Archaeological Institute of America–New York Society

Annual (Digital) Meeting, October 22, 2026

AGENDA

I. Call to Order

II. Minutes of Annual Meeting October 21, 2025 (Appendix I)

III. President’s Report, by Antonis Kotsonas

1) Lectures, Newsletter and Website (with thanks to Gina Tibbott)

2) Friends (with thanks to Jason Earle)

3) New York Society Scholars Program (with thanks to Joanne Spurza)

4) The AIA–NYS and the Metropolitan Chapter of the New York State Archaeological Association Scholarship (with thanks to John Yarmick)

IV. Treasurer’s Report, by Matthew Brown

V. Governance

1) Elections (Appendix II)

a. Matthew Brown, nominated for reelection as Treasurer

b. Pam Crabtree, nominated for reelection as General Trustee

c. Celia Bergoffen, nominated for reelection as General Trustee

2) Vote on revised AIA–NYS By-Laws (Appendix IIIa and IIIb; note that most changes are concentrated in Article III: Sections 5–7 and 9, and Article IV: Sections 1-2)

VI. Other Business

VII. Adjournment

APPENDIX I: MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Archaeological Institute of America–New York Society

Annual (Digital) Meeting, October 21, 2025

MINUTES

I. Call to Order at 6:04 pm

II. Minutes of Annual Meeting October 24, 2024 – Approved (Appendix A)

III. President’s Report, by Antonis Kotsonas:

A. update on lectures, Newsletter, and website (with thanks to Gina Tibbott and Paul Zimmerman)

B. update on the Friends (with thanks to Heidi James), and a note that the group will be chaired by Jason Earle going forward

C. update on the Scholars Program, an outreach initiative supporting and promoting local students in their archaeological studies and engagement with the AIA–NYS, now in its seventh year (with special thanks to the NYS Scholars Program Committee, chaired by Joanne Spurza)

D. update on the AIA–NYS and Metropolitan Chapter of the New York State Archaeological Association (NYSAA) joint scholarship offered to an undergraduate or graduate student in support of research, scientific analysis, or public outreach focused on New York City archaeology (with special thanks to John Yarmick and the Scholarship Committee)

IV. Treasurer’s Report, by Matthew Brown (Appendix B)

V. Governance: Antonis Kotsonas reelected President and Timothy Pugh reelected General Trustee

VI. Other Business

VII. Adjournment at 6:18 pm

APPENDIX A

Archaeological Institute of America - New York Society

Annual (Digital) Meeting, October 24, 2024

MINUTES

I. The meeting was called to order at 6:05 pm.

II. The Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on October 11, 2023, were approved.

III. The President reported on:

– lectures, Newsletter and Website (with thanks to Gina Tibbott and Paul Zimmerman);

– Friends activities (with thanks to Heidi James);

– New York Society (NYS) Scholars Program (purpose, format, eligibility);

– new $1,500 scholarship sponsored jointly by the NYS and the Metropolitan Chapter of the New York State Archaeological Association (purpose, format, eligibility) (with special thanks to John Yarmick and the Scholarship Committee).

IV. The Treasurer’s Report was delivered by Dr. Matthew Brown

V. Governance: The members approved the appointment of Dr. Jason Earle as Secretary.

VI. Other Business: The President noted the transference of the AIA-NYS Archives to NYU and its imminent available for use in research.

VII. The meeting was adjourned at 6:26 pm.

APPENDIX B

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FY25

‍ ‍ FY23 FY24 FY25

Income

Remittances from AIA Headqtrs

Friends Contributions

Other Contributions/Income

Endowment Trust Distribution

Bank Interest

Total Income

$1785

6625

310

0

23

$8743

Notes to Financial Statement

Remittances from AIA Headquarters - Annual membership rebate & incentives; FY24/FY25 includes national lecture honoraria

