24th September 2010, 08:28 PM
Sorry to be dull and go back on :face-topic:... if not merger / amalgamation then what? There obviously needs to be more to drive the AAI&S forward and an alternative proposal, and the willing volunteers to match.
Personally I feel Colin is right about the website (and *ahem* I'm the webmaster so it's really my responsibility... and change has been on the cards for quite some time. I think it has been sensible to put that on hold, along with the monies that were to be spent on it, until the future of the Association is decided).
IMHO the Association needs to get more business savvy - formulate a mission statement and create some clear guidance to its remit, however the most logical change is one to its corporate membership structure. I would propose it needs to mirror the IfA or BAJR payscales so when you become a member the rest of the archaeological profession can equate you to a level they understand (... ah so you're Practitioner / Assocaite / Member / Affiliate AAI&S). Then the subscriptions can reflect the expected pay of those levels with exemptions for those unemployed or self-employed etc. This would hopefully pay for some of the website and administrative upgrades that are needed to push the whole things forward, and you're only paying subscription rates according to your means. Nevertheless this is a members organisation and a new proposal needs the input and clearly expressed desires of the membership.
Having said all that it comes back to the root of the problem - time and expertise. I wasn't able to attend the AGM and the recent conference so this may all seem a little hypocritial. On the other hand I'm happy to put my head above the parapet and say I'd willingly take on an even more active role but I've got 2 children (16 months and a 5 week old baby who I'm rocking in her bouncy chair as I type) and couldn't commit for another 2 years as my hubbie has a 'proper' non-archaeological job and brings home the bacon. So who's going to come forward, or is it a case of deathly silence as the call of "volunteers anyone" goes up?
Personally I feel Colin is right about the website (and *ahem* I'm the webmaster so it's really my responsibility... and change has been on the cards for quite some time. I think it has been sensible to put that on hold, along with the monies that were to be spent on it, until the future of the Association is decided).
IMHO the Association needs to get more business savvy - formulate a mission statement and create some clear guidance to its remit, however the most logical change is one to its corporate membership structure. I would propose it needs to mirror the IfA or BAJR payscales so when you become a member the rest of the archaeological profession can equate you to a level they understand (... ah so you're Practitioner / Assocaite / Member / Affiliate AAI&S). Then the subscriptions can reflect the expected pay of those levels with exemptions for those unemployed or self-employed etc. This would hopefully pay for some of the website and administrative upgrades that are needed to push the whole things forward, and you're only paying subscription rates according to your means. Nevertheless this is a members organisation and a new proposal needs the input and clearly expressed desires of the membership.
Having said all that it comes back to the root of the problem - time and expertise. I wasn't able to attend the AGM and the recent conference so this may all seem a little hypocritial. On the other hand I'm happy to put my head above the parapet and say I'd willingly take on an even more active role but I've got 2 children (16 months and a 5 week old baby who I'm rocking in her bouncy chair as I type) and couldn't commit for another 2 years as my hubbie has a 'proper' non-archaeological job and brings home the bacon. So who's going to come forward, or is it a case of deathly silence as the call of "volunteers anyone" goes up?