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24th February 2009, 12:14 PM
My apologies, but shouldn't someone at the IFA prioritise this, if only as a matter of PR - to show that after this seminar they do have an opinion or 'party line' on what is happening to the industry at the moment. If the few days between the seminar are enough time for several archaeological units to lose 10+ staff each, then surely the IFA can put pen to paper.
This actually sounds like more of a rant than I intended so please excuse my impatience.
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24th February 2009, 02:51 PM
You might very well think that, but I couldn't possibly comment.
[url]http://paulbelford.blogspot.com/"[/url]
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24th February 2009, 03:40 PM
Paul - I can assure you your comments have already been read and greatly appreciated. I can only thank you again and again for your diligence and speed (long live bloggers)
I merely hoped the IFA might actually do something similar in its 'official' capacity.
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24th February 2009, 08:44 PM
Not really given how busy the IFA staff are at the moment ...... busy doing what... surely busy doing this? Without Paul, we would not have such a full and useful report back.
?When a sinister person means to be your enemy, they always start by trying to become your friend.?
William Blake
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24th February 2009, 11:29 PM
Well in the last week there has been administrative support for a validation meeting ( every 6 weeks and a huge burden of office staff), a Finds group meeting, an editorial board meeting as well as I think a meeting discussing training development in various aspects with certain ' stakeholder ' bodies, and probably quite a few other meetings ( these are only the ones that I know about because of direct or indirect involvement) as well as organising the conference for April, working for the next edition of TA, facilitating newsletters for various SIGs, administrating existing projects (such as Training which some of us think worthwhile) and the usual 'day to day' running of the institute, not to mention tasks which have been delayed because of holding the seminar in the first place - alongside covering for illness, holiday, maternity leave - and in the 6 working days since the seminar someone is supposed to have had the time to collate papers from 8 speakers, write up some proposed points of action and get check the final document. Paul's contribution is very good and has obviously filled a gap whilst we are waiting - but look how his contribution has been taken out of context to promote what can only be described as a truly asinine 'discussion' on 'how dare Pete Hinton try to recruit for the IFA at an IFA organised event'
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25th February 2009, 10:22 AM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by Tile man
Well in the last week there has been administrative support for a validation meeting ( every 6 weeks and a huge burden of office staff), a Finds group meeting, an editorial board meeting as well as I think a meeting discussing training development in various aspects with certain ' stakeholder ' bodies, and probably quite a few other meetings ( these are only the ones that I know about because of direct or indirect involvement) as well as organising the conference for April, working for the next edition of TA, facilitating newsletters for various SIGs, administrating existing projects (such as Training which some of us think worthwhile) and the usual 'day to day' running of the institute, not to mention tasks which have been delayed because of holding the seminar in the first place - alongside covering for illness, holiday, maternity leave - and in the 6 working days since the seminar someone is supposed to have had the time to collate papers from 8 speakers, write up some proposed points of action and get check the final document. Paul's contribution is very good and has obviously filled a gap whilst we are waiting - but look how his contribution has been taken out of context to promote what can only be described as a truly asinine 'discussion' on 'how dare Pete Hinton try to recruit for the IFA at an IFA organised event'
Aaaaaaand Breathe..... :face-approve:
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25th February 2009, 10:28 AM
I think the Peter Hinton tries to recruit at an IfA event has been put to bed... (though given that the number of non-IfA there was er... minimal, it was more likely aimed at a general concept of needing more people to join the IfA for it to have more influence.
The IfA called an emergency Seminar... well done, it is however obviously possible to collate and produce quickly,but conversely, it is best to double check everything, and make sure the final reply is proper... I have no trouble with that. I am sure it will come, and it will be good, and will set out clearly the actions we must all take to get through.
Paul contribution is good, because it was fresh and immediate, and showed that the sad fact is.... there is nothing to do other than the painful reorganisation of 'archaeology' that is required and perhaps long overdue. I hope to see the IfA lead - a strong leadership is needed, one that is open and inclusive and one that will recognise that allies are what is needed now.
In reply to your point about the IfA staffing - they do have a large staff (compared to BAJR for example... ) they work very hard... I also tend to work very very hard... I am up at 7 and get to bed often passed midnight... thats because it is just me..