Friends Contributions - FY24 from 17 donations; FY25 from 14 Donations

Other Contributions/Income - FY24 – None; FY25 None

Endowment Trust Distribution - By the terms of the Trust, we are allowed to draw up to 5% of the fund’s value annually if needed. Not taken in FY24 due to lower Zoom-based program expenses, the generosity of our Friends, and sufficient funds in the Society’s bank accounts-FY25 taken max draw to cover new NYSAA scholarship initiative

Lecture Programs – FY24 and FY25 Lecturer honoraria plus Zoom licensing fees for the virtual programming; In person lectures and some travel expenses for scholars

Friends Events - Lecturer honoraria for events offered to the Friends of the NY Society

Printing & Mailing – FY24/FY25-No expenses associated with mailing or newsletter. Digital newsletter only.

NY Scholars Program - FY24/FY25 - AIA memberships and scholarship for the 4th cohort.

NYSAA Scholarship Program – FY25 First year of program. One $1500 scholarship awarded

Other Expenses - FY24/FY25 –N website/Zoom and Domain, student archival work

Year-End Ck A/C Balance - FDIC-insured non-interest-bearing checking account with TD Bank

Year-End Svgs A/C Balance - FDIC-insured interest-bearing savings account with TD Bank

Year-End Haupt Endowment Value - The endowment is invested in several funds by AIA Headquarters on behalf of the Society, pooled with AIA’s own investment portfolio, and controlled by their Finance Committee, with regular performance reporting to the Society’s Treasurer and Board.

Prepared for the AIA-New York Society Annual Meeting by Matthew Brown

October, 2025

APPENDIX C

NOMINEES FOR ELECTION (2025)

Dr. Antonis Kotsonas: Antonis Kotsonas has served as President of the Board of the New York Society of the Archaeological Institute of America since 2022. He is Associate Professor of Mediterranean History and Archaeology at the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, New York University, and he has worked at different universities in the USA, the UK, Greece, and The Netherlands. He has published six books and numerous articles on the material culture and socio-economic history of ancient Greece and the Mediterranean (especially from the end of the Bronze Age to the Classical period), the history of Greek and Mediterranean archaeology, and the reception of Classical antiquity. Kotsonas co-directs the Lyktos Archaeological Project in Crete.

Dr. Timothy Pugh: Timothy W. Pugh is an archaeologist who has conducted research in Mesoamerica, the Southeastern and Midwestern United States, and the Pacific. He has 38 years of experience in academic and contract archaeology. His current research focuses on the Maya of the Middle (800-300 BCE) and Late Preclassic (300 BCE-CE 200), and Colonial periods (AD 1697-1821). Dr. Pugh’s theoretical interests include urbanization, city form, cultural collapse, cooperative governance, and cultural encounters. He currently works at the site of Nixtun-Ch’ich’ in Petén, Guatemala, which was featured in Archaeology Magazine in 2018. His research has been supported by four senior grants from the National Science Foundation and two post-PhD research grants from the Wenner-Gren Foundation.

APPENDIX II

NOMINEES FOR ELECTION

Dr. Matthew Brown. Dr Matthew Brown is an Associate Professor of Archaeology and Chair of the Sociology and Anthropology Department at Farmingdale State College. He currently conducts field work and research on the of bioarchaeology pre-historic people of Antigua, West Indies focusing on skeletal health and disease. More recently, Dr Brown has started to use newer techniques such as drone mounted thermal imaging and underwater ROVs to address archaeological questions in Antigua. In addition to his work in the Caribbean he curates and conducts research on a large collection of human remains from the Roman Period site of Sirmium (1st -6th century CE) currently housed in his lab at Farmingdale State College where he focuses on infectious and metabolic diseases in children as related to periods of elevated stress during the late Roman Empire. In addition to Dr Brown’s work in archaeology, he has also consulted on forensic cases in Antigua and St. Kitts.

