President's Message
May/June 2010
(as published in Arch Notes New Series 15(3))
Greetings. From this vantage point through the year I have quickly come to appreciate how the pace rapidly picks up, as we start now to address all that needs to be done for the society’s conference (see elsewhere in Arch Notes for news on the planning for that meeting), and the society’s Annual Business Meeting (ABM). Suddenly everything needs to be done immediately!
Governance structure changes
One case in point is the need to ensure that all members have all information necessary for any motions to be ratified or voted on at the ABM. This is important this year as the Board will be bringing forward at the ABM a proposal to revise the governance structure for the society. You will find detailed information on those proposals elsewhere in the newsletter, but to summarise here, for a few years now Board members have been reviewing the Board’s governance structure to address a number of issues, including term of office, overlapping terms of service, limits to term, successional planning, whether a Board structure should be retained, etc.
Former Board members such as Holly Martelle, Alicia Hawkins, and Dena Doroszenko all did a lot of the background research on this, which was pulled together over the last year into a number of options to consider. The Board voted on a hybrid model at the April Board meeting, and this proposal will be brought forward at the ABM for ratification. So please review the materials enclosed on this initiative so you can attend the ABM with any questions you may have. Or at least make sure you send in your proxy (or send it along with another member) so you can vote on this proposal.
Fee hike
One other proposal we will be asking members to ratify is a $2 increase in all membership rates for 2011. We have not had to increase rates in a number of years, despite a steady increase in costs (has everyone figured out how the HST will impact day to day costs yet?!) for all services members receive. Hopefully you won’t find the increase too major an impact on continuing to enjoy the full range of services and advocacy the OAS provides members and the archaeological community and record in the province.
Killarney Bay conference
Speaking of the OAS conference, this year’s venue in Killarney Bay in late September will certainly prove to be a spectacular setting. Here’s hoping the weather co-operates to show off the area in all its autumnal glory.
For those planning on attending, I should reiterate the message from the organising committee that you need to book accommodation sooner rather than later. There are limited facilities around where the conference is being held (all of which is listed at the symposium webpage at http://www.ontarioarchaeology.on.ca/OASsymposium/2010symposium.php). And while some hearty folks plan on camping in the park, if you want softer comforts and would rather not have to drive to and from Sudbury each day, act fast!
As well, there are some spectacular field trips planned that you may wish to check out. Also, there is still room to accommodate a few more speakers, so if you’ve been sitting on the fence about whether or not to present now’s the time to contact the organising committee with your abstract!
Changes at the Ministry
On the other news front, we’ve heard from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of some changes in personnel. Both Richard Mortimer (Director) and Neil Downs (Manager, Cultural Programs), have taken secondments for the next while, and replacements will be announced shortly. We wish them luck in their new assignments and look forward to working with their replacements to continue to promote the OAS and the various initiatives the Society is pursuing.
We’ve also heard that Dr. Dean Knight, of Wilfrid Laurier University, the Ball site, and all things Huron in archaeology, is retiring from his post at the university. We wish him all the best in his retirement, and a hearty round of thanks for all his contributions over the years.
Hopefully you’ll have the time now to do the things you’re looking forward to doing!
Until next time,
Neal Ferris
OAS President