The 1975 annual Meeting of the Religious Research Association, Inc., was called to order by President Earl Brewer at 11:15 a.m. at the Plankinton House Hotel in Milwaukee. Proper notice of the meeting had been given. A quorum was present.

The minutes of the October 24, 1974 meeting were accepted as distributed.

TREASURER'S REPORT.

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

The 1974-75 fiscal year ended in a small surplus, as has been true each year recently. Total assets in May 1975 were slightly over $12,000. Membership was virtually steady and subscriptions were up slightly. Receipts from Contributing and Supporting Members were lower.

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

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT.

Since the Chairperson, Gerald Klever, resigned in August, Douglas Johnson had been appointed interim Chairperson. Mr. Johnson distributed the "Report of the Finance Committee" (exhibit C) and the "Proposed 1976-77 Budget" (exhibit D).

The committee recommended no change in the travel expense policy for officers and board members; not enough money is available. It announced the setting up of a H. Paul Douglass Lecture Fund, so that individuals and organizations may contribute at any time of year. It outlined to the board two budgets, one based on existing dues and subscription costs and the other based on increases for dues from $13 to $14 and subscriptions from $11 to $12. Since the Board on October 24 had voted these increases, plus an increase for students and emeritus membership dues from $10 to $12, the committee recommended the increases.

The proposed budget calls for an increase in page size of the Review of about 8 pages per issue. It calls for $6,000 for the next volume compared with $5,300 for the present volume.

The current Treasurer, Charles Thorne, wishes to step down in autumn 1976. It was suggested that a "treasurer-elect" be nominated and elected to begin learning the procedures.

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

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT.

In the absence of the Chairperson, Bernard Quinn, the committee's report was distributed (exhibit E), and the President briefly summarized it. Dean Hoge held up one of the committee's portable displays, built during the year, for use in getting membership and subscriptions at other conventions. The President asked members to help in taking them to conventions. It was voted to receive the report.

PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT.

The Chairperson, Richard Knudten, passed out the "Annual Report" (exhibit F).

He summarized the report. James Davidson was appointed editor for journal and dissertation abstracts. Fifty manuscripts were received during the year, and enough were accepted so that enough articles are awaiting publication to fill about three issues. A resolution was adopted by the Board saying that multiple submission of articles is unacceptable. Mike McClosky, Managing Editor, has gotten a price of $2,112 per issue for 96-page issues, but since the Finance Committee recommended $6,000 for the next volume, the issues will be shorter than 96 pages. It was recommended to accept this price. It was voted to receive the report and adopt all recommendations.

James Davidson reported on plans to publish abstracts of articles in other Journals. Jackson Carroll asked members to send in research reports to be abstracted.

Ross Scherer reported that the Board had discussed some questions raised about tardiness by the managing editor. An ad hoc committee had been appointed to look into the matter and also to specify publication policies, tenure of editors, accountability of staff and editors, and the like. It is composed of Samuel Mueller (chairperson), Russell Dynes, Marl Brewer, and Everett Perry. It will report to the Board in March.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT.

The President handed out his report and spoke briefly. It was voted to receive the report (exhibit G).

VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT.

The Vice President briefly described his report. It was voted to receive it (exhibit H).

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE.

The President reported that Laile Bartlett, Chairperson was unable to come due to a broken bone. He said that copies of the report were available for anyone interested (exhibit I). He asked members to forward reports of research to her to be written into news releases. -

REGIONAL MEETING COMMITTEE.

The Chairperson, Everett Perry, gave an oral report. He outlined a set of guidelines for regional meetings drafted by the committee and adopted by the Board (exhibit J). It Was voted to receive the report.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE.

The Chairperson, Jackson Carroll, gave a brief report. The committee is working with the S.S.S.R. on financial agreements for Joint meetings.

BY-LAWS.

The Secretary, Dean Hoge, described the method for amending the by-laws. He outlined the proposed amendments which were sent in a mailing to all members in August. He briefly noted three editorial changes which the Board had approved, to be done to the present draft of amended by-laws. It vas moved and voted to adopt the amendments With the editorial changes (exhibit K includes the changes).

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE.

The Chairperson, Alan Waltz, read the nominations which had been sent to all members in August:

Since Gerald Klever resigned, he asked to withdraw Klever's name, but he nominated the rest for election. The President asked for nominations from the floor; none were made. It was moved and voted to cast a unanimous ballot.

Mr. Waltz then nominated Benjamin Blumel as treasurer-elect, an informal office. No other nomination was made from the floor. It was voted to cast a unanimous ballot.

Mr. Waltz then nominated Margaret Thomas as Finance Chairperson, for a 2-year term. No other nominations were made, and a unanimous ballot was voted.

BOARD NOMINATIONS.

Since the by-laws specify that the Board shall appoint persons to fill vacancies of unexpired terms, the President presented the Board nomination for Vice President. The Board nominated Barbara Hargrove. It was voted to approve.

NEW BUSINESS.

The President thanked David Stone for the United Church of Canada's support for the H. Paul Douglass lecture. The membership voted to empress thanks to Charles Thorne for his long and devoted service, to Jackson Carroll and Richard Knudten for their work, to outgoing officers Earl Brewer and Gerald Klever, and to interim officer Douglas Johnson.

President Brewer thanked everyone for their support and turned the Presidency over to ROBS Scherer. It was voted to adjourn at 12:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dean R. Hoge, Secretary