Dr. Celia J. Bergoffen, Ph.D., R.P.A. (Jersey City, NJ), Archaeologist and Art Historian. Dr. Bergoffen earned her Ph.D. at New York University's Institute of Fine Arts and lectures on the art and archaeology of old and new world civilizations in western Europe and the Mediterranean world. She has conducted archaeological surveys and excavations in Israel, Turkey, Greece, Oman, Yemen and in the New York City area. Currently an Associate Professor at New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology, she has also taught at the Cooper Union and Hunter College in New York City and regularly lectures on cruise ships on Mediterranean, European and Scandinavia destinations. She has written popular and scholarly articles in peer-reviewed journals on Mediterranean archaeology and New York City sites, including industrial history.

Dr. Pam J. Crabtree. Dr. Pam J. Crabtree is a zooarchaeologist whose research has focused on animal use in historical and later prehistoric societies in Europe, Southwest Asia, and North America. Her most recent project was a study of the animal bone remains from the Corlears Hook site which examined animal use and diet in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century New York City. Most of her research has focused on medieval Europe, including the study of the fifth- to seventh-century site of West Stow in eastern England and faunal remains recovered from medieval Antwerp in Belgium. She is the author of Early Medieval Britain–The Rebirth of Towns in the Post-Roman West, Cambridge University Press (2018), and she and Sarah Kansa recently published Zooarchaeology: Past Developments and Future Directions. Lockwood (2026). Crabtree has also served as a lecturer for the AIA lecture program.

APPENDIX IIIa: New By-laws

Archaeological Institute of America–New York Society

By-Laws

as amended October 22, 2026

ARTICLE I

Name and Purpose

Section 1. The name of the Society shall be: The Archaeological Institute of America–New York Society (hereafter AIA–NYS, or the New York Society, or the Society).

Section 2. It shall be the purpose of the New York Society to promote interest in archaeology and related subjects and to further the aims and programs of the Archeological Institute of America (hereafter AIA). See Article VI.

Section 3 The AIA–NYS is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE II

Membership

Section 1. The membership of the Society shall generally consist of residents of New York City and the vicinity (although others are welcome) who are members in good standing of the AIA.

ARTICLE III

Administration

Section 1. The administration of the Society’s day-to-day activities shall be in the hands of the Officers, consisting of a President, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

Section 2. The First Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in the absence of the President and will become Acting President in case the President resigns or is deceased. A new President will be elected at the next meeting of the Governing Board.

Section 3. The duties of the President, and in the President’s absence, the Acting President, shall be to call and preside at the meetings of the Society and of the Governing Board, to carry out their decisions and to perform such other duties and services as normally devolve upon such office.

Section 4. The President may appoint an Assistant Secretary to discharge the duties of Secretary in the latter’s absence, and to carry out such assignments of a secretarial nature as designated by the President.

Section 5. The President shall propose to the Governing Board at its regular meetings persons for potential election as Officers or as General Trustees of the Society. The Governing Board, after discussion, shall decide by majority vote whether or not to approve such proposed persons. The Governing Board’s approval then shall proceed as a Nomination for decision at the Annual Meeting.

The President, in order to carry out the work of the Society, shall have the power to establish Standing Committees, to appoint the Chair of any such committee, and to appoint members of any such committee. All presidential actions establishing a Standing Committee and the Chair shall be presented to the Governing Board for approval at its next regular meeting.

Section 6. The duties of the Treasurer shall be to keep the accounts of the Society, to report regularly to the Governing Board, and to report thereon at each Annual Meeting.

Section 7. The duties of the Secretary shall be to keep the minutes of the regular meetings of the Governing Board and of the Annual Meeting, and to carry out any other correspondence or record keeping as decided by the President or the Governing Board.

Section 8. No officer may hold two offices at the same time nor be a member of the General Trustees and an Officer at the same time.

Section 9. The President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected at the Annual Meeting from members in good standing of the Society, as hereinafter provided, and shall hold office for a period of three years. Presidential and Vice Presidential tenures shall be limited to two successive three-year terms. There shall be no term limits for Secretary and Treasurer.

