Committees are where the REAL action of the Association happens. This is where members to take an active role in their Association and to put their knowledge, experiences, and passion to good use.  Any member in good standing may serve on a Committee (or Committees!)

The Committees are roughly devided into three groups.  The Management Committees are focused on ZRA's governance; they include the Bylaws Committee, the Ethics Committee, the History Committee, and the Nominations & Elections Committee.  The Membership Committees are focused on generally supporting and providing services to ZRA members.  This group includes the Annual Conference Committee, the Marketing & Outreach Committee, the Membership Services Committee, and the Newsletter Committee.  Finally, the Education Committees are focused on providing knowledge, training, and professional development opportunities to both members and non-members.  This group includes the Professional Development Committee, the Standards Committee, and the Training Committee.

Here is a “snapshot” of each Committee:

• Annual Conference Committee is responsible for planning and executing the annual conference. There are only four active members each year -- and each has a distinct and important role.  

• Bylaws Committee reviews all proposals for amendments to ZRA’s Bylaws and presents them to the voting members. 

• Ethics Committee upholds the ZRA Code of Professional Ethics. It reviews any proposals or amendments to the Code. Only Professional members who are not officers, Chairmen, or Vice-Chairmen may be on this committee. 

• History Committee coordinates and documents historical events and the professional evolution of ZRA.  HC also manages ZRA's archives. The committee is also starting to establish protocols for archiving the Association’s digital history.  

• Marketing and Outreach Committee spreads the word about ZRA and our programs.  This Committee needs creative, welcoming folks to help design marketing documents and reach new audiences.  

• Membership Services Committee processes membership renewals, approves new members, and maintains membership records for all ZRA members (past and present). Be a part of the growth of ZRA!  MSC has 1 open spot for 2022. (Chair: Matt Seguin, Mote Marine Lab & Aquarium)

• Newsletter Committee writes and designs the ZRA quarterly newsletter, For the Record.

• Nominations & Elections Committee works to find nominees for each position up for election and assists nominees through the process to prepare for voting. The committee is also responsible for preparing and managing all official votes and surveys for the Association, including elections, Bylaws amendment votes, votes in special meetings, etc. 

• Professional Development Committee looks for ways to help members develop professionally in this career: for example, it supports members who are pursuing their Certified Records Manager (CRM) or Certified Records Analyst (CRA) certification and has led the development of Training Certificate Program.

• Standards Committee evaluates the need for industry standards and provides for their development, sometimes working in concert with AZA’s IDMAG.

• Strategic Planning Committee is not always active and is not included in one of the three Committee groups.  This Committee is formed whenever a new Strategic Plan needs to be created. Committee members gather information, brainstorm ideas, and write the final plan. 

• Training Committee works to increase institutional awareness of the importance of animal record keeping in zoos and aquariums. It manages the yearly scholarship to AZA’s Institutional Records Keeping course and oversees the ZRA Mentorship Program.