The 1977 Annual Meeting of the Religious Research Association, Inc., was called to order by President Ross Scherer at 5:40 p.m. at the Bismarck Hotel, Chicago. Proper notice of the meeting had been given. A quorum was present.

President Scherer welcomed the members and outlined the agenda, which was accepted.

The minutes of the October 30, 1976 meeting were distributed and approved.

TREASURER'S REPORT.

Edward Rauff, Treasurer, handed out his reports, the "Treasurer's Annual Report" and "Treasurer's Supplementary Report" (exhibit A). The 1976-77 fiscal year, which ended May 31, ended with a surplus. Income was $14,022, and expenses were $13,156. Assets as of flay 31 were $16,632. Contributions were similar to the level of recent years.

It was voted to receive the report and to file it for audit.

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT.

In the absence of Margaret Thomas, chairperson, Everett Perry, a member of the committee, handed out the "Proposed 1978-1979 Budget" (exhibit B). He reported that the Board had voted to increase the item "Administration and miscellaneous" from $100 to $250 and to rename it "Administration, committee expenses, and miscellaneous." Thus the proposed budget totals $16,857. He noted that the item for board meetings had been increased from $310 to $1000 so that money would be available to pay for travel following the existing guidelines.

It was voted to adopt the budget.

VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT.

Barbara Hargrove, Vice President, handed out her report (exhibit C). She reported that only one regional meeting has been held this year, in the Southwest. Her primary work has been chairing the Editorial Search and Policy Committee, which made recommendations for the future of the Review and found a new editor. She read the "Guidelines for the Review of Religious Research" (page 2 of exhibit C), which call for moving the Review toward more policy-relevant articles, for occasional special issues, and for possible additional special issues if funded from outside. The new editor, James D. Davidson, was selected in April, and he has begun work. She called on Dr. Davidson for his report.

EDITOR'S REPORT.

James Davidson handed out his report (exhibit D). The transition in editors went well, and he has appointed Raymond C. Rymph as Book Review Editor, Sue Nichols as Managing Editor, and Maria Broughton as Editorial Assistant. All are at Purdue University. Also he has appointed 60 Associate Editors, whose names are listed in the report. He has made several changes in the journal. He will have an "Editor's Introduction" to each issue. He will redefine the "Research and Commentary" section to include only "Commentary," and only commentary on past RRR articles. He will include a new "Bulletin Board" section at the end, giving news. He will put the table of contents on the front cover and inside cover. The layout will have one column per page, not two. And some of the headings will have a different type style. These changes will begin with the Winter 1978 issue, to be mailed in February 1978.

He is planning two special issues, one on the relationship between theory and policy and one on the church and social concerns. He has asked for several review articles for future issues. Two more special issues are under consideration.

The printing contract with Mennonite Press will remain the same, $7392 for three 112-page issues in 1978.

The Board has voted authorization for him to arrange with Sue Nichols that she can have 50 percent of whatever advertising she brings in up to a total of $600 per year, and 15 percent thereafter.

He is trying to speed up turn-around time in manuscript review. So far he has been very successful, often getting word to the author within 4 to 6 weeks.

It was voted to receive the Vice President's report and Editor's report.

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE REPORT.

In the absence of Loyde Hartley, chairperson, no report was given. President Scherer announced that the committee will try to get out a membership directory.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT.

Jackson Carroll, chairperson, announced the winners of the summer election. They are:

Since Barbara Hargrove is the new President, the office of Vice President is vacant for one year. The By-Laws require that the Board nominate persons for unexpired terms, and it has named Bernard Quinn Vice President for one year.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE REPORT.

Ronald Johnstone, Program Chairperson for 1977, discussed the program briefly. The R.R.A. has 9 sessions this year, up from 7 last year. He asked for comments and suggestions for future programs.

ARCHIVES COMMITTEE REPORT.

Dean Hoge reported for the Archives Committee, an ad hoc committee composed of Constant Jacquet, David Moberg, and Dean Hoge to consider moving the archives. He reported that the Board had approved movement of all archives to Marquette University, since the National Council of Churches staff could no longer supervise them adequately. Charles Thorne, Everett Perry, and Constant Jacquet organized the archives and shipped them in 5 packages to Marquette University. The Marquette archivist has received them and reviewed them, finding them in good order. He thanked Mr. Thorne, Mr. Perry, and Mr. Jacquet for doing all that work.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT.

President Ross Scherer said that he thinks the organization is in good shape as he leaves office. He sees new spiritual winds in the society which will call for new and improved research aiding church leaders. He sees a hopeful future. He passed out his report (exhibit E) and thanked all outgoing officers for their help.

SECRETARY'S REPORT.

Dean Hoge handed out his report (exhibit F).

RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE REPORT.

Samuel Mueller, chairperson, read resolutions of thanks to the following persons leaving office:

The resolutions were approved unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Dean R. Hoge, Secretary