IfA/AAIS merger

[ecmgardner]

Above board maybe, although I am not sure which part of that very long statement would include 'allow merger of smaller organisation into IfA'. It might have at least been polite to ask members of the IfA. I have been a member for a while, I'm not sure if something like this, or on this scale has come up before.

The issue is, as BAJR was perhaps hinting, the terms of the merger. Certain level of AAIS being made MIfA, certain level being made AIfA etc, but the manner in which the 'equivalent' grades in the AAIS were judged is completely different. So now you have people who are MIfAs on the basis of being able to draw well, which is fair enough, but are they going to change the entry requirements for everyone else? The AAIS members seem to have shot themselves in the foot, and the IfA has hobbled itself by carrying them. So some consultation would have been nice since I now have no idea what the membership levels mean or what the point of membership is.

I've two points:

Surmising an illustrator as 'being able to draw well' is the same as surmising a fieldworker as 'being able to dig a hole'. Illustrators are specialists... it's such a common attitude and really disheartening. Just because our output is graphic doesn't make an illustrator any less of an archaeologist.

So why didn't you contact the IfA and tell them what you thought beforehand? Or did you?

[RedEarth]

I've two points:

Surmising an illustrator as 'being able to draw well' is the same as surmising a fieldworker as 'being able to dig a hole'. Illustrators are specialists... it's such a common attitude and really disheartening. Just because our output is graphic doesn't make an illustrator any less of an archaeologist.

So why didn't you contact the IfA and tell them what you thought beforehand? Or did you?

I was specifically trying not to make it sound as if illustration makes someone 'less of an archaeologist' but it's difficult for it to not come out badly. Illustration is a specialism, yes, however, as someone else pointed out you can't be made a MIfA for excavating well (is that a specialism?), you can't be one for being good at survey (is that a specialism? Probably) etc etc. You are supposed to be a MIfA on account of a high level of responsibilty for projects, bringing them to completion and so forth, which could include any of those things in a wider context but not by themselves. So is it not just as disheartening for someone who spends 10 years 'just' surveying and thus not able to be a MIfA, or someone who spends 20 years digging perfect posthole sections and thus not getting to be a MIfA? This has probably strayed from the thread slightly now...

As for contacting the IfA. I foolishly assumed that because the AAIS was polling its members on the issue the IfA were going to do the same. Silly me! Next thing I head it was done and dusted and going through, by which time it was a bit late.

[ecmgardner]

I'll wind me neck in a bit then
I agree and think the same rules should apply with regards to autonomy and responsibility for work, and I think I get your point now - an alternative 'specialist' route of membership for IfA might be interesting so you'd be MIfA (specialist) as opposed to MIfA (managerial)...?

[BAJR]

Bring back areas of competence! After all I would not want to see a project manager draw my illustrations (unless of course they were able to provide evidence that they could)

[RedEarth]

Bring back areas of competence! After all I would not want to see a project manager draw my illustrations (unless of course they were able to provide evidence that they could)

Sounds like the way forward.

[kevin wooldridge]

My understanding from reading Kathryn's memo was that a small number of AAIAS members have been offered MIFA status (and some of these may already have had MIFA status anyway through their membership of both IFA and AAIAS). The majority of AAIAS members have been offered PIFA, not AIFA status in IfA. That to me sounds fair and commensurate......

[VGC]

I wonder what'll happen to my membership application & cheque I sent to AAIAS a few months back...

[RedEarth]

My understanding from reading Kathryn's memo was that a small number of AAIAS members have been offered MIFA status (and some of these may already have had MIFA status anyway through their membership of both IFA and AAIAS). The majority of AAIAS members have been offered PIFA, not AIFA status in IfA. That to me sounds fair and commensurate......

How small a number is small, because that's not necessarily the impression I got. Again, some sort of facts and figures from one side or the other would be good but since there was no consultation before I'm not expecting much after the event.

[Dinosaur]

Bring back areas of competence! After all I would not want to see a project manager draw my illustrations (unless of course they were able to provide evidence that they could)

Not sure I'd want a lot of MIFA management I've worked for over the years anywhere near a hole on site either, not 'till I'd got them all securely fenced off anyway...

[dmama]

well well, the old attitudes still refuse to go away... having been a field archaeologist, planning supervisor and illustrator( both by hand and digitally), i have always called myself an archaeologist. as far as my experience has informed me the institute for (sweet)fa has never really been much cop for those who are not published or just generally love the sound of their own voices. it's a shame that those of us who actually appreciate the work of the illustrator who, after all provides part of the archive, sorts out many a problem and generally keep the managers on their toes. grrr. i think that people like unit are just jealous of talented people. sad really don't you think. oh and thanks bajr it's good to know that some people still admire skill over bulls***t