I was responding to Jay Stottman's (I believe) comment about putting Johnson
behind us and discussing things like the SOPA newsletter article about SOPA
being absorbed by SAA.
In answer to some of the points you brought up I would like to say that while
it is true that a degree or SOPA certification do not confer ethics or
capability on a person, the other choice you provided (letting someone try
until they get it right) is worse. This might be fine in academia, but when
the bulldozers are breathing down your neck, a client is losing $100,000 a
day in delays, the SHPO is second guessing you at every turn, etc. etc.,
trial and error does not cut it. (As many clients have learned to their
dismay.) As poor as it is, SOPA certification or an MA degree, is better for
our clients and the resource than letting someone who calls himself an
archaeologist (and there is currently nothing to prevent anyone from calling
himself an archaeologist in most states) earn while he learns.
Your experience with another professional certification group is unfortunate,
but all in all, I would rather have a doctor who is a member of AMA than one
who flunked out of med school. Until we, as archaeologists, start taking
ourselves seriously, by policing our ranks and showing the public that
archaeology is not just something you can fool around with on Saturday's, we
will continue to be underpaid and disrespected.
Is SOPA (or heaven forbid, SAA) membership a sign that someone is qualified?
Not necessarily, but at least in the case of SOPA, it does show a certain
minimum acceptance by one's peers.
Waddaya think ;-)
Tom Wheaton
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