Purpose
The Cooper-Ackwood Family Archive is intended to serve not only the present generation but also those yet to come.
This policy establishes how the archive shall be preserved, maintained, and entrusted to future generations so that its mission continues beyond the lives of its Founding Stewards.
Stewardship
Every administrator serves as a steward of the archive.
Stewardship is a temporary responsibility accepted on behalf of the Cooper-Ackwood family rather than a personal right of ownership.
Each generation is expected to preserve the archive, strengthen it, and pass it forward in better condition than it was received.
Founding Stewards
The original Founding Stewards are:
- Kashaun Cooper
- Domonique Cooper
They established this Constitution to provide continuity and guidance for future generations.
Selection of Future Stewards
Future administrators should be selected based upon:
- Integrity and honesty.
- Respect for family history.
- Sound judgment.
- Commitment to privacy.
- Willingness to preserve the archive over the long term.
- Ability to work collaboratively with other administrators.
- Demonstrated commitment to the values established in this Constitution.
Selection should be based on readiness to serve rather than age, seniority, or family position.
Succession Planning
Whenever practical, existing administrators should identify and mentor future administrators before a transition becomes necessary.
Transitions should occur thoughtfully so that knowledge, responsibilities, and historical context are passed to the next generation.
Continuity of Administration
The archive should maintain at least two active administrators whenever reasonably possible.
If only one administrator remains, appointing an additional qualified administrator should become a priority.
Shared stewardship promotes continuity, accountability, and resilience.
Preservation Responsibilities
Administrators shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that:
- Family records remain organized.
- Historical information remains accessible.
- Privacy protections remain effective.
- Documentation standards continue to be followed.
- The archive remains understandable to future generations.
- Significant administrative decisions are documented.
Long-Term Preservation
The archive should be maintained in a manner that supports its continued availability across changing technologies and future generations.
As technology evolves, administrators should responsibly migrate or preserve the archive so that its contents remain accessible without compromising historical integrity or privacy.
Emergency Continuity
If all active administrators become unable to serve unexpectedly, responsibility for the archive should pass to the most qualified successor identified under this Constitution.
If no successor has been identified, trusted adult family members should meet to appoint new administrators who are willing to uphold this Constitution.
The archive should never be abandoned solely because leadership changes.
Preservation of the Constitution
This Constitution shall remain permanently preserved as the governing document of the Cooper-Ackwood Family Archive.
Future generations may amend its provisions when necessary, but they should preserve its original mission, values, and purpose whenever reasonably possible.
Previous versions of the Constitution should also be retained as part of the archive's own history.
Legacy
The success of the Cooper-Ackwood Family Archive will not be measured by its size alone.
Its success will be measured by whether future generations can understand where they came from, appreciate those who came before them, and confidently continue the family's story with honesty, respect, and care.
Guiding Principle
Every generation inherits two responsibilities:
To remember.
And to leave something worth remembering.
The Cooper-Ackwood Family Archive exists so that neither responsibility is ever forgotten.