Committees & Working Groups
Join one of our working groups or committees to play an active role in shaping our community and advancing our mission. Each group offers a meaningful way to contribute your skills, connect with fellow members, and make an impact in areas that matter to you. Whether you're passionate about events, communications, advocacy, education, or strategic planning, there’s a place for your voice and talents. Explore our full list of committees and working groups below and discover the opportunity that best aligns with your interests and expertise.
Ready to get involved? Complete our "Join a CoSA Group" form to join a committee or working group today!
Call for Participation!
CoSA Working Groups welcome new members year-round, and we encourage anyone interested in contributing to get involved. At this time, the greatest need is for additional volunteers for the Tools & Resources Working Group, which is helping guide the development and growth of CoSA’s Resource Center. For more details, see the group description below.
Working Groups
The Affinity Groups Working Group supports the development and coordination of CoSA’s member-led affinity groups—casual, topic-focused discussion spaces where peers can connect, share experiences, and explore common challenges. Members of the working group help identify emerging topics, refine group structures, and provide light guidance to ensure meaningful, inclusive conversations. Their work strengthens opportunities for community-building and professional exchange across the organization.
This working group organizes and supports CoSA’s Chatting with Colleagues sessions—guided, informal discussions that explore timely topics and emerging issues in the field. Members of the working group help identify discussion topics, guide discussions, and shape formats that encourage open dialogue and peer-to-peer learning. The group’s work fosters a welcoming space for members to exchange ideas, share experiences, and engage in meaningful conversation throughout the year.
The Educational Videos Working Group develops engaging, accessible video content that supports our members and promotes best practices across the community. Participants help identify key topics, shape scripts and storyboards, and collaborate on creating high-quality educational resources that inform, inspire, and strengthen our collective knowledge.
The Electronic Records Working Group leads the planning and promotion of Electronic Records Day, an annual initiative in October designed to raise awareness about the importance of managing and preserving digital records. Active primarily from late summer through early fall, members help develop educational resources, coordinate outreach efforts, and shape the annual webinar and related programming. The group collaborates to support agencies, archives, and the public in understanding the risks, responsibilities, and opportunities associated with electronic records, and encourages broad participation through social media, community engagement, and shared best practices.
The Tools & Resources Working Group collaborates with CoSA staff and contractors to develop and maintain the organization’s Resource Center. Members assist with migrating existing resources, shaping the structure and functionality of a new platform, and regularly identifying valuable materials to add. Through their efforts, the group ensures that CoSA’s Resource Center remains a dynamic, accessible hub of information and tools for members and the broader archival community.
The STEER Unconference Working Group plans and coordinates the annual SERI STEER Unconference, a virtual, participant-driven event focused on current issues in managing electronic records across state and territorial archives. Active each year from January through May, members help shape the event theme, develop session tracks, identify subject experts, and guide opportunities for attendee-led discussions. The group works collaboratively to create an engaging, informative experience that encourages conversation, shared learning, and forward-looking ideas within the electronic records community.
The Webinars Working Group plans and delivers CoSA’s webinar programming, offering timely, practical learning opportunities for members. Participants help identify relevant topics, recruit knowledgeable presenters, and shape engaging session formats. Through thoughtful coordination and collaboration, the group ensures that each webinar supports professional development, highlights innovative work across the community, and meets the evolving needs of state and territorial archives.
Committees
The Advocacy Committee guides CoSA’s efforts to raise awareness and promote the value of state and territorial archives. Members develop strategies, share resources, and support outreach initiatives to engage stakeholders and influence policy. The committee also serves as a liaison with other professional organizations and meets monthly to coordinate ongoing advocacy efforts.
The Annual Meeting Planning Committee plans and organizes CoSA’s annual meeting, including program development, logistics, and coordination with speakers and vendors. Members work collaboratively throughout the year to ensure a professional, engaging, and smoothly executed event for all attendees.
The ARM Survey Committee oversees the development and administration of the ARM survey. Members work closely with a survey consultant to design questions, analyze responses, and interpret results, providing actionable insights that inform CoSA programs, policies, and initiatives.
The Awards Committee administers CoSA’s awards program, reviewing nominations and selecting recipients who demonstrate excellence and leadership in archival practice. Members collaborate to ensure a fair, transparent process and help celebrate outstanding contributions across the community.
The Finance Committee provides oversight and guidance on CoSA’s financial health, including budgeting, financial reporting, and strategic planning. Members work together to ensure responsible management of resources in support of the organization’s mission and priorities. Membership is fixed according to the organization’s bylaws and is not open to volunteers.
The Nominating Committee identifies, evaluates, and recommends candidates to serve on the CoSA Board of Directors. Members actively engage in a transparent process to encourage diverse and qualified participation in the organization’s governance. The committee is typically active from March through July and is led by the current Vice President. Membership is fixed according to the organization’s bylaws and is not open to volunteers.
The SERI Leadership Team guides the strategic direction of the State Electronic Records Institute (SERI). Members set priorities, create policies, and lead initiatives that support state and territorial archives in managing and promoting electronic records effectively.