IfA - A Chartered Institute

[Wax]

OK so it isn't a trade union but surely if it is supposed to be setting standards and improving the general lot of archaeologists there must be examples where it has done this and achieved reults. Or should we all join trade unions and forget the IFA.

[P Prentice]

the ifa is not run by employers it is run by the membership

[Dinosaur]

IFA seem to be gradually losing ground on the poll at the top of this page, very slow but the pro-IFA percentage is definitely diminishing (they've lost nearly 1% since this morning) :face-approve:

Who is it who's voting now who didn't first time around?

[tmsarch]

If your employer is an RAO and is failing in its duty to provide the facilities such as CPD required by RAO status you should in the first instance ask your employer why that is. If they continue to fail to undertake their committment, you have the right to complain to the IfA. You don't have to be a member to do so...and there is no charge. (Not quite sure where you got that idea from!!). It seems that the resolution of this matter is entirely in your and your colleagues hands, if you care enough to do something about it.

The IfA says that it recommends the use of its quality assured (my emphasis) Registered Organisations. Quality assured surely means that there are both rigorous codes of professional conduct and practice in place and that the IfA ensures that these standards are continuously being met through effective assessment and inspection.

If the IfA are serious that the RO scheme provides a ‘kite mark’ of quality and good practice then the onus must surely fall to the IfA to ensure that ROs are meeting the requirements that they set. It should not be the responsibility of employees (who may not even be members of the IfA) to monitor standards of ROs or to tell the IfA that standards are not being met. If there are ROs out there who are, for example, not providing CPD as required by RO status then the IfA must surely have failed in its monitoring role.

If there is no effective assessment and inspection of standards (and Oxbeast's example suggests these aren't working on the ground) then what is the point of RO status?

[Wax]

Come on all you IFA supporters I am open to persuasion, let's have some examples of how the IFA has implemented and stood up for the standards it wants us all to follow. Again no need to name names I just want something other than the written constitution and guide lines, real solid examples of what they have done to improve the lot of archaeologists . I do sincerely hope there are some examples (diggers forum I know do do a lot).

[barkingdigger]

The IfA says that it recommends the use of its quality assured (my emphasis) Registered Organisations. Quality assured surely means that there are both rigorous codes of professional conduct and practice in place and that the IfA ensures that these standards are continuously being met through effective assessment and inspection.

If the IfA are serious that the RO scheme provides a ‘kite mark’ of quality and good practice then the onus must surely fall to the IfA to ensure that ROs are meeting the requirements that they set. It should not be the responsibility of employees (who may not even be members of the IfA) to monitor standards of ROs or to tell the IfA that standards are not being met. If there are ROs out there who are, for example, not providing CPD as required by RO status then the IfA must surely have failed in its monitoring role.

If there is no effective assessment and inspection of standards (and Oxbeast's example suggests these aren't working on the ground) then what is the point of RO status?

That's a good question, and it does indeed sound like the IFA has to up its game on this point. But, that doesn't mean that individuals should sit back and not report issues the way Kevin suggested. After all, the few folk actually working at IFA HQ can't be expected to know what's going on in every unit if nobody tells them! Not that I'm a big fan of IFA in its current form - I felt they lost their way early on, and my hope is that getting chartered might just give them the kick up the backside they desperately need in order to start truly serving the profession the way they claim to be.

[BAJR]

So that got me thinking...

What do others get... RIBA for example.?

RIBA Student Membership benefits Student membership is FREE and entitles you to a wide range of benefits and services to boost your development which include:

• being part of a prestigious and world renowned institute;
  
• free use of the RIBA library and Information centre;
  
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• discounted subscription to the RIBA Journal for only ?37 a year;
  
• 10% discount at RIBA bookshops in store and online;
  
• exclusive funding opportunities available for students.
  
  or
  

As an RIBA Chartered Member, you will be able to access a wide range of exclusive benefits and services that deliver the tools and support to help you excel in your career and stay ahead of the competition.
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So to be honest. not too far fom the proposal from the IfA as it does seem to say it will get you respect in about 9 different ways to make the list longer





and then I looked at the progressive nature..

Student >> Associate >> Chartered >> Retired


Now here I like

I do keep banging on about the Pifa Aifa and that should really be seen as Associate. with Chartered being the same as Member. something that any digger and member o the profession can be. however. as Uo1 rightly says... we are a profession with a myriad heads. and a Chartered Archaeologist... ( Illustrator ) would perhaps not be the person you want running your project.

[kevin wooldridge]

I think David if comparing a potential Chartered IfA to RIBA, you should add the membership fees. For the next year individual membership fees for RIBA will be ?388 and 'organization' fees ?500+ (for a practice with 50+ staff).

Fees for IfA in its current form are approximately half that figure and that may reflect upon the services offered...

[BAJR]

Ah... what I was meaning is that services offered are broadly similar. you gets what you pay for is always a good adage.

I would expect fees of 388 per year if I was making 50k plus

and corporate 500 quid is a drop in teh ocean to running costs for a practice with 50+ staff. so very good value.


What I am pointing out is that the eventual difference between the IfA and the Chartered IfA is very little other than the Chartered Status. ( and a few more meetings )

If this is good or bad... well it ain't for me to say. It has to be different though. An organisation people aspire to... an organisation to want to be part of. just to get those precious letters.

I talk to a lot of people and the fair percentage, from Directors to Curators to diggers and specialists / I would hazard about 75% - unscientific I know / and the normal reaction is
I am a member because ... "I was made to" "Someone else pays" " It seemed I needed it for this particular job, but I got the cheapest grade" etc......


The other 25% are truely proud to be MiFA or whatever.

Some use it as a shield of righteousness... " How dare you suggest I am paying crap... I am a MiFA --- recently one MIfA left the IfA when BAJR and the IfA questioned him. HE did not believe in the IfA just the semblance of respectable it gave.. and that coat was quickly thrown off, when it did not work.

Chartered may indeed be great.

BUT

1) Don't threaten to close off jobs to non Chartered Archaeologists.
2) Be something people are clambering over each other to join.
3) Positive sensible promotion of how good the IfA are. We do this this this and this..! You would be mad not to join us. And in addition... that yearly fee... well, you will make it back in all the benefits you get! Come on in... the IfA are better than er....um.... what?

[kevin wooldridge]

I agree with your last agenda David, but would re-itereate that IfA now and in future are unlikely to have power to restrict jobs to Chartered members. However external organisations and sponsors may choose to see Chartered status as a kite mark and insist upon it from tendererers and contractors

IfA has to be inclusive and to that end offer entry to all. I suspect that 'clambering over each other' could be achieved if it were to be exclusive, but not sure that is a good thing. I totally agree with you however regarding the membership grades. The less the better. Chartered, associate and student (free, but non voting as at present) would do for me!!

The IfA at its base level represents a standard and ethic for the profession. I think over the years that the IfA has over promoted the ethos of 'join us and sign the pledge' at the expense of attracting many folk who would subscribe to the standard and ethic, but not to 'membership of the club'. Perhaps the Chartered institute could devise a way to bring those people on board for the essentials, but allow them to opt out of the 'clubism' (a little like the UK aspires to in its membership of the EU). Maybe an IfA Federation.....agree to the trade and rules but opting out of the conference, Southport and the single currency (peanuts!!)....