The Governing Board may have up to two Vice Presidents as elected by the Annual Meeting. If there is more than one Vice President, then the Annual Meeting shall approve one as First Vice President as required by Article III, Section 2, and the other as Second Vice President. All Vice Presidents shall be elected for three-year terms. If there is more than one Vice President, then their individual terms shall be staggered in such a manner as to allow for the election of a Vice President in successive years. Should the First Vice President assume the duties and responsibilities of the President as required by Article III, Section 2, then the Second Vice President shall become the First Vice President.

Section 10. Any vacancy in the offices of Vice President(s), Secretary, or Treasurer, however arising, shall be filled by presidential appointment, or by the Acting President in case of resignation or death of the President. Such appointment shall be confirmed at the next meeting of the Governing Board. The term for such appointment shall be for the remaining term of office of the arising vacancy or in the case where the office is vacant then the appointee confirmed by the Board shall also stand for election at the next Annual Meeting of the Society at which time and assuming election the term of three years will commence.

Section 11. The President shall have the discretion to remove a Vice President, the Secretary, or the Treasurer by a two-thirds vote of the Governing Board at a special meeting.

ARTICLE IV

The Governing Board

Section 1. The governance of the Society shall be vested in the Governing Board, which shall consist of the Society’s Officers and a minimum of six General Trustees. Committee chairs shall attend and be non-voting members of the Governing Board. A quorum shall consist of at least six of ten when the governing Board is at the minimum, and include a majority of General Trustees.

Section 2. General Trustees shall be elected by the Annual Meeting from Nominations presented to it. The presentation of Nominations shall originate according to the process established in Article III, Section 5. The terms of office shall be for a period of three years staggered in such a manner as to allow for the continuity of the Society’s Governing Board. Tenure shall be limited to two successive three-year terms. The time spent by a General Trustee filling the remainder of a term as an appointed substitute shall not be counted in the six-year term limit of two successive three-year terms for that General Trustee.

Section 3. Any vacancy among the General Trustees that occurs through death or resignation shall be filled by presidential appointment, confirmed by the Governing Board, and shall be for the remainder of that term.

Section 4. The Governing Board shall meet at least twice a year, one meeting to be held before the Annual Meeting of the Society.

Section 5. All terms of office shall commence from election at the New York Society’s Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE V

Meetings of the Society

Section 1. There shall be at least one Annual Meeting of the Society at a time and place designated by the President, to receive reports from the officers on the condition of the Society and the activities of the year, together with a prospectus of the activities for the ensuing year; to elect such Officers and General Trustees of the Governing Board as so designated in the By-Laws; and to take action on such other matters as may be brought up.

Section 2. Twenty members shall constitute a quorum at meetings of the Society.

Section 3. Nomination for election of Officers and General Trustees as presented by the Governing Board as Nominations at any Annual Meeting can be augmented by proposals from Society members on valid motion, backed by a petition signed by five members in good standing (having been members for one year based on time of payment of dues) presented to the Secretary or President prior to the beginning of the Annual Meeting. At that same time written consent of the proposed nominees must also be presented to the Secretary or President.

Section 4. In addition to the Annual Meeting there shall be other meetings of the Society for the presentation of lectures and other programs.

Section 5. At any time upon written request by twenty members of the Society addressed to the Secretary, the President shall call a special meeting to discuss such business as they may desire to bring before the meeting.

ARTICLE VI

Affiliation with the Archaeological Institute of America (see also ARTICLE II)

Section 1. The New York Society is an independent entity.

Section 2. The New York Society is affiliated with the AIA through the granting of a Chartermissued by the AIA after an acceptance vote by the AIA Council.

Section 3. The New York Society agrees to the following stipulations:

a) To promote interest in archaeology and related subjects and to further the aims and programs of the AIA;

b) To function within the guidelines of the AIA and not to adopt any regulations that conflict with those of the AIA;

c) To engage in no activity that would damage the name of the AIA or undermine its mission, including engaging in transactions that remove artifacts from public and scholarly access;

d) To maintain a membership consisting of a minimum number of persons as required by the AIA.

