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Board of Directors
Clarion, PA April 23, 2004 The meeting of the Board of Directors of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by President Paul Raber. A quorum was present. (See attached attendance) The minutes of the last Board of Directors meeting were approved as distributed on a motion from Mark McConaughey and seconded by Donna George. PASSED Treasurer Paul Cowin presented the Treasurer’s report with revisions and budget by written and verbal reports. Membership was reported as 75 Life, 5 Exchanges, 260 Institutions, 335 Individual and Family, and 4 Student memberships. The Elmer Erb Permanent Fund is still in reorganization. Election of trustees will take place at Annual Meeting, April 24, 2004. After the reorganization and transfer of accounts, the Fund trustees will make an accounting to the Society’s Board of Directors. The transfer has been complicated by the new Patriot Act requirements of identification of all trustees on the accounts with definitive identification, i.e. drivers license, social security numbers, etc. The committee will attempt to accumulate these documents from each member. W. Thomas Waters has announced his intention to resign from the trustees. The president will name Albert Moore as his replacement. Old Business Finances/Budget—A discussion of the budget for next year must consider: · Publication costs for the PA Archaeologist –to bring journals up to date will require additional expenditures for the year with the production of four volumes instead of two. · Tax information, C14-payments and investment decisions are delayed by the Elmer Erb reorganization efforts. · Grant funding must be spent and accounted for by the appropriate deadlines. A new grant is approved and available. · The committee for the National Register Project to name archaeological sites needs a planning meeting scheduled. The committee consists of Brian Fritz, Verna Cowin, and Philip Perazio with Kurt Carr volunteering to act as advisor.The Discover and Preserve brochures are being well received and a new printing is scheduled for 2004 on a motion by Mark McConaughey, seconded by Amanda Valko. Grant funding will be used for printing expenses. Pennsylvania Archaeologist Status/Special Publications—A written report from Editor Joe Baker reports that the journal is still delayed by one year. This is the same position the Society was in at the 2003 Annual Meeting. The outlined problems of publication and deficiencies were discussed with considerations for bringing the journal up to date and substituting special publications for a regular issue. It was decided that the president would inform the editor that he would be replaced after completing his initial two-year appointment. The Publications committee consists of Paul Raber, Verna Cowin, and Ed Dlutowski. They will help the replacement editor to establish publication procedures to address, publication schedules, copyrights registration, and editorial staff duties. Special publications committee of Bill Tippins and Dick George reports that their work is near completion. They have requested typing assistance with volunteer typists Ginger Dlutowski and Donna Smith responding. SPA Website—Brian Fritz, webmaster, asked for suggestions and criticisms. The consensus was that the website was doing a good job of dispensing information about the society for the general public and providing the information necessary to keep members informed. Possible future applications to the website might be: advertising, clarify the relationship of the chapters to the Society, more links to other related sites. Brian reported that the membership of the group discussion sessions is 100. Brian was thanked by the society for his time and effort. Archaeology Month—Ed Dlutowski and Jim Herbstritt have completed the Archaeology Month poster. Preview copies will be available to view. Bill Tippins reported on a means for publicity for the Society and Archaeology Month. He displayed an ad that he had created for the Western Pennsylvania Historical Society Publication. Free and low cost ad space is probably available from a number of sources, including cable TV, Public Television and related subject journals. A publicity committee was formed with Bill Tippins, Ed Dlutowski and Donna Smith as members. The committee will investigate means to promote the SPA. The Archaeology Month Calendar deadline is June 30, 2004. PLEASE get all event information to Philip Perazio before that date. Byrd Leibhart Site Update—Paul Nevin reported that the site is still in danger. He has asked for individual and board support to contact the township and developer. The Society will issue a letter of support. It was decided that a letter would be sent to the developer contingent upon the outcome of a meeting to decide if the property will be taken by eminent domain. This motion was presented by Paul Nevin and seconded by Philip Perazio, PASSED Paul Nevin will be responsible for monitoring the site and reporting on the status. Commonwealth Archaeological Program—Kurt Carr reported that the Stabler Site is ready to open. Volunteers will be needed. Contact Douglas McLearn to volunteer. The President’s Handbook—Secretary Judy Duritsa presented the President with copies of all documents and specific information necessary for running the Society. This includes incorporation information, financial institutes, tax