Board Meeting, August 22, 2024

The Board met via Zoom on August 22, 2024. The meeting started at 7:00 PM.

Nick Morgan, Leslie Bush, Heather Leonard, Caitlin Gilighur, Ken Headrick, Alan Slade, and Karen Collins were present. 

Equipment needed for the dig in October was discussed, such as screens, trowels, nails, etc. The TvCAS trailer needs a new license plate, but we will probably get a temporary one closer to the day. Alan Slade said he could probably get some more equipment needed from TARL as needed, such as finds bags. Nick Morgan said the real need is for the lab, though we have some lab supplies in the trailer. Ken mentioned he also has some ground covers for holding dirt and backfilling units. Nick mentioned we would need tables and chairs for the lab. Nick will visit with Ken to look at lab supplies and make an inventory to decide what is needed.

Leslie questioned what the goal for the lab for the weekend is. Nick said the goal is to get as much done, preferably everything, so that the school kids and visitors can see how everything is done. Nick suggested asking Jean Hughes to be in charge of the lab. Leslie also mentioned Aina Dodge.

Leslie asked how early we'll have to stop the excavation to finish the lab work. Nick said we'll need to figure that out. Nick asked Karen what the starting and ending hours will be. She replied that it's up to us. Karen mentioned that the site needs to be staked into a grid. She mentioned that the schools like there to be something hands on. She suggested the screens. Hours could be all day on Saturday. Nick suggested going out on Thursday to lay out the grid and the units, so there are artifacts washed and processed to show the kids on Friday. Karen mentioned she already has several tables and lawn chairs.

We discussed how many kids the site can accommodate and the logistics of handling that. We talked about having four rotation stations for the kids to go to. The kids visiting will be seventh graders in a Texas History class. Heather mentioned that the students from the AP African American History class at Connally High School could visit on Saturday, possibly for extra credit. 

Nick suggested Saturday hours are from 9 to 4. 

We discussed the possibility of finishing the lab work at the October society meeting. We also talked about who would be the photographer for the dig and Caitlin said she has the equipment for it. We also talked about having a flint knapping demonstration. 

Ken said he would be site secretary in charge of materials. Alan said he could be a crew chief. 

Leslie asked Karen if they could talk later about the equipment she had for the lab and the electrical outlet situation. Karen suggested someone come out and look at the outlets to see what works and what's needed. Karen mentioned a few places where the lab could be located. Nick suggested the porch because it's large enough to accommodate several people. 

Heather will contact Mia Clark at Connally High School to see if she's interested in having her AP students come on Friday instead of the seventh graders. 

We again discussed what's needed for the dig. Caitlin mentioned that there is $300 in discretionary funds to use for things that we can't find, if needed. 

Nick suggested making a video of the dig. We discussed liability issues and photography releases for volunteers and for students who visit and participate.  

Nick suggested we meet again on September 15th in the evening via Zoom. 

Caitlin mentioned that November 23rd is the Austin Powwow and asked if TvCAS was interested in making a donation or having a booth. Nick suggested we check with TAS and see if they're participating with a booth. If so, we can ask about supporting that.

Meeting concluded at 7:50 PM.