Dear National Representatives and Council Members of WAC,

As Returning Officer for the Executive Officers Election, I am pleased to publish the official Statements of Candidacy and Curricula Vitae (CVs) of the candidates standing for election to the positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. The candidates have kindly provided their materials to support informed voting by the membership.

1. Presidential Candidates

2. Vice-Presidential Candidates

3. Secretary Candidates

4. Treasurer Candidate

The Statements and CVs are attached for your reference.

With best regards,
Koji Mizoguchi
President & Returning Officer
World Archaeological Congress

Appendix

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

President

Purpose
The President is the senior office-bearer of WAC. The President has ultimate responsibility for the efficient and ethical running of the organization, and for the development and management of WAC’s strategic vision.

Accountabilities
This is an elected position. The President is accountable to the WAC Executive, Council and Assembly, as the elected bodies that represent WAC members.

Responsibilities
– Chair Executive, Council and Assembly meetings.
– Lead discussions on the WAC Executive list.
– Provide leadership in planning, policy development and organisational growth.
– Development and co-ordination of WAC’s publication program.
– Oversight of all aspects of the operation of WAC.
– Co-ordinate and support office bearers in undertaking their responsibilities.
– Ensure professional standards are met in all aspects of WAC’s operations.
– Ensure that WAC’s operations are transparent and accountable.
– Ensure the efficient operation of all committees.
– Identify potential professional opportunities for the organisation and its members.
– Represent WAC externally, with other professional associations, publishers, relevant government bodies and others.
– Develop and maintain international links on behalf of WAC.

Skills and Experience
– Demonstrated commitment to WAC’s aims and activities.
– Experience within WAC organisational structure.
– Demonstrated capacity to lead and represent a significant global organization.
– Understanding of contemporary socio-political issues in archaeology.
– Appreciation and understanding of the issues faced by Indigenous groups.
– Appreciation and understanding of the issues faced by people in economically disadvantaged countries.
– Appreciation and understanding of the challenge of cross-cultural communication including, but not limited to, communication across language divides.

Vice President

Purpose
The Vice President assists the President in conducting WAC business and promoting the aims of WAC. They must be willing to assume the duties of the President when necessary.

Accountabilities
This is an elected position. The Vice President is accountable to the President, as the elected leader of WAC, and to the WAC Council and Assembly, as the bodies that represent WAC members.

Responsibilities
– Assist in the President in all of their capacities.
– Attend meetings of the WAC Executive, Council, and Assembly and act as Vice Chair for these meetings.
– Contribute to discussions on the WAC Executive list.
– Chair WAC’s Awards Committee.
– Assist in the co-ordination and support of office bearers in undertaking their responsibilities.
– Prepare drafts of position papers or letters for approval by the Executive.
– Assist in the oversight of accountability and transparency procedures.
– Advise on developing the branding and marketing of WAC.
– Recommend policies and procedures to the President and the Executive.
– Identify potential professional opportunities for the organisation and its members.
– Represent WAC externally, with other professional associations, publishers, relevant government bodies and others.
– Assist the President to develop and maintain international links on behalf of the Association.

Skills and Experience
– Demonstrated commitment to WAC’s aims and activities.
– Experience within WAC organisational structure.
– Demonstrated capacity to lead and represent a significant global organization.
– Understanding of contemporary socio political issues in archaeology.
– Understanding of the issues faced by Indigenous groups and people in economically disadvantaged countries, and of the challenges of cross-cultural communication.

Secretary

Purpose
The Secretary is WAC’s Officer responsible for the administrative and secretarial operation of WAC. The Secretary undertakes the specific day to day secretarial responsibilities of WAC.

Accountabilities
This is an elected position. The Secretary is accountable to the President, as the elected leader of WAC, and to the WAC Council and Assembly, as the bodies that represent WAC members.

Responsibilities
– Attend meetings of the WAC Executive, Council, and Assembly.
– Contribute to discussions on the WAC Executive list.
– Co-ordinate the preparation of agendas and minutes for WAC Executive, Council and Assembly meetings by the WAC Secretariat.
– Ensure that follow-up actions from WAC Executive, Council, and Assembly meetings are completed.
– Ensure that WAC business meetings (Assembly, Council, Executive and Closing Plenary) are appropriately scheduled at WAC Congresses.
– In association with the Returning Officer, manage election of the Assembly, new Council members and Officers at WAC Congresses.
– Ensure the efficient office administration of the WAC Secretariat.
– Oversee the hiring and dismissal of any employees of the organization.
– Draft WAC’s annual report.
– Assist the President and Vice President in co-ordinating and supporting office bearers in undertaking their responsibilities.
– Assist the Committees Chair in co-ordinating and supporting WAC committees in undertaking their responsibilities.
– Identify potential professional opportunities for the organisation and its members.
– Where required, represent WAC externally, with other professional associations, publishers, relevant government bodies and others.

Skills and Experience
– Demonstrated commitment to WAC’s aims and activities.
– Experience within WAC organisational structure.
– Excellent organisational skills.
– Excellent written and oral communication skills.
– An understanding of contemporary socio political issues in archaeology.
– Understanding of the issues faced by Indigenous groups and people in economically disadvantaged countries, and of the challenges of cross-cultural communication.

Treasurer

Purpose
To manage WAC’s financial position with the aim of maintaining sustainability and growth, and to manage financial reporting processes and systems to the broader WAC membership.

Accountabilities
This is an elected position. The Treasurer is accountable to the President, as the elected leader of WAC, and to the WAC Council and Assembly, as the bodies that represent WAC members.

Responsibilities
– Attend meetings of the WAC Executive, Council, and Assembly.
– Contribute to discussions on the WAC Executive list.
– Advise the Executive and Council on the establishment of strategies and policies for the immediate, medium-term and long term financial direction ad sustained financial health of WAC.
– Develop and use WAC’s investment vehicle to maximise the returns to WAC. This advice must include mechanisms for identifying invested funds by source and returns.
– Develop methodologies that can be used to fund WAC projects.
– Advise on other financial issues that may arise.
– Assist in identifying and sourcing suitable auditors for reviewing WAC finances.
– Prepare periodic financial reports to the Council.
– Prepare annual financial reports indicating WAC’s financial situation for the Annual Report.
– Identify potential professional opportunities for the organisation and its members.

Skills and Experience
– Demonstrated commitment to WAC’s aims and activities.
– Experience within WAC organisational structure.
– Excellent organisational skills.
– An understanding of bank processes and accounting methods.