Currently, I am completing the next edition of Past Horizons Magazine with my wife, finishing a contour and digital survey of Lindisfarne Island, Going off to do a Radio Broadcast, finished the layout of BAJR Guide 22 (a Guide to Websites for your Project http://www.scribd.com/doc/12765415/BAJR-...y-Projects ) Completing the first Draft of BAJR Guide 23 - Templates for Recording and Reporting) - Producing a tender Documents for 3 enquiries, formulating an Education project with Archaeology Scotland for April, Preparing a submission to the Minister for Culture in SCotland relating to Training Excavations and skill sharing, working on a new tourism project website for Bute, Half way through writing BAJR Guide 24 Education and Archaeology - What you need to know, Preparing for a National Trust for Scotland Corporate Challenge, and a Thistle Camp excavation I am leading at St Abbs - 2 illustration jobs... Collating the 100+ responses to the BAJR Recession Survey (thanks Dr Pete!) Dealing with general complaints, requests, questions, organising a field survey in Croatia... preparing for the 1st March BAJR Federation consultation etc............ and then Next Week. etc................ So lets not get into the we are run off our feet game... This is important and important to move quickly... when a crisis hits, you don't stop at 5pm.
?When a sinister person means to be your enemy, they always start by trying to become your friend.?
William Blake
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25th February 2009, 11:03 AM
First off, I think that having a go at IFA staff (rather than the IFA itself) is a bit low as you know that they are unable to defend themsleves here.
second off your work for your own commercial interests and other tasks you have chosen to do in your free time is a bit irrelevent - as indeed is my work load relating as it does to: writing a post med CBM report, costing for scientific analysis work, writing up an Italian pottery report, writing up a Syrian pottery preliminary report, developing two papers on the methodologies for the study of pottery and CBM in late antique period, collating the responses to the last draft of a contract for specialist services, writing up the finds group survey of finds practice, writing up a best practice guide to the handling of cbm, building a nursary in my house, preparing for imminent arrival of new son in april, preparing the next newsletter for the SGRP, updating and circulating membership lists, keeping up to date on the outcomes of the last CWPA meeting, preparing for the next one, circulating information about the next sgrp conference, preparing a number of training events. Many of these projects are peer reviewed and some are part of commitees where my point of view may not necessarily be accepted by the majority. You are not the only person doing work in their free time - others do it as well, and are happy to. However it is not reasonable to expect people to do unpaid overtime and sacrifice their free time, and indeed is a bit rich coming from non-members who don't contribute to staff salary in the first place
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25th February 2009, 11:54 AM
Good points Tileman... and so lets not let this thread spin off. Listing things that people do is not relevant... The point is... we can all do it... we can all list how busy we are... so whjat.??
I am not having a go at IfA staff (and yes they are here, and can defend themselves, but don't need to) I even say the words..
" they work very hard " can't be clearer than that.
My question is if this is such an urgent issue, requiring speed of action... should not somebody like Kenny be coming up with what is in essence the minutes of the meeting? I do hope that there will be more, whereby the concepts that were discussed are explored, - however, it seems that Peter Hintons 36 bullet points will be the start.
" it is not reasonable to expect people to do unpaid overtime and sacrifice their free time " but we all do it when needs must, however, this can be done in normal working hours. I have already stated clearly it will be well presented. In a list of important things... this is quite high though.
However, the recent BAJR Survey of over 100 companies is showing interesting trends. It was unfortunate that a previous offer to Kenny at the IfA for this additional short survey was greeted with a thanks but your survey is not repeatable and we have got enough organistions. There I was offering info to the IfA, and I am not even in it! I also gave them access to my entire list of contractors database. I help with the Tax and Accommodation and other issues, though it has been some time since we talked of producing a joint statement... I expect other things have got in the way.
So its a bit rich that a non-member offers so much, for no possible gain, other than the fact that we need to work together and place petty squabbles to one side..... It should be pointed out that this is not about who does what... it is about what is done.
I look forward to the IfA Recession seminar results, though I have seen enough from Paul excellent appraisal.
To return to the thread... the time for action is looking increasingly passed.. when the BAJR survey results are published, I feel people may get a surprise.
ps... nice news about baby in april 
?When a sinister person means to be your enemy, they always start by trying to become your friend.?
William Blake
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25th February 2009, 12:16 PM
Calm down!
I am glad to hear that at least 2 people are busy.
There is a need for notes on this seminar to be published quickly (I was too busy to attend!). Pauls notes were very useful in this respect but formal notes will be better. Better still would have been a pod cast. What is important is that something is being done.
Peter
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