Professionalism and Performance in Archaeological Organizations: A Disputation of the Incoming Presidential Remarks of Richard E. W. Adams

Abstract

As president of the Society for American Archaeology. Richard E. W. Adams chose his Incoming Remarks to challenge other archaeological societies. As past president of the Society of Professional Archeologists. I question some of Adams's recollections and assertions. I reject his implied conclusions and argue that, although limited, SOPA has performed far more successfully than could have been expected. Finally, I suggest that the ideal relationship between the SAA and SOPA is neither competitive nor parasitic, but symbiotic.