The meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm with President Amanda Valko presiding.  A quorum was present. (Attendance attached)

The minutes of the previous board meeting were accepted as distributed on a motion by Brian Fritz, seconded by Ken Burkett.

The written treasurer’s report was submitted with the 2007-08 budget.  After a brief explanation, the report was accepted on a motion by Ken Burkett, seconded by Doug Stine.

Elmer Erb Permanent Fund report was submitted by Kurt Carr.  The committee has difficulty meeting with all members present.  A new resolution will be needed to insure the committee can do business. Signatures of the active members need to be updated.  Kurt Carr, Jim Herbstritt , Al Moore and Roger Moeller are the current committee.  The fund made approximately $4800 profit due to mutual funds last year.  Another profitable year is anticipated.

Grants:  Paul Cowin reported that $5,000 was received from the PHMC for 2007.  These funds will cover National Register expenses and printing costs of promotional items for Archaeology Month, and the Pennsylvania Farm show.

2008 grant application was submitted by e-grant by Amanda Valko.  The proposal outlines using the finds for National Register sites and Educations. Possible sites for National Register are the Conrail site and Parkers Landing petroglyphs (proof of land ownership needs to be determined).   Jean Cutler is in charge of the program at this time. Amanda will help new president Paul Nevin with the next grant application process.

C-14 Awards—Jim Herbstritt outlined the process of the award payment.  The chapter must submit the returned date report and the invoice for a matching 50% refund.  There will be discussion by the committee on the preferred laboratory (Beta Labs-Florida) for testing or on possible amount limits in cases of reflexive dates or split samples, which could double the cost. 

Paul Raber announced that PAC would be offering a C-14 dating program with grant funding from the PHMC.  Information on the program will be in the SPA Newsletter and websites. Grant funds include $2500 for standard or AMS dates from any site in Pennsylvania. Anyone interested in applying should contact Heather Wholey, chair of the review committee, at Department of Anthropology and Sociology, 102 Old Library Building, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383, wholey@wcupa.edu or (610) 436-2400.

Pennsylvania Archaeologist—a written report from Bill Tippins was read by the Secretary.  The journal is on time and on budget.  Manuscripts for Spring 2008 are being accepted.  The Society has commended Bill on the fine job he has done of getting the journal back on track. 

The SPA Newsletter will be getting a new look in 2008.  If you have suggestions of want to help, contact the Secretary.  The SPA Newsletters are available to read on the SPA website.  The newsletter is also distributed to chapters as it becomes available to the printer.

Archaeology Month 2006 Report—Amanda Valko reported that 10,000 posters were printed and distributed in a timely fashion for the October 2006 event.  Amanda was appointed by new President Paul Nevin to chair the Archaeology Month Committee. 
The following discussion on ways to better the project:

• Change the month to the spring.  A motion to discuss changing the month was made by Meli Diamanti.  After the discussion the motion was tabled.
• Pay for printing, packing and mailing with a commercial firm rather than using IUP students and the State Museum.  This would probably double the cost and leaves other educational materials un-funded.  A suggestion to investigate non-profit organizations to stuff the envelopes or do a portion of the mailing preparations was made.
• Since the Education Committee and the Archaeology Committee have similar goals to develop materials to use year round and during Archaeology Month, it was decided that members would work jointly on this project and the mailing logistics.
• PAC has worked with the Education Committee to develop the 2007 poster, which was on display in the book room.   This cooperation is essential for continuity and best use of resources. 
• There is money built into the PHMC grants for SPA and PAC for education.  The SPA has the Luhman Fund that will soon be mature enough to provide funding for this purpose.
• Earlier promotion would be helpful in getting the word out to teachers, libraries and the public.  Perhaps a reminder of the upcoming event to be sending to schools and media would help with pre-planning for Archaeology Month.
• Events should be coordinated for best effect with the Pennsylvania year of Archaeology program: “Uncovering Missing Links to Our Past”.

Pennsylvania Farm Show—Amanda Valko reported that the show was again a good showcase for Pennsylvania Archaeology.  She asked for a motion for the SPA to again sponsor this event at the 2008 Farm Show.  The motion was made by Verna Cowin and seconded by Kurt Carr. PASSED

Tax Exempt Status—Doug Stine reports that Cumberland Valley chapter has completed the process.  Ed Kaufman reported that North Fork Chapter is seeking this status.  There are pros and con to the type of tax-exempt status that is best for chapters to consider amounts of money that can be accumulated and the ability to apply for grants. 

