PRESENT: Lawrence T. Geraty, President, PE. MacAllister, Chairman of the Board, Loren Basch, Oded Borowski, Elizabeth Bloch-Smith, Mark W. Chavalas, Douglas Clark for CAMP, Eric H. Cline, David Detrich for CAARI, Rudy Dornemann, Executive Director, Nan Frederick, Edward Gilbert, Tim Harrison, Larry Herr for COP, Martha Sharp Joukowsky, Vice-President, Ann Killebrew, Øystein S. LaBianca, David McCreery for CAP, Eric M. Meyers, Beth Alpert Nakhai, Martha Risser, Austin Ritterspach, David Rosenstein, Bruce Routledge, B.W. Ruffner, Tammi Schneider, Joe D. Seger, Lydie Shufro, James F. Strange, Secretary, Stuart Swiny, Jane Waldbaum for AIA, Billie Jean Collins, Publications Director, Holly Andrews, Assistant Director, Selma Omerefendic, Staff.

ABSENT: Kent Bermingham, Norma Kershaw, Jodi Magness, Kyle McCarter, Dick Scheuer, Life Trustee, Susan Sheridan, John R. Spencer, Randy Younker, Sidnie White Crawford,

VISITORS: Vivian Bull, Sy Gitin (AIAR), James Hardin, Burton MacDonald, James F. Ross, Richard Zettler.

1.   Call to Order, 7:06 PM—P.E. MacAllister.  Chairman took the opportunity to award a Past-President's lapel pin to Eric M. Meyers in honor of his past presidency and long service to ASOR.

2.   Approval of the Minutes of May 3, 2003 Trustees meeting—J. Strange: One correction, namely, that D. Detrich was absent May 3. ACCEPTED UNANIMOUSLY.

3.   Hershel Shanks' address to the ASOR Board of Trustees. Since Hershel Shanks was absent, the Chairman proceeded to item 4.

4    Report from the Chairman-- P.E. MacAllister. Chairman waived the report.

5.   Report on the Feasibility Study—L. Basch. Basch suggested to the President and the Chairman of the Board at the Executive Committee (EC) meeting that everyone should read the study carefully. Basch thought everyone here should see this as a watershed, once-in-a-generation opportunity that ASOR has taken upon itself. Basch recommended strengthening the professional staff with the hire of a Development Director with higher education experience. Basch stressed that ASOR knows what it wants to do, but does not have the money to do it.

6.   Report from AIAR—S. Gitin.  AIAR has remained very active this year with new grants, 56 fellows, and 85 events. The IAA has tightened requirements for excavation. Sy appealed for books for the Gaza Antiquities library. The volume on pottery to replace Ruth Amiran's old work now has 28 out of 32 chapters completed.    

7.   Report from ACOR—O. LaBianca. The mood at the ACOR Board meeting yesterday was very positive compared to one year ago.  The building is being substantially renovated. Last summer there were seven field projects and there will be many more next summer.  There were four fellows last year.

8.   Report from CAARI—D. Detrich. Times are interesting in Cyprus as the open border policy continues successfully. A crucial election is coming in December. Archaeology is nationalized at the moment, but that could change. Cyprus will join the European Union in 2004.

9.   Report from the President—L. Geraty. Geraty thanked those present for their contributions to ASOR and to archaeology.  He mentioned the leadership of P.E. MacAllister. He spoke of David Rosenstein's contribution as a new trustee who first thought of the Feasibility Study and of  Loren Basch, who carried out the Study. A "fourth engine that drives ASOR" is the Executive Director and staff in Boston and Atlanta. Our top priority is to inspire an academic agenda, but also inspire the lay side. A second priority is to bring our financial situation under control. The EC combined the Audit, Finance, Investment, and Development Committees into one new committee under B.W. Ruffner which will meet separately.  