information and critical names and addresses. The Handbook will be passed along to the next President and revised as needed. Act 70 Letter—the letter from the Society to members of the Pennsylvania Assembly to protest recent Act 70 interpretations has remained unanswered. Some local members got a response but no changes to Act 70 are pending. New Business James G. Luhman Fund—Hope Luhman has established a fund in memory of her father. The fund will remain unused for a period of five years. After that time the interest from the initial investment will be used for Archaeology Month Activities or other educational initiatives deemed worthy by the Board of Directors of the Society. At present the fund contains approximately $4,050. North Fork Chapter #29 Petition—Andrew Wyatt has presented a petition to the board of directors to form a new chapter of the Society. The chapter will be based in Brookville. The petition was found to be in compliance with the constitution and contained the required signatures and endorsements. A motion to accept the petition and establish a new chapter, North Fork #29 was entered by Brian Fritz, seconded by Mark McConaughey. PASSED The Society will be printing new Charters and Awards Stationery due to the change in the century and age of the documents. A new charter will be issue to Chapter #29. Susquehanna Riverlands Preservation Project—Paul Nevin introduced the new project, which intends to establish a regional Native American Heritage Site/Center. The site project will preserve the Limont Farms, which includes the Byrd Leibhart site. It will have components of: education, parklands, conservation of site and heritage, and a Native American aspect. A motion for a resolution from the Society in support of the NAHS center was entered by Paul Nevin and seconded by Mark McConaughey. PASSED Project Archaeology—Brian Fritz presented information on the project sponsored by the Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management that has recently added Pennsylvania to their list of supported states. Renata Wolynec is the Pennsylvania representative. Brian will contact her directly for the informational packet that has been developed for the project. Brian will report to the board about using the packet for Society activities and possibly adding a link on our website to access the project. Lost Site 36WH1291—Brian Fritz prepared an informational handout on the loss of this recorded site in an attempt to call attention to the loophole in the recording, reporting and land use system among various state and federal agencies and grant organizations. The agencies involved were: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Ducks Unlimited, and the Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener Grants program. There was determined to be a failure of the sponsoring parties to contact the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission prior to construction as mandated by historic preservation law. This potential National Register site loss is problematic to these agencies, watershed organizations and the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology for the lack of procedural checks and balances necessary to prevent the loss of our important archaeological heritage. It is hoped that the BHP and other agencies entrusted to preserve these sites will put in place a mechanism for the proper sequence for preservation. Annual Meeting hosts—Mary Alice Graetzer has reported that there are no volunteer chapters to host the next Annual Meeting 2005. The Annual Meeting Guidelines were sent to nine chapters that have not hosted the Annual Meeting in the past five years. Chapters 1, 21 and 28 have indicated possible interest in the future. Chapters 20 and 27 are unable to host at this time. A plea has been issued for volunteers to host this annual event. It is important that everyone take part, in their turn, so that all chapters can share the responsibility for this meeting. Questions should be directed to Mary Alice Graetzer or the officers. Society Officers 2005—General election of officers is scheduled for 2005 for the following offices: Second Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and two Board of Directors positions. Please consider serving the Society as an officer or director. It is important that dedicated people fill these positions. To put yourself or someone else in nomination, please contact the Secretary. All persons seeking office must be paid members in good standing. Awards Committee—Donna George has tendered her resignation after this year. Ginger Dlutowski volunteered to serve as chairman of that committee and was appointed by President Paul Raber. The awards materials will be transferred at the earliest convenience. Annual Site Report—Kurt Carr delivered copies of the Annual Site report. In 2003, there were 19,888 new sites recorded in Pennsylvania. It is stressed that the majority of the recorded sites come from the amateur sector and cultural resource management teams. Discussion for the Good of the Society Jan Kleindinst suggested a competition among the Chapters who produce newsletters. She has had experience with competitions of this type and feels that they generate camaraderie. Anyone wishing to participate should contact Jan. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Judy M. Duritsa Secretary, SPA
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