Board of Directors
       Greensburg, PA
       April 26, 2002

The meeting was called to order a 7:35 p.m. with President Philip Perazio presiding.  A quorum was present.(attendance attached).

The minutes of the previous Board of Directors meeting were accepted as distributed on a motion by Mark McConaughy, seconded by Ken Burkett.

Treasurer's report-Paul Cowin presented a written copy of the treasurer?s report with a verbal explanation.  The excess in the treasury reflects the delinquent publication costs for the Pennsylvania Archaeology.  To be current with the publication schedule, two issues of the journal must be published by summer.  Additional monies are in the general fund due to grants.  The treasurer stressed the negative side of obtaining grants in the additional record keeping needed to administer and report the grants.  The chapters might consider applying for grants on their own merit if they have the proper 503C status.  Tax status reporting is borderline depending on the Elmer Erb Permanent Fund reports for 2001.
The 2002 budget was previously presented and approved by the board of directors.
The treasurer?s report was approved on a motion by Roger Moeller, seconded by Kurt Carr. 

Elmer Erb Permanent Fund report-a written report was submitted by chairman, Robert LaBar along with a letter of resignation from him.  He sites a lack of time to properly perform the duties of trustee for his resignation.  He asks that the records be turned over and audited.  The president will appoint a replacement after exploring candidates.  Two nominees for the Fund are being elected at annual meeting and a CD is maturing soon.  The trustees will need to reform and have a business meeting as soon as possible to elect a new chair.

Committee reports are deferred until Annual Meeting

Old Business

2002 Archaeology Month Planning- Amanda Valko presented the draft of the poster for display to the membership.  Bookmarks are planned with components of the poster incorporated into them.  They will be multipurpose and can be used to promote the Society as well as Archaeology Month.  The board asked to increase the number of bookmarks printed to reflect the different uses and to supply the Amy Corp.of Engineers with an allotment for their promotions. Mark will advise Amanda on the number to be printed.  Michael Baker Corp. offered a  printing bid to be considered.  The Calendar is being prepared by Philip and Valerie Perazio.  All chapters should get their activity schedules to Philip by May 24.  A speakers list will also be assembled.  Ruth Arnold at the State Museum is ordering the  mailing envelops and Forks of the Delaware Chapter has undertaken the mailing.  Any volunteers for this tedious job should contact the chapter to help.  Grants funds are available to help with costs incurred doing Archaeology Month preparation.

Revision of the Constitution-Verna Cowin, chair, reports that the constitution revision is ready for ratification by the membership at the Annual Meeting.  The document has been posted on the website and members have been notified in the newsletter of the impending changes.  The president extended a thank you from the Society to Verna for her work on this revision. Two original copies were given to the secretary to sign and record upon ratification by the membership.

Chapter Forum on Membership-Mary Alice Graetzer and Ginger Dlutowski will present a workshop during annual meeting for the purpose of gathering information to make a policy and recommendations to the board for increasing and maintaining membership in the state and local chapters.  Questionnaires have been mailed to board members and chapters.  Information will be assembled and dispersed for use by the chapters. 

Private Collections Policy/ Committee formation-Philip Perazio announced this new committee formed at the last board meeting will be chaired by Stephen Warfel.  Steve announced that the committee would attempt a first meeting during the weekend.  The state museum?s brochure on donations of private collections of artifacts is nearly complete.   Steve also announced that the  Museum?s new curation guidelines were in the bookroom for distribution.  He will report back to the board on the committee?s recommendations.

National Register Nominations/Grants-Philip Perazio completed a grant application on behalf of the Society in the amount of $4995 for general operations.  As previously discussed the Society would like to use some of these funds to complete the National Register applications to document an archaeological site.  Kurt Carr has offered his help with the project.  Funds from the grant can be used to compensate for time spent in the preparation process.  Other uses for grant funding are: Archaeology Month expenses, honorariums for speakers, promotional materials for membership and stipends for other organizational activities.

Elmer Erb Trustee Nominations: Kurt Carr and Thomas Kirshner will stand for election at annual meeting for six year terms as trustees for the Elmer Erb Permanent Fund.

SPA Clothing Sale-Ed Dlutowski noted that the approved clothing order has been completed and was ready for sale in the bookroom.  Additional orders can be taken with no minimum order necessary. 

New Business

Peabody Museum Crisis-the Society has been asked to send a letter in support of the existing collections and research facility at the Peabody Museum.  The Philips Academy trustees are considering non support of the facility in the future.  The president directed the secretary to draft a letter to ask for continued support of the Peabody.

Discussion for the Good of the Society:

Pennsylvania Archaeologist- late publications were blamed upon internal problems which have since been overcome.  Ed Dlutowski asked that in the event the problems were not resolved in a timely manner, the Society should begin a new search for an editor.  A reasonable time will be allowed to get the publication back on schedule.  The publication complaints have largely been from institutions.  Lateness of publication of the journal has historically been linked with a decline in membership.

Steve Warfel thanked the Society for the continued support of the annual Workshops in Archaeology at the State Museum.  The Museum will undergo extensive renovations and will be closed for the next two years.  The Society will be called upon to again support the workshops when they resume after completion of the renovations.

Donna George announced her recent association with the Archaeological Conservancy.  Donna will keep the Society informed of Conservancy activities in Pennsylvania.

Philip Pervasio opened a discussion on the problem that  has arisen due to new technology at the BHP and PennDot.   The issue to be addressed concerns the access to information that was never available to certain groups of people in the past by accessing a website.

Points of discussion:
 

  • Category of people to access site information and archaeological sites? 
  • Will easy access violate understanding with site recorders who believe the site locations will be protected?
  • Site protection is necessary to prevent the incidence of looting.
  • Can sensitive areas be designated or password protected?
  • Can the information be lodged at the county seats rather than on a website?
  • Inform consultants and municipalities on a ?need to know? basis?
  • Arrange meeting or a fall forum with township planners or authorities?
  • Location within the BHP for research and consultants with no specific site locations or informants has been best way of protecting information.
  • Local municipalities can veto building and development if they are aware of the sites


A committee was formed with members: Ed Dlutowski, Brian Fritz, Paul Raber and Amanda Valko to get a sense of the organizations and process for making information available.  Jean Cutler will receive the recommendations of the committee.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

       Respectfully submitted,
 

       Judy M. Duritsa, Secretary
 


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