Section 4. The classes of membership shall be those prescribed by the AIA and the Society shall have no power to levy any assessment on the members in addition to the dues of the Institute.

ARTICLE VII

Dissolution of the New York Society

Section 1. Upon the dissolution of the New York Society, all assets of the New York Society, as the Governing Board determines, shall be distributed for one of more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE VIII

Changes and Amendments

Section 1. These By-Laws of the New York Society shall supersede any previous rules or by-laws and shall not be amended except at an Annual Meeting of the Society or a special meeting as provided in Article V, Section 5, and no change or amendment shall be considered without members having been apprised in writing of such proposed changes at least two weeks before such meeting.

Section 2. Any change in or amendments to these By-Laws must be carried by a two-thirds vote of the members at such meeting, provided always that there be a quorum present.

APPENDIX IIIb: Previous By-laws

By-Laws

as amended October 13, 2022

ARTICLE I

Name and Purpose

Section 1. The name of the Society shall be: The Archaeological Institute of America New York Society.

Section 2. It shall be the purpose of the New York Society to promote interest in archaeology and related subjects and to further the aims and programs of the Archeological Institute of America. See Article VI.

Section 3 The Archaeological Institute of America – New York Society is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE II

Membership

Section 1. The membership of the Society shall generally consist of residents of New York City and vicinity who are members in good standing of the Archaeological Institute of America.

ARTICLE III

Administration

Section 1. The administration of the Society shall be in the hands of the Governing Board consisting of a President, the Past President, one Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and six Trustees.

Section 2. The Vice President will assume the duties of the President in his/her absence and will become Acting President in case the President resigns of is deceased. A new President will be elected at the next meeting of the Governing Board.

Section 3. The duties of the President, and in his/her absence, the Acting President, shall be to call and preside at the meetings of the /society and of the Governing Board, to carry out their decisions and to perform such other duties and services as normally devolve upon such office.

Section 4. The President may appoint an Assistant Secretary to discharge the duties of Secretary in the latter’s absence, and to carry out such assignments of a secretarial nature as designated by the President.

Section 5. The President shall appoint the chair for the Nominating Committee, whose Committee shall propose for election the officers and members of the General Trustees of the Society. The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members, the remaining two appointed by the General Trustees.

The President shall appoint the chair of the Program Committee, whose Committee will plan the lecture program for the academic year; the chair of the Friends of the New York Society; the Newsletter Editor; the Archivist; the Webmaster; the List owner; and members to fill all other positions needed by the New York Society; all to be presented to the Governing Board for confirmation.

Section 6. The duties of the Treasurer shall be to keep the accounts of the Society and report thereon at each annual meeting. S/he will be the Chief Financial Officer for the Society.

Section 7. The duties of the Secretary shall be to give due notice of all meetings of the Society and of the Governing Board and to keep the minutes of such meetings. The Secretary shall conduct the correspondence and keep records of the Society.

Section 8. No officer may hold two offices at the same time nor be a member of the General Trustees and an officer at the same time.

Section 9. The President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected at the annual meeting from members in good standing of the Society, as hereinafter provided, and shall hold office for a period of three years. Presidential tenure shall be limited to two successive three year terms. There shall be no term limits for Secretary and Treasurer.

The Vice Presidents shall be elected for three year terms staggered in such a manner as to allow for the election of a Vice President in successive years. Vice Presidential tenure shall be limited to two successive three year terms.

Section 10. Any vacancy in the offices of Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer, however arising, shall be filled by presidential appointment, or by the Acting President in case of resignation or death of the President. Such appointment shall be confirmed at the next meeting of the Governing Board. The term for such appointment shall be for the remaining term of office of the arising vacancy or in the case where the office is vacant then the appointee confirmed by the Board shall also stand for election at the next Annual Meeting of the Society at which time and assuming election the term of 3 years will commence.”

