MINUTES
OF THE
LOUISIANA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
November 13, 2004
Marksville, Louisiana

Reported by
Maureen Downey

The Executive Committee of the Louisiana Archaeological Society met Saturday, November 13, 2004 in Marksville, Louisiana.  President John Polk called the meeting to order at 10:45 a.m.

Members present were

John Polk - LAS President
Ellen Ibert - LAS Vice President/President-Elect
Joe Saunders - Past President
Maureen Downey - LAS Secretary
Josetta LeBoeuf - LAS Treasurer
Chip McGimsey - LAS Bulletin Editor
Cherie Schwab - LAS Newsletter Editor
Junior Doughty - Web Editor
John Guy - LAS Representative at Large
Margarette Cheramie - CLAC Representative
Nancy Affeltranger - CLAC President
Lena Polk - Delta Chapter

Minutes:  Cherie Schwab made a motion to accept the minutes of the August 14, 2004 meeting of the LAS Executive Committee.  Chip McGimsey seconded the motion.  The motion was passed unanimously.

REPORTS

Vice President:  Ellen Ibert gave a report on activities of the Louisiana Archaeological Conservancy.  The Conservancy will be meeting directly after the LAS meeting.  The main item on the agenda will be discussion of the three sites with servitudes under the protection of the LAC.  The Board will be making plans for a visit to the sites.  She informed the Executive Committee of the most recent grant that the LAC made.  The grant was for radiometric dating at the King George Island Mounds site (16LV22).

Treasurer:  Treasurer Josetta LeBoeuf reported that payment in the amount of $737.75 for the new LAS brochures will soon be made.  She explained the latest LAS income and expenditures.

Membership:  Josetta LeBoeuf reported that the LAS presently has 212 members.  John Polk again urged Committee members to recruit libraries and institutions in their parishes as members and to encourage professionals in their areas, or working in their areas, to join or to renew their memberships. Ellen Ibert said that the Vernon Parish Library was sending in an institutional membership.  Discussion followed concerning the decrease in the LAS membership.  Josetta LeBoeuf remarked that the LAS does still have three sustaining members and that she plans to contact them.  She also reminded the Committee that the LAS By-Laws state that over one-half of the members of a chapter must belong to the LAS.  John thanked Josetta for her report.

Bulletin Report:  Chip McGimsey reported Bulletin No. 26, 1999, was ready for publication.  He described potential articles for future Bulletins.  John thanked Chip for all his hard work.

Newsletter Report:  Cherie Schwab announced that the deadline for the next Newsletter is November 31.  She again requested submissions.  Cherie said that over 200 copies of the last Newsletter were mailed.  Cherie brought the new LAS brochures.  John Polk commented, and everyone agreed, that the brochures were excellent.  

Web Site:  Junior Doughty reported that the LAS web site was averaging around 65 hits a day.  He stated that Annual Meeting information could be obtained from the web site and that registration for the meeting, as well as membership, could be done through the site.  Junior emphasized the continuing need for articles and photos.  John urged everyone to check the web site out often since Junior is continually updating and improving the site.

CHAPTER REPORTS

Delta Chapter:  John Polk commented that Delta Chapter was in a reorganization phase and that one of the actions the Chapter was contemplating was a change in the meeting location.

West Louisiana Archaeology Club:  John Guy reported for the WLAC.  He said the WLAC meets the second Thursday of every month.  He told of recent and upcoming Club activities including the investigation of the possible Atakapa site that may be a National Registry candidate.  He stated that further testing is needed to help determine the site's eligibility.  John will keep the LAS updated.

Central Louisiana Archaeology Chapter:  Nancy Affeltranger talked about the Central Chapter's many activities, including Archaeology Week activities.  She also described some of the excellent speakers that the Chapter has had recently. 

Baton Rouge Chapter:  Josetta LeBoeuf reported for Baton Rouge Chapter.  She remarked upon the Chapter's participation in Archaeology Week and described local projects in which the Chapter has been involved.  Josetta said that Baton Rouge Chapter has great speakers every month and she invited everyone to attend.

Northeast Chapter:  Joe Saunders reported on recent activities of the Northeast Chapter and said that Northeast Chapter has monthly meetings with very interesting speakers.  He announced volunteers were needed for fieldwork at Poverty Point.  Chip McGimsey suggested Joe send the information to Cherie to be included in the Newsletter.

ONGOING/UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Annual Meeting Profits:  Nancy Affeltranger withdrew her motion, tabled from the May 15, 2004 meeting, stating that hosts of Annual Meetings be allowed to retain a percentage of profits over the amount given by LAS.
  
Guidelines for LAS Publications:  After much discussion of the reevaluation of the motion passed at the September 20, 2003 Executive Committee meeting relating to the revision of guidelines for LAS publications, Joe Saunders suggested an one-hour open forum be held at the Annual Meeting to discuss the matter.  Josetta LeBoeuf will prepare materials for the forum and Cherie Schwab will place an announcement in the Newsletter.  Chip McGimsey will include a notice of the forum in the Annual Meeting program.

2005 Annual Meeting:  The 31st Annual Meeting of the Louisiana Archaeological Society will be held February 11 - 13, 2005 in Lafayette, Louisiana.  Donations for the silent auction are requested.  Chip McGimsey added that papers were still needed.  John Polk declared that the Meeting promises to be a really good one and encouraged everyone to attend.

NEW BUSINESS

Annual Meetings:  Discussions have been conducted recently regarding Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi perhaps holding some annual meetings in conjunction.  This will be discussed further.  

LAS Representative at Large:   Because of Charles Parker recent resignation, a new Representative at Large must be appointed.  John Polk will call for a volunteer at the Annual Business Meeting. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next Executive Committee meeting will be February 11, 2005 in Lafayette, Louisiana. 

     There being no further business, a motion was made by Ellen Ibert and seconded by John Guy to adjourn the meeting.  Motion passed unanimously and President John Polk adjourned the meeting at 12:30 p.m.