News & EVENTS

Although registration for the New England Archivists Spring 2016 Meeting does not open until this coming Monday, January 11th, the program is available online now. Browse through sessions, plenary speakers, workshops, and the many special events planned throughout the meeting.

Two of those special events still need participants. Both events will be interesting ways to view archives and archivists and we hope you'll take the opportunity to join us for either Moths in the Archives: Stories from the Stacks on Friday or Home Movie Day on Saturday.

FRIDAY APRIL 1ST
Moths in the Archives: Stories from the Stacks

Do you know a good archives story? Have you ever had something interesting or unexpected happen while in the archives? Something funny, weird, wise, or unforgettable? Tell us about it during NEA's first StorySLAM: Moths in the Archives: Stories from the Stacks.

Based on the StorySLAM competitions developed by NYC non-profit literary society The Moth, there are only four groundrules to the NEA competition at the Spring 2016 Meeting:
-- First rule is all stories must be true
-- Second rule is all stories must be told, not read.
-- Third rule is there is a 5-minute time limit.
-- And fourth rule is to keep it anonymous -- don't betray confidentiality restrictions

Bring your wit and wisdom to the masses of New England archivists who are just waiting to hear a good story. And at the end of the evening, scores will be tallied and a winner announced. Submit an outline of your story to be considered eligible for the NEA competition.

Questions? Contact Matt Spry (sprymatt@gmail.com) for information about the NEA event at the Spring 2016 Meeting. And get some great storytelling tips on The Moth's website.


FRIDAY APRIL 1ST
Home Movie Day

A home movie is a short amateur film or video typically made just to preserve a visual record of family activities, a vacation, or a special event, and intended for viewing at home by family and friends. (Wikipedia)

Archivists know better than anyone how much home movies are an important aspect to documenting everyday life and cultural history. To celebrate these unique films found in countless archival collections across New England, NEA will host a Home Movie Day screening and discussion during the NEA Spring 2016 Meeting led by Liz Coffey, Film Conservator at Harvard Film Archive.

But first we need submissions. We are asking NEA members or any archival repository in the New England region to submit a home movie to be screened to an audience of archivists. Formats accepted: 8mm, super 8, super 8 sound, 16mm, VHS, DVD, digital files (playable via laptop). And please note: all films will be handled by archivists and returned with care. 

If you wish to submit a film or video for this unique event, please complete a submission form for consideration before January 15, 2016. Any questions, contact John Campopiano (jcampopiano@gmail.com).

To quote John Waters: "Home Movie Day is an orgy of self-discovery, a chance for family memories to suddenly become show business. If you’ve got one, whip it out and show it now."

ATTEND THE SPRING 2016 MEETING WITH A NEA SCHOLARSHIP

NEA offers two different scholarships to help support NEA members attending the annual spring meetings. The Meeting and Travel Scholarship (for non-student members only) and the Susan J. Von Salis Student Meeting and Travel Scholarship (for student members only) include registration (at the appropriate early-bird rate) and up to $300 towards travel and hotel expenses.

Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to Abigail Cramer (abigail.cramer@gmail.com), Meeting and Travel Scholarships Committee Chair, by January 15th.

ABOUT SPRING 2016
This year's meeting, Uncharted Waters, will push the envelope trying out new programs and new ideas. There will be a Day of Service at the Maine Historical Society, thought-provoking plenary speakers, a new-member breakfast, and plenty of opportunities for networking. Or experience something different by participating in the very first archives StorySLAM, Moths in the Archives: Stories from the Stacks or NEA’s own Home Movie Day.

Early-bird registration opens this coming Monday, January 11th.

NEA has reserved a block of rooms at The Inn By the Bay Hotel and Convention Center in Portland, ME. The hotel includes an indoor pool and sauna, fitness center, and an onsite restaurant and lounge, and is just a short walk from the lively Old Port area of the city. Call to reserve a room at the NEA special rate ($125/night): 800-345-5050 (reference the NEA Meeting).

And if you live in the Boston or New Hampshire area, check out the Amtrak Downeaster which runs daily between Boston and Portland to help calculate travel costs.

SPRING 2016 KEY DATES:

1/11 -- Early-bird registration opens
1/13 -- Last day to enter a raffle to win a seat in an SAA workshop at Spring 2016
1/15 -- Deadline for meeting and travel scholarships
1/15 -- Deadline to participate in NEA's own StorySLAM or Home Movie Day
2/28 -- Early-bird registration ends
2/29 -- Advanced registration begins
3/01 -- Hotel CUT-OFF for special NEA reservation prices
3/25 -- Advanced registration ends
3/31 -- Onsite registration available

Be part of things in Portland. Apply to one of the NEA meeting and travel scholarships.

Happy 2016!

New England Archivists is hosting a raffle for a NEA member to win one free seat in a SAA full-day workshop at the NEA Spring 2016 Meeting in Portland, Maine (#NEASp16). Any NEA member who shares or retweets this announcement on Facebook or Twitter using the NEA Spring 2016 hashtag* will automatically be entered to win.

