes in committees' elected officials will be immediately forwarded to the AAAM Board of.
• The Board of Directors of the Association shall regularly review the activities of all SPCs and may, by majority vote, withdraw the status accorded to the committee.
• The committees provide services not only to their members, but also to members of the Association, and the entire museum community, which in turn provides the Association the opportunity to respond to the needs of its members, professionals, volunteers, and others in the museum field.
• The Board of Directors encourages the work of the SPCs by maintaining communication between the Board and the committees, and ensuring that the SPCs carry out their responsibilities accordingly.
• Copies of complete and up-to-date committee meeting minutes, financial and activity reports, committee regulations and memberships of each SPC must be submitted to the Board of Directors in a timely manner.
• A list of current members, including present title (professional or voluntary), duties performed at their museum or organization and the financial status of their committee must be kept up-to-date and on file with the Association.
• The Board of Directors must review all special activities or programming before such activities are carried out.