6th October 2008, 06:48 PM
Dear Hosty,
I think you are too dismissive of some of the IFA's achievements as identified by Oldgirl.
Standards and Guidance - They are not perfect, but they do represent a substantial achievement. They give something for curators and consultants to quote in specs, and they were not easy to do. For all the moaning about the standard of archaeological work, I don't see anyone else even trying to define a standard. And the standards are continuously under review and get updated from time to time, so if you don't think they are good enough there is the opportunity to get involved in making them better.
Code of Conduct - you rather skipped over this one, but again it puts something in place that enables archaeologists to be held to account, if used properly.
RAOs - I think Oldgirl underplayed this one too. The main point of the RAO system is that it makes organisations accountable and subject to the disciplinary system, rather than just individuals.
CWPA - its documents have often been produced in collaboration with others, but often as a result of an IFA initiative. I believe the ICE Contract, for one, is a significant achievement that makes archaeological companies safer in undertaking contracts. Again, it was not easy, but it was worth doing.
Groups - don't have much to say on this, I am afraid, as I haven't been involved much.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
I think you are too dismissive of some of the IFA's achievements as identified by Oldgirl.
Standards and Guidance - They are not perfect, but they do represent a substantial achievement. They give something for curators and consultants to quote in specs, and they were not easy to do. For all the moaning about the standard of archaeological work, I don't see anyone else even trying to define a standard. And the standards are continuously under review and get updated from time to time, so if you don't think they are good enough there is the opportunity to get involved in making them better.
Code of Conduct - you rather skipped over this one, but again it puts something in place that enables archaeologists to be held to account, if used properly.
RAOs - I think Oldgirl underplayed this one too. The main point of the RAO system is that it makes organisations accountable and subject to the disciplinary system, rather than just individuals.
CWPA - its documents have often been produced in collaboration with others, but often as a result of an IFA initiative. I believe the ICE Contract, for one, is a significant achievement that makes archaeological companies safer in undertaking contracts. Again, it was not easy, but it was worth doing.
Groups - don't have much to say on this, I am afraid, as I haven't been involved much.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished