The Annual Meeting was opened at 5:30 p.m. by President David O. Moberg with 38 persons present.

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Association held in Baltimore, MD, October 30, 1981 were APPROVED.

The Chairperson of the Nominating Committee, Barbara Hargrove, gave the results of the 1982 RRA election. She reported that, compared to returns of recent elections, the response to the 1983 election was about average. Elected to offices and other positions on the Board were: President-Elect, William McKinney; Development Chairperson, Constant Jacquet; Nominating Chairperson, C. Kirk Hadaway; Program Chairperson, Michael Welch; Director-at-Large, Ruth Doyle and Dean Hoge; Members, Nominating Committee, Ted Long and Gay Tennis.

The Secretary presented her report. Normal duties of the office were completed during 1982. In addition, the Secretary worked with the Office Assistant to prepare documents for the election and certify the results of same.

The President-Elect, Jackson Carroll, brought a report concerning an action of the Board at its meeting two days earlier to move the administrative functions and bookkeeping activities of the RRA to Storrs, CT, under the management of Lorraine D'Antonio. Lorraine also handles these functions for the SSSR and ASR. He explained that, up until this point, the office management functions have been carried out on a volunteer basis by Board members who have donated office space, materials and time. While this approach has served us well, it cannot be expected to continue indefinitely; hence, the decision of the Board.

Appreciation was expressed to the NCC--Constant Jacquet, in particular-- for office space and to Everett Perry, Mary Mattis and the Research Unit of the UPCUSA for their handling of these functions to date.

Jackson Carroll informed the group that, if mailing lists are needed, Lorraine will be providing these after January 1, 1983. Questions about interim procedures should be directed to Jack.

The report of the Treasurer, Everett Perry, was circulated. He noted that the financial situation of the Association is generally favorable, compared to the last few years. He noted that (1) income for 1981-82 was mere than $3,000 above budgeted income, due to increased receipts from membership and subscriptions, primarily; (2) expenses were less than budgeted, due largely to contributions for a special issue of the Review of Religious Research paid directly to the printer, (3) assets have increased from $12,458 to $20,552. This latter figure appears to be a sizeable one but actually balances out since the increase was due almost entirely to funds from two special issues of the Review which we did not have to finance. A like amount (for the two issues) was put in the reserves.

A question was raised regarding the impact on the budget of the transfer of office management functions to Storrs. Everett Perry reported that $500 had been budgeted for this purpose. An increase in dues will insure that any additional costs will be covered. (This increase was approved at the Spring meeting of the Board.)

A report was distributed by the Chairperson of the Finance Committee, James Davis. It was reported that the audit was completed and reviewed. Reserves of approximately $14,000 are held by the Association in a Certificate of Deposit and the Dreyfus Liquid Assets money market fund. It is important to the Association to have access to its funds which is why all of it is not kept in a CD. He called the group's attention to the budget and income projections on pages 2-3 of his report, noting that we will need $500 for the physical transfer of office and start-up of the operation in Storrs. This amount should be added to the total budget reported.

A question was raised about how the move to Storrs will affect ongoing operating expenses. Jim replied that we can't be sure about this but we are certain that there will be greater efficiency as a result of the move and that, in the long run, costs will be less. He went on to say that by adding $500 to the projected deficit the result is a total deficit of $2,161. This should not be a cause for alarm. Grants, contributions, etc., have produced $4,000-$5,000 in the past. We feel that it is responsible to assume that at least half of this amount will come in in 1983-84, resulting in a balanced budget. Nonetheless, it will be close and we do not want to draw on our reserves. As a result, the Board voted an increase in dues, effective 1983-84 fiscal year. It was decided that the the increase should be substantial enough that another increase would not be necessary for several years. The new dues/subscription rates will be as follows:

David Roozen, Chairperson of the Publicity Committee, as well as Program Chairperson for the 1982 Meeting distributed a written report. He reported that we had 400 persons registered for SSR/ASR/RRA and an additional number for APRE. This is probably the largest number that we have had since we met with the American Academy. The RRA portion of the Program is represented by 19 sessions this year - again, higher than normal. Half of these are joint sessions (ASR or SSSR with RRA). One new aspect of this year's program is several sessions devoted entirely to research projects nearing completion or recently completed. He invited persons participating in or attending these sessions to share their evaluations of them with him. One weakness in this year's program, he noted, is the relative absence of presentations specifically of interest to religious practitioners.

Regarding publicity for this year's meeting, he reported that about 10-12 national newspersons, including several from wire services are attending this year's meeting. The size, quality and specific content of this year's program, along with Dave's familiarity with persons in the media in this area, seem to have contributed to the success of this year's publicity efforts. He reported that the Board had decided to continue this position and that assistance from other RRA members would be welcome.

The Program Chairperson for 1983, Ed Lehman, pointed out the announcement calling for papers for the 1983 Meeting that was circulated with this year's Meeting materials. The theme of the '83 program is Religion and Justice. The meeting site is Knoxville, TN, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. He mentioned that Mr. Bill Housely from Knoxville Tourist Association has a booth set up in the book display area at this Meeting. He would welcome conversations on flight arrangements and facilities related to the '83 Meeting. Ed Lehman will be approaching RRA members about organizing sessions and doing papers and hopes that they will be interested in contributing to the Meeting. Dave Roozen added that local newspersons in Knoxville have told him that they would be interested in arranging talk shows, etc., during the Meeting.

The Chairperson of the Development Committee, James Davidson, was absent but Douglass Lewis presented a report for him. He reported that membership is up slightly again this year, as it has been for the last several years. The New Development Chairperson is Constant Jacquet.

The Editor of the Review of Religious Research, Hart Nelsen, distributed a written report and noted that manuscripts have been of good quality. He encouraged persons presenting papers this year and next to send him their manuscripts. He also said that, in the past volume of the Review, we had two special issues paid for by the contributors. Thanks were extended to the supporters of these issues. It was reported that back issues of the Review have been sold to Heine and should be ordered from there from now on. Hart reported that he is now half-way through his term as Editor and that he will not serve more than one term in this position. June, 1984, will be the last issue that he will edit. The opening for an Editor will be advertised in the December, 1982 issue of the Review. The selection of a new Editor will be made at the Spring meeting of the Board. Hart encouraged persons present to think about whether they have an interest in the position. He concluded by thanking the Board and, particularly, Kirk Hadaway, who has served as Book Editor.

David Moberg, President, expressed appreciation on behalf of the RRA to Hart Nelsen for all of his fine work on the Review. He reported that Jack Carroll is the Chairperson of the Selection Committee for a new Editor serving with James Davidson and William McKinney. He noted that persons considering the position should be aware that some supporting services and resources have to be provided by the Editor due to lack of funds in the RRA budget for these items. These include secretarial and editorial assistance, typewriters (preferably a word processor), copywriting fees and a graduate research assistant or comparable help. Hart commented on the arrangements that he has with his University regarding the provision of such services.

David Moberg presented his report, beginning with a reminder about the Annual H. Paul Douglass Lecture scheduled for the next day. He reported that this lecture is given annually by the RRA and that the Selection Committee is still receiving suggestions for next year's Lecturer. They should be submitted to Ed Lehman, David Moberg or Hart Nelsen.

President Moberg informed members that they will be receiving a ballot related to By-Laws revisions in the mail within the next few months. These must be voted by the membership. The largest change being proposed has to do with the term of office of the President. The recommendation is that the President serve a two-year term. In addition, he or she would serve one year as President and one year as Past President. Another change in the By-Laws being proposed is that members of the Nominating Committee be elected. The By-Laws currently state that the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee be elected. We have already deviated from this by electing members of the Committee in this year's election. The remainder of the changes being proposed are minor in comparison.

The President expressed gratitude to all volunteers who have served the RRA so effectively noting that these include many persons beyond the Board. Gratitude was also expressed to persons going out of office, specifically, Douglass Lewis, James Davidson, Barbara Hargrove, David Roozen, Carl Dudley and Clark Roof.

In closing, he reminded members that our historical records are kept in a special collection at Marquette University. Any past Board members, Editors of the Review, etc., who have files of materials pertinent to RRA history were urged to deposit these in the Archives. Constant Jacquet, Archivist of the RRA will also receive these materials and forward them to Marquette.

The new President, Jackson Carroll came forward and David Moberg turned over the responsibilities of the office to him. Appreciation was expressed to David Moberg by Jackson Carroll on behalf of the RRA Board and membership for his fine work as President. He noted that David Moberg will continue to serve the Association as Past President and in other roles as well.

Jackson Carroll discussed the future needs of the Association: promotion and forging of our distinctive identity as an Association; recruitment of persons involved in applied work and integration of such persons with others in the Association who are involved in academic roles. He noted the need to keep in the forefront the goal of broadening our membership to bring in more persons working in applied roles. He stated that he would welcome suggestions and questions regarding how to serve the constituency better and broaden it.

In closing, he thanked David Moberg and Hart Nelsen for all the contributions they had made to the RRA.

The meeting adjourned at 6:27 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary C. Mattis

SECRETARY