* NEA members do not need to be on social media to be eligible to enter the raffle (see details below).

ABOUT THE SAA WORKSHOP

Date: Thursday March, 31, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m.
Place: Portland, Maine (NEA Spring 2016 Meeting)

Arrangement and Description of Electronic Records, Part I (DAS)

This one–day course introduces you to processing strategies that are applicable to born-digital records, with an emphasis on basic concepts that archivists use to establish descriptive control over digital content. You’ll learn about standards and tools that can be used to implement an integrated processing strategy. You’ll also participate in a set of instructor–led exercises that arrange and describe some electronic records in ways that maintain the integrity and authenticity of the digital records.

For a more detailed description of this workshop, visit http://saa.archivists.org/events/arrangement-and-description-of-electronic-records-part-i-1633/636/

HOW TO ENTER:

Choose one of three ways to enter:

   -- Facebook: “Like” NEA’s Facebook page and “share” this post on your own timeline (#NEASp16)

   -- Twitter: Follow NEA’s Twitter account and retweet this announcement (#NEASp16)

   -- Email: Email communications@newenglandarchivists.org with your name and contact information.

Fine Print: Please read before entering the raffle.

1. Entries will be accepted from Monday January 4, 2016 through Wednesday January 13th. The winner will be notified by Friday January 15, 2016.

2. You must be a member in good standing of the New England Archivists

3. This seat is non-transferable. You cannot give the seat to another person if you are unable to attend the workshop yourself. If the workshop is cancelled due to any reason, you cannot transfer it to another SAA workshop -- it is good for this workshop only. If you must cancel, please inform SAA directly.

4. You do not need to be on social media to enter to win. You can email communications@newenglandarchivists.org instead.

Registration for NEA Spring 2016 Meeting opens January 11th: Start thinking #NEAsp16 now!

Apply for one of NEA's three awards to help members in their professional development and activities:

The application period for the Richard W. Hale, Jr. Professional Development Award is now open. 

The Richard W. Hale Award is given annually by NEA to promote the professional development of archivists in the region. Individual members of NEA are invited to apply for the award. For more information on the award and submitting an application, go to: newenglandarchivists.org/awards/hale 

Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to Jessica Sedgwick (jmsedg@gmail.com), Hale Award Committee Chair, by February 15, 2016.

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The application period for the Richard L. Haas Records Management Award is now open. 

The Richard L. Haas Records Management Award is given annually by NEA in support of a project that promotes increased cooperation, understanding, and knowledge between the archival and records management professions. Applicants need not be a member of NEA to receive this award. For more information on the award and submitting an application, go to: newenglandarchivists.org/awards/haas 

Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to Silvia Mejia (silvia.mejia@gmail.com), Haas Award Committee Chair, by February 15, 2016.

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The application period for the Audio/Visual Professional Development Award is now open. 

The A/V Professional Development Award is given annually by NEA to promote the professional development of members in the areas of moving image, recorded sound, and time-based media. Individual members of NEA are invited to apply for the award. For more information on the award and submitting an application, go to: newenglandarchivists.org/av_award 

Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to Erica Boudreau (ericacathryn@gmail.com), AV Professional Development Award Committee Chair, by February 15, 2016.

ATTEND THE SPRING 2016 MEETING WITH A NEA SCHOLARSHIP

NEA offers two different scholarships to help support NEA members attending the annual spring meetings. The Meeting and Travel Scholarship (for non-student members only) and the Susan J. Von Salis Student Meeting and Travel Scholarship (for student members only) include registration (at the appropriate early-bird rate) and up to $300 towards travel and hotel expenses.

--- Applications and supporting documentation must be submitted to Abigail Cramer (abigail.cramer@gmail.com), Meeting and Travel Scholarships Committee Chair, by January 15th.

ABOUT SPRING 2016

This year's meeting, Uncharted Waters, will push the envelope trying out new programs and new ideas. There will be a Day of Service at the Maine Historical Society, thought-provoking plenary speakers, a new-member breakfast, and plenty of opportunities for networking. Or experience something different by participating in the very first archives StorySLAM, Moths in the Archives: Stories from the Stacks or NEA’s own Home Movie Day. 

NEA has reserved a block of rooms at The Inn By the Bay Hotel and Convention Center in Portland, ME. The hotel includes an indoor pool and sauna, fitness center, and an onsite restaurant and lounge, and is just a short walk from the lively Old Port area of the city. Call to reserve a room at the NEA special rate ($125/night): 800-345-5050 (reference the NEA Meeting).

And if you live in the Boston or New Hampshire area, check out the Amtrak Downeaster which runs daily between Boston and Portland to help calculate travel costs.

SPRING 2016 KEY DATES:
1/11 -- Early-bird registration opens
1/15 -- Deadline for applications for the meeting and travel scholarships
1/15 -- Deadline for submissions to Spring 2016 Home Movie Day and StorySLAM events
2/28 -- Early-bird registration ends
2/29 -- Advanced registration begins
3/01 -- Hotel CUT-OFF for special NEA reservation prices
3/25 -- Advanced registration ends
3/31 -- Onsite registration available

Be part of things in Portland. Apply to one of the NEA meeting and travel scholarships.

