Chartered Institute for Archaeologists 2020

10 |  GENERAL INFORMATION Our professional conduct process and its sanctions provide that oversight, underpinning an institute’s primary function of public and consumer protection, ensuring that clients and society in general receive the best possible service from the profession. In fulfilling this role, the institute also protects the reputation of the remainder of its membership. It is not just public or clients who may raise allegations. It is important that individuals and/or organisations can raise their concerns with CIfA if they believe professional archaeologists and/or Registered Organisations have failed to comply with the Code of conduct . Allegations may also refer to other relevant by-laws, regulations, standard and guidance or policy statements. Allegations are dealt with in accordance with the Regulations for professional conduct. GOVERNANCE The institute is a democratic organisation and is governed by its Royal Charter and by-laws. The Board of Directors is responsible for managing the affairs of CIfA in accordance with the Charter, by-law and regulations, with the day to day running of CIfA carried out by the staff. The Advisory Council represents the interests of the membership and offers thoughtful and detailed advice to the Board of Directors on policy, strategy and potentially controversial decisions. Elected positions are for a three-year period with the option of standing for a further three-year term. Nominated representatives from Groups are for a one-year period. The Advisory Council usually meets three times a year and will invite members of the Board of Directors to attend. A current list of CIfA Board and Advisory Council members can be found on our website at www.archaeologists.net/ organisation/council. STANDING COMMITTEES The Board of Directors delegates some of the processes set in the regulations to its standing committees. At present these are: REGISTRATIONS COMMITTEE (ORGANISATIONS) This committee manages CIfA’s Register of Organisations, including considering new applications, annual registration (including monitoring inspections) and promotion of the Registered Organisation scheme to both archaeologists and non-archaeologists. VALIDATION COMMITTEE This committee assess applications for accreditation and advises the Board of Directors concerning the development of the Validation processes and procedures CONFERENCES AND EVENTS The CIfA Annual Conference has become established as the premier professional archaeological conference in the UK. With its combination of keynote addresses, wide-ranging sessions, CPD workshops, displays, poster sessions and other events, it is a vital forum for discussing topical professional issues, as well as providing updates on current research. You can find details about the conference themes and programmes at www.archaeologists.net/conference. We also run CPD and networking events throughout the year, organised with our Groups and endorsed providers. You can find out more by visiting our webpages at www. archaeologists.net/development/training or by subscribing to our weekly Jobs Information Service and Training list (JIST) www.archaeologists.net/jist. Members of the institute benefit from reduced rates at CIfA conference and events and can receive the weekly JIST bulletin free of charge. CIFA FORENSIC ARCHAEOLOGY EXPERT PANEL The CIfA Forensic Archaeology Expert Panel (FAEP) provides an operative working group of forensic archaeologists practicing as expert witnesses. The group has a closed membership due to the confidential nature of the material discussed in meetings. The Forensic Archaeology Expert Panel provides a mechanism for regulating the work of those forensic archaeologists acting or seeking to act as expert witnesses. In addition, the panel considers issues arising in the course of such work and will liaise with government, the Forensic Science Regulator and any other relevant bodes or individuals. Membership of the Expert Panel is open to all practicing forensic archaeologists who are accredited by CIfA at Member level (MCIfA) and who demonstrate competence against CIfA’s forensic archaeology competency matrix. Membership of the expert panel is recognised by the Home Office Forensic Science Regulator and a list of panel members is distributed to police forces via the National Crime Agency. For more details about membership and the list of expert panel members, please go to www.archaeologists.net/groups/ forensic/faep