SAH Governance Change: Phaseout of Second Vice President Position

by SAH News | May 24, 2023

The SAH Board has decided to phase out the position of Second Vice President. The main reasons for this change are:

The existing governance structure requires a six-year commitment from the person joining SAH leadership as Second Vice President—two years each as Second VP, First VP, and President. The Board found the length of service to be a serious disincentive to potential candidates. This is reflected in the extremely low numbers of members who self-nominate to become Second VP and in the difficulty the Nominating Committee encounters in recruiting nominees for the position.

Secondly, the duties of the Second VP, as defined by the SAH Bylaws are limited to: “…the primary responsibility for planning future architectural study tours, study days or occasional lectures and seminars to be sponsored and operated by the Society…” The Board was of the opinion that it would be more efficient to distribute the responsibility for these duties among other existing positions and, in the case of tours, to the Tours Committee.

The Board believes this change will create a nimbler leadership structure that allows for broader participation by SAH members.

The SAH Board of Directors voted to phase out the position on April 12, 2023, at a meeting held in conjunction with the Society’s Annual International Conference.




Founded in 1940, the Society of Architectural Historians is an international nonprofit membership organization that promotes the study, interpretation and conservation of architecture, design, landscapes and urbanism worldwide. SAH serves a network of local, national and international institutions and individuals who, by profession or interest, focus on the built environment and its role in shaping contemporary life. SAH promotes meaningful public engagement with the history of the built environment through advocacy efforts, print and online publications, and local, national and international programs.
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