John Waters has said that there's no such thing as a bad home movie.

But you don't need to tell that to a bunch of archivists. We all know how much home movies and amateur films are an important aspect to documenting everyday life and our cultural history. To celebrate these unique films found in countless archival collections across New England, NEA will host a Home Movie Day screening and discussion during the NEA Spring 2016 Meeting led by Liz Coffey, Film Conservator at Harvard Film Archive.

We are asking NEA members to submit either personal family home movies or else amateur films/home movies from archival institution's collections. Formats accepted: 8mm, super 8, super 8 sound, 16mm, VHS, DVD, digital files (playable via laptop). And please note: all films will be handled by archivists and returned with care.

If you wish to submit a film or video for this unique event, please complete a submission form for consideration before January 15, 2016. Any questions, please contact John Campopiano (jcampopiano@gmail.com).

To quote Mr. Waters again: Home Movie Day is an orgy of self-discovery, a chance for family memories to suddenly become show business. If you’ve got one, whip it out and show it now.

Have you ever had something interesting or unexpected happen while in the archives? Something funny, weird, wise, or unforgettable? Tell us about it during NEA's first StorySLAM: Moths in the Archives: Stories from the Stacks.

Based on the StorySLAM competitions developed by NYC non-profit literary society The Moth, there are only four ground rules to the NEA competition at the Spring 2016 Meeting:

-- First rule is all stories must be true

-- Second rule is all stories must be told, not read.

-- Third rule is there is a 5-minute time limit.

-- And fourth rule is to keep it anonymous -- don't betray confidentiality restrictions

Bring your wit and wisdom to the masses of New England archivists who are just waiting to hear a good story. And at the end of the evening, scores will be tallied and a winner announced. Submit an outline of your story by January 15, 2016 to be considered eligible for the NEA competition.

Questions? Contact Matt Spry (sprymatt@gmail.com) for information about the NEA event at the Spring 2016 Meeting. And get some great storytelling tips on The Moth's website.

We are looking for several additional volunteers to help plan the three-day NEA Spring 2017 ​Meeting on Cape Cod in Hyannis, Massachusetts. We will need help planning sessions, plenary speakers, local arrangements, social events, various membership services, and a local Day of Service event.

Serving on a NEA committee is a great way to get interact and network with many professional colleagues. If you would like to nominate yourself, or a colleague, please contact Krista Ferrante (ksferrante@yahoo.com) chair of the NEA Spring 2017 Meeting, by January 21, 2016.

NEA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
Friday, December 4, 2015

Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Hampshire College
Franklin Patterson Hall, Room 101
893 West St, Amherst, MA 01002

[Google Map with Driving Directions]

The final agenda for the December board meeting at Hampshire College is available on the NEA website.

All NEA members are welcome to attend the NEA Executive Board quarterly meeting on Friday, December 4th. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to NEA Vice President, Jennifer Gunter King (jking@hampshire.edu / 413-207-1416).

Unable to attend in person? NEA is committed to making our board meetings open to all members. If you would like to request remote access to part or all of the December meeting, please contact the Inclusion and Diversity Coordinator, Anna Clutterbuck-Cook (diversity@newenglandarchivists.org / 617-646-056) and we will do what we can to accommodate your request.

You can always access board meeting minutes on the NEA website.


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DIRECTIONS TO HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE

Parking: If you plan on attending the meeting and you are driving, please fill out the following form for a parking pass to Hampshire College. You will need to print it so you can place it on your dashboard. This pass is good for either Dakin/Merrill student/visitor lot (in front of the Yiddish Book Center) or else the Library Lot.

Since Hampshire College is accessible only by car, please contact Jennifer Gunter King about rideshare information.

Franklin Patterson Hall https://goo.gl/maps/mH3i7bydUrB2
On entering Hampshire College from Rte. 116, turn left. At the first stop sign, turn left onto South Campus Drive and park in either the Dakin/Merrill or Library lots. Franklin Patterson Hall is located on your first right-hand turn into campus. It is an academic building next to Dakin Hall. Dakin is on the perimeter of campus, and Franklin Patterson is closer to the center of campus. There are two entrances to Franklin Patterson. The large entrance brings you to the campus lecture halls. To get to room 101, you go up a level of stairs and turn right into a hallway. 101 is at the end.

(Look for signs directing you to the NEA Board Meeting)

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEES

The NEA Representatives-at-Large seek NEA members serve on the Awards and Scholarship Committees to help review applications for the following:      
     -- Hale Professional Development Award
     -- Haas Records Management Award
     -- A/V Professional Development Award
     -- The Susan J. Von Salis Student Meeting and Travel Scholarship
     -- The NEA Member Meeting and Travel Scholarship
Applications for these awards will be accepted starting in early December, and winners will be chosen by February. For more information on NEA awards and scholarships, see: newenglandarchivists.org/awards

To volunteer for these committees, contact NEA Rep-at-Large Erica Boudreau at ericacathryn@gmail.com by Monday, December 7th.