BE IT RESOLVED that the Feasibility Study report be accepted. Moved by Ed Gilbert, Seconded by Martha Joukowsky. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

BE IT RESOLVED to amend Article III section 2 of the By-Laws to read "18 term trustees elected by the Board of Trustees" instead of "9 term trustees elected by the Board."  PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

We need a pool of 30 individuals from whom we can draw lay Trustees. We have one name, Loren Basch, to add to the Trustees. He is willing to join the Board.

BE IT RESOLVED that Loren Basch be added to the Board as a member of the Board class of 2004.  This comes as a motion and a second from the Executive Committee. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

BE IT RESOLVED that Doug Clark be the new Executive Director. This comes as a motion and a second from the Executive Committee. Polling the EC before the meeting showed that the majority favored going with the second candidate when the first candidate withdrew her candidacy at the Riverside, CA meeting of the Executive Committee. Doug is willing to serve half-time from Jan 1 until the end of June. He will move to Boston and advance to full-time during the summer. There was some discussion of whether proper policies and procedures were followed, and there was suggestion that we revisit those procedures. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Possibilities for Development Directors have been identified. This will develop in the next few weeks. ASOR already has pledges for more than half the $300,000 that Loren Basch recommended we raise immediately to strengthen the staff.  Larry Geraty asked that the entire Board join in this effort so that he can tell potential donors that at this meeting 100% of the Board pledged. There was a question from the floor about how this request fits with the implementation of the full report, or if it might be too soon. There was a question whether we might end up with two chiefs.  The President offered the clarification that the Director of Development would report to the Executive Director.

Doug spoke positively to the idea of hiring a Director of Development and being as transparent in our operations as possible. He added that an opportunity has been given to us, and we need to move on it.  Doug does not want to move in such a way that process is violated.

BE IT RESOLVED that we endorse the President's suggestion that we move forward to hire a Director of Development as soon as is feasible.  Moved by Eric Meyers; seconded by Lydie Shufro.  There was a suggestion that the Board be informed regularly as the process develops. PASSED with two abstentions.

Discussion ensued about notifying the Board about the process. The President has consented to supply information about the process. Doug pledged to make all information available in a timely fashion.

10. Report from the Nominations Committee—Oded Borowski

ASOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Institutional Slate:                              Individual Slate:
Oded Borowski                                    Nan Frederick
Melody Knowles                                  James Hardin
Tammi Schneider                                  Bethany Walker

AGENDA COMMITTEE

Institutional Slate:                              Individual Slate:
Suzanne Richard                                   Alysia Fischer

Burton MacDonald was confirmed for the chairman of CAP.

The Chairman, in accordance with the By-Laws, appointed Ann Killebrew and Eric Cline to the Nominations Committee.

11. Financial Reports—R. Dornemann.  The audit report was distributed beforehand. We expect most of the $75k in accounts receivable will be removed.  This sum is in part because of the move from Academic Services to our internal processes. The Executive Committee was advised that Ed Lugenbeal resigned in September, which is why Rudy is giving financial reports. The audit does not include the costs of a new Executive Director or Director of Development.  The budget will be reworked by the new Finance Committee. We will move to update our Quickbooks system and add capability to produce reports.

12. Report on Investments—E. Gilbert: Ed reported that the recovery in economic indicators indicates that we can change our investment and move some into equities. At the moment the allocations are in MM funds, bonds, and stock portfolios. We think it is advantageous to continue with Smith Barney and Al Clemens. It was a wise move to move out of the equity market in 2000. Ed recommended that in the next 30 days we move 25% into the equity market, review our situation, and report to the Finance Committee and Executive Committee.

13. Report from the Development Committee—A. Ritterspach.  A report was distributed. There were several cultivation events which are bearing fruit. Developments show that these events can work. Austin is stepping down as Chair of Development and will work with B.W. Ruffner on the new Finance Committee.

Ed Gilbert asked for due recognition of Austin Ritterspach for his work in Development. It was carried out by acclamation.

