Board members normally serve on at least two committees of the Board. Committee assignments are made by the president and approved by the Board at the time of the second session of the fall meeting. Committee assignments are usually for the three-year period of a Board member's term.

Previous practice: In 1984, Eddie Huckaby reported that "At its Spring 1973 meeting, the Board resolved that it will serve as a committee of the whole when making appointments to committees. Committees of the Board will continue to operate until they have completed their charge or at the discretion of the Board. At the Fall 1978 meeting it was determined that Board members shall retain their committee appointments during their term, and that incoming members would be polled as to their preference in committee assignments."

The Executive Committee is charged with making decisions in the interim between meetings on Board matters which cannot wait until the next Board meeting. It is chaired by the President and includes three additional persons.

Previous practice: In spring 1979, the Board resolved that:

Each Fall the Constituency-Nominating Committee shall nominate one of the incoming Board members for election to the Executive Committee (to replace the outgoing member). This nomination shall be presented to the Board at its Fall meeting and the President shall call for furt her nominations, if any . The Board shall then proceed, at that meeting, to elect a new member of the Executive Committee.

The Finance Committee works with the Treasurer of the Association to review financial matters including the annual budget and financial policies. It currentl y includes three Board members and the Treasurer. In 1984, Eddie Huckaby reported to the Board that its membership included the officers of the Association and one other member if so desired.

The Development Committee is responsible for oversight of fund-raising for the Association. In 1991-95 it is directing the Challenge Grant Campaign to build a $500,000 endowment. Goran Hyden took over from Sandra Barnes as Chair of the committee in summer 1992 and was replaced by Gretchen Walsh in 1993. Walsh agreed to chair the committee for the duration of the campaign. Development committee members include at least three Board members plus several other members of the Association.
The Board members of the Development Committee make selections for the ASA International Visitors Program at the time of the Spring Board meeting.

The Publications Committee oversees member publications and African Studies Association Press publications. Publications is chaired by the Past President and includes three Board members. It als o includes (at the Fall meeting only) the editors of all ASA publications and a liaison with the Africana Librarians Council. By decision of the Board in 1991, the editor of ASR is invited to attend the Spring Board meeting. The Vice President and President also attend meetings of the committee.

The Annual Meetings Committee recommends sites for annual meetings and recruits individuals to serve as National Panels Chair and Local Program Chair. Site selection involves discussing the possibility of a conference with Africanists in a particular are a and soliciting commitments from them for local program support. The Executive Director is responsible for hotel site visits and for negotiation of hotel contracts once the Board has selected a site. Responsibilities of Panels and Local Program Chairs are listed below under Annual Meeting Organization