Archives and societies

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ARCHIVES

 

Archives at every level of the Connection shall house documentary record materials which include the following: minutes, journals, diaries, reports, pamphlets, letters, papers, manuscripts, maps, photographs, books, audiovisuals, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data, processing records, artifacts and/or any other documentary material regardless of physical form or characteristics.

 

The Bishops, General Officers, General Boards, Commissions, Committees and Agencies shall deposit official minutes, reports and all other documentary materials as described above, in the Connectional Archives at Heritage Hall.

HISTORIANS AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES

 

Bishops shall appoint Historians and Historical Societies for each Episcopal Area, Annual Conference and Presiding Elder District whose responsibility it shall be to promote the interest in History of the A.M.E. Zion Church.  Historical Societies shall also gather and systematically preserve the records and materials in archives designated for that particular area to which they have been appointed.  They shall present workshops, seminars and other training programs and shall conduct appropriate programs for The A.M.E. Zion History and Heritage Observance during the month of October of each year.

HISTORIANS AND HISTORICAL

SOCIETIES IN THE LOCAL CHURCH

 

Each pastor shall see that a Historian and Historical Society and constituted in his local congregation.  The objectives of the Local History Society shall be as follows:

· Foster among all boards, societies, committees and groups in the local church the practice of systematically preserving minutes, programs, bulletins, letters, press releases, announcements, memorabilia, and all other historically valuable records.

· Establish and conduct the activities of a local archives for the systematic preservation of all records and historical material no longer in current use.

· Promote the understanding and appreciation of the local congregation’s history and the A.M.E. Zion Connection.

· Where a written history does not exist, arrange for the preparation of such a history and revise and update that written history which does exist.

· Assist the pastor and local congregation in the observance of the A.M.E. Zion History and Heritage.

A.M.E. Zion Historical Society