President's Message
January/February 2008
(as published in Arch Notes New Series 13(1))
At the Annual Business Meeting held during the OAS Symposium in Kingston last November, I alluded to the need for the board to review the way the OAS does business. Memberships in the OAS are declining and consequently so are revenues. But let me allay fears about our solvency. WEíRE OKAY. At least for the moment. If we were to continue in the way that we have, then we might reach a critical point sooner rather than later where we might have to begin using funds that had been set aside for just such an eventuality. So, if you know of someone who is putting off renewing or joining the OAS, encourage them to do so sooner rather than later.
Many people have been members of the OAS for literally decades. They have expectations from the OAS and the OAS owes them certain services. At the same time, there is a new generation of members that is as committed to the ideals of the OAS, but that has markedly different expectations and outlooks. And then, there are financial considerations which wonít go away. So how do we balance these sometimes competing interests? Well, serious and considered thought for one. Taking actions that were required for some time, for another. And throughout this continuing process, there are monkeys on our backs; worries that some decisions might not be the best. At all times, be assured, our immediate and long-term concerns are for the OAS.
Have you read a good monograph on an Ontario archaeological site lately? Yes monographs: extensive descriptions, analyses and discussions usually centered on a single archaeological excavation. In the 70s and 80s several monograph series appeared during those heady days when new horizons were being defined in the practice of archaeology across Canada and in Ontario. Think of the ASCís Mercury Series, the old one, Ontarioís Data Box and the Research Reports, and the Ministryís northern offices (Kenora, Thunder Bay and Sault Ste.Marie) with their report series. Yet, many of these series died slow and quiet deaths, and are now largely forgotten. And still, these publications were the best opportunities to get the data out into the hands of other researchers. Monographs are surprisingly rare today given the tremendous increase in archaeological sites being found, tested and excavated. So what will the basis of tomorrowís archaeological discourse look like? As well as monographs, even short descriptive articles have virtually taken the same route. And yet, how many times do we consult the old AAROís to find an important mention of a small site here or a unique discovery there? Often times, these short, in passing references might be all that remain of the archaeological record. And given the looming crisis with archaeological collections in Ontario, it would be wise for current practitioners to begin getting the information out in some form. It would be the responsible and professional thing to do.
On another matter entirely, welcome to the 21st century!!! You can now join or renew your membership in the OAS, join or renew your membership in a chapter or make a donation to any one of four OAS funds, ONLINE. With the help of our Internet Service Provider, Pictographics (Luke Dalla Bona) in Sault Ste.Marie, there is now an online form where you can chose from a number of membership and donation options and pay through PayPal. To date a good proportion of this yearís renewals have being received this way. No more possibilities of losing checks in the mail or having them delivered to some of the other tenants in the heritage building where the OAS office is located. This new method is safe, secure, immediate and very efficient.
Another very important innovation on the horizon deals with Arch Notes. For 12 years now, Arch Notes has had a different format, recognized by the New Series designation. Soon, the OAS will be offering this bi-monthly publication in a PDF version. Two elements will distinguish this new version from previous incarnations. First, its distribution will be immediate and over the internet. It will no longer arrive slowly, folded, wet or soiled. Because the PDF format is so efficient at compressing images, these can be in colour. Imagine all those black and white photographs of soil profiles, oblique or vertical shots of features where you could only barely make out what it was you were supposed to be looking at because the photographer had the kindness of outlining the feature with the tip of a trowel! No more! Colour will add a very critical dimension to these visual documents. FINALLY! Of course, you canít take a PDF file to the beach or roll up with one in bed (unless you have a wireless laptop and are inclined to do so). As such, we will still consider sending out hard copies to those who insist on receiving one. However, we must keep in mind that Arch Notes costs the OAS members on the order of $7000 per year to produce and mail out. This is not an insignificant proportion of the overall OAS budget.
As of the end of January, Lise Ferguson is no longer employed by the OAS. Lise had served for three years as the Executive Director of the OAS and before that had served nine years on the board with a number of responsibilities. The current board would like to acknowledge Liseís important contributions to the OAS and wish her well in her future endeavours.
The 2008 Board of Directors of the OAS has remained unchanged from its end of 2007 composition and all board members have retained their same areas of responsibility. As such, I would like to thank all board members for agreeing to spend one more year at the service of the OAS. I know I speak on behalf of all members in thanking you all for the time and efforts that you invest for the good of the membership as well as for the good of the archaeological heritage of Ontario.
And finally, we all welcome Ryan Primrose who has happily agreed to join the board of directors as Director of Outreach and Education Services. We especially needed someone with both and educational and archaeological background to advise on the development of the online or virtual Edu-kits that will soon replace the used and abused physical Edu-kits. Weíll undoubtedly be hearing from Ryan about this project in the future.
Jean-Luc Pilon