Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland

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Five-year plan, 2003-2008

Preamble

This document sets out a five-year programme to be pursued by the Board of Directors of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland in the period 2003-2008. Our starting point is the suite of seven objectives that were recorded in the Memorandum & Articles of Association of the Institute on its foundation in 2001. The five-year programme aims to fulfill the seven objectives of the Memorandum & Articles and in some points aims to exceed them. Importantly, it also offers the members of the organization a yardstick to measure the effectiveness of their Institute at the end of the period. It must be measured at the outset too, however, and this document offers members an opportunity to comment on a draft of the plan before a final version is adopted by our Annual General Meeting.

 

Objectives of the Institute

The following were the seven objectives recorded in the Memorandum & Articles of Association of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland at the establishment of the organisation in 2001.

1. To promote contact, collaboration & co-operation between professional archaeologists on the island of Ireland and the organisations to which they belong
2. To express corporate professional opinions on archaeological matters throughout the island of Ireland
3. To improve archaeological standards throughout the island of Ireland including through the adoption of a Code of Practice and guidelines on professional practice, and the promotion of the continued professional development of its members
4. To establish contacts with similar organisations of professional archaeologists, whether national or international in form or scope
5. To promote by discussion and action the solution of practical and academic problems of archaeology on the island of Ireland
6. To publish a newsletter at least once annually to be known as IAI News
7. To hold at least one conference annually on matters related to archaeology, either in conjunction with the Annual General Meeting or otherwise, and to organise such other conferences, seminars, symposia and related meetings with partner bodies, as collaborative events, as may be considered appropriate.

 

Actions comprising the five-year plan, 2003-2008

Objective 1: to promote contact, collaboration & co-operation between professional archaeologists on the island of Ireland and the organisations to which they belong

1.1 Organise regional meetings of the Institute on a regular basis

1.2 Create a discussion forum on the Institute’s website

1.3 Publish a Directory of Members and their interests on the Institute’s website

1.4 Update the Directory of Members twice annually (i.e. on the election of new members at meetings)

1.5 Increase membership of the Institute to 500

1.6 Establish an office and appoint a Secretary for the proper and efficient administration of the Institute’s affairs

Objective 2: to express corporate professional opinions on archaeological matters throughout the island of Ireland

2.1 Seek to ensure that the Institute’s membership is representative of all sectors of professional life in Irish archaeology, including teaching & research institutes, regulatory bodies, museums and private sector archaeologists

2.2 Procure basic professional training in media communications for the Institute’s Chairpersons

2.3 Promote a positive image of the archaeological profession in the media by press releases, radio interviews and the dissemination of relevant information on the Institute’s website

2.4 Offer objective and informed comment on archaeological issues in the media as a contribution to accurate reporting and to promote the protection of the archaeological heritage

Objective 3: to improve archaeological standards throughout the island of Ireland including through the adoption of a Code of Practice and guidelines on professional practice, and the promotion of the continued professional development of its members

3.1 Review the Guidelines for Archaeologists (2000) of the former Irish Association of Professional Archaeologists as the basis for a Code of Practice for members of the Institute

3.2 Institute a voluntary procedure for arbitration by the Institute in professional disputes between members and publish guidelines for this procedure on the Institute’s website

3.3 Review the procedure for voluntary arbitration by the Institute after two years

3.4 Seek the involvement of all stakeholders – and especially all relevant third-level institutions – in the creation of a programme of continuing professional development (CPD) in Irish archaeology

3.5 Publish a report – in collaboration with Options Consulting – on CPD needs in Irish archaeology

3.6 Implement a CPD programme for the Institute’s membership

3.7 Promote high standards of training, supervision and employee welfare among archaeological employers, having particular regard to new entrants to the profession

3.8 Initiate a series of technical advice notes on the Institute’s website, including the following: Documenting Excavations Contributing to an EIS Building Recording Underwater Archaeology Investigating Wetlands Treatment of Archaeological Objects in the Field Pottery Identification Writing for Publication Health & Safety in the Field

Objective 4: to establish contacts with similar organisations of professional archaeologists, whether national or international in form or scope

4.1 Establish regular liaison with the European Association of Archaeologists, the Council for British Archaeology and the Institute of Field Archaeologists (UK) on matters of common interest or concern

Objective 5: to promote by discussion and action the solution of practical and academic problems of archaeology on the island of Ireland

5.1 Establish a bi-annual forum or liaison group for the exchange of information, concerns and ideas between the Institute, statutory bodies, teaching and research institutes and other sectors in the profession

5.2 Publish a review paper in JIA – based on the forum’s discussions – on the current health and future prospects of Irish archaeology

5.3 Lobby statutory heritage organisations on the chronic problem of non-publication of excavation reports, on increased access to national archive materials and, in general, on more effective dissemination of archaeological information

5.4 Participate, as a consultee body, in the drafting of any new heritage legislation or heritage policy documents

5.5 Lobby statutory bodies and elected representatives for the proper resourcing and development of national and local heritage services

5.6 In particular, lobby for the appointment of full-time professional archaeologists in all local authorities in Ireland

 

Objective 6: to publish a newsletter at least once annually to be known as IAI News

6.1 Publish an annual issue of the Institute’s journal – the Journal of Irish Archaeology (JIA) – incorporating the former IAI News

6.2 Convene a broadly representative Editorial Committee to develop the JIA

6.3 Offer a sponsored annual award for the best contribution to the JIA based on recent post-graduate research

6.4 Encourage contributions of analytical excavation reports and shorter notes to the JIA in addition to analytical papers

6.5 Secure sponsorship of publications to offset print costs

Objective 7: to hold at least one conference annually on matters related to archaeology, either in conjunction with the Annual General Meeting or otherwise, and to organise such other conferences, seminars, symposia and related meetings with partner bodies, as collaborative events, as may be considered appropriate.

7.1 Host two conferences each year, addressing both academic and professional issues

7.2 Canvas the Institute’s membership on preferred conference formats and themes

7.3 Bring the Institute’s conferences to centres of population & transport to facilitate greater participation in these events by the profession as a whole

7.4 Bring the Institute’s conferences to towns where there are institutes teaching archaeology or conducting archaeological research to facilitate greater participation in these events by researchers, teachers and students of archaeology

7.5 Publish a summary of each conference proceedings in IAI News