Section 11. The President shall have the discretion to remove the Secretary or Treasurer by a two-thirds vote of the Governing Board at a special meeting, whose quorum shall be twelve.

ARTICLE IV

The Governing Board

Section 1. The governance of the Society shall be vested in the Governing Board, which shall consist of the Society’s officers and its Board Members. Committee chairs shall attend and be non-voting members of the Governing Board. A quorum shall consist of 6 of 10 when the governing Board is at the minimum, changing to 8 of 18 when it is at the current maximum.

Section 2. The title of Executive Committee member shall be changed to General Trustee, consisting of a minimum size of 6, and a maximum size of 12 members elected at the annual meeting from proposals of the Nominating Committee. Their terms of office shall be for a period of three years staggered in such a manner as to allow for the election of two to three members each annual meeting. Tenure shall be limited to two successive three year terms. The time spent by a General Trustee filling the remainder as an appointed substitute shall not be counted in the six year term limit for that Trustee.

Section 3. Any vacancy among the General Trustees that occurs through death or resignation shall be filled by presidential appointment, confirmed by the Governing Board, and shall be for the remainder of that term.

Section 4. The Governing Board shall meet at least twice a year, one meeting to be held before the annual meeting of the Society.

Section 5. All terms of office shall commence from election at the NY Society's annual meeting.

ARTICLE V

Meetings of the Society

Section 1. There shall be at least one meeting annually of the Society at a time and place designated by the President, to receive reports from the officers on the condition of the Society and the activities of the year, together with a prospectus of the activities for the ensuing year; to elect such officers and General Trustees of the governing Board as so designated in the by-laws; and to take action on such other matters as may be brought up.

Section 2. Twenty members shall constitute a quorum of the Society.

Section 3. Nomination for election of officers and the General Trustees proposed by the Nominating Committee at any annual meeting can be augmented by proposals from Society members on valid motion, backed by a petition signed by five members in good standing (having been members for one year based on time of payment of dues) presented to the Secretary or President prior to the beginning of the annual meeting. At that same time written consent of the proposed nominees must also be presented to the Secretary or President.

Section 4. In addition to the annual meeting there shall be other meetings of the Society for the presentation of lectures and other programs.

Section 5. At any time upon written request by twenty members of the Society addressed to the Secretary, the President shall call a special meeting to discuss such business as they may desire to bring before the meeting.

ARTICLE VI

Affiliation with the Archaeological Institute of America (see also Article II)

Section 1. The New York Society is an independent entity.

Section 2. The New York Society is affiliated with the Archaeological Institute of America through the granting of a Charter issued by the AIA after an acceptance vote by the AIA Council.

Section 3. The New York Society agrees to the following stipulations:

a) To promote interest in archaeology and related subjects and to further the aims and programs of the Archaeological Institute of America;

b) To function within the guidelines of the AIA and not to adopt any regulations that conflict with those of the AIA;

c) To engage in no activity that would damage the name of the AIA or undermine its mission, including engaging in transactions that remove artifacts from public and scholarly access;

d) To maintain a membership consisting of a minimum number of persons as required by the AIA.

Section 4. The classes of membership shall be those prescribed by the Archaeological Institute of America and the Society shall have no power to levy any assessment on the members in addition to the dues of the Institute

ARTICLE VII

Dissolution of the New York Society

Section 1. Upon the dissolution of the New York Society, all assets of the New York Society, as the Governing Board determines, shall be distributed for one of more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE VIII

Changes and Amendments

Section 1. These By-Laws of the New York Society shall supersede any previous rules or by-laws and shall not be amended except at an annual meeting of the Society of a special meeting as provided in Article V, Section 5., and no change or amendment shall be considered without members having been apprised in writing of such proposed changes at least two weeks before such meeting.

Section 2. Any change in or amendments to thee by laws must be carried by a two-thirds vote of the members at such meeting, provided always that there be a quorum.