Minutes

Midwest Archaeological Conference
October 13, 2006
Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
Submitted by Susan Martin, Secretary

President Lynne Goldstein called the meeting to order at 4:35 pm.

President’s Report:
The President announced that the organization is in fine shape. One important item of business is a decision about appropriate use of the organization’s mailing list and email list. The President gave a brief historic account of requests for mailing information from the MAC. There were several requests for use of the lists this year, and the Executive Board considered each request carefully. The sentiment of the Board has been, and continues to be, that it does not wish to burden the membership with communications that do not serve the business of the MAC. At the recent board meeting (earlier on October 13, 2006) the Board decided that no uses of the lists other than MAC organizational needs should be allowed. Instead, the Board encourages those who wish to contact the membership to use the very well-designed web page of the MAC, which is available to members for posting a wide range of information.

Secretary’s Report:
The minutes of the 2005 Business Meeting were approved as presented by voice vote (motion – J. Buikstra, support – C. Munson).

The Secretary submitted a written report for 2006. The primary activity this year in the Secretary’s office was the completion of two elections for MAC officers and board members. The Secretary expressed thanks to the Nominating Committee and to the candidates and incoming officers for their service to the MAC.

Treasurer’s Report:
The Treasurer submitted a written report. The Treasurer explained the ease and efficiency of the SPORG membership and registration system and encouraged its wider use by the membership. The organization is in good financial shape due (in part) to a healthy turnout at the annual meeting, as well as financial and logistical support from ITARP and ten other Illinois agencies. The major expenses of the MAC continue to be AltaMira Press (Rowman and Littlefield) for journal publication, as well as modest charges for SPORG access, which are, on average, about $140 per month.

Editor’s Report:
The Editor submitted a written report. The journal is on schedule with the spring issue 2006, guest edited by Mark Schurr, distributed earlier this year. The Fall 2006 issue is currently at the copy editor, and the spring 2007 issue is filling. The Editor encourages the membership to submit pieces for review and potential publication. This year there have been fewer submittals than expected; the Editor would like to see that number increase.

2006 Meeting Report:
Tom Emerson presented preliminary numbers for the 2006 meeting. There were 281 pre-registrations, and 100 on-site registrations. It is estimated that 50% of MAC members are in attendance at this conference. There were 102 student registrations, 52 day-registrations (mostly local), and 9 guest registrations. The day registration system is new this year; most of the day attendees were pre-registrations for Saturday. The workshop that day was newly scheduled with the general meeting, and attracted visitors. The student session brought student turnout as well. There were 8 vendors, and they reported very successful sales. The banquet attracted 162 registrants, a success as well.

The total intake, prior to paying out outstanding costs, was ca. $30,000. Outstanding bills are in the estimated range of $9,000, leaving a cushion of ca. $20,000. Eleven state organizations contributed to the Friday evening reception, and ITARP supported the logistics and digital equipment used during the sessions.

President Goldstein led the group in thanking the organizing committee and the donors for a very successful meeting.

2007 meeting:
President Goldstein announced that the 2007 meeting of MAC will be held at the University of Notre Dame on October 4-7, 2007, organized by Mark Schurr.

2008 meeting:
A provisional invitation for the meeting was announced by Jan Brashler of Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan.

2009 meeting:
An invitation for the meeting was announced by John Doershuk for Iowa City, Iowa, to be hosted by the Iowa Office of the State Archaeologist on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

Student Paper Competition:
President Goldstein introduced the Student Paper Judging Committee (Goldstein, George Milner, Susan Martin). Six papers were submitted in 2006, and it is hoped that more students will participate in coming years. Goldstein announced that the winner for 2006 is Rex Weeks of Arizona State University, for his paper “Notes On the Pre-Contact Origin of the Midewiwin: A Review of Archaeological Evidence from the Upper Great Lakes.” Eve Hargreaves added that the award is marked by gifts from book vendors and donors, which included ITARP this year.

Other business:
None

Installation of new officers:
Incoming President Bonnie Styles thanked ex-President Goldstein and ex-Executive Officer Milner for their services to the MAC. Thanks were extended to the 2006 meeting Organizing Committee: Tom Emerson, Eve Hargreaves, and Tim Pauketat.

New Business:
None

Adjournment:
William Lovis moved for adjournment at 4:55 pm.