The 1974 Annual Meeting of the Religious Research Association, Inc. was called to order by President Earl Brewer at 5:00 p.m. at the Washington Hilton Hotel, Washington, D. C. Proper notice of the meeting had been given in accordance with the By-Laws. A quorum was present.

The minutes of the October 27, 1973 meeting were accepted as distributed.

TREASURER'S REPORT.

Charles Thorne, Treasurer, presented his report. Copies of his "Treasurer's Annual Report" and "Treasurer's Supplementary Report" were distributed. (See exhibits A and B.)

The 1973-74 fiscal year was financially healthy, ending in a surplus as has been the case each year recently. The lack of a Board of Directors meeting in midyear saved travel expense money. Student memberships were up, but fellow memberships were down. Contributions were up considerably. The sale of back issues of the Review remains strong. Sale of current issues by agencies has increased.

It was moved and voted to receive the report with thanks to Mr. Thorne.

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT.

The chairperson, Gerald Clever, handed out the "Proposed Budgets" (see exhibit C). He made five proposals:

1. It is recommended that the proposed budgets be adopted for the period January 1, 1975 to May 31, 1975, and from June 1, 1975 to May 31, 1976.
   
   
2. It is recommended that the Religious Research Association change its fiscal year from the calendar year to the year from June 1 to May 31, in order to coincide with academic schedules.
   
   
3. It is recommended that the subscription price of the Review be raised one dollar from $10 to $11. Membership dues would be raised one dollar from $12 to $13, but student membership dues would remain unchanged at $10. Emeritus fellowship dues would be raised from $10 to $11.
   
   
4. It is recommended to enlarge the Review following the proposals of the Publications Committee, which proposals involve about $750 more cost per year. This money would be recovered in the higher subscriptions and membership dues.
   
   
5. It is recommended that the honorarium for the H. Paul Douglas lecture in the future be $300, of which 2/3 is paid after the lecture and 1/3 is paid when a paper based on the lecture is accepted by the editor of the Review.Travel coats are in addition.

It was moved and voted to receive the report and adopt all five proposals.

It was announced that the H. Paul Douglas fund is in good shape. Contributions to it have been promised by the United Church of Canada, the National Council of Churches, and maybe the United Presbyterian Church. Because of the sizable contribution from the United Church of Canada, it was suggested to search for a lecturer from Canada if a suitable one is available.

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT.

The chairperson, Bernard Quinn, handed out the "RRA Development Commitee Report" (see exhibit D).

An intensive membership campaign in spring 1974 had little success. During the past year sixteen new members joined, but only ten of them definitely resulted from the campaign. But Fr. Quinn said that it is encouraging to note that 72 of the members sent in postcards indicating their willingness to participate in the campaign.

Membership on May 8, 1974 stood at 219, plus 198 individual subscribers to the Review.

Fr. Quinn reported on new ideas which came out at the board meeting. They included contacting Doctorate of Ministry students in seminaries, having exhibits at professional society meetings, and making more contact with research groups related to churches, including organizational development consultants. The committee will pursue these.

It was moved and voted to accept the report with thanks.

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE. The chairperson, Richard Knudten, passed out the "Annual Report" (exhibit E). He reported on recommendations adopted by the board:

1. It is recommended that the Review be enlarged from 64 to 80 pages per issue. This is because of the large number of quality manuscripts available now. At present there are 18 manuscripts approved, about 30 to 35 book reviews, and some new sections to be added to the Review.
   
   
2. It is recommended that the managing editor, Michael McCloskey, be authorized to negotiate a contract with the publisher cutting down the paper size from 6 1/2 x 9 1\2 to 6 x 9 inches, with each issue printed in 1450-1500 copies, and cost per issue of $1760.
   
   
3. An inquiry from the Xerox Corporation concerning an offer of ,1c per page per copy for reprinting selected articles was discussed; the board recommended rejecting the offer and restating the existing policy of a flat reprint charge of $6 per page regardless of number printed (except that the author may reprint without charge).

Dr. Knudten announced that Bernard Lazerwitz and Richard Gorsuch resigned as Contributing Editors. Edward Lehman, Jr has been appointed Research and Commentary Editor. Jackson Carroll and Alan Waltz have been appointed Abstracts Co-Editors.

Over the past year there has been a great increase in manuscripts received. At present the rejection rate is 42 per cent. There have been about ten requests for reprints of articles.

A joint publishing venture with the S.S.S.R. concerning the history of American sociology of religion was discussed during the year but without result.

The Advertising Manager will try to secure more advertisements for the Review. The coming issue will have one ad. It was proposed that the Advertising Manager and Editor have the discretionary power to accept or reject any advertisement.

It was moved and voted to adopt the report and all the recommendations.

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE, no report,

PROGRAM CHAIRPERSON.

Dr. Silverman announced several changes in the program. He asked for feedback about the success of the special seminars in the program. All were soon filled and closed out after being announced. All persons present were asked to drop a note to next year's program chairperson concerning them.

The 1975 Program Chairperson, Jackson Carroll, announced that he welcomed ideas. He tends to support more seminars with previously circulated papers, for R.R.A. members. Possible topics are parish development and reports on major research in progress.

The 1976 Program Chairman, Loyde Hartley, spoke briefly, stressing continuity from annual meeting to annual meeting and the importance of quality control on papers.

Next year's annual meeting will be in the Hotel Wisconsin, Milwaukee, The S.S.S.R. Program Chairman is Vatro Murvar.

REGIONAL MEETING AD HOC COMMITTEE.

Everett Perry, Chairperson, reported that this year there were regional meetings in New York and Chicago. Also there was a R.R.A. section of a larger meeting in Texas. More are planned for next year. It is recommended that a regular committee be appointed and mandated to produce guidelines for regional meetings. Also it is recommended that a person be appointed to represent the R.R.A. in the Southwest, in planning joint meetings with other organizations. It was moved and voted to adopt the recommendations.

BY-LAWS COMMITTEE.

Alan Waltz, Chairperson, reported that a series of by-laws changes were adopted by the board. No formal action will be taken until the next annual meeting.

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE.

Alan Waltz passed out the "Report of the Nominations Committee" (exhibit F). The report included the following nominees:

The chairperson asked for additional nominations, but none were made. It was moved to accept these nominations and to elect the total slate. Passed.

NEW BUSINESS,

Dr. Alan Boy recommended that the association consider the C.I.S.R. annual meeting format in the future, in which papers are printed and sold ahead of time as a packet. This was referred to the Program Chairperson.

The membership voted to express thanks for their work on the 1974 annual meeting to Max Stackhouse of S.S.S.R. and Norman Wagner of C.S.R. Also it voted to express thanks to the outgoing Vice-President, Everett Perry, the 1974 Program Chairperson, William Silverman, and to the continuing treasurer, Charles Thorne.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:04 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dean R. Hoge, Secretary