SOHA was founded in 1981 to serve practitioners of oral history in Arizona, southern California, Nevada, New Mexico and contiguous areas. Through publications, meetings, workshops, and other activities, SOHA supports and promotes oral history as a method for exploring and recording history, culture and current experiences in the Southwest. In this endeavor the association maintains close ties with the national Oral History Association. Membership in SOHA provides meaningful opportunities for participation in the exchange of information and the discussion of matters of common concern among those interested in oral history throughout the Southwest.

Benefits of Membership in the Association

 

Annual Meetings, held in the spring, offer a variety of experiences valuable to the membership. Included are conference sessions on topics of both general and professional interest, the annual business meeting and election of officers, presentation of awards, special projects, tours of nearby programs or institutions, and social functions.

A Subscription to the SOHA Newsletter. The Newsletter, issued three times a year, contains news from around the region, articles, reviews, and discussions of common concerns.

Listing in the SOHA Directory, which is published and sent to all members on a bi-annual basis.

Opportunity for Participation in setting SOHA goals, developing projects, and expanding the potential of the region's oral history community. Members are encouraged to join one of the standing committees, or to accept nomination to the executive committee. SOHA values the energy and ideas that new members often bring to the association.

Access to Workshops presented throughout the region by experienced, highly qualified oral historians. The workshops focus on practical approaches and solutions to the problems common to the practice of oral history. Areas covered include interviewing techniques, equipment and its use, processing guidelines, legal and ethical questions, funding sources, cataloging, classifying, preservation of tapes, transcriptions, and others.

Return to SOHA Home Page
"OHA Web Site"
CSUF Center for Oral and Public History