TAA Policy on Creating Position Statements

TAA’s PURPOSE FOR CREATING POSITION STATEMENTS

The Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA) develops position statements relevant to textbook and/or academic authors with the goal of addressing critical issues that affect its members. Position statements must be aligned with the association’s mission to support textbook and academic authors in the creation of top-quality educational and scholarly works that stimulate the love of learning and foster the pursuit of knowledge.

STEP ONE: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL

The TAA Board Executive Committee (EC) must approve all position statement requests before they go to draft. Any TAA committee or TAA member in good standing is eligible to submit a position statement request. The request should include the following details:
  1. The name(s) of the initiator(s) and a primary contact person.
  2. The date by which approval is needed.
  3. A summary of the issue that will be covered by the position statement (200-300 words).
  4. The impact on textbook and/or academic authors and how it fits TAA’s purpose for creating position statements (see first paragraph of this document).
  5. Initiator(s) should not begin the process of drafting a position statement until they receive preliminary approval.

STEP TWO: GUIDELINES FOR DRAFTING A POSITION STATEMENT

Once the EC has approved a request, the draft position statement must include:
  1. The name(s) of the initiator(s) and a primary contact person.
  2. The date by which approval is needed.
  3. A clearly stated purpose and rationale that aligns with TAA’s mission.
  4. A statement regarding the desired impact the position statement would make on textbook and/or academic authors.
  5. A summary of related supporting documentation (with links and/or appropriate references to where the source information can be located) that provides context and examples of how the issue affects textbook and/or academic authors.

STEP THREE: POSITION STATEMENT FINAL APPROVAL PROCESS

For member requests:
  1. The EC will review the request to ensure it fits the association’s purpose for creating position statements (see first paragraph of this document) at either the next scheduled EC meeting or earlier, if timely approval is needed.
  2. If the request fits the association’s purpose for creating position statements, it will be forwarded to the appropriate TAA committee to review the justification and decide on further action. 
    1. If no committee exists related to that issue, the EC will determine if an ad hoc committee should be formed to review the request. The ad hoc committee will review the justification for the position statement and decide on further action. 
    2. The TAA member who initiated the request for a new position statement may be invited to serve on either the existing TAA committee or the newly formed ad hoc committee, but such service is not required.
  3. If further action is required, the relevant committee or ad hoc committee will follow the steps below for Committee requests.

For Committee requests:

  1. The EC will review the request to ensure it fits the association’s purpose for creating position statements (see first paragraph of this document) at either the next scheduled EC meeting or earlier, if timely approval is needed.
  2. If it fits the association’s purpose for creating position statements, the committee will be informed that it can begin the process of drafting a position statement according to the Position Statement Guidelines.
  3. Draft position statements are sent to the EC for review (either at their next scheduled meeting or by email if a timely approval is needed).
  4. The EC will either:
    1. Give approval for the position statement with no changes and return it to the committee to coordinate with the staff on disseminating to members and collecting comments.
      • The commenting period should be no longer than 30 days, and fewer if the issue is timely. 
      • The timing of the comment period must be specified when sent.
    2. request changes.
      • After changes are made, the committee sends it back to the EC for review and approval until no further changes are requested. Once approved, the committee will send the position statement to TAA staff for dissemination and comment.
  5. Members’ comments are sent to the committee for review, and the committee determines which comments, if any, should be incorporated into the new draft.
  6. The new draft is sent back to the EC for review. If they have no questions or requested changes, the statement will go to the TAA Board for review (either at their next scheduled meeting or by email if a timely approval is needed).
  7. If the TAA Board requests changes to the draft position statement or has any questions, it is sent back to the committee. A new draft is sent to the TAA Board via email for review. This step is repeated until the TAA Board has no further changes or questions.
  8. Once approved by the TAA Board, the position statement is sent to the TAA staff for dissemination to TAA members. This should be accompanied by the following:
    1. The name(s) of the TAA member initiator(s) (if applicable).
    2. The name(s) of the committee members and the primary contact person.
    3. If applicable, the date by which the position statement should be posted/disseminated.

The timeline for review and approval at each step will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the date of approval sent with the initial request(s). Every effort will be made to meet the requested approval deadline but will be based on the workload of the EC, Council, and/or staff. The EC meets monthly on the last Tuesday. Initiator(s)/primary contact will be informed of the completion of each step.

If you have any questions about this policy, please contact TAA Executive Director Kim Pawlak at (507) 459-1363.