As the largest U.S. organization representing anthropology in all its diversity, the American Anthropological Association has the obligation to determine how it can best carry out its mission in changing milieus of research, education, and employment. To meet that obligation, the AAA Executive Board has created the AAA Committee on Long-Range Planning and instituted an ongoing long-range and operational planning process.

This plan is an ongoing, evolving document. The plan outlines twelve objectives for advancing and disseminating anthropological knowledge over the next three years. Consistent with the vision outlined below, the Long-Range Planning committee annually revises and reassesses these objectives in terms of how the AAA might best advance anthropological knowledge, clarify our values, create a more effective organization and meeting structure, and develop financial resources and communication outlets for disseminating anthropological research to our membership and the broader society.

AAA LONG-RANGE PLAN

MISSION

Section 1. The purposes of the Association shall be to advance anthropology as the science that studies humankind in all its aspects, through archeological, biological, ethnological, and linguistic research; and to further the professional interests of American anthropologists; including the dissemination of anthropological knowledge and its use to solve human problems

Section 2. To advance the science of anthropology, the Association shall: Foster and support the development of special anthropological societies organized on a regional or functional basis; Publish and promote the publication of anthropological monographs and journals; Encourage anthropological research, act to coordinate activities of members of the Association with those of other organizations concerned with anthropology, and maintain effective liaison with related sciences and their organizations;

Section3. To further the professional interests of anthropologists, the Association shall, in addition to those activities described under Section 2: take action on behalf of the entire profession and integrate the professional activities of anthropologists in the special aspects of the science; and Promote the widespread recognition and constant improvement of professional standards in anthropology.

THE LONG-RANGE PLAN

As the largest U.S. organization representing anthropology in all its diversity, the American Anthropological Association has the obligation to determine how it can best carry out its mission in changing milieus of research, education, and employment. To meet that obligation, the AAA Executive Board has created the AAA Committee on Long-Range Planning and instituted an ongoing long-range and operational planning process.

This plan is an ongoing, evolving document. The plan outlines ten objectives for advancing and disseminating anthropological knowledge over the next three years. Consistent with the vision outlined below, the Long-Range Planning committee annually revises and reassesses these objectives in terms of how the AAA might best advance anthropological knowledge, clarify our values, create a more effective organization and meeting structure, and develop financial resources and communication outlets for disseminating anthropological research to our membership and the broader society.

A VISION FOR THE AMERICAN ANTHROPOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

The mission and the Long-Range Plan entail a vision of the American Anthropological Association that contains three interlocking aspects:

1. The American Anthropological Association will foster the growth, advancement and application of anthropological knowledge through research, publication, and dissemination within a broad range of educational institutions and through the media to the society at large.
2. The AAA will continue to utilize and develop the values associated with the acquisition of anthropological knowledge, including a commitment to the AAA Code of Ethics and AAA Declaration on Anthropology and Human Rights with a commitment to the importance of diversity in the anthropological profession, among anthropology students at all levels, in the presentation of research on human and non-human primate populations.
3. The AAA will foster an organization that will make possible the development and dissemination of anthropological knowledge through its organizational structure and long-range planning process, its annual meetings, its support for the integration of practicing anthropology within the AAA and the discipline at large, its support for a state of the art communications infrastructure, and its support for departments of anthropology within colleges and universities. The AAA will develop the financial resources to carry out this vision.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

1. The AAA will have an integrated coherent and coordinated publications program that disseminates the most current anthropological research to its members, the discipline, and the broader society. The American Anthropologist will continue to be the principal association-wide journal of new knowledge, emphasizing integration and synthesis.
2. The AAA will foster the discussion and dissemination of research on social and policy issues in the society at large, and respond in a timely fashion when opportunities present themselves to apply relevant anthropological knowledge.
3. The AAA will coordinate and expand education related initiatives to raise quality effectiveness and equity in the teaching of anthropology and anthropological perspectives at all levels.
4. The AAA will foster the discussion and dissemination of ethical principles and ethical issues in relating to anthropological research, teaching and practice.
5. The AAA will increase the presence of minoritized anthropologists, diversify the discipline, foster the understanding of diversity, and promote the equitable treatment of all anthropologists.
   1. The AAA will increase the impact and presence of minoritized anthropologists by supporting and fostering programs that bring more minorities into the Association and discipline and through creating awareness of the issues facing minoritized groups in the United States.
   2. The AAA will promote a broader understanding of diversity and will diversify the Association and discipline in practice, research, training, and outreach. We understand diversity to include socially constructed categories of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, disability, class, language, nationality, national origin, and religion.
6. The AAA will strengthen internal working relationships among its Sections and Committees and the National Office by better communicating its organizational structure, its Long-Range Plan, and its financial and programmatic activities.
7. The AAA will organize the Annual Meeting to meet the following objectives:
   1. To provide the broadest possible access to the Annual Meeting to all member constituencies, and to increase participation in the meeting by community college, undergraduate and Masters students (in order to contribute to Objective V) as well as by anthropologists from other countries (Objective XII).
   2. To serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas, for the dissemination of research within and across subdisciplines and for discussion and debate on key topical and theoretical issues.
   3. To provide a venue for informal networking and interaction both within and across sections and interest groups, for all members at all stages of their careers.
   4. To promote the professional development of its members.
   5. To disseminate information and ideas about the teaching of Anthropology.
   6. To engage the media and other publics in order to demonstrate both the general relevance of Anthropology to the understanding of the human condition and to promote the relevance of anthropological research and perspectives on specific, contemporary ethical, social, cultural and policy issues.
8. The AAA will improve support for the professional development of practicing anthropologists in all sub-fields and better integrate them into the Association.
9. The AAA will support and work with anthropology departments and programs to develop resources to assist them to meet their objectives.
10. The AAA will expand collegial and organizational collaboration across international and disciplinary boundaries.
11. The AAA will respond to needs for anthropological knowledge and expertise in the wider society by exploring better mechanisms for making such resources available through print, broadcast, online and other media.
12. The AAA will develop and periodically revise its long-term financial plans and goals, including but not limited to targets for annual fundraising and the growth and size of the endowment. Financial goals and funding decisions will be based upon articulated objectives and priorities of the association, the size and diversity of our membership, and costs to members and others consumers of AAA's services.

Governance & Organization