21st October 2008, 12:15 PM
From previous messages of mine (BAJR Forum) it would appear that I am anti-IFA. I'm not. I think a recognised, accountable and supportive organisation is necessary (nay essential) for professional archaeology is to advance.
I just wish it had the nouce to actually act on the things that are wrong with archaeology at the moment (and have been for some time). See the threads on self-employment, taxable accomodation and, yes that old chesnut, poor wages and conditions.
Yet, we have a loose agglomeration of like minded individuals who have spent months (years?) navel-gazing over just what to call itself...
'Field Archaeologist?' Nope, too restrictive, because not everyone is out in the field.
'Heritage professional?' Nope, can't have that because it's too broad-brush." (anyway, if people wanted to be a 'Heritage Professional', they might go and join the Museums Association which has much more going for it than we do (and a fair bit cheaper)).
Anyway, now the name has finally been decided... perhaps should now spend a few months debating what new, juicy corporate design logo we should use. And, of course, re-configuring all the new letter-heads that will entail (you see, yer fees and dues are actually well spent).
The actual essence of what we are (errr... archaeologists) and how we conduct ourselves are the overriding, most important things. The IFA, IfA, real IFA, sweet FA or whatever we finally decide, is [u]not</u> English (Scottish, Welsh... whatever) Heritage... leave all the corporate functions, Stonehenge Visitor Attractor, dressing up as Henry VIII (hey nonny) and Best Value Performance whatnots to them. We are British Archaeologists... we should be proud and loud about it. We should also state the fact that we are just 'archaeologist'.
I count myself as an archaeologist (I have done for the past 28 years, in whatever guise... from digger to curator). I [u]want</u> to be part of an organisation that is representative of all sectors of archaeology (note the non-use of the word 'heritage') from the bottom up. Sort out the base line first... the p*ss-poor conditions and wage structure for diggers and supervisors, then administer to (your?) the higher echelons. Actually admonish wrong-doers, miscreants and shysters... actually start policing yourself. If someone wants to whistle blow, let them be able to do it without them having the fear of reprisal and/or a tarnished name. Stop organisations using cheap, inexperienced or underqualified labour to do work (in the case of some university students... slave labour). Give adequate (financial) provision to courses and work-placements (I'm sorry, but the current IFA work-placement pay seems a pittance). Ensure that equal pay, promotion and advancement conditions are available to all (particularly, male and female).
In short... stop being a navel-gazing, gentlemans club and start being truly representative.
I just wish it had the nouce to actually act on the things that are wrong with archaeology at the moment (and have been for some time). See the threads on self-employment, taxable accomodation and, yes that old chesnut, poor wages and conditions.
Yet, we have a loose agglomeration of like minded individuals who have spent months (years?) navel-gazing over just what to call itself...
'Field Archaeologist?' Nope, too restrictive, because not everyone is out in the field.
'Heritage professional?' Nope, can't have that because it's too broad-brush." (anyway, if people wanted to be a 'Heritage Professional', they might go and join the Museums Association which has much more going for it than we do (and a fair bit cheaper)).
Anyway, now the name has finally been decided... perhaps should now spend a few months debating what new, juicy corporate design logo we should use. And, of course, re-configuring all the new letter-heads that will entail (you see, yer fees and dues are actually well spent).
The actual essence of what we are (errr... archaeologists) and how we conduct ourselves are the overriding, most important things. The IFA, IfA, real IFA, sweet FA or whatever we finally decide, is [u]not</u> English (Scottish, Welsh... whatever) Heritage... leave all the corporate functions, Stonehenge Visitor Attractor, dressing up as Henry VIII (hey nonny) and Best Value Performance whatnots to them. We are British Archaeologists... we should be proud and loud about it. We should also state the fact that we are just 'archaeologist'.
I count myself as an archaeologist (I have done for the past 28 years, in whatever guise... from digger to curator). I [u]want</u> to be part of an organisation that is representative of all sectors of archaeology (note the non-use of the word 'heritage') from the bottom up. Sort out the base line first... the p*ss-poor conditions and wage structure for diggers and supervisors, then administer to (your?) the higher echelons. Actually admonish wrong-doers, miscreants and shysters... actually start policing yourself. If someone wants to whistle blow, let them be able to do it without them having the fear of reprisal and/or a tarnished name. Stop organisations using cheap, inexperienced or underqualified labour to do work (in the case of some university students... slave labour). Give adequate (financial) provision to courses and work-placements (I'm sorry, but the current IFA work-placement pay seems a pittance). Ensure that equal pay, promotion and advancement conditions are available to all (particularly, male and female).
In short... stop being a navel-gazing, gentlemans club and start being truly representative.