News from the
REGISTER OF PROFESSIONAL ARCHAEOLOGISTS
 
The Summer Board Meeting of the Register of Professional Archaeologists was
held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on July 30 and 31, 1998.  Present were
William B. Lees (Interim President, [log in to unmask]), Vergil E. Noble (Interim
SHA Representative, [log in to unmask]), William D. Lipe (Interim SAA
Representative, [log in to unmask]), and Rochelle A. Marrinan (Interim Secretary-
Treasurer, [log in to unmask]).
 
The Register continues to conduct business as a transitional organization
under the inter-organization agreement approved by the memberships of SOPA,
the SAA, and the SHA.  The process of legal incorporation as a not-for-profit
corporation should be completed by September 1, 1998.  The Board is also in
the process of developing a logo with the assistance of a professional design
firm.  Once this logo has been adopted, Certificates of Registration will be
sent to all individuals with registrations in good standing; which includes
all SOPA members in good standing and any individuals who have applied for
registration, been accepted, and have paid the required fees.  As a Registered
Professional Archaeologist you are allowed and encouraged to append "RPA" to
your name.
 
The most important issue considered at the Summer Board Meeting was selection
of a management firm or institution to assist with the establishment of a
permanent business office for The Register.  A request for proposals was
published in April and 10 proposals were submitted.  The board reviewed and
ranked these proposals and is continuing the selection process through on-site
interviews of firms making the short list.
 
The first election of The Register will occur this Fall.  Ballots will be
mailed during September to all RPAs.  Positions to be elected this Fall are
(some initial terms vary to introduce staggering of positions):
 
     Presdient-Elect (initially 1-year term, standard 2 years), 1999
     Secretary-Treasurer, 2-year term, 1999-2000
     Greivance Coordinator, 2 year term, 1999-2000
     Standards Board, Position 1 (initially 1-year term, standard 3 years),
1999
     Standards Board, Position 2 (initially 2-year term, standard 3 years),
1999-2000
     Standards Board, Position 3, 3-year term, 1999-2001
     Standards Board 1st Alternate (initially 1-year term, standard 3 years),
1999
     Standards Board 2nd Alternate (initially 2-year term, standard 3 years),
1999-2000
     Standards Board 3rd Alternate, 3-year term, 1999-2001
     Nominations Committee Chair, 1-year term, 1999
     Nominations Committtee Member, 1-year term, 1999
 
The office of Registrar will be elected in the Fall 1999 election for a 2-year
term.  A new SAA Representative will be appointed in the Fall of 1999 for an
initial 2-year term, to be followed by the standard 3-year term.  A new SHA
Representative will be appointed or elected in the Fall of 1999 for a standard
3-year term.
 
Another matter discussed was The Register's relationships with other
organizations such as the Society of Archaeological Sciences (SAS).  Issues
that have been raised by SAS and others is the need to recognize professionals
who do not have fieldwork-based training and experience and who may not meet
current criteria for registration.  Board member Bill Lipe is continuing to
look at this and related issues through a committee appointed by President
Lees at the meeting of the Board held at the Seattle meetings of the SAA in
1997.
 
The Board also considered a suggestion that The Register explore ways to
register archaeological technicians.  This issue had been considered
repeatedly by SOPA.  The Board beleives that there may be some new
opportunities to look at this issue under The Register, but that full
consideration needs to wait until the organization is fully established and
fulfilling its primary mission as established in the transition document.
 
Field school registration was also discussed.  SOPA began certifying field
schools in 1996 and The Register will continue this process.  President Lees
will appoint a committee to explore the most effective approaches to
incorporating this function into the mission of The Register.
 
New Registered Professional Archaeologists are:
 
Varna G. Boyd
Kristine N. Brown
Brinnen S. Carter
Thomas J. Chaderdon
James W. Cogswell
Andrew C. Edwards
Michael A. Harmon
Lori Harrington
Douglas R. Harro
Kathryn K. Hirst
Jim Huffman
Paula Johnston
Keith Kintigh
Paul Kreisa
Jeffrey M. LaLande
Robert M. Leavitt
Clayton G. Lebow
Barbara J. Little
Sameul D. McCullock
Jack A. Meyer
Michael D. Meyer
Margaret C. Nelson
Peter N. Peregrine
David A. Phillips, Jr.
Alison F. Rautman
Michelle Raven-Jennings
Lynne Sebastian
Paul A. Shakel
Michael D. Scholl
Vincal Steponaitis
Gordon C. Tucker, Jr.
Stephen W. Tull
 
Reinstated as Registered Professional Archaeologists (lapsed former SOPA
members) are:
 
Robert Kautz
Sunshine Psota
Jane Rosenthal
 
The next meeting of the Board of the Register of Professional Archaeologists
will be held at the December meetings of the Archaeological Institute of
America in Washington, D.C.
 
Contact Registrar John Hart ([log in to unmask]) for information on
Registration.