14. Report on Publications—L. Herr. Herr announced two new editors.  Two at-large members, Jonathan Tubb and Andrew Vaughn, have been renewed. Jim Weinstein has just produced his 40^th issue of BASOR. Fulfillment services are now fully operated out of Publications Office. The Steering Committee for the book series has been disbanded and an Editor-in-Chief will be appointed.  COP will sponsor a writing workshop for ASOR at the 2004 Annual Meeting. We will post maps from NEA on the web for use by teachers and students. Billie Jean pointed out that we have two books in process that will be out in early January. We hope to have The Archaeological Sources for the History of Palestine out in 2004.  Seven issues of NEA will appear by the end of the fiscal year.

15. Report on Archaeological Policy—D. McCreery. McCreery handed out an updated listing of CAP members with email addresses. He also handed out a report of 63 affiliated projects.  He expects this to rise to about 70. David steps down now, so he thanks P.E. McAllister for his support, generosity, patience, and fairness.  

Thanks was expressed to David by acclamation.

David McCreery continued by reporting that the Executive Committee had received a proposal from Heshel Shanks that we revise our policy on protection of antiquities. The Executive Committee asked CAP to go back and review the existing policy. CAP has done so, and the unanimous view was not to accept the Shanks proposal, but there are two amendments.

BE IT RESOLVED that ASOR amends its Policy on Preservation and Protection of Archaeological Resources by adding the following sentences to section III:

“ASOR supports all efforts--that are in accordance with international law--to prohibit and prevent the looting of archaeological sites and to disrupt the illicit trade of antiquities.” and
“ASOR will continue to explore innovative strategies and support legislation designed to eliminate the illicit trade of antiquities and enhance the protection of the world's archaeological and cultural heritage.”

 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Larry Geraty asked about those who wish to address the Board. The consensus was that the Executive Committee should vet such requests.

16. Report on Annual Meeting and Program—D. Clark.  Doug asked for a replacement for CAMP chair.  This normally goes to the Membership Meeting for a vote but that Meeting already occurred yesterday. 

BE IT RESOLVED that Eric Cline be appointed Interim Chair until the next Membership Meeting. This comes as a Motion and Second from the Executive Committee. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Executive Committee has looked at the recommendation of CAMP for a Public Relations program. No action was taken.

The Board asked CAMP to review the relationship with SBL and make recommendations to the Board.

BE IT RESOLVED that ASOR and SBL continue the status quo in terms of the relationship between the two Annual Meetings. This comes as a Motion and a Second from the Executive Committee. CAMP joins the Executive Committee in this recommendation. PASSED. 

It was suggested that ASOR meet separately and move away entirely from SBL. A second suggestion was to meet with AIA or in the spring with ARCE.

17. Report from the Executive Director—R. Dornemann. The report was distributed. Rudy pointed out again that Ed Lugenbeal, Treasurer, has resigned.

BE IT RESOLVED that we commend Ed Lugenbeal. Moved by Doug Clark and seconded by Austin Ritterspach. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Baghdad committee has been active. Elizabeth Stone reported yesterday on her activities in Iraq. We have worked out the final arrangement with the Bab edh-Dhra project.  We have also worked out the Qarqur sponsored-project agreement, and the Madaba Plains project.

Ed Gilbert moved that we approve the agreement between ASOR and the Qarqur project. There was no second, but the Chair noted that there was a consensus and the agreements will stand.

18. Old Business: None.

19. New Business:

BE IT RESOLVED that the new Executive Committee will be comprised of the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, the Chair of the Committee on Publication, the Chair of Committee for the Annual Meeting and Program, the Chair of the Committee on Archaeological Policy, Joe D. Seger, B.W. Ruffner, and Eric Meyers. This comes from the Chairman of the Board and the existing Executive Committee. PASSED with one NAY, and three abstentions.

Martha Risser announced that the deadline for Honors and Awards has been moved to Feb 15, 2004.

It was announced that the next meeting of this Board is May 1, 2004.

20. Vote to Adjourn, 10:07 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

James F. Strange, Secretary