10th October 2011, 07:39 PM
Dinosaur Wrote:Am still intensely concerned/alarmed that the IFA, which only represents a proportion of British archaeologists, thinks it has the right to pursue a policy which will significantly affect all archaeologists in this country, in the case of the non-members severely adversely - presumably their ultimate aim with Chartership is that non-members will be unable to work commercially in Britain?
Whether the IfA represents a significant proportion or merely a proportion of UK archaeologists will of course be one of the factors that the Privy Council consider before approving Chartered status. IfA has the right through default...there is no-one else out there contesting their role. Whether Charted status will 'severely adversely' affect the careers of non-IfA members is open to question. I would be surprised if part of the package didn't involve the opportunity for noin-members to apply for IfA membership and eventually Chartered status, remembering of course that the IfA as a Chartered body does not have to have a completely Chartered membership. In fact very few Chartered bodies do - the majority contain members working towards Chartered status.
From a personal point of view I would like to see the IfA instigate a qualification period if they achieve Chartered status so that no one can become Chartered unless they have been a paid up member for a time. This to me would avoid the jump from nothing to MIFA that currently happens when some folk finally decide they are now important enough to join the IfA. I am sure Dinosaur with their experience and aptitude would have no problem with meeting the IfA membership minima.
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...