Awards Committee—Catherine Spohn reported that her committee of Ken Burkett and Jan Kleindinst has reviewed and approved the awards for the 2006-07 annual awards with nominees in all categories except Shrader/George youth award.  Noel Strattan gave the totals for the Frances Dorrance Award for the chapter with the most recorded sites from the PASS files records.  The chapter membership area must be filled in for chapters to receive credit.  This tally as well as site survey tallies will now be done on a calendar year basis.  The committee now has a supply of certificates and a source for award plaques.  Guidelines for a future Life Time Achievement Award will be developed by the committee and brought back to the board.  Jan Kleindinst would like to see a competition and award for the best chapter newsletter.  This could be an annual event with a display in the book room at Annual Meeting.  The committee will return with recommendations.

National Register Nominations—Brian Fritz reported that the Shade Furnace Site has be returned to him for the third time for additional information and adjustment to meet the requirements for the National Register nominations.  The goal is to nominate new archaeological sites for the National Register with Conrail and Parkers Landing as possibilities.  There is expense incurred by whoever attempts to register sites.  Therefore, funding is built into our grants to cover expenses.  Since this is a lengthy and intense process, a committee was appointed to work on the nominations using experienced persons.   To this end Brian Fritz will chair the committee with Verna Cowin and Kurt Carr serving.

Native American Program at The State Museum—Amanda Valko reported that the program was very successful with 180 participants.  The program will not be an annual event but the SPA is encouraged to sponsor and participate in future programs.

Archaeological Legacy Institute—Amanda Valko reported that she receives the newsletter and email information as the SPA representative.  In order to disperse this information, the emails will be forwarded to the chapters and a link will be provided from the SPA website.  The Society has decided to renew its annual sponsorship at a fee of $250.00 for the next year on a motion from Meli Diamanti, seconded by Cathy Spohn. PASSED

Consulting Party Update—Brian Fritz will be the chair of a new Consulting Parties Committee to coordinate activities through out the state.  Kurt Carr suggests that we need to keep up our input on consulting parties to be an advocate for archaeology to the partner agency.  The local Chapter or a local representative would be the best advocate for a site or project.  Andy Wyatt will be a contact for Brian.  The remainder of the committee will be announced.  The Secretary will give Brian a list of the current parties.

New PASS Forms—Noel Strattan reported that the new PASS forms are ready and will be demonstrated in the book room.  The forms are longer but easier.  Please fill in the Chapter affiliation area to qualify your chapter for the annual award. 

BHP 2007 Year of Archaeology—Kurt Carr gave the website for the yearlong event as: www.paarchaeology.state.pa.us where events, educational materials and general information can be found.  Send chapter events to Kurt or provide a link to the website to share information.  Everyone is asked to contact their legislators about events and to invite them out to see the archaeology first hand.

Request for copies of Chapter Charters has not had much response.  Please send a copy to the Secretary for safekeeping.  These important documents for your chapter become lost or misplaced often.  If you can locate your charter, please make a copy.

Nominating Committee—Ken Burkett announced the ballot for election of officers for two-year terms:               President:               Paul Nevin
                                        1st Vice President:  Brian Fritz
                                         2nd Vice President:
                                         Treasurer:              Paul Cowin
                                          Secretary:             Judy Duritsa

Directors—Six-year terms:                             Noel Strattan
                                                                         John Sites

New Business

Education Committee Reorganization—Mary Miles reported on the activity of the committee since its reactivation at the November 2006 Board Meeting.  The committee has met nine times to reorganize and to help coordinate Archaeology Month 2007 activities with the PAC committee.  The committee members are Noel Strattan, Kurt Carr, Brian Fritz and Judy Duritsa.  The committee will work to produce a number of educational resources for schools, libraries and the public.  Developing the Archaeology Month poster, bookmarks and curriculum are the first priority.  Future work may include a coloring activity book, archaeological contacts and a speakers list.  To volunteer for the speakers list contact Mary.
 
A donation was made by Tom Vallana in support of the Education committee.  Grant monies and provisions of the Luhman Fund may be used to finance educational materials in the future.

Discussion for the Good of the Society

The resignation of Stephen Warfel from the Currations and Collections Committee was read.  Steve is retiring in July of 2007.  Steve made a motion to order a 3500 piece reprinting of the “Discover and Preserve” brochure.  The motion was seconded by Pandy Yeakle.  PASSED  Cost for the reprints will be investigated.

Verna Cowin requested that condolences from the Society be sent to Jim Herbstriit on the loss of his cousin Jeremy at Virginia Tech.

Ken Burkett announced the opening of the exhibit “Native American Lifeways” at the Jefferson County History Center.  The exhibit will still be in progress when North Fork Chapter hosts the 2008 meeting in Clarion.  

Paul Nevin has asked Philip Perazio as program chair of this year’s Annual Meeting to provide a glossary for education and understanding of the technical papers being presented.  He hopes to have this continue at future Annual Meetings.


There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.


Respectfully submitted,


Judy M. Duritsa
Secretary

 

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