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21st February 2009, 07:00 PM
If only... however, I will not be in charge of the Federation, it will be run by committee - so the end result will be a group that may have found its origins in BAJR, will be a separate and free thinking organisation. For those that have signed up, more info will be following.
However, I don't want to hijack the IfA Seminar thread..
?When a sinister person means to be your enemy, they always start by trying to become your friend.?
William Blake
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21st February 2009, 08:02 PM
As the head of a membership organisation financed by subs, you could say that Peter Hinton would be remiss if he didn't try and use every opportunity to recruit members. After all, he wasn't forcing anyone to join at gunpoint (although it might make the IFA seem more interesting if he wore a Clint Eastwood poncho - he already has the beard).
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21st February 2009, 09:01 PM
I both agree with that, and also feel it may be innapropriate at a seminar dealing with people losing work... and pay.. so put me down as a 50/50 on that issue.
at a seminar meant to be bringing people together from all hues of archaeology to deal with a specific problem that will need everyone... it was not neeeded.. what the IfA do however is up to them, they can ask for members if they want. it is after all their perogative.
?When a sinister person means to be your enemy, they always start by trying to become your friend.?
William Blake
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22nd February 2009, 11:18 AM
Have to say that I cant see, from Pauls Notes, how Peter Hinton was particularly using the seminar to recruit new members for the IFA.
One clear message is that the recession is an opportunity to reform how archaeology is organised. I see the recession as more of a catalyst for change. There are major reforms afoot with changes to the planning system and the new Act. Part of this must be better representation of archaeologists and thus more archaeologists becoming members of the IFA and the unions. I am surprised that the IFA did not emphasise this more. I would suggest that part of this change should be the IFA evolving so that everybody wants to and can join the IFA.
Taryn Dixon made the point. ?As well as continuing to protect the heritage itself, protection of people working in the heritage sector was also important.? Good. At the first BAJR conference I made this very point what might be good for archaeologists might not necessarily be good for the protection of archaeology. Given the scale of how many people are loosing their jobs. I think we must think in terms, for once, of what is good for archaeologists.
Two topics which were not addressed which I think are important is how as an industry could we ensure that there is fair competition and how people could be encouraged to set up in business. Recessions are marked by the establishment of new businesses set up by people who have been made redundant.
Peter Wardle
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22nd February 2009, 02:08 PM
A full and brilliant account Paul... we are in your debt..
To fill in the last points...
- an urgent need to work on curatorial standards and guidance
- discharge of planning conditions, especially post-excavation
- improvements to government planning guidance, to make the process work better
- the recession was an opportunity for change which should be embraced
- the public benefit of archaeology needed to be explained (by the profession) to the wider world
It was clear that further meetings like this would be of benefit to the profession, and it was hoped that a follow-up meeting could be arranged in due course.
These are things we SHOULD have dealt with years ago... but did not, or did not act collectively... perhaps it is time to reshape the way we collectively act and are represented... every group acting on behalf of its members... and exchanging openly information so that a united and focused voice is presented. Rather than all of us pitching in... This would mean that private chats and deals would not be acceptable... that the decisions of the many must overrule the thoughts of the few.
Noel made some of the best points... Dave Allen... PROSPECT... the union that has done so much to protect archaeological workers of the years..!
?When a sinister person means to be your enemy, they always start by trying to become your friend.?
William Blake
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22nd February 2009, 06:52 PM
Having been away for a couple of days it is interesting to see the comments.
I think the "Peter Hinton Recruitment Drive" isssue is a red herring, frankly, this did not come across at the meeting at all and I am sorry if my account somehow suggests this. The IfA were not using this as a recruitment exercise; rather it was a genuine attempt to discuss some of the issues.
I agree with Peter Wardle's points at the end of his post. In fact the way in which a recession can encourage new business start-up was discussed at the seminar, although not in depth. One thing I feel could be done by the IfA and others is more practical advice on keeping businesses (especially small businesses) going during this period. In particular cash and credit flow issues.
[url]http://paulbelford.blogspot.com/"[/url]
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22nd February 2009, 07:48 PM
Paul said,
"One thing I feel could be done by the IfA and others is more practical advice on keeping businesses (especially small businesses) going during this period. In particular cash and credit flow issues".
Simple Paul. Have a credit checking system and a method for debt collecting like having a debt collecting agency on hand. In reality the difficulty is that if you debt collect too urgently you will loose clients.
Peter
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22nd February 2009, 07:52 PM
COming with BAJR Federation! watch out next week for contact if you have signed up.
?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, 11:28 AM
Anybody else a little suprised that the IFA have not posted there account and reaction to the resession seminar on their web page yet?
Whether they are being proactive or reactive it would be nice to think that under the rather pressurised circumastances we are operating in they might make dissemination of any ideas a priority.
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24th February 2009, 11:57 AM
Not really given how busy the IFA staff are at the moment - remember the seminar itself was scheduled in a very short space of time and inserted into what is already a very busy time.
