Memorandum of Agreement Between the Society for Historical Archaeology and the Society of Black Archaeologists

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

The Society of Black Archaeologists
in association with
The Society for Historical Archaeology

WHEREAS, The Society of Black Archaeologists (SBA) and The Society for Historical Archaeology (SHA), two affiliated organizations, enjoy a mutually beneficial association, and; WHEREAS, the SHA was formed in 1967 as a scholarly group concerned with the archaeology
of the modern world (A.D. 1400-present) and the SBA was founded in 2012 to create a space for Black archaeologists and other scholars to advocate for the proper treatment of African and African diaspora material culture, and; WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of the two
organizations wish to reaffirm and strengthen this association to advance their mutual commitment to ensure racial equity in the field, encourage responsible cultural resource stewardship of African and African diaspora terrestrial and maritime cultural heritage, promote the interests of scientific inquiry, and provide for the dissemination of knowledge, and; WHEREAS, the SBA and SHA are separately incorporated not-for-profit corporations; NOW, THEREFORE, the SBA and the SHA hereby mutually agree to the following;

  1. The SBA President shall receive a complimentary membership to the SHA and shall act as a liaison to the SHA;
  2. The SHA President shall receive a complimentary membership to the SBA and shall act as a liaison to the SBA;
  3. The SBA shall hold its annual meeting during the SHA Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology, and the SHA shall provide support as needed to the SBA meeting. The SBA shall be listed in the SHA conference program and given a complimentary table in the Book Room. The SBA may sponsor sessions, panels and/or roundtables at the SHA annual conference;
  4. With the approval of the Research Editor, the SBA shall hold a minimum of two seats on the Research Editors Committee for the SHA journal, Historical Archaeology, and other publications. The individuals representing the SBA on the Research Editors Committee
    shall be members of the SHA;
  5. With the approval of their respective Newsletter editors, the SBA and SHA shall contribute to their respective Newsletters with articles and advertisements for related activities, events, and programs at no cost to either organization.
  6. The SBA and the SHA shall have the ability to collaborate on fundraising efforts that will mutually benefit the two organizations (e.g., the Harriet Tubman Student Travel Awards, field school scholarships, and other fundraising activities that support equity). Institutional collaborations between the SBA and SHA shall be outlined in subsequent MOAs.
  7. Neither the SHA nor the SBA shall represent the other without prior written approval;
  8. The SBA may use the SHA logo without financial compensation with permission by SHA;
  9. The SHA may use the SBA logo without financial compensation with permission by the SBA.
  10. This agreement can only be modified with approval of the Boards of Directors of both Societies. Modifications must be made in writing with signatures from both parties;
  11. This MOU is a binding Agreement between and among the parties;
  12. Any dispute arising out of or relating to the terms of this MOU shall be subject to nonbinding mediation. The mediation shall be in accordance with the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association in effect at the time of the dispute. A request for mediation shall be promptly given in writing to the other party and the American Arbitration Association. The parties shall share in payment of the mediator’s fee and any filing fees equally. The mediation shall be held at a mutually agreed location; and
  13. This MOU shall remain in force until superseded or terminated. The Board of Directors of either party may terminate this MOU by giving the other party ninety (90) days written notice thereof.

Link to signed copy