21st October 2008, 03:48 PM
The form as not been updated from the previous version. This is, essentially, a minor point, but illustrates the frustration felt with the IfA - it fails to inspire confidence and thus, that it will represent the individual as well as the profession - it's a bit amateurish. Take the list of benefits:
# invaluable free weekly Jobs Information Service bulletin - these are available free from other sources, but useful nonetheless for those looking.
# free publications:
1. our topical magazine, The Archaeologist (four times a year) - not very topical if four times a year
2. Yearbook and directory of members, an incomparable reference book and contact list of archaeologists - potentially useful if you are a commercial unit, but nothing more than a paper form of ArchaeoGoogle.
3. papers on specialist professional topics - Conferences and also journals fulfil this criteria in spades (sic)
4. standards and guidance leaflets - guidance is useful, e.g. planning etc, standard - yes - to be achieved and to aim for, but what are the sanctions?
# free fortnightly e-newsletter, the Heritage Link Update - hmmm, interesting when there is already the CBA material and several other useful free sites that do the same
# discounted entry to our Annual Conference, the premier archaeological conference in the UK, and other events - is it really? This is an arrogance and smacks of 'if you're not in our club - you are not worth bothering about'. OK, a bit extreme, but this is a sentiment that I have some sympathy with, and also expressed elsewhere here on this forum.
# opportunities to participate on Council and committees - see above comments
# free membership of area and special interest groups - overlap with CBA
# discounts on insurance, legal advice and health care - this is useful and more of the same please.
# an arbitration service - ditto
# discounts with some publishers - which? Lack of information - a general problem overall
# use of the Society of Antiquarians of London library - how many people will and actually make use of this facility?
# a membership card and certificate - this is a no-brainer; the IfA needs to mature. Might as well have the Airfix club certificate and card.
This will be seen as a rant, some of it is, but sincerely meant (I have 'discussed these issue several times with an IfA representative). The IfA continues to demonstrate a lack of transparency, relevance to the majority and value for money. Until it can act, even if only at a lower level of intensity in the early stages of development like other professional bodies, it will not flourish. In 10 years time, another name change will be mooted to make everyone feel included and to 'increase' its relevance and profile. Lets stop re-arranging the deck-chairs as the ship goes down and lets see some decisive action.
# invaluable free weekly Jobs Information Service bulletin - these are available free from other sources, but useful nonetheless for those looking.
# free publications:
1. our topical magazine, The Archaeologist (four times a year) - not very topical if four times a year
2. Yearbook and directory of members, an incomparable reference book and contact list of archaeologists - potentially useful if you are a commercial unit, but nothing more than a paper form of ArchaeoGoogle.
3. papers on specialist professional topics - Conferences and also journals fulfil this criteria in spades (sic)
4. standards and guidance leaflets - guidance is useful, e.g. planning etc, standard - yes - to be achieved and to aim for, but what are the sanctions?
# free fortnightly e-newsletter, the Heritage Link Update - hmmm, interesting when there is already the CBA material and several other useful free sites that do the same
# discounted entry to our Annual Conference, the premier archaeological conference in the UK, and other events - is it really? This is an arrogance and smacks of 'if you're not in our club - you are not worth bothering about'. OK, a bit extreme, but this is a sentiment that I have some sympathy with, and also expressed elsewhere here on this forum.
# opportunities to participate on Council and committees - see above comments
# free membership of area and special interest groups - overlap with CBA
# discounts on insurance, legal advice and health care - this is useful and more of the same please.
# an arbitration service - ditto
# discounts with some publishers - which? Lack of information - a general problem overall
# use of the Society of Antiquarians of London library - how many people will and actually make use of this facility?
# a membership card and certificate - this is a no-brainer; the IfA needs to mature. Might as well have the Airfix club certificate and card.
This will be seen as a rant, some of it is, but sincerely meant (I have 'discussed these issue several times with an IfA representative). The IfA continues to demonstrate a lack of transparency, relevance to the majority and value for money. Until it can act, even if only at a lower level of intensity in the early stages of development like other professional bodies, it will not flourish. In 10 years time, another name change will be mooted to make everyone feel included and to 'increase' its relevance and profile. Lets stop re-arranging the deck-chairs as the ship goes down